October 2008 Books
Sacred Living, Sacred Dying; Myrriddin
Sacred Living, Sacred Dying
A Guide to Embracing Life and Death
At some time in our lives each of us is faced with the fact of our own mortality. In my own life, I have had the privilege of being present in different ways to the passing of loved ones who left this life with a legacy of love and grace. I've also been close to some who've gone out kicking and screaming. If, like me, you would prefer to walk out of your life in peace and beauty, I recommend Sacred Living, Sacred Dying as a beautiful, gentle and thorough guide to the many aspects to be faced as we each prepare to leave this world.
The book opens with the author's own highly personal life story, related with relentless honesty tempered by compassion and understanding. It is a story I found moving, a story that made it clear how immensely qualified she is to have penned a book of this sort, and a story that empowers me to look with new eyes upon aspects of my own past that I normally choose to keep under wraps.
And then it ends with another of her very personal stories, the story of her second near-death experience.
In between: Chapter I is an invitation and detailed guide to sharing—via writing, taping, filming, whatever modality you choose—the things that have been special in your life: your childhood; your family members, friends and lovers; your career; your spirituality; your hopes and dreams; your wisdom and gifts. In Chapter 2 you are encouraged to plan the final celebration of your life and what to leave behind for others to remember you by. Chapter 3 is down to brass tacks about decisions, funeral arrangements and legalities, with solid information about options you may well not have considered. And Chapter 4 will help you supply those you leave behind with all the information they will need upon your death.
Sharon Lund's life has brought her intimate experience with every facet of dying, which in turn has enhanced her appreciation for the beauty of living. I thank her for sharing so deeply and compassionately with us, for offering us this book as a creative resource.
—Chiwah
Myrriddin
Book II of The Merlin Factor (a novel)
In his first novel, Longinus: Book I of the Merlin Factor , Steven Maines took the reader back to the time of Christ to tell the story of Gaius Cassius Longinus, the battle-hardened Roman centurion assigned to guard the crucified Jesus. Longinus ensured Jesus' death by stabbing him in the ribs with his spear, after which he was forced to flee the Roman priests who came in search of his spear, which they believed was now magically empowered. As time went on the spear did turn out to be extraordinary, speaking to Longinus in the voice of Jesus, which created in him a profound spiritual awakening.
The sequel, Myrriddin , is set in the fourth century A.D. Many generations have come and gone, and now the soul of Longinus has reincarnated as a Celtic boy in old Britain. Named ‘Merlin' by his parents, the lad's modesty and respect for that ancient title leads him to prefer being called by the variant ‘Myrriddin.'
Identified at birth as one destined to be a great Druid, Myrriddin is raised in the ancient temple on the Isle of Avalon. Unconscious at first of his link to the Roman centurion, the boy discovers a sword in an ancient sarcophagus that he instinctively knows belongs to him. Strangely enough, the sword resists the effects of fire and water, and what appear to be spots of blood cannot be removed from its surface. Myrriddin carefully wraps the sword in a woven cage, attaching a crystal and a Druid egg to protect and disguise it as a Druid staff.
What follows is an enthralling story of passion and adventure. Myrriddin is now a man in his thirties, learning of his own powers and the powers of the spear-turned-staff, which speaks to him of ancient times and reveals secrets of eternity. The book interweaves the recounting of his love for one woman and his infatuation with another and the story of the battles against proponents of the new Christian church, out to destroy the Old Ways and get their hands on the powerful spear.
A story well told, a great book to hole up with next to the fire this fall or winter.
—Chiwah
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