Blue Wolf Reviews

Tag: spirituality

  • Bridge Jumping

    Bridge Jumping

    Life is a leap of faith, a jump from a bridge railing.

    She is walking over the bridge; he is standing on the rails getting ready to jump. She stops and talks to the young man who she believes is about to end his life; he jumps.

    Poignant, thoughtful and fascinating Bridge Jumping tells the story of love, sorrow, regret, forgiveness and understanding through the diary of Paige Delainey, a young woman who considered herself a heretic, misfit and rebel over the course of what was to be her short life.

    Gabriel, the young man who jumped off the bridge became the love of her life, was bequeathed her diary and charged with the final distribution of her ashes. Twelve friends, all of whom had known Paige over many years were to be given a vial and asked to distribute them how and when they were ready.

    Somewhat unusual, Bridge Jumping looks at how one person is perceived by many, how they relate to that person as they each reflect on their friendship, their times together and how their lives interact with each other.

    Each of the family and friends story and their relationship to Paige is slowly revealed, as they in turn reflect and make the decision to take their vial to where they believe is her final resting place; a place they consider is deeply personal or was, to them both.

    Paige kept a diary, a journal, where she recorded her thoughts about her friends, her family and those that she loved dearly. These thoughts, beliefs and her understanding of their friendships and her sibling interaction is made known to the twelve people with intriguing results.

    One very relevant aspect of this beautiful story is that acceptance creates healing, that personal beliefs can change and be understood, that relationships can be healed with time, understanding, acceptance and love.

  • Spirituality, Healing and Me

    Spirituality, Healing and Me

    In her second book Spirituality, Healing and Me, Ilana Estelle once again uses her personal journey to share the wisdom she has gathered as she has faced the many challenges of growing up and living with Cerebral Palsy, which she was not diagnosed with until she was in her forties.

    Having made the decision not to focus on the negatives that life can bring, she began writing to try and understand better her pathway in life and perhaps more importantly, begin to learn about who she was and what she really wanted to do with her life.

    In an abstract manner, Spirituality has or has always been a part of her life. As a child she understood there was something around her that was different, not just physically but mentally and emotionally. It was not until she decided she need to make some serious changes to her lifestyle and ventured down the Spiritual pathway, she really began to understand the true beauty and richness that can be life and living.

    Spirituality, Healing and Me could be considered as a hand book for those about to embark on a voyage of personal discovery, as Estelle has set out each of the sections with an introduction to the subject matter to be offered within the Section, then subheadings dealing with everything from Understanding Spirituality to, interestingly, the effects COVID has had and is still having on our lives and society structure, which makes a somewhat fascinating conclusion to the Book.

    As the pages turn, she shares her thoughts on so many of the everyday aspects we all ponder over and frequently wonder about, such as Accountability, The Law of Cause and Effect, The Loss of a Loved One, Mirroring Internal Thoughts and so very much more.

    Perfect for the person beginning their Spiritual Journey Spirituality, Healing and Me can be read in sections, dipped into to seek an alternative point of view, to bring healing and understanding, or read from cover to cover and then returned to relevant areas to select the piece that resonates.

  • Within Us All

    Within Us All

    ‘It is a universal, timeless human trait to search for a personal purpose, for fulfillment for a deeper meaning to life,’. These words, written by Monica Williams introduce the first track, You Are Compassion on her latest release Within Us All; a piece which is enhanced with light and delicate percussion from John Herrera, giving the work an almost exotic ambience that welcomes the lister in to a space of peace and harmony.

    Made up of ten personal affirmations the work is simply put, elegant, in its purity of purpose and sound reaching out with the dulcet tones of the flute, played with an almost spiritual reverence, to create a calmness that washes over the anxieties of the day, to leave behind a feeling of peace and restfulness.

    Joined on the collection by Sherry Finzer, Lynne Tredeau, Will Clipman and Michael Kent-Smith, each of whom add their personal magic to the various songs on which they accompany Williams, creates a beautiful, rich authenticity to the mantra or belief which underpins each composition.

    You Are Memorable created in tribute to Rick Canham who passed away early in 2019, played on his flute in homage to his short life and immense talent, reaches into the depths of despair to be reborn as understanding that ‘our time on earth truly matters’.

    Ethereal and delicate the light You Are Happiness is a blend of flute and guitar which is uplifting after the previous slighter darker shades; flowing on You Are Adventure carries with it the unmistakable tones of the mystical, exotic East.

    Two Zi-Ci flutes combine to the backing of the Piano on You Are Integrity interpreting the voices that are the right and wrong, yin and yang, good and bad in our heads, the voices we choose to listen to on a daily basis; a short but a perfect reminder that choices, are made every day with integrity and honesty needing to be present always.

    In a collection of pieces built around love, happiness and respect, the final piece You Are Enough reminds everyone that we are all perfectly imperfect, which is at the end of the day all that truly matters.

    Within Us All is a blend of perfect coincidences, combined to create a calming series of musical mantras for blissful mediation and relaxation.

  • Cappadocia

    Cappadocia

    Cappadocia is a region in the heartland of Turkey; a place known for its incredible beauty and spirituality. Inhabited for thousands of years, it was the largest province in the Roman Empire in 314BC, with lands trodden by Alexander the Great, Croesus, and Xenophon of Athens, amongst the many.

    Zoroastrianism was the major religion practiced and is also considered that the Cappadocian Fathers of the 4th Century, were integral to much of early Christian philosophy.

    With this mind and an invitation to visit this amazing and ancient area, Jeff Johnston and his wife journeyed to Cappadocia, spending time absorbing and being in the beauty and intense spirituality which is an embedded element in the stunning scenery, the glorious churches and fascinating history of the people and the area.

    Returning to America he was inspired to create music in tribute to this extraordinary place. Contacting Phil Keaggy, long-time friend and collaborator, between them they have created a complex, spiritual and magical work in Cappadocia; a work that really should be listened to as a complete album experience to allow and appreciate the many, many sophisticated layers to each of the songs. To do less, especially in the first instance, is to undervalue the perfect synchronicity that has evolved.

    Each of the tracks has its own vibe, ranging from acoustic guitar to the lovely sound of the Turkish Chumbus, the ukulele, which makes you smile as it seems to be so incongruous, and E-bow, amongst the many instruments used in an extremely pleasing fusion of Eastern European, Western Pop and Spanish styles, synonymous of the area and the influences of multitude of civilisations, religions and cultures that have left behind that which is Cappadocia.

    Inside the cover of the album is a homily from Gregory of Nyssa, Cappadocia 335 -394AD.

    ‘Let us suppose that someone is standing up close to a wellspring… he will admire that endless gush of water that is always rising from within and spilling out. He will never say, though, that he has seen the water entirely. For how could he see that which is still hidden in the bosom of the earth?… The same applies to one who looks to this divine and infinite beauty. Since what he finds at each moment is always newer and more paradoxical that what his sight has already grasped….’

    Such is the very essence of Cappadocia; such is the majestic, spiritual, timeless and elegant beauty of this music.