5.0 out of 5 stars A heartfelt mirror held up to society that fosters not panic, but a desire to be aware, prepare, and grow
Reviewed in the United States on November 20, 2011
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The first hurdle to overcome in dealing with prophesy is the tendency to insist on needing exact dates. These cannot be given. Because we are all free, we collectively make changes via individual and collective decisions that alter timing of almost everything that can or might happen. The second hurdle is the tendency to panic when faced with visions of the ugly side of what we have collectively done with our world and ourselves. This can lead to abject denial of that reality, or a loss of hope for any end result short of total destruction. Sadly, it can also lead to believing one is -- because of one's chosen religious routine or philosophy -- among the "chosen ones", and to heck with the rest.
Mary Summer Rain is aware of all of these and has simply laid bare how the dissonant or destructive paths that many walk will necessarily lead to an end. Destructive behavior is, after all, unsustainable. The point of the book, as far as I can tell, is simply to show these ugly ways in full enough detail and scope, for readers to realize that there will be consequences that we will collectively have to endure. But most importantly, the overarching point is a warning, so as to offer a chance to wake up and change for the better. If we do that, we may avoid the worst of the prophesies. Not all can be avoided unless we change drastically and quickly, so though I am a pretty optimistic person, I do believe we will need to experience possibly discomforting collapses of destructive behaviors, institutions, policies, and emotions, before we will actually let them go. It is really no different than the child who simply will not stop playing with fire. A burn is likely. In fact, a burn may be all that stops the "playing".
Examples: nuclear weapons are still among us, and now in a great many more hands; religions have become aggressive; political discourse has become so shrill as to be utterly divorced from simple respect, honesty, or even reality; the government (with a few smaller government exceptions) -- for those who have done any real homework at all -- has consistently lied about its knowledge of people from other planets for decades; we continue with nuclear plant obsession even after now the third major disaster resulting from one; the major recurring them of conservative politicking is, literally, the exact opposite of the core Christian principles it claims to espouse; the rich and poor divide increases rapidly even in the most formerly equitable society on Earth; and people continue to hate, with some (a growing number of talking heads) even get paid handsomely for it. I could go in with these current examples, but any of these would suffice for some type of imminent upheaval, whether societal, climatological, or geological. We have both created a spiritual cage and we are rattling it hard.
This book was written over twenty years ago and the writing was on the wall then, only more so now. What is truly wonderful about this book is how acutely the problems are shown, both as they are and how they may end. Even more wonderful is the way she has also provided much information to help avoid the worst cases personally. There is hope embedded in this at times bleak picture painted by Phoenix Rising: be honest with yourself, take heed, and now matter what, rise right along with the Phoenix into a cleaner being. Growing pains are real on a personal level, everyone knows. This book is a gift to say that they are for society and the planet also. It -- along with her book Daybreak -- are essential to the seeker of honest assessment of the state of affairs, how they need to play out, and how a person may fare better by paying attention to true prophesy.
Katie
4.0 out of 5 stars Mixed Emotions
Reviewed in the United States on November 25, 2005
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I wasn't quite sure what to expect with this, the second book in the "No-Eyes'" series. I had been blown away by the first book "Spirit Song", and wondered if the same would be true of this one.
First, I must say that Mary's writing style really appeals to me - she has the ability to draw the reader into her experiences, with descriptions that allow you to vicariously hear/see/smell/touch whatever she is talking about at the time - it's an amazing journey, to say the least!
In "Phoenix Rising", Mary brings to light her lessons re: No-Eyes' vision concerning our future - the future of the earth, and everyone who resides here. This future appears quite grim, at least at first, until the "cleansing" is complete, and a new way of living - a decidedly more positive way of living - comes into being.
Many horrible events are prophesied - ones that would make anyone shudder - and it's these events that are to be used as a warning that additional horrors are on the way. Many specific examples re: these events are given, and I couldn't help but notice that some things on this list have either already occurred, or are occurring as I write this - although only a few...
My first reaction as I began reading this book was fear. But as I continued, my belief that we can still turn things around came to my mind. I do realize that there is currently much negativity in our world, but I do see things changing (albeit slowly) - I see more & more people interested in changing their thoughts from negative ones to more positive ones.
To be perfectly honest, I'm not sure how I feel about the idea of the "end of the world" - or at least the end of the world as we know it. I've tended to be put-off by doomsday prophesies - as there have been so many that never came to pass, and many people who have taken extreme actions in an effort to protect themselves from things that just don't wind up happening.
Having said that, I don't believe that this book is a fabrication - I tend to think that it does reflect what No Eyes
saw. But maybe this is just one possible future - dependent on too many variables for us to number...
I gave this book 4 starts instead of 5 mainly because of what was said in the last chapter - as I found this part quite judgmental. In it Mary states that no one should put a price on helping others - she uses the fact that people charge for seminars and the like that are really meant to help people grow spiritually. While I agree that there are some outrageous price tags out there for this "enlightenment", there are many people who still charge "affordable rates". The fact is that many people who offer this guidance do so for a living - they need to be compensated so that they can live - and to say that they are wrong for doing so just doesn't sit well with me; espeically since I'm sure this author is making money from the selling of these books - and there's nothing wrong with that, she needs to have money to survive - but as such, it's quite judgmental to say that no one else should earn their living by helping others...
I agree that no one should be turned away who needs comfort and guidance, and that's why many of us in the "helping professions" use such means as bartering, or sliding scales to ensure that all who are in need are helped. But to say that they should not be compensated for what they do puts a sour taste in my mouth.
Overall, this book has much to offer by way of making the reader think about their lives & how they are choosing to live it, the state of affairs on our planet, what may occur to our earth (and us), as well as what role we are allowing our government to play in our lives. As such, I would highly recommend it to those who are interested in books re: spirituality & our planet earth.
5.0 out of 5 stars Good read especially in today's times
Reviewed in the United States on December 27, 2021
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Something to consider as we move + live through present times. Wonderfully written. Love both the author and No-Eyes' relationship along with the writer's sharing of how she handled all that was revealed to her at the time.
Tina L. C.
5.0 out of 5 stars Good read
Reviewed in the United States on January 30, 2022
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Good series
Helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Many of the predictions have come true Trump and the pandemic included
Reviewed in the United States on August 27, 2020
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I first bought and read this book in 1990. Back then some people said it was fantasy. And since most of the predictions were expected to occur in the 1990's, I did not think the Phoenix would rise in my lifetime. But in the past 4 years much has come true: the secret deals of leaders behind the public's back, the economy worsening, global riots and revolutions, people starting to refuse to work because no job security or benefit left, tax reform that made it worse, the 3 major pandemics, attempts at payments to the citizens. And of course the wild weather and disasters. But the good news is it will improve for the better -- hence Phoenix Rising.
REVIEWS of book written in over two decades ago.