When I was around 8 years old, my mother read a book called High Mysticism by Emma Curtis Hopkins that she said transformed her life. She read it over and over again until the pages were worn, there here highlights and notes everywhere and the cover was almost ripped off. Then she gave it to me. Written on the first clear page (lol) was the inscription, “Dearest Lady SoJo…when you’re ready…WOW! Love, Mama SoJo”.

Well, I’m still not ready.  After being in my possession for over 20 years now, it’s been chillin’ on my bookshelf (unread), next to the A Course In Miracles Series and some of my other metaphysical texts that I’ve stolen borrowed from my mom.  I’ll get to it one day.  I know that.  But not before I’m ready.  Still, I’ve always wondered if I’d ever find a book that gripped me the way that High Mysticism did with her. Well, I think that I’ve stumbled upon it.

I found myself reading a book this weekend, feverishly high-lighting, writing notes and thinking I can’t WAIT to share this with BabySoJosephine! But first, I’ll share it with you guys…

It started out innocently enough. I was picking up some candles and incense unicorn paraphernalia from my favorite New Age Bookstore (shout out to Phoenix and Dragon). While chatting w/ the clerk about my e-mail subscription, I started going thru their newsletter. They always have author chats, meditation, retreats, etc and I hadn’t been receiving my mailings. My eyes focused on a workshop called Divine Nourishment: A Woman’s Sacred Journey With Food. The summary said that the author, Mary Lane, would be there to speak about creating balance by eating and living on a spiritual level and my heart did a backflip!

I had never heard of her, but I was excited about finding a new cookbook/resource that I could use. Truth be told, I was really only looking for recipes and someone to teach me about choosing better foods. I wasn’t expecting to open the door to transformation.  Phoenix and Dragon is one of the most peaceful places  to visit. It is a house that has been converted into a bookstore. It has a water garden, meditation room and several other rooms converted into paradise for classes/workshops, etc. When I walked into the room where the author was, the chairs were arranged in a circle to create a cozy atmosphere. For the next two hours, she/we just…well, talked. Hers has been a 21-year journey to a place where she is LIVING her purpose. And you can see it.

In my church, we end our prayers with the words “In me, as me, thru me”. We affectionately call this New Thought using Ancient Wisdom – that we are always connected to the source (GOD)…all we have to do is remember the knowledge that we were born with.  As I was listening to her, that’s what I kept thinking. She is LIVING her purpose. It surrounds her, infuses through her cells and radiates. I was entranced.

She had me sold on not just her book,but  her lifestyle and her purpose. My next couple of posts will be a mini-review of  everything. It turned out to be so much more than just a cookbook – so I can’t jam it all in to one post. But for women, especially, her message was 100% on point. I’ve never read a book where every word resonated, memories began flooding back, but more importantly my spirit re-connected with what it truly means to be WOMAN. Stay tuned!