Soul Wisdom Has a Garbled Message
I recently read (or I should say tried to read) Soul Wisdom by Dr. Z. Shah and found it extremely frustrating to understand the key themes. I knew from the beginning that this book would require some "right" brain thinking, given its emphasis on spirituality. I have read many spiritual books, especially those with a Buddhist focus, and many of them had a worthwhile message, which tend to emphasize either "letting go of attachments since everything changes" and "being in the present moment." I am a believer of Zen style meditation and its ability to help create focus in an increasingly distracted world. However Soul Wisdom tries to introduce the concept of Soul Language and Soul Song without really defining the concepts in a way I could understand. There is an instance of reciting verses of the "secret code mantra" "San San Jiu Liu Ba Yao Wu" without really defining the terms. In addition, it is mentioned that this secret mantra comes from Heaven, without either supporting evidence or logical thought. There are more examples of what I call "garbled language" with an extreme emphasis on the author's emotion, and a short shrift on logic, which makes this book extremely frustrating to the reader trying to understand and use the messages. After about 10 chapters (book contains 24 chapters and a Soul Wisdom CD), I just gave up. This is a book I would not recommend.

Very disappointed
This book appears to be very disorganized and I found the writing to be un-inspiring. Worst of all, the CD didn't even work !!! I have tried it in three different CD players.

Real Treasure
Soul Wisdom is a beautifully written book on how to connect with your own soul and move it along on its journey of enlightenment. The words just flow off the page and connects with your soul. It gives both the practical and spiritual tools in a very easy read format.

Each chapter is a complete story on one aspect of soul wisdom and each chapters leads you to the next. There are simple and yet very profound ways to expand your inner spirit as it interfaces with opening your whole life to more joy and happiness.

A must read for those walking their path. It will springboard you ahead.

You're Going to Love it or Hate It
Are you interested in Eastern medicine? Do you believe in the soul and energy (chi, or lifeforce) within beings? Do you have the patience for a meditative/repetitive writing style? If you answered yes to these three questions, then you're going to find Soul Wisdom: Practical Soul Treasures to Transform Your Life very interesting and potentially life-changing.

I'm going to be straight with you... if you said no to any of the questions above (especially the second and third), then click away from this page as quickly as possible!

If you're still reading, then let's get down to business.

This book is interesting because it is a hybrid selfhelp-type book but also educational in that you can learn about Eastern beliefs in souls and the power of chi (energy). You are taken on a journey that shows you how to harness your own soul, tap into the Soul World, and heal yourself and others and receive blessings. According to the author, Dr. Zhi Gang Sha, we entered the Soul Light Era on Aug. 8, 2003, which is a time for us to focus on the power of the Soul World and collectively heal the world as the soul has now taken priority.

Dr. Sha offers "downloads," exercises you can do anywhere, 24/7, to access your soul power. I tried some of them as I read through the book, and since they are daily exercises/practices you must repeat, I have yet to notice results. I also suppose I have my own style of meditating which is very different, because I found the mantra to be distracting. I understand the point of it, but did not experience a surge or relaxation as I would have thought.

The writing style of the book is what I found most distracting. I'm not sure if it is a cultural difference or an intentional style of writing to teach the exercises and drive home the basics, but there is extreme repetition throughout. As you know, the straightest distance between two points is a straight line. The writing style in this book coils around that straight line so just when you think you're moving forward, it loops around back again, so in 3 pages, you get as far as you could with less than one page if not so repetitive.

Overall, if you're interested in tapping into your chi and harnessing your soul power, you'll find this an interesting read whether or not you follow the exercises. It may change your way of thinking and way of living to a more peaceful and centered existence. You just have to be patient with it. Very patient.

As for the CD that came with the book, it's relaxing but you may find it ridiculous. Hmm, now that I think of it, that pretty much sums up the whole book... you're gonna find it relaxing and helpful or totally "out there" and absurdly ridiculous.

Procedural
I believe the author offers his own beliefs with genuine sincerity. The challenge is in the delivery in which only he "sees" the Divine. The cd which came with the book is charming but a tad overbearing.
I could not bear reading quite a bit of the book. That is my issue when the author tells me I must do things their way or suffer no enlightenment. (My interpretation).