Archives: Book Reviews

The Big Book of the Soul: Our Many Lives as Holographic Aspects of the Source by Ian Lawton

Reviewed by Thelma Freedman, Ph.D.
In JRT Issue 23, 2009

 

This is a book focused on reincarnation itself rather than past-life therapy. Let me say at the outset that it is an excellent history of reincarnation beliefs as they emerge from a wide assortment of channelers, meditators, past-life therapists, and past-life “subjects” (Lawton’s word); some going back centuries. It should be a required text in any training program for past life therapists. It contains an excellent bibliography and reference list, and a thorough index. It also contains the best analysis of the work of Ian Stevenson that I have ever read, as well as examinations of the work of other “pioneers,” as Lawton rightly calls our founders.

But of … Read the rest

15 January 2009

Exploring The Eternal Soul by Andy Tomlinson

Reviewed by Virginia Waldron
In JRT Issue 22, 2008

 

In this book Andy Tomlinson examines and discusses journeys into the interim state of existence for 15 clients to further explore our experiences when we are not incarnated in a physical body. Michael Newton’s previous work clearly set the ground stage for further study in Spiritual Regression, also known as Life Between Lives or as Andy calls it, interlife regression. In this book Andy builds on the shoulders of other authors and researchers in the field thus providing a stronger research foundation for the book case studies. Andy also brings his own style, his own insight and wisdom into this work and it is a very informative, intelligent, and highly readable … Read the rest

15 January 2008

Queen’s Gold by Melissa Bowersock

Reviewed by Thelma Freedman, Ph.D.
In JRT Issue 22, 2008

 

Melissa Bowersock, a certified hypnotherapist and Jungian past-life therapist for 13 years, has gifted all of us with a gripping novel driven by an unexpected past-life recall. Her widowed reluctant hero, ordinary skeptical guy Hal Thompson, submits to his daughter’s request that he experience a past-life recall. Convinced at first that he is just “making it all up,” Hal regresses to a lifetime that starts in Spain and moves on to Hispaniola and from there into Cortez’s army and finally the Aztec lands.

It is here that Hal first encounters the Queen’s Gold with its history of murder and treachery – and its hiding place. Later, when his family … Read the rest

15 January 2008

The Past Lives – Embracing the Wisdom and Healing Power of Your Soul by Jean Rita Linder

Reviewed by Dorothy Neddermeyer, Ph.D.
In JRT Issue 22, 2008

 

“The Past Lives” by Jean Rita Linder is a pleasant surprise. The surprise for me was the author’s ability to draw the reader deeper into the message regarding past-life recall. Having conducted past-life regressions with hundreds of clients for over twelve years and attending numerous past-life regression workshops and talking with colleagues, I thought I would be bored after the second paragraph. However, since I had committed to writing this review, I knew I needed to read the book. After reading the second paragraph, it was obvious that Jean Linder had something to offer everyone, including an experienced past-life regression practitioner.

Linder reveals in great detail the miracle of … Read the rest

15 January 2008

Healing Research Vol. II: How Can I Heal What Hurts? by Daniel J. Benor, M.D.

Reviewed by the Editor
In JRT Issue 21, 2007

 

Dr. Benor offers a four volume series on Healing Research. While this particular volume is not focused on regression research or therapies the focus is on our energetic nature and the many varied approaches to self healing. As such the material contained in this volume is related to our work as energy therapists of sorts.

This volume is loaded with lots of research information supporting the theory and belief of the subtle energies of our bodies and the many varied therapies available today to facilitate healing. Dr. Benor casts a wide net covering healing practices from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to Astrology and Dowsing.

He discusses the influence environmental energies exert on … Read the rest

14 January 2007

The Wisdom of the Soul by Ian Lawton

Reviewed by the Editor
In JRT Issue 21, 2007

 

This is the second book written by the author; his previous work was reviewed in the last issue of the Journal. This new work is a collaborative one in which he was assisted by the very able Andy Tomlinson, whose book Healing the Eternal Soul is also reviewed in this issue.

Ian’s background in research is paired with Andy’s skill as a trained and very experienced Past Life and In Between Life Therapist. Together they submitted questions to a carefully picked group of subjects who, as Ian states: “would be chosen by Andy, and would not claim to have any special gifts or access to special channels of higher wisdom—they … Read the rest

14 January 2007

Healing the Eternal Soul: Insights From Past Life and Spiritual Regression by Andy Tomlinson

Reviewed by the Editor
In JRT Issue 21, 2007

 

Whether you are teaching others the skill of PLRT or want to expand your skill base and knowledge in your own practice, this new book by Andy Tomlinson is a great teaching and learning tool.

Andy does a great job of covering the whole spectrum of soul healing through both past life regression and in-between life regression. Unlike some books on the subject that restrict their approach to healing only the energetic or spiritual bodies, Andy also addresses the physical body and its role in releasing and healing both current and past lifetime physical trauma.

He builds a case of validity of these healing techniques through a step by step approach. … Read the rest

14 January 2007

Passport to Past Lives: The Evidence by Robert T. James

Reviewed by Thelma B. Freedman, Ph.D.
In JRT Issue 20, 2005

 

Robert James has written a fascinating account of his extensive research projects and the findings from them. He first presented two brief overviews of his work in the pages of the Journal, V. VII (1993) and V. IX (1995), and spoke about it at the APRT Spring Conference of 1995 in Washington, DC, which focused on research. This book expands on his previous work and provides rich detail about his results.

Dr. James’ first research project was designed to test many of the claims that critics raise about past life regressions and therapy. Noting that some critics claim that most published regressions come from people in therapy for … Read the rest

14 January 2005

The Book of the Soul: Rational Spirituality for the 21st Century by Ian Lawton

Reviewed by Louis Siron, C.Ht.
In JRT Issue 20, 2005

 

I had the pleasure recently of reading “The Book of the Soul: Rational Spirituality for the 21st Century” by Ian Lawton.

You might wonder at the term “rational spirituality.” What does this mean? How can spirituality be rational? I had the impression of a subject that is typically faith based being defined in a logical factual way. As it turns out, that impression was not far off the mark.

According to Webster’s Dictionary, 1) rational: able to reason, not foolish or silly, sensible; synonym reasonable and 2) spirituality: spiritual nature, character, or quality.

Here we have a very unusual book; a book that fills a void in the literature … Read the rest

14 January 2005

Power vs. Force: The Hidden Determinants of Human Behavior by David R. Hawkins

Reviewed by Sydney S. Heflin, Ed.D.
In JRT Issue 19, 2004

 

 “Imagine…what if you had access to a simple yes-or-no answer to any question you wished to ask? A demonstrably true answer. Any question…Think about it.” So begins Dr. David Hawkins’ book, Power VS Force. Impeccably researched over 20 years, and with scientifically derived and objectively organized truths, the information in this book is like a bucket of ice water in the face of the discerning reader.

The author of many scientific papers, Dr. Hawkins co-authored Orthomolecular Psychiatry with Nobelist Linus Pauling. He also has an extensive background as a therapist and teacher. Extrapolating from the initial work of Dr. John Diamond in the late seventies, in the … Read the rest

13 January 2004