Phoenix Soul

Rating:
Summary: A journey to inner peace
Review: As you look into "Phoenix Soul" you will see a reflection of David Essel's journey during a difficult time in his life. Each step of the way is documented in 151 Inspirational reflections.

These poems and streams of thought mirror David's pain, frustrations, challenges, loneliness, joy, loss, growth, expectations, fear, and desire for answers and personal fulfillment.

His words are at times a guide to awareness (Spectators In Our Life), at times a story of his past experiences (My Experience with You), and then often a revelation of a secret in life (The Key to Life).

The book is divided into three sections. At the beginning of each section, David gives us an insight into the meaning of each chapter.

Within "Searching" we find writings to encourage using personal experiences as a powerful tool to increase learning from awareness. This collection reveals the inner conflicts of the soul. "Growing" explains the concept of becoming more aware in order to grow as a person. In "Loving" we are encouraged to love unconditionally and to take the risk of loving. In this last section there is some delicious imagery and we are encouraged to seek out our inner child.

I loved "Loving You, Loving Me," a beautiful yet profound poem/lesson in how when we love others we are in fact giving ourselves the gift of love.

Through his words, he also addresses issues of self-hate, hiding our true feelings, judging others, understanding differences, hope for the future, healing, loss, patience, renewal, acceptance, respect, friendship, caring, trust in a higher power and the interconnectedness of all life.

The title "Phoenix Soul" comes from the story told by many cultures. "Phoenix is the Greek word for dark red or purple. The Phoenix bird is a symbol of hope and immortality. Through the ages it has meant many things to many religions and cultures. In ancient mythology is it associated with a bird which lives in Arabia, near a cool well.

Every morning the sun god was said to stop his chariot to listen to the bird sing. The splendid red and gold plumage has also given it the name of "The Fire Bird." Only one Phoenix bird is said to exist at a time.

When the bird felt its death was near (every 500 or more years), it would build a nest of incense (cinnamon, spikenard and myrrh) twigs. This was then ignited by the sun and fanned by its own wings. A new Phoenix bird then rises up from the ashes. "The Phoenix Bird" by Hans Christian Andersen in 1850 is well worth a read and tells a similar story.

To David, the birds anguish and rebirth are symbolic of how we can be vulnerable, heal and rise again to the next challenge. The crucial message of his work is that out of the depths of despair can emerge a new life, a life stronger than before.

Rating:
Summary: A journey to inner peace
Review: As you look into "Phoenix Soul" you will see a reflection of David Essel's journey during a difficult time in his life. Each step of the way is documented in 151 Inspirational reflections.

These poems and streams of thought mirror David's pain, frustrations, challenges, loneliness, joy, loss, growth, expectations, fear, and desire for answers and personal fulfillment.

His words are at times a guide to awareness (Spectators In Our Life), at times a story of his past experiences (My Experience with You), and then often a revelation of a secret in life (The Key to Life).

The book is divided into three sections. At the beginning of each section, David gives us an insight into the meaning of each chapter.

Within "Searching" we find writings to encourage using personal experiences as a powerful tool to increase learning from awareness. This collection reveals the inner conflicts of the soul. "Growing" explains the concept of becoming more aware in order to grow as a person. In "Loving" we are encouraged to love unconditionally and to take the risk of loving. In this last section there is some delicious imagery and we are encouraged to seek out our inner child.

I loved "Loving You, Loving Me," a beautiful yet profound poem/lesson in how when we love others we are in fact giving ourselves the gift of love.

Through his words, he also addresses issues of self-hate, hiding our true feelings, judging others, understanding differences, hope for the future, healing, loss, patience, renewal, acceptance, respect, friendship, caring, trust in a higher power and the interconnectedness of all life.

The title "Phoenix Soul" comes from the story told by many cultures. "Phoenix is the Greek word for dark red or purple. The Phoenix bird is a symbol of hope and immortality. Through the ages it has meant many things to many religions and cultures. In ancient mythology is it associated with a bird which lives in Arabia, near a cool well.

Every morning the sun god was said to stop his chariot to listen to the bird sing. The splendid red and gold plumage has also given it the name of "The Fire Bird." Only one Phoenix bird is said to exist at a time.

When the bird felt its death was near (every 500 or more years), it would build a nest of incense (cinnamon, spikenard and myrrh) twigs. This was then ignited by the sun and fanned by its own wings. A new Phoenix bird then rises up from the ashes. "The Phoenix Bird" by Hans Christian Andersen in 1850 is well worth a read and tells a similar story.

To David, the birds anguish and rebirth are symbolic of how we can be vulnerable, heal and rise again to the next challenge. The crucial message of his work is that out of the depths of despair can emerge a new life, a life stronger than before.

Rating:
Summary: Straight to the heart and soul
Review: Hi David, I finished your book tonight and I must say it really hit my soul, deep. Parts of it made me cry like a baby, I mean sob. It was like looking in a mirror at my own soul. You are such a wonderful person David.... You have helped me in ways you don't even know. It's made me look at myself and the wall I've built up for years. Your book has made me see things I couldn't before, things I was afraid to see. I thank you for writing it all out in words. Your words come from my heart and soul. Sincerly w/ love Mona L :)

Rating:
Summary: Note from the author
Review: I think pretty quickly you'll see that this is your story, your life as well as mine. I'm always amazed at the inner connectedness of our lives, regardless of who we are, the color of our skin or where we live, we all are one in the same. We feel the same pain, frustration and loneliness. We strive for a better connection to ourselves and our lives. These reflections reflect that in each of us. Over the years that I've been writing these thoughts down, not one person who has ever read them looked at me and said "I don't get it, I've never been involved in any of these challenges, nor have I ever felt or desired to feel the love you write about." I'm convinced now, more than ever, that no matter how separate, different or strange our feelings might seem at times, the person next to you right now is, or has been, in the same boat.

Writing these reflections began a number of years ago when I was in a serious and deep depression. Clinically depressed. Desperate for an understanding, desperate for love and acceptance. Hearing people in my home when no one was there. Crying for no apparent reason during a run. Yet from that pain came many of the writings that are the most powerful. A search for some kind of relief was taking place. As I recovered, I found myself growing personally and in my relationships, yet still not able to understand the need for me to accept all that I am. It's a slow process. And then came the feeling of love from several different people with whom I shared some of my most intimate times. I had begun to learn how to create a dialogue with myself and others that led to some beautiful breakthroughs. And, I'm still learning. So from out of deep pain, this writing, this journaling of all that I was feeling, came a release that turned into this book. I remember at one point thinking "but who are you to write this book? Only talented writers write like this. Only people who have created a deep connection with a lover for years have the right to be acknowledged for their special talents." And the thoughts of doubt went on and on. When I sent this book to literary agents and publishers, their reaction was the same . . . no thanks. But as time went by, my feelings changed. My own feelings of confidence began to soar. Others were as deeply touched as I was by these universal feelings. What you are holding right now is destined to touch millions of people and I could not be happier about all that I have experienced . . . my feelings, with the guidance of my higher power, put with pen on paper.

The title Phoenix Soul holds a lot of relevance in this book. The Phoenix is known in mythology to be a sacred bird, who, through a repeated process, sets itself on fire (often by flying into the sun), dies in the flames and then rises anew from the ashes. Each time this occurs, the bird soars to new heights and then repeats the process. To me this book represents an ability to rise to love ourselves and others, even though we know that sometimes we may get "burned" through our own vulnerability. We then lay low and heal, the "ashes" stage. And finally we realize the power we have to go to the next level, resurrect ourselves, and try again. The three chapters of this book, Searching, Growing, and Loving are analogous to this beautiful creature's purpose and existence. You and I are the "Phoenix" of our own lives. I ask you to be open and vulnerable to risk in love . . . it really is the only way to truly live. - David Essel, M.S.

Rating:
Summary: An inspiring work of hope
Review: I'm so glad I took the time to buy Phoenix Soul and read it. I really enjoy how the work is presented in poetry-and I don't normally like poetry all that much. I think what won me over was the introduction that was presented before the poems. It gave the work increased meaning-understanding where the writer is coming from instead of just trying to figure it out for yourself and relating those feelings with experiences that I've had-producing empathy which is a gift that in my mind, has no price. The experiences that the author has had seem to reflect some of the feelings that I have experienced throughout life and coming to conclusions that help to inspire.

In that the author has felt feelings that I feel makes the experience of reading Phoenix Soul so much more significant and important. My favorite poem was "It Matters". I didn't find the work dark at all-but more as moving towards a lighter place where you want to be. I enjoyed Phoenix Soul very much.

Rating:
Summary: Phoenix Soul Embraces the Whole of Human Experience
Review: In reading this rich and rewarding book of reflections, I learned more about myself. Throughout the book, the author teaches us to stand mindfully in the totality of the human experience. Whether in pain or triumph, we all have lessons to learn through our experiences. David leads us deeply into his own world and we find out how his quest for self-discovery parallels our own. Reading his words, I saw myself, I saw my peers, and I began to understand how none of us are alone in our feelings. The book is divided into three sections: Searching, Growing, and Loving. Each section contains reflections that demonstrate how through patience, love, and the power of belief, we can rise like the Phoenix through any difficult circumstance. David opens himself up to the world, and makes it safe for us to feel, to experience, and to participate. I'm better for having read this material, and I highly recommend it to men and women alike.

Rating:
Summary: A treasure that can be found in everyone's soul.
Review: Walt Whitman wrote,"Without effort and without exposing in the least how it is done the greatest poet brings the spirit of any or all events and passions and scenes and persons some more and some less to bear on your individual character as you hear or read." David Essel has accomplished this in his writings. I felt a connection with this man that so bravely and openly shared his experiences of life, through letters on a page, that became words, that became sentences, that transformed into my own life experiences. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I know that all who read this, men and women alike, will be touched in a profound way.

Rating:
Summary: A treasure that can be found in everyone's soul.
Review: Walt Whitman wrote,"Without effort and without exposing in the least how it is done the greatest poet brings the spirit of any or all events and passions and scenes and persons some more and some less to bear on your individual character as you hear or read." David Essel has accomplished this in his writings. I felt a connection with this man that so bravely and openly shared his experiences of life, through letters on a page, that became words, that became sentences, that transformed into my own life experiences. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I know that all who read this, men and women alike, will be touched in a profound way.