Tag: Metaphysics

  • COMING OUT Of The METAPHYSICAL CLOSET by Lisa Rhyne – Spirituality, Metaphysics, Memoir

     

    Lisa Rhyne offers a view into her beliefs, education, and personal experiences with the mystical and otherworldly in Coming Out of the Metaphysical Closet.

    In this autobiographical compendium of supernatural phenomenon, Coming Out of the Metaphysical Closet is a combination of multiple original manuscripts, beginning with a hefty overview of the foundational science and concepts to help frame Rhyne’s experiences, the metaphysical world, and those who claim to work in it. Rhyne explains her perspective on walking between and having to function in both the ‘normal’ and ‘mystical’ worlds and, like many visionaries, describes this reality as illusory and subjective, created by the collective consciousness of living beings through morphogenic fields and a universal repository of knowledge.

    Within this metaphysical framework, humans reincarnate from an ‘Oversoul’ that seeks to learn through each lived experience—the good, bad and everything in between. As such, Rhyne relates that shamans such as she can step between past and present lives, and even across different planes of existence. Throughout the book, Rhyne expands on the powers, dangers, as well as unique transformative opportunities that these spiritual journeys can lead to.

    Her own path within the metaphysical community takes center stage as she shares impactful moments in her life. From a complex and abusive relationship with her mother, to a dangerous stalker, to joyous life-changing personal revelations, she insists that metaphysical forces have watched over her since before she was born.

    Rhyne maintains a strong sense of yearning and hope throughout these stories, with moments of evocative description that paint both the mundane world and her enchanting mystical visions. Emotional scenes frame otherworldly ideas with experiences that readers can easily connect to—the pain of supporting a loved one through illness, the simple love between a girl and her cat, the joy and satisfaction of feeling that you’ve helped another person.

    As she learned more about mystical practices and her relationship to them, Rhyne continuously connects with many fascinating people. Her continued studies include a wide variety of scholars, healers, and thought leaders, Hopi and other indigenous elders, fellow Metas (her term for those who share her beliefs, abilities and practices), and renowned authors such as Michael Talbot, Phillip K. Dick and shamanic practitioner Dr. Hank Wesselman, PhD. Coming Out of the Metaphysical Closet contains numerous references and links, so curious readers will find many more valuable threads of knowledge to pursue.

    Rhyne shares examples of her metaphysical experiences and powers such as manifesting desired outcomes into her life, healing herself and others by moving between dimensions, and being guided by higher beings to pursue or avoid certain relationships. The full nature of these higher beings remains elusive, with references and stories that paint them in angelic, ancestral, and even extraterrestrial light.

    Coming Out of the Metaphysical Closet seeks to inspire readers—encouraging those who not only believe in but know the mystical to utilize their powers and share their abilities and perspectives with the world to foster understanding and acceptance of all things metaphysical.

    Some readers might find some ideas difficult to grasp, as this book is oriented more towards those who already have some education and connection to various metaphysical theory and beliefs, but Rhyne grounds the more esoteric ideas with figurative language, scientific foundations, and recurring explanations. Additionally, as some ideas are often drawn from various mythologies across the world, they show interesting connections between belief systems that at first glance appear disparate but share foundational concepts.

    Coming Out of the Metaphysical Closet has over 300 images including pictures and video stills of sometimes unexplainable supernatural phenomena, and significant moments for Rhyne, with an online gallery that further expands on them, including transcripts and videos.

    Rhyne’s online gallery includes images in the book and provides readers a chance to view the photos on their computers to be able to see the details better. More significantly, she includes security camera videos of drifting motes of light. The true nature of these videos is interesting to consider, whether one believes them to be small spiritual manifestations, or physical things catching the camera’s attention. Similarly, the photos and videos, and recording of the Mysterious & Unexplained show, include significant technical issues and comments by others experiencing the phenomena, giving tangible examples of Rhyne’s claims that her energy disrupts electrical systems.

    Rhyne also provides supplemental documents like the full Dragon dictation messages (from Chapter 8) in this gallery. These messages contain some ominous and even poetic lines, though similarly to Rhyne herself, readers will find it difficult to parse meaning from this text. Much could be read into it, however, and the lack of clarity prompts one to wonder how an otherworldly entity might struggle to communicate with someone in our reality utilizing electronics.

    All these examples might encourage others with metaphysical beliefs to openly share their experiences, their own documented phenomena, and could certainly spark fascinating discussions which is one of the goals of this book—to start authentic dialogue without any fear of negative repercussions or discrimination.

    This book will resonate with those who experience—as well as seek to experience—seemingly unexplainable mystical things, and ultimately advocates for a world of understanding, love and authentic personal empowerment.

    At the core of Coming Out of the Metaphysical Closet is the idea of inclusion and universal connection—through past lives, Aka cords, soul groups, or even just the small moments of kindness that turn strangers into friends. Whether or not readers share every belief with this book, Rhyne reminds them to search for people who enrich their lives and live the ideals of empathy and equality.

    For readers on a journey of metaphysical spirituality, or for those who are merely ‘psi-curious’ (to borrow one of Rhyne’s terms), this book will spark curiosity and a sense of community. Rhyne understands there will be those who doubt and no matter how much evidence is presented by her or anyone else, some will never accept. And that’s perfectly fine with Rhyne. This book is a beacon of light for those who wish to be the masters of their lives and dreams. There are two questions that sum it up nicely. “What if she’s wrong?” and “What if she’s right?”

     

  • Part Three of Three Official Postings of the 2021 Chanticleer International Book Awards (#CIBAs) Overall Grand Prize and Division Grand Prize and First Place Category Winners

    We are deeply honored and excited to continue to announce the 2021 Winners of the Chanticleer International Book Awards (The CIBAs) with our third and final of three official postings.

    CIBA Grand Prize Ribbons!

    The winners were recognized at the CIBA ceremonies held on June 25th, 2022 in-person and by ZOOM webinars  at the luxurious Hotel Bellwether, Bellingham, Wash.

     

    The CIBA announcements were made LIVE with Chanticleerians participating and interacting from around the globe and North America.

    Raising our glasses to cheer the CIBA Winners!

    We want to thank all of the CIBA judges who read each and every entry and then comment, rate, and rank within each of the 25 CIBA Divisions. Without your labors of love for books, the Chanticleer International Book Awards would not exist. THANK YOU!

    A pyramid showing the different levels of CIBA Achievement

     

    We want to thank all of the authors and publishers who participated in the 2021 Chanticleer International Book Awards (the CIBAs). Each year, we find the quality of the entries and the competitiveness of the division competitions increasing exponentially. We added a new level to the judging rounds in 2019—the premier Level of FINALIST per each CIBA Division. The CIBA judges wanted to add the Finalist Level of Achievement as a way to recognize and validate the entries that had outstanding merit but were not selected for the very few First Place Award positions within each genre division.

    This post will recognize the First Place and Grand Prize Winners for the

    Seven Non-Fiction Divisions:

    Journey, Hearten, Harvey Chute, Mind and Spirit, I & I, Military & Frontline and Nellie Bly

    along with the FIRST Winners for the 

    Short Story, and Book Series Awards,

    and concluding with the 

     OVERALL 2021 GRAND PRIZE WINNER 

    for the 2021 Chanticleer International Book Awards 

    For the Cygnus, Ozma, Paranormal, Global Thrillers, M&M, Clue, Little Peeps, Gertrude Warner, and Dante Rossetti Book Awards, please click here for Part 1.

    For the Laramie, Chaucer, Goethe, Hemingway, Chatelaine, Mark Twain, and Somerset Awards, click here for Part 2.


    Journey Narrative Non-Fiction

    The JOURNEY Book Awards for

    Narrative Non-Fiction, Memoirs, and Biographies 

    Grand Prize Winner is

     

    BETTER OFF BALD: A Life in 147 Days

     

    The Journey First Place Category Winners are:

    • Rosie McMahan – Fortunate Daughter: A Memoir of Reconciliation
    • Rosemary Keevil – The Art of Losing It: A Memoir of Grief and Addiction
    • Heather Haldeman – Kids and Cocktails Don’t Mix: A Memoir
    • Kathleen Lockyer – The Broken Wing Dance — Love, loss, trauma and how nature led me back to my wild self
    • C.L. Olsen – The Home for Friendless Children  

    I&I or Instruction & Insight Awards CIBA Badge

     

    The INSTRUCTION and INSIGHT Book Awards

    for How-To Guides, Travel Guides, Cook Books, Self-Help, and Enlightenment

    Grand Prize Winner is 

     

    THE BLACK FOSTER YOUTH HANDBOOK by Angela Quijada-BanksBlack Foster Youth Handbook Cover

    The I & I  First Place Category Winners are:

    • Wendela Whitcomb Marsh – Recognizing Autism in Women and Girls
    • Geraldine Clouston and Susan Weintrob – indieBRAG Eat, Read & Dream Cookbook
    • Jim & Jessica Braz – Baby Out of Wedlock
    • Phoebe Walker – Freedom Found – Productive and Joyful Living In Spite of Chronic Pain
    • M. J. Simms-Maddox, Ph.D. – A Handbook for Emerging and Seasoned Authors        

    Congratulations to the Inaugural 

    AWARD WINNERS for the

    Military and Front Line Book Awards

    of the CIBAs

    The MILITARY & FRONT LINE Book Awards

    for Service to Others Non-Fiction 

    Grand Prize Winner is

    Dear Bob Military & Front Line Grand Prize Badge

    DEAR BOB: Bob Hope’s Wartime Correspondance with the G.I.s of World War II by Martha Bolten with Linda Hope

    Dear Bob Cover

    The Military & Front Line  First Place Category Winners are:

    • Vicki Cody – Fly Safe: Letters from the Gulf War and Reflections From Back Home
    • Grover Nicodemus Street RN, Sandra de Abreu Guidry-Street MD, & Ja-ne de Abreu – Chasing the Surge: Life as a Travel Nurse in a Global Pandemic
    • Margaret Thomson – The World Looks Different Now
    • Burl Harmon – Combat Missions
    • George Farag – Unbecoming My Father’s Son: A Memoir

    Nellie Bly Awards

    The NELLIE BLY Book Awards

    for Investigative and Long Form Journalism Non-Fiction 

    Grand Prize Winner is

    America's Forgotten Suffragists Virginia and Francis Minor Nellie Bly Grand Prize Badge

     

    AMERICA’S FORGOTTEN SUFFRAGISTS: Virginia and Francis Minor
    by Nicole Evelina

    America's Forgotten Suffragists Virginia and Francis Minor Cover

    The Nellie Bly First Place Category Winners are:

    • Dori Jones Yang – When the Red Gates Opened
    • Dr. Kate Dolan – Beating Drug Addiction in Tehran: a Women’s Clinic
    • Abe Streep – Brothers on Three: A True Story of Family, Resistance, and Hope on a Reservation in Montana
    • Janice S. Ellis, Ph.D. – Advancing the Good Society:  Real Advocacy Journalism in Action

    Three Black stripes on a yellow badge CIBA Badge

    The HARVEY CHUTE Book Awards

    for Business & Enterprise Non-Fiction 

    Grand Prize Winner is

    Beyond Balancing the Books Harvey Chute Grand Prize Badge

    BEYOND BALANCING THE BOOKS by George Marino

    Balancing the Books Cover Image

     

    The Harvey Chute First Place Category Winners are:

    • Stan Bernard, MD, MBA – Brands Don’t Win: How Transcenders Change Games
    • Thomas Wideman – Welfare Cheese to Fine Caviar: How to Achieve Your Dreams Despite Your Upbringing
    • Kate Dixon – Pay Up! Unlocking Insider Secrets of Salary Negotiation
    • Cash Nickerson – Negotiating As a Martial Art

    Mind and Spirit Non-Fiction Awards

    The MIND & SPIRIT Book Awards

    for Spirituality and Enlightenment Non-Fiction

    Grand Prize Winner is

    Grand Prize Badge for Enlighten Up by Beth Gibbs

    ENLIGHTEN UP! by Beth Gibbs

     

    The Mind and Spirit First Place Category Winners are:

    • Mike Lutz – Jesus Speaking
    • Reagan J. Pasternak – Griffin’s Heart: Mourning Your Pet With No Apologies
    • Tammy Green – Living Without Skin: Everything I Never Knew About Fierce Vulnerability
    • Starr Regan DiCiurcio – Divine Sparks: Interfaith Wisdom for a Postmodern World    

    The HEARTEN Book Awards

    for Uplifting and Inspiring Non-Fiction

    Grand Prize Winner is

    2021 Heart Grand Prize Badge for DAWGS by Diane Trull and Meredith Wargo

     

    DAWGS: A True Story of Lost Animals and the Kids Who Rescued Them
    By Diane Trull and Meredith Wargo

    Cover of DAWGS

     

    The Hearten First Place Category Winners are:

     


    The SHORT STORY Book Awards

    for the CIBA Short Story Collections

    Grand Prize Winner is

    New York Give me your best or your worst Shorts (collections) Grand Prize Badge

    NEW YORK: Give Me Your Best or Your Worst by Elizabeth Crowens

    New York Give me your best or your worst cover

     

    The Shorts First Place Category Winners are:

     

    • Leah Angstman – Shoot the Horses First
    • Susannah Dawn – I’m Not What I Used To Be, Yet I Am Who I’ve Always Been – Excerpts From My Journey
    • Domenick Venezia – The Edwerd Chronicles
    • Frances Howard-Snyder – Through a Glass Darkly 
    • Helena P. Schrader – Grounded Eagles 

    The SHORT STORY Book Awards

    for Short Stories, Novelettes, and Novellas

    Grand Prize Winner is

    Grand Prize Badge for Toni Ann Johnson's Homegoing

     

    HOMEGOING by Toni Ann Johnson

    Homegoing Cover

    The Shorts First Place Category Winners are:

     

     

    • Gina Detwiler – Before: Jared’s Story
    • M. K. Wiseman – Sherlock Holmes & the Ripper of Whitechapel
    • Elizabeth Wolf – The Royal Foetus: A very short novel based on the very short life of King Louis XVII
    • Lindy Miller – Sleigh Bells on Bread Loaf Mountain
    • Vicky Oliver – A Valentine to my Mothers and Other Dubious Role Models
    • Kourtney Spadoni – In The Underwood

     

    The BOOK SERIES Book Awards

    for Fiction Series

    Grand Prize Winner is

    THE GUINEVERE’S TALE TRILOGY by Nicole Evelina

    The three books in the Guinevere's Tale Trilogy

    Daughter of Destiny, Camelot’s Queen, and Mistress of Legend

     

    The Series First Place Category Winners are:

     

    Ozma Book Awards for Series – Fantasy Fiction

    • M. K. Wiseman – The Bookminder series

    Dante Rossetti Book Awards for Series – Young Adult

    • Pamela Beason – Run for Your Life

    Chatelaine Book Awards for Series – Romantic Fiction

    • Janet K. Shawgo – Look For Me Series

    CLUE Book Awards for Series – Thriller/Suspense

    • Kaylin McFarren – Threads

    Mystery & Mayhem Book Awards for Series – Mysteries / Cozy and Not-so-Cozy

    • Amy S. Peele – A Transplant Medical Murder Mystery series

      Laramie Book Awards for Series – Americana / Western Fiction

      • E. Alan Fleischauer – JT Thomas’s Series – Western series

       


      CONGRATULATIONS to ALL! 

      The 2021 CIBA Overall Grand Prize Winner

      And NOW for the 

      2021 CHANTICLEER INT’L BOOK AWARDS

      BEST BOOK

      and

      OVERALL GRAND PRIZE WINNER

      The Devil Pulls the Strings Book Cover

      THE DEVIL PULLS THE STRINGS

      by J.W. Zarek

      J.W. Zarek will also be awarded $1,000 USD in recognition of her 2021 BEST BOOK of the YEAR – Chanticleer International Book Awards – Sponsored by Chanticleer Reviews & Media. 

      A Chanticleer Review of The Devil Pulls the Strings will be featured in the in the Chanticleer Reviews OnWord Magazine (print and epub) along with other promotional and marketing opportunities along with an interview with the author, J.W. Zarek.

      Thank you J.W. Zarek for participating in the 2021 Chanticleer International Book Awards. We look forward to receiving future work in our CIBAs.

      CONGRATULATIONS J.W. Zarek! 

      Six Grand Prize Winners with J.W. Zarek, the 2021 Overall Grand Prize Winner!

      From all of us at Chanticleer International Book Awards and Chanticleer Reviews. 

      Looking for your Division? Check out our previous posts:

      For the Cygnus, Ozma, Paranormal, Global Thrillers, M&M, Clue, Little Peeps, Gertrude Warner, and Dante Rossetti Book Awards, please click here for Part 1.

      For the Laramie, Chaucer, Goethe, Hemingway, Chatelaine, Mark Twain, and Somerset Awards, click here for Part 2.


      THANK YOU to VCAC21 SPONSORS and FRIENDS

       

      And to FRIENDS of CHANTICLEER REVIEWS:

      Cathy Ace, J.D. Barker, Robert Dugoni, Chris Humphreys, Bradley Metrock, Jessica Morrell, Scott Steindorff, and Paul Hanson of Village Books


       

      We will post more photographs and information. Do check back and subscribe to the Chanticleer Reviews e-news letter.

      We have exciting news for the Chanticleer Community on the horizon so do stay tuned!  

      You know you want a coveted Chanticleer Reviews Blue Ribbon! 

      Submit your works (manuscripts or novels published after or on January 1, 2019, are accepted) to the prestigious Chanticleer International Book Awards today! Entries are being accepted into the 2022 CIBAs in all 18 fiction divisions and seven non-fiction divisions. 

      Be sure to register early for the 11th Chanticleer Authors Conference that will start on April 23rd, 2023 with the 2022 CIBA banquet and ceremony scheduled to take place on Saturday, April 25th, 2023 at the luxurious Hotel Bellwether in Bellingham, Wash.

      Be well. Stay Healthy. Take Care!

      An email will go out to all 2021 CIBA award winners prior to October 30, 2022, with instructions, links, and more information about the awards packages. We appreciate your patience. As stated many times before “One does not need to be present at the CIBA ceremony and banquet to win. But it sure is a lot more fun!”

      As always, please contact us at Chanticleer@ChantiReviews.com with any questions, concerns, or suggestions!

      We need good books, now more than ever!

      The Chanticleer Reviews Team

    • TO BE ENLIGHTENED by Alan J. Steinberg, MD – Metaphysical Science Fiction, Magic Realism, Metaphysical and Visionary

      TO BE ENLIGHTENED by Alan J. Steinberg, MD – Metaphysical Science Fiction, Magic Realism, Metaphysical and Visionary

      If you have never read a work of philosophical fiction, be prepared—it’s not fluff.

      Dr. Alan J. Steinberg’s latest work in some ways echoes other works with similar themes, e.g., Nietzsche’s Thus Spoke Zarathustra, or Siddhartha by Herman Hesse. But To Be Enlightened provides a distinctive, twenty-first-century take on setting and characters, giving it a uniquely California flavor.

      In a tale of ambivalence and obsession that would captivate a Freudian psychologist, Steinberg uses the main character, Abe Levy, a conflicted philosophy professor at a Southern California college, as a vehicle to recount the philosophical underpinnings of Transcendental Meditation, relating the tenets of Indian Vedic philosophical beliefs to those of Western and Middle Eastern civilizations over the ages.

      Abe’s conflict is both spiritual and mundane, affecting every aspect of his life.

      When he was fifteen, Abe experienced an inexplicable, life-altering event. At that time, two strangers transported him to another plane of existence—heaven, if you will—on another planet. There he lived a joyful, perfect life without the complications of sex, avarice, or any of the seven deadly sins, with a soul mate whom he had known forever. One day, when he was very old, the same two strangers returned him to his previous adolescent existence on earth.

      From that time, Abe’s obsession has been to return.

      Stuck in 21st century California, he is ambivalent toward his wife, Sarah, whose anxiety and panic attacks, along with her healthy libido, both distract from and interfere with the meditations that will transport him back. Abe is happiest when teaching The Insider’s Guide to Our Self, which allows him to escape his worldly concerns and responsibilities and focus on enlightenment. When Sarah masters the technique and joins him in advanced night meditations, Abe is delighted. However, he doesn’t anticipate what comes next.

      A well-crafted book, To Be Enlightened is weighted with philosophical thought from multiple sources, documented with citations and footnotes worthy of a doctoral dissertation. Most of this, presented in classroom scenes, slows the pace—only the repartee between/among the students and professor save it from a complete stall. However, quirky characters and unexpected events, while stretching credulity, keep it alive.

      Worthy of finishing—the reader should be prepared to set aside the time and patience it demands. To Be Enlightened is sure to illuminate the unenlightened readers, expanding their understanding of eastern philosophy and religion.