EXPLORER NEW YORK - AA MAP & GUIDE PACK

RATING - D

Despite not yet being able to visit the city, I retain a mild interest. Two or three times I have almost visited, including an attempt for the 99-00 millennium. I have a curiosity about the city as I expect to be reborn there in my next life, and therefore wish to read up on the place to key myself in.

I find the book much the same as any holiday guide in book format, with the usual chunks on history, maps, guides to stuff that most other people except me are interested in, etc. Page 179 mentioned a Tibetan art center that sounds interesting, though. I read everything except for the hotel & restaurant listings.

This book took over a year to read as I only read a couple of pages at a time. I recently finished it as I had to read something I could pick up and put down without too much concentration due to my father calling out every few minutes.

DREAMING YOURSELF AWAKE - B ALAN WALLACE

RATING: B

I relate better to non-Western ideas and techniques, myself. I have already had a little experience with the two 'WILD' options listed in chapter two and find what they term 'hypnagogic imagery' very easy to work with - probably due to my experiences using it as a starting point for multi-sensual telepathy - which becomes near-essential if you plan on maintaining a long-term long-distance relationship. Therefore, the second two chunks were of more assistance than the first section personally.

Chapter 7 especially appealed due to my own interests. I feel the sectors in chapter 8 would be easier to attain progress with work in visualizations within the spiritual zone than working on dreams, though. It is the same level of mentality, yet easier to retain control. The last few pages were of great interest to me, particularly the piece that talked of the importance of recognizing future lives, rather than just this current one.

I would recommend the book to those interested in beginning or improving lucid dreaming with a Buddhist emphasis.