Neale Donald Walsch
on
Relationships,
Abundance,
and
Holistic Living
Three 90-minute audio tapes.
Also available as books and on video
tape (Relationships).
New World Library, 1999
Reviewed by Irene D’Souza
Neale Donald Walsch, author of the popular Conversations with God series, is featured here in three conversational 90-minute tapes exploring everyday issues of living in an intimate workshop-lecture setting.
In a soft-spoken, humourous, non-judgmental style, the bestselling author establishes an obvious rapport with his listeners. Though he meanders, especially during the question and answer period, I would not advise listeners to fast-forward.
In relationships, as in everything else, Walsch says we tend to focus on what we want, rather than what we can give. In our minds, the onus on being fulfilled usually lies with the other. Walsch declares: to the contrary, "the purpose of relationship has everything to do with what you choose to put into it."
The tape on abundance ought to be required listening for all who complain that life has dealt them a wrong hand. Whatever you think you need, you already possess, Walsch insists. True abundance lies in the being; if you want more, be more.
The former altar boy dispels many of the myths that entrap us. "We choose therefore we are" is his motto. In discussing the obstacles we place in the way of our quest for true abundance and offering practical solutions, this tape provides much food for thought.
In his discussion of holistic living, this one-time homeless person presents a thought-provoking perspective on health, illness, spirituality, life, death, and sexuality. What stops us from living as whole people? Why do we see ourselves as separate from each other and even from ourselves? Walsch explores these issues, drawing candidly on his own life experiences. Our behaviours, he teaches, signal the universe as to what we truly desire or aspire to be. While Walsch gives such familiar examples as "smoking kills us prematurely, yet we continue to do so," he also relates how he made the connection in his own life. Ten years ago, suffering from arthritis, heart difficulties and a stomach ulcer, Walsch began pursuing a holistic lifestyle. His symptoms gradually disappeared.
In his intimate conversation with the listener, Walsch drives home the point that a diet of negative thinking does not a gourmet repast make. By offering clear directions and fresh insights to assist us in resolving the issues we wrestle with all our lives (e.g. "Life is for giving, not for getting"), Walsch provides a new understanding of life itself.
Neale Donald Walsch has the gift to inspire us to reinvent our lives, if we so choose. Each of us has the means, he insists; sometimes we just need to see the way.
Neale Donald Walsch on Relationships at Amazon.com and Chapters.ca
Neale Donald Walsch on Abundance at Amazon.com and Chapters.ca
Neale Donald Walsch on Holistic Living at Amazon.com and Chapters.ca