Practitioners of modern medicine often focus on the diagnosis and management of an illness rather than taking a holistic view of a patient’s body, mind and spirit. When illnesses are minor, the outcomes are usually good. However, a patient with a life-threatening illness can experience a life crisis that requires physicians to be expert in both medical science and the care of the patient’s psyche and spirit. For a person to walk through the valley of the shadow of death, and survive, requires a sense of hope and the will to live. These arise from the human soul, a mysterious part of our being. Another mystery is that patients who are prayed for have better illness outcomes than those not prayed for, whether or not they know of the prayers. For some patients, healing and recovery are spiritual.

Dr. Allan Lohaus describes this truly crucial part of his healing and recovery in his memoir, “Mayday! : A Physician as Patient”. “MAYDAY!” is an incisive and honest, yet sensitive, account of this doctor’s journey from being a physician to patient and back. Dr. Lohaus was, at times, disoriented by high fevers, medication and pain. The reader experiences firsthand a patient’s mind during life threatening illness and recovery. This journal based account of his one-hundred-plus day hospitalization, recovery and healing is complete with emotional and spiritual insights.

During the most trying part of his illness, Lohaus asks to meet with a psychiatrist. At the first visit he tells Dr. Gregory, “‘I feel fragile…really fragile, emotionally.’ I pause, fighting back tears. The fevers are really getting to me. The migraines with them are the worst pain I’ve had during this illness.’” The care of his psyche and spirit began that day. Throughout this hellish journey, accompanied by his wife, family, friends, clergy and Dr. Gregory, readers hear Lohaus’ prayers, conversations with God, and gratitude, and learn of his hope, faith, and will to live. His rebirth to life is a new beginning of body, mind and spirit. For this doctor-patient, healing is spiritual.

Dr. Lohaus received his medical degree from George Washington University. He was a clinician and faculty member with Johns Hopkins Medical Faculty for 24 years. He has published clinical papers regarding cancer research, abdominal surgery, as well as obstetric and gynecology topics. Lohaus currently resides in Clarksville, Maryland with his wife. He has three grown children. For more information, see http://www.maydaybook.com.

By Arielle Ford

Rumor has it that the world-renowned director Mira Nair (MONSOON WEDDING, VANITY FAIR, THE NAMESAKE), was in Bombay, stuck in traffic on Marine Drive and in the midst of a movie-maker’s equivalent of writer’s block when she discovered the source of traffic was hundreds of women dressed in all white crossing the street. She was so intrigued, that she ditched her cab and followed these women with her DV camera — some time later, the LAUGHING CLUB OF INDIA was born.

In this compassionate and entertaining documentary, award-winning director Mira Nair has captured a unique slice of life in contemporary India…the Laughing Clubs. From shop workers laughing to relieve stress, to widows cackling to forget their grief and children gleefully giggling with their teachers; THE LAUGHING CLUB OF INDIA documents the thousands of people who come together foregoing their caste or class, to laugh for 40 minutes and to belong to a community dedicated to creating more joy in the world.

This delightful film explores the power of laughter through the popular phenomenon of laughing clubs founded by Madran Kataria, a jovial, energetic, laughter-loving Bombay cardiologist. Dr. Kataria’s passion for bringing the healing power of laughter to the world comes from a deep belief that laughing daily is the key to happiness and well being. In the early days Dr. Kataria would begin club meetings with jokes to get people laughing but he soon discovered that by just pretending to laugh or simulating laughter, real laughter would soon follow. He invented several different kinds of laughs; the greeter, milkshake, and lion. You have to see them to get the full comic effect.

More than 1300 Laughter Clubs now exist throughout the world. The Laughing Clubs meet in parks, offices, private homes, community centers and rooftops, just about anywhere. Throughout the film we get up close and personal with club participants including Dr. & Mrs. Kataria, a stockbroker, three bawdy women, a musician, a widow laughing to cope with grief, and two old men - friends since school days who meet daily to laugh.

The healing power of laughter has been well documented and has been shown to boost the immune system. THE LAUGHING CLUBS OF INDIA will not only make you laugh till you cry and double over in stitches, but will inspire you to make laughing a daily practice.

The Spiritual Cinema Circle, America’s fastest growing DVD club, will feature THE LAUGHING CLUBS OF INDIA in the January 2008 collection along with Knights of the South Bronx starring Ted Danson and two wonderful short films. For a limited time, new subscribers to the Circle can receive a free trial membership (for a nominal shipping fee) by visiting: www.spiritualcinemacircle.com or by calling: (800) 556-0129.

I recently saw a powerful new movie called The 11th Hour. Produced and narrated by Leonardo DiCaprio (Opens in Dallas on August 24th at The Angelika Film Center). The movie is about the human drive to ensure its own survival and quality of life. Over 50 leading scientists, thinkers and leaders present the facts and discuss the most important issues that face our planet.

I found this film to be a wake-up call to all of us about what is happening to the home we all share. It is so easy for us to believe that our individual actions, positive or negative, don’t make a difference. Yet, multiply these actions by 365 days in a year and by billions of people and I think you get the picture.

What I liked about this film, is that not only did it address the problems, it also provided solutions. I find that when we focus on problems, they feel so big, yet when we focus on solutions, we feel empowered and realize that we can change things in a positive way.

Watching the devastation from weather changes, resulting in events such as Katrina, makes me realize how ill-prepared we are to face these natural disasters that are becoming more frequent. It makes me want to find ways to be more self-sustaining and self-sufficient. My husband and I have been replacing some of our light bulbs with compact fluorescent lights, we recycle, we store several gallons of water, and we have already reserved a solar system for our home.

I believe that things happen for a reason and that out of our difficulties, we can come together in a positive way. Perhaps this global crisis that affects the home we all live in and the air we all breathe, can unite us together in a way that has never occurred before.

Fortunately, the technologies to solve many of our problems already exist. I hope that the 11th Hour will be our finest.

Watch The 11th Hour trailer at AffordableSolarPanels.com

Check out the film’s website at: www.11thhourfilm.com as well as the 11th Hour Community site: http://www.11thhouraction.com/ and media site: http://www.11thhouraction.com/media

Love & Light,
Felicia Weiss

When New Agers, occultists, spiritual healers, metaphysicians, artists, and Neopagans talk about the “energies” they use, what do they actually mean? Now, for the first time, a single book discusses the vocabulary, magic, metaphysics, art, and science of energy from a multi-model, 21st century perspective.

Lessons included will cover:
• Physical vocabulary of energy
• Metaphysical vocabulary of energy
• How the laws of magic affect energy
• The Importance of Focus

Real Energy will then take these lessons to the next level giving you direction on how to understand and begin working with different energies. Half of the book is dedicated to showing you how to work with specific energies, including: the four elements, crystals, plants, animals, your own body, nature spirits, ancestors, and deities to accomplish your goals and enhance life experiences. Specific energy work practices are also covered, including: Reiki, The Huna System, working with “Pure” ESP and PK, Feng Shui, and the Tantra System.

With tips from scientists, artists, magicians, and spiritual teachers, Real Energy will give you a solid introduction to both the theory and practice of energy work.

“Absence of desire” or “lack of interest” are often listed as symptoms of depression, a medical condition that affects nearly 20 million Americans. A myriad of drugs, herbal remedies, and therapies are now available to treat this condition, and although they may ease the symptoms, none have managed to cure this devastating affliction. In his clear, strong, and heartfelt new book, noted scholar and author Yehuda Berg offers a new “prescription” for those who suffer from depression: the healing energies of Kabbalah.

This simple yet profound treatment allows depression sufferers to take back their lives. Readers learn to use Kabbalah’s ancient tools to reconnect with desire, reemerge from the debilitating darkness, and overcome depression once and for all. Berg suggests specific Kabbalistic tools for readers to use on the path to recovery, while case histories provide further illumination and inspiration.