Nexus - 0806 - New Times Magazine-pages

Page Content (OCR)

REVIEWS | AM MODERATELY FOND OF SPIRITUAL HEALING: Scientific AUSTRALIA Validation of a Healing Revolution Cartoons by Somerville by Daniel J. Benor, MD Hardie Grant Books, Vic., Australia, 2001 Vision Publications, USA, 2001 ISBN 1-876719-84-2 (104pp tob) ISBN 1-886785-1 1-2 (600pp tpb) Price: A$26.95 + international p&h Price: £19.99 + £1.50 p&h in UK, £3 to Distributor: Australia— Bookshops; Europe; £4.50 elsewhere; NLGf78,90, NEXUS Magazine, PO Box 30, Mapleton, — Euro35,90; US$28.00 + s&h cost on appli- Qld 4560, tel +61 (0)7 5442 9280, email cation; NLGf78,90, Euro35,90 editor@nexusmagazine.com Distributors: UK—Counterculture, tel he jester of old, who has always some- 01823 698895; Europe—NEXUS Office, . how been able to get away with finger- tel +31 (0)321 380558; USA—New Leaf; Pointing the lies, hypocrisy and vanity of Amazon; Vision Publications, 21421 mankind while at the same time acknowl- Hilltop St #28, Southfield, MI 48034, tel edging and transcending the human condi- +1 (248) 948 8112. fax +1 (248) 948 tion with humour and compassion, has its 9534, email center@reiki org, website | www.spiritualone.com LAM MODERATELY . e can expect some incredible medical FOND OF AUSTRALIA breakthroughs in the 21st century, but : e ij i: none will be quite as significant as those that involve the mind and the nature of con- sciousness. The groundwork has been laid, and from the studies gathered by Dr Daniel Benor for Spiritual Healing it's obvious that there is a significant body of scientific and anecdotal knowledge that proves the mind's ability to effect healing. This is primarily age-old knowledge, Dr Benor reminds us, but knowledge that has been rediscovered, reassessed and increasingly is being applied. Fundamental to the study of this special type of healing is consideration of biological modern-day counterpart in the cartoonist, energy fields and the nonlocality of the particularly of the ilk of Phil Somerville. mind, and many studies here involve experi- As destiny willed it, Phil's cartoons have ments with energies of plants, animals, sin- been gracing these pages for over 10 years, _gle-celled organisms, enzymes and DNA. and have gone on to enlighten readers of the | Many of the studies utilised highly sensitive Sydney Morning Herald, the Bulletin and technologies to provide measurements. even Penthouse in Australia. But the types of spiritual healing covered At last, here is the first compendium of require no particular technologies; just the Somerville's collective offerings, and they healing power of touch, the laying on of are truly worthy of a worldwide audience. hands, the channelling of energies as in Phil tells me that about 40% of the cartoons Reiki, the attunement and focus of mind, but have never been published before, and says _the utilisation of energised crystals and the selection (eight pages in colour) reflects —_ water helps. Collected in this valuable man- the last 15 years of his journey into the ual are the views of many consciousness “whimsical, lyrical, frank or refreshingly researchers and spiritual healers from strange". The one thing he asks is that you around the globe—the Russian, Chinese and "laugh till you think". His cover title car- Hawaiian kahuna input displaying unique toon, "I Am Moderately Fond of Australia", approaches to energy dynamics. featuring a guy wearing a T-shirt bearing There's an impressive array of studies doc- those words amidst a swarm wearing "I umented (though some are more successful Love Australia" slogans, has as much punch than others), including using red blood cells in these latter-day CHOGM-atic times as it tg study psychokinesis, kinesiology to show did in the late 1980s Australia Card protest changes in internal gi, negatively charged era. And my favourite Time Machine water to show the effect of depressive Repairs cartoon is here: "Leave it with me. thoughts on a plant, and prayer to effect dis- You can pick it up last Tuesday." tant healing and self-healing. Described are Icould continue waxing on lyrically about a1} sorts of spiritually based healing prac- Phil's cartoons, but get the book yourself; tices that can effect change on the physical, get several copies (Iam). By some strange mental and emotional levels. quirk, Phil has a way of restoring one's faith This book should connect and inspire heal- in humanity through the power of humour. ers across a broad range of modalities. | AM MODERATELY FOND OF AUSTRALIA Cartoons by Somerville Hardie Grant Books, Vic., Australia, 2001 ISBN 1-876719-84-2 (104pp tpb) Price: A$26.95 + international p&h Distributor: Australia— Bookshops; NEXUS Magazine, PO Box 30, Mapleton, Qld 4560, tel +61 (0)7 5442 9280, email editor@nexusmagazine.com he jester of old, who has always some- how been able to get away with finger- pointing the lies, hypocrisy and vanity of mankind while at the same time acknowl- edging and transcending the human condi- tion with humour and compassion, has its 1 AM MODERATELY FOND OF AUSTRALIA modern-day counterpart in the cartoonist, particularly of the ilk of Phil Somerville. As destiny willed it, Phil's cartoons have been gracing these pages for over 10 years, and have gone on to enlighten readers of the Sydney Morning Herald, the Bulletin and even Penthouse in Australia. At last, here is the first compendium of Somerville's collective offerings, and they are truly worthy of a worldwide audience. Phil tells me that about 40% of the cartoons have never been published before, and says the selection (eight pages in colour) reflects the last 15 years of his journey into the "whimsical, lyrical, frank or refreshingly strange". The one thing he asks is that you "laugh till you think". His cover title car- toon, "I Am Moderately Fond of Australia", featuring a guy wearing a T-shirt bearing those words amidst a swarm wearing "I Love Australia" slogans, has as much punch in these latter-day CHOGM-atic times as it did in the late 1980s Australia Card protest era. And my favourite Time Machine Repairs cartoon is here: "Leave it with me. You can pick it up last Tuesday." I could continue waxing on lyrically about Phil's cartoons, but get the book yourself; get several copies (I am). By some strange quirk, Phil has a way of restoring one's faith in humanity through the power of humour. NEXUS +77 OCTOBER — NOVEMBER 2001 www.nexusmagazine.com