The Twelve: A novel
The Twelve, by William Gladstone, is a suspenseful and masterfully-written work of fiction about the Mayan Prophecy we're all, by now, familiar with. It's more than your usual novel, though. If you're into books like The Alchemist or The Celestine Prophecy--fabled stories with spiritual undertones--I'm sure you'd enjoy this read. The website for the book is here, if you'd like to find out more.

2012: Science or Superstition
2012: Science or Superstition is the companion book to the documentary (a recent Spiritual Cinema Circle feature) with the same title. I'd have loved it for the chapter titles alone ("How did 2012 come to mean the end of time?" "Should the US President Take Psychedelics?" "Classification, Schmlassification" are just a few...), but in addition to being witty, it's intelligent and well-thought-out. There's a preview of the book on the Disinfo site here.

The Twelve-Step Buddhist: Enhance Recovery from Any Addiction
Darren Littlejohn's deeply personal and immensely practical book brings together Buddhism and the twelve steps in an elegant synthesis. As a guide through recovery, the book is true genius--it manages to maintain a reverence and respect for the twelve steps, while allowing for an "atheistic" interpretation of the process. I also loved how gritty and raw the author's own spirituality seemed, and how, instead of sugarcoating his process, he's not afraid to meet you in even the darkest places. His website is here. 

I Lost My Job and I Liked It: The 30-Day Law-Of-Attraction Diary of a Dream Job Seeker
Lilou Mace's endearing and heart-achingly honest story is what you'd get if you combined Bridget Jones and The Secret. It's a short and easy and inspiring read and it's hard not to fall in love with Lilou as she shares her journey; you feel as though you're a close friend she's confiding in. Her site is here. 

Hello Gaia!

Did you know that Blog Action Day is coming up on October 15th? That's right. Less than a fortnight away. We'll be celebrating in all kinds of ways on Gaia. The topic is climate change and we want Gaia to be involved. However, just to get you prepared for all your glorious blogging, I thought we'd focus our Friday Five on blogging and writing in general.

So tell us...

1) Do like to write?

2) Have you ever blogged? If yes, how often do you like to do it?

3) What's one of your favorite types of writing to read? (poems, stories, news articles, non-fiction?)

4) Do you like big words or simply learning new words?

5) Do you keep a personal journal, just for you?

Let us know... and we'll all tart our wheels turning for Blog Action Day!

Hi Lovely Gaia!

It's Jessica.

So, next Thursday October 15th is Blog Action Day, but we like to spread it out and make it Blog Action Week here on Gaia. You can even see our lovely little logo marking us as participants on the main site.

Please join us and get ready to take part in this global conversation about Climate Change, one of the most important topics facing our planet today. It impacts each and everyone of us, from the air we breathe, to the water we drink, to the cars we drive. We're starting off early and making this Friday Five about climate change and the importance of taking part in this world-wide-web dialogue.

1) Do you drink bottled or filtered water?

2) Have you ever used solar power? (for a calculator, your house, in a place you visited?)

3) Do you ever worry about polar bears?

4) Have you ever seen or been impacted by extreme weather? (hurricane, flood, drought, typhoon, tornado, wildfire or freeze?)

5) Do you like to recycle, save water or energy, compost, turn off the lights, etc.?

Let us know for this Friday Five...and get ready to share your thoughts with the world. next Thursday!

Hi Gaians!

It's time. Today is Blog Action Day, a virtual, global discussion about climate change and the environment.

You can write anything you like.

You can share a poem, photos or write your ideas about topics like changing weather, smog, the effects of the climate on poverty, animals, food resources, GMOs, wind power or the health of our oceans. Talk about how we can create sustainable solutions or what you think your country can do to reduce emissions.

This dude wrote a song!

The topics are wide open and we want to hear your beautiful ideas, your concerns, and your hopes. To participate, we'd love if you'd blog, but also register your blog with the Blog Action Day site. Gaia is partnering to make a difference through the many voices and wonderful thoughts that live in this online world, this community. We know that Gaians have so much to share.

Please join us and share your thoughts!



Perhaps this video may inspire you...



Please join us here on Gaia, register your blog with the Blog Action Day site, and tag a friend to do the same :)

Posted by Jessica.

Hi Lovlely Gaians :)

We are just finishing up our week long celebration of Blog Action Day! Thank you so much to everyone who participated. If you didn't there's still time! This week we'd like to close with a Friday Five about action and world-changing in general.

Some of us like to change the world around us with a smile, some participate in campaigns or write letters to their representatives, some join organizations or support non-profits, some simply participate by creating a great family and great inspiration for their kids. All of these things make the world a better, more loving place.

Remember, everyone is special and contributes something beautiful in their own way, so there are no right or wrong answers here on Gaia ;) We believe both great and small acts create change.

So share with us...

1) Do you like to act globally, locally, or both?

2) Does a smile from a stranger make your day better?

3) What is your favorite way to cheer someone up?

4) What's one thing we can do for the environment?

5) In one to four words, what's something you'd like to see improve in our society? (education, the environment, more hugs, human rights issues, children's health, etc.)



Posted by Jessica.

Beautiful Gaia beings!

Hello Beautiful Gaians,

Alchemy.

What does it mean? Is it the transformation to lead into gold is it about something more magical, like a broken spirit or lost heart in the dark rising into the sunlight full of understanding and whole. Either way alchemy is a magical process and a journey of the hopeful, of those willing to believe in the miraculous impossible.

Many of you may have read Siona's post about our book giveaway to celebrate the famous book by one of Gaia's favorite authors, Paulo Coelho. It's been on the New York Times Bestseller's list for two years and a Gaia favorite since our launch in 2006. If you haven't read the book yourself, we highly recommend it, but even if you haven't you can share in this week's Friday Five about transformation, journeying, and turning darkness into light.

Please share with us....

1) Do you believe in miracles?

2) Name one place that you have been that has felt magical, brought you peace or comforted you?

3) Name one thing you treasure?

4) In one to five words, name one place, person, event or thing that has felt magical to you or cheered your heart.

5) In less than 10 words, if you had one wish to go to somewhere or be with someone, from any time where would it be or who would you visit? (Go with your instinct :)


Let's open our hearts and explore :)


Posted by Jessica.

Hello lovely Gaians!

We need your help.

Most of you beautiful beings know we're celebrating The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. It's a fable of magic, transformation, growth, miracles and listening to your Heart. I know many of you have read it, since it's been our top book on Gaia as long as there's been a Gaia.

However, can you believe that one of our own Gaia Team members hasn't read this inspiring work?

Matthew, who we all know and love, who clearly believes in True Love, and the miraculous hasn't yet read this literary gem.

Our last Friday Five was about Alchemy, transformation and magic in the world. Matthew's answers nearly humbled me to tears with their authenticity and love. I think reading Coelho's book would inspire him even further on his path towards love and an exceptional life.

So, for those of you who have read the book, for those of you who were touched by it's simple beauty and wonder, for those of you who just think Matthew needs to read more...

Tell us right here in the comments below:

Hello Wonderful People,

We've spent the past few weeks celebrating the Alchemist and we've gotten wonderful responses for our Friday Fives, book giveaways and encouragement for Matthew ;) This week I'm going to reveal a bit about one of the most important lessons the Alchemist offered me. I don't think it's too much of a spoiler, alchemy is, after-all, clearly about transformation and we know that this book is of a spiritual nature.

I have two favorite parts in the Alchemist. The first is the simple image of our hero cleaning delicate crystal in Tangiers. The second is when Santiago, the main character, has a conversation with the deep parts of his hidden heart. Sometimes the voice of our heart is feint because we have listened to other, loud voices for so long and ignored its precious whisper. There are times when I think about how easy it is to get off the right path or lose ourselves in what we "think" seems like the right idea. Our heart always knows the truth. As for me, whenever I try to ignore that little voice, it's only a matter of time until my heart once again proves itself right as the small machinated illusions and structures crumble in the face of the truth that my heart had inside it all along.

So please share with us about the heart in this week's Friday Five :)

1) Do you talk to your own "heart" (conscience, inner voice, true self)?

2) Name one thing that helps clear your mind and heart.

3) Pick three words that describe how you feel when in sync with your heart.

4) Do you think you have strong intuition?
(a simple yes or no is okay, or elaborate as you like ;)

5) Do you feel peaceful while cleanimg dishes like Santiago in the book, or annoyed or just wet?

Let us know....


Posted by Jessica.