Do you look at change as bad? Are you stuck in place because you cannot even digest a change that is happening to you? Has a change profoundly affected your life? Are you going through a change right now that can use some light shed on? Do you consistently fear change? Well, life is always changing. WE are always evolving, cells renewing, moving forward even if it does not feel like it. Neale Donald Walsch’s book “When Everything Changes – Change Everything” can help you get through the changes of life gracefully but it is so much more than that. This book has changed the way I look at all change and even the way I look at life. This book can awaken the unconscious and put anyone on the path to knowing their inner self on a fast escalator inward. I have spent the last few days digesting this book. Me, who thought I had a firm grasp on change, on consciousness, on life. I not only recommend Neale Donald Walsch’s book, “When Everything Changes – Change Everything (In a Time of Turmoil, a Pathway to Peace)” to people going through a noticeable life change but to everyone. Not only does Mr. Walsch have this incredible new book but he is also changing the way books are read which I will highlight as well. It is my pleasure to present a brief insight into Neale’s latest book and to encourage people to read it.
When Everything Changes — Change Everything
(In a Time of Turmoil, a Pathway to Peace)
I have been receiving Neale Donald Walsch‘s “What God Wants You to Know Daily emails” for over a year. I really cannot say how many times the words from Neale’s daily emails seemed perfect for the day ahead but I will say it was OFTEN. I read his emails in the morning before work, often breathe in the truth of the statement and am much more ready to begin my day. When I received an email telling me about Neale Donald Walsch’s new book, I thought, “I know about change — I am going through only positive changes right now — this book wouldn’t apply to me”, but then a little voice inside said, “get it — this is an important book” and thankfully I am getting better at listening to that voice!
Neale Donald Walsch’s book is aligned with my own vision of life these days. I see life as a collage of mind, body and spirit with our soul holding the deepest messages patiently waiting for us to ask so we can remember why we are here in the first place and which direction to go in. He puts it perfectly here in his introduction:
“By mastering both aspects of our being we remember not only how to think, but what to think. What I’m clear about now is that the mind is a tool, a mechanism, and the soul provides the fuel for that machine. The less fuel you use, the more inefficiently the engine will operate. On the other hand, if your soul fills your mind with spiritual energy, you will be Mind-Full — and the workings of this engine can produce miracles.” — Neale Donald Walsch
I KNEW when I read this in his Author’s Note I was in for a treat, a further awakening to my soul and BOY did I get it. After each chapter is a poem written by Neale’s wife, Em Claire and WOW are her words perfect for your journey through this book. Neale writes about his Nine Changes that Can Change Everything and they sure do. Neale takes you through each change and it feels like he is holding your hand through each one. There are times when he KNOWS he has said something that you will need to digest and he puts breaks in called “Breathing Space” for you to soak it in.
Neale’s Nine Changes That Can Change Everything are:
1.) Change your decision to “go it alone”
2.) Change your choice of emotions
3.) Change your choice of thoughts
4.) Change your idea of truths
5.) Change your idea about Change itself
6.) Change your idea about why Change occurs
7.) Change your idea about future Change
8.) Change your idea about life
9.) Change your identity
Mr. Walsch takes you through each one of these with ease although boy will your ego rise up during some of these chapters. Mine did and I will admit inner turmoil at times as realizations hit me and I felt myself growing. His ideas make sense and he does not speak as a guru but as a man who has known loss of health, homelessness and someone who had to do a whole lot of looking within himself.
There are so many profound statements, observations and even charts and equations offered in here that JUST MADE SENSE. Even through the tears I read on because for me, tears while reading a book like this — means I am indeed hitting on something that is a remembering, my ego is struggling with it and it WILL cause growth. Mr. Walsch divides the book into 2 Parts: Part One: The Mechanics of the Mind which he talks about changes 1-4 and Part Two: The System of the Soul where he describes changes 5-9.
Neale Donald Walsch also breaks down Truth and Reality into three parts each which really rang true for me. There is the Imagined Truth, the Apparent Truth and the Actual Truth and Neale shows you the importance of differentiating and how to live in Actual Truth. There is Distorted Reality, Observed Reality and Ultimate Reality and Neale can help you move through these.
Perhaps one of my favorite parts is when Neale talks about the different types of meditation techniques you can use…. and most are not sitting cross legged chanting. 🙂 I gained some new ways to meditate and I feel many people would resonate with his methods.
As I mentioned Em Claire., Neale’s wife writes a poem at the end of each chapter. I will include one here just to show you what a treat they are. This one resonated deeply with me:
“Long at Sea” by Em Clair (2007)
I left The Home so long ago now
that I would not recognize my own face.
I constructed the Boat of My Life
and I set out
into the open sea
waving at all who knew
that the seas would give me
everything I could handle
and everything I could not
and yet they waved, and I set out
into the open sea
in the Boat of My Life:
built from the Soul, crafted by Heart
and with great innocence I pushed off
into the open sea
and have been away from my Home
so long now that I would not recognize my own face
but I know that Home —
Home
remembers me
—- Em Claire
This book is much more than a book. This book offers a new powerful way to change your life and the way you look at it forever and to get support and help with a community while doing it. I cannot recommend this book enough and know it will be one I refer to my own clients for a while to come. Yep, ALL of my clients reading this – go ahead and pick it up — I will be telling you to anyway! 😉
Remember change is ALWAYS occurring. Imagine the ease felt if when each life change was met, even a “seemingly horrific change” it could be faced KNOWING it was for the best. Imagine the confidence that would come with KNOWING your life and all change is bringing you closer to your Divine path. Imagine understanding that even FEAR is an emotion that comes out of love and what power that would bring. Picture having the tools of different ways to meditate so that you can achieve peace and a connection within. Neale Donald Walsch can teach you all of this and more in this book “When Everything Changes — Change Everything“. I cannot think of a more timely subject and I need to thank Neale and Em for their beautiful words. I CHANGED this weekend, grew where I did not even know I needed growth, changed deeply inside my perspective on ALL change and I thank Neale and Em Claire for being a catalyst for these changes.
I will end with another inspiring quote from Neale Donald Walsch. Please leave comments and let me know how you view change.
“Change is an announcement of Life’s intention to go on.
Change is the fundamental impulse of life itself.”
— Neale Donald Walsch
Jenny-
I am very excited to read this book. Reading your post, I kept thinking about a song by Sheryl Crow. A change will do you good is one of the lines in it. I realize more everyday that change is not bad and is in fact necessary for growth within and without. Thank you Jenny, for a wonderful post on a book sure to change lives.
xoxo Ange
Hey Ange! 🙂
Yes, I have no doubt this book will resonate deeply with you as well. I talked to you about a few key things I learned while reading this, wrote about some more and there is STILL stuff I am digesting. 🙂 I LOVE when a book stays with me like this.
You said it perfectly with “change is necessary for growth within and without”. Yet we resist it so much and our ego will instill fear and replay messages from the past when “change was bad or scary”. But, in fact when we look at our lives those most dramatic changes are often where we grow the most. I know my sickness was for me.
Love you tons Ange and look forward to talking about this more before and after you read the book. Ahh it’s not even June — we’ve got 6 more months of walks ahead! Whoo hoo! 🙂 xoxoxo
Jenny
Jenny Mannions last blog post..When Everything Changes – Change Everything by Neale Donald Walsch (A book review)
Maybe if I gave this book to my taekwon-do students they would change their stinky uniforms!
Your article reminds me about “being comfortable being uncomfortable”. Some people are comfortable being in pain and afraid to make a change in their lives. I’m sure this book can help people see the importances of making and embracing changes.
Ray Mannions last blog post..Hiiiyaah! What’s with the yelling?
Hi Hon, (I Mean Ray :-))
Thank you for dealing with my roller coaster of emotions while reading this 😉 I know it was challenging at times and I feel so lucky to have you to talk with about this and anything else that makes me think.
Change can bring a lot of fear to people and it is wonderful to see a book like this spell out WHY change is always good. I see it empowering many as they understand this and learn from Neale and Em Claire’s wonderful words.
Thanks hon for commenting. 🙂
xoxo
Jen
Thank you for the link love! I am so glad that you’ve done a book review. I’ve already have a couple of Neale Donald Walsch’s books, except for “When Everything Changes”. I have not even read the last one that I bought: “Happier than God”. However, your review on his latest book got me interested. I enjoyed the quote about the soul as the fuel. I may just want to read the new book too!
Evelyn Lims last blog post..Master Your Life Lessons
Jenny, this sounds absolutely wonderful, and your review was beautiful. Some books are truly transmissions to the reader, and clearly this one is. Many years ago the Conversations with God books were an important milestone in my own journey, and I can’t wait to return to Walsch. I am excited about the focus on understanding change, because Buddhism focuses so much on transience, and I think this is such an important, and difficult, aspect of growth for us to embrace.
I am also excited to hear about the additional complementary resources he is putting forth – this is the wave of the future.
Lisa (mommymystic)s last blog post..Planet Earth’s Chakras
I will have to add this book to my list of books I need to read over the summer.
Personally speaking, I embrace change and try to always keep a positive outlook on life because change is guaranteed. Thanks for all the great links too.
SpinDivas last blog post..Consistency is key for long term fitness
Hi Evelyn,
Thank YOU for writing about Neale Donald Walsch for the Heroes Project! I LOVE that quote as well and it got me so excited to read the book. His writing is beautiful, obviously from the heart and simply put enough for everyone to grasp it. Masterful work and the poems from his wife just add to its beauty and depth. I think you would really enjoy this Evelyn and I thank you again for your friendship and the enlightening articles you provide. You always get me thinking.
Love, xo
Jenny
Jenny Mannions last blog post..When Everything Changes – Change Everything by Neale Donald Walsch (A book review)
Hi Lisa,
Oh yeah this was a transmission alright! 😉 Funny how the ego reacts and wow my mood went through some serious swings as I was digesting this. I thought I had gotten change pretty much down, I knew my dis-eases were the biggest change yet most profound learning experience and I had grown tremendously from them and from healing. BUT to know ALL change is good, to trust that, to let go of all resistance and be grateful for the lessons, to control that ego and FEEL ALL growth is positive and to trust in the soul and intuition even more… THAT is something I got a MUCH firmer grasp of by reading this book.
I agree — the support Neale is offering is indeed the way of the future. I know I had questions and I have been studying spirituality for a few years now… I am sure many will welcome the ability to share, ask others questions and help people to understand what they have learned.
Lisa, your next post title has me excited…..I’m going to check it out. I have been studying chakras more and more and as you know Reconnective Healing works with the meridian lines so this is SO interesting to me. I certainly hope to visit some of the places where Earth’s chakras are…. Sedona is supposed to be life changing. 🙂
Thanks so much for your comment Lisa. Always a pleasure!
Love, xo
Jenny
Great review Jenny! Many of us fear change and reframing negative thoughts about it is a powerful way to get through it as well as many other mental challenges. It’s so much easier to accept change when you intentionally focus on the positive aspects and avoid obsessing over the negative ones.
Another significant influence of negative emotions, including the fear of change, which Neale may not mention is diet. Many of our emotions are dictated by our brain chemistry, and to enjoy a balanced mood, we need to eat a healthy diet that will support it.
Vin | NaturalBias.coms last blog post..Why Grass Fed Beef is Better for Your Health
Change is constant. Navigating and creating a fulfilled life, as it presents itself, shows maturity. Embracing this precious life, as it is, reveals true happiness.
Dr. Jennifer Howard
http://www.DrJenniferHoward.com http://www.DrJenniferHoward.com
Dr. Jennifer Howards last blog post..Swine flu and the Mind-Body Connection
I was just now searching around about this when I discovered your blog post. I’m just visiting to say that I truly enjoyed reading this post, it’s very clear and well written. Are you considering posting more about this? It seems like there is more depth here for later posts.
Hi there Jenny – sounds like a great book! If it moved you to tears, then it is obviously very authentic material. I will certainly keep my eye out for it!
love from Rob
Robins last blog post..Wanting To Look Young
Hi Jenny,
This is strange, but twice now in the last two days I’m drawn to a particular passage from the Bible – the same one: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8. All about there being a time for everything. And I’m thinking about and how it all relates to change. Life does change. There’s a time for doing what we’re doing right now, and tomorrow there might be a time for doing something else. Maybe this seems to be stretching it – for me, though, this is ringing true right now – in good ways. Between reading here and what was discussed yesterday – and relating it all to this passage – all this has deep meaning for me. And in that meaning, I’m finding peace. Peace in change, and acceptance that it’s all okay. I’ve always been a proponent of change – so what’s different here today is that whole idea of peace behind it (not that it means change will always be easy for me).
Jenny, I appreciate this review very much. and your honest sharing of what it means for you. You have a real gift of connecting the dots – the dots between what you discuss, the dots in your life, and how that can relate to the dots in my life. I’m grateful for this. More than you can know, you are a light in my life…
Lances last blog post..This Is Funtertainment
Hi Vin,
Yes, reframing can definitely help in most circumstances and is VERY useful in daily life as well. The severe life changes are sometimes much harder to see the good in and Neale Donald Walsch does a wonderful job at showing that yes, even these are a part of our path and are there for a reason.
Eating well is definitely important. How we choose to nourish our body, mind and spirit combine to create our well being.
Thanks Vin for reading and taking the time to comment.
Gratefully,
Jenny
Jenny Mannions last blog post..When Everything Changes – Change Everything by Neale Donald Walsch (A book review)
Hi Robin,
This book is about as real as it gets and Neale Donald Walsch has a beautiful yet simple way of putting things. While the ego struggles a bit – the soul recognizes the truth and in that there is comfort. These last few weeks have been ones of significant growth and positive change and I am always grateful for a book that helps me along my path. I feel this one would indeed help many.
Lovely to hear from you. Been wondering about how you are doing and have had you on my list of Skype calls for a while now! Hope to catch up soon and that everything is going well.
Love,
Jenny
Jenny Mannions last blog post..When Everything Changes – Change Everything by Neale Donald Walsch (A book review)
Hi Lance,
There is such peace in knowing there is a time for everything and for embracing peace in times of change. Neale Donald Walsch points out that obviously some changes cannot be met at first glance with “WOW – GOOD One”. 😉 Loss of any kind takes time to process emotions. BUT there is a huge difference between processing and wallowing. Neale also points out in acknowledgment of those emotions and permission for yourself to feel that emotion for a bit is freeing. It is being conscious about your choice and expecting to move forward from there when it is time. Many feel their emotions control them but in fact we control how we feel.
You always give me such reassurance Lance that what I am doing IS resonating with people and I am grateful for that beyond words.
With love and gratitude,
Jenny
Jenny Mannions last blog post..When Everything Changes – Change Everything by Neale Donald Walsch (A book review)
Hi Spin Diva,
Sorry for delay in responding — thank you so much for commenting. 🙂
You are so right change in always happening yet many people resist it and take comfort in “everything staying the same”. This book is an excellent addition for summer reading. 🙂
Thanks so much for your visit!
Gratefully,
Jenny
Jenny Mannions last blog post..When Everything Changes – Change Everything by Neale Donald Walsch (A book review)
This is really a well laid out website. I like how you have presented your information in excellent detail. You seem to really love your site. Keep up the great work here and please visit by my blog sometime. The url is http://healthy-nutrition-facts.blogspot.com
I love change, even when it doesn’t prove fruitful. It keeps life interesting!
As you gently remind readers here, change is good. Society conditions people to create comfort zones which actually nuture fear of change. Neal Donald Walsch is an astute observer. He encourages everyone to confront the illusions that evoke fear. Only by choosing to be honest with yourself are you opening up to the truth. To learn there is nothing to fear is very uplifting. Everyone has this incredible lightness of being to rediscover, unveil and experience.
Liara Coverts last blog post..Pamir Kiciman & Interview on self-transformation
I loved the book so much I bought 20 copies for my family, friends, and colleagues who are also finding the contents talking directly to them.
This book was fantastic. Really inspiring. I normally lend my books out but people have a habit of not giving things back so I will keep this one at home.
Hi Jenny – This is a great review of a great book – I just loved the poetry as well. it was beautiful! Change isn’t always hard – or easy – but embracing it sure does help!
.-= Michelle Vandepas´s last blog ..Neale Donald Walsch – When Everything Changes Change Everything =-.
Hi Dr. Jacobson,
Thank you for your comment and Yes I DO love my blog. I haven’t written much lately as I have been taking classes but look forward to returning more full time. Thanks for visiting and reading and I will visit your blog.
Hi Marianne,
Change DOES sure keep life interesting – how boring it would be if life was stagnant! Thanks so much for commenting.
Hi Liara, As always I love your words. 🙂 I welcome change now and know it will always bring a new way of looking at things and gifts. I have no fear (although have rat jump out at me and I might react differently) ;-). I don’t fear change anymore but trust it is for the sake of evolution and how can you fight evolving? 😉 Much love Liara!
Hi Imelda,
That is WONDERFUL that you got copies for your family and friends! I have lent mine out to be passed on and have recommended it to many. I can definitely see picking it up for people in my life. Thanks for your visit.
Hi Tony,
I know what you mean. I lent mine out and told my friend to give it to someone else who needed it when she was done… But I think I will have to pick up another copy for my shelf. I would like to go back to it — the poetry as well. Thanks for your comment.
Hi Michelle,
I’m heading to read your review after I type this! This was a brilliant book that really touched me and helped me view change differently. I have had so many changes the last 3 years and while not all of them were “easy” – they all propelled me forward and put me where I am right now for which I am extremely grateful. I love hearing from you – thanks for your comment. xoxo
With Love and Gratitude,
Jenny
“Change”
Thanks for your beautiful words/poems
We live in a world that obliges us to change, it is a state of stimulation from the source that pushes us further into our zones of unlimitedness
Here in the south of France, it breaking into the NEW and for me that’s the fun of life §§§
Marie