Lovely, inspiring story!

Review by Courtenay

A friend told me about this book during a discussion about the challenges of explaining complex spiritual and mindful living practices to younger children. My twins are a bit young to read the book independently, but it’s been perfect for our nightly family read, which has always been the favorite part of our family’s daily routine. My children are absolutely enthralled with Joshua’s adventures, as am I, and we all look forward to reading our nightly chapter more than we have with any other book. I love how this story has captured their imaginations and brought about many questions and conversations regarding ways they can apply what Joshua is learning into their own lives. We haven’t finished the entire book yet (even though I’ve been SO tempted to read ahead after the kiddos go to bed), but thus far it’s been a delight to read!

A Fun Adventure You Can Learn From!

Review by Spenser Duncan

This Novel is a Fantasy story with rich characters that are educational and whimsical. Beautifully illustrated, it is a refreshing departure from any other spiritual book I have read. I just love the scavenger hunt that you can download, it is a great way to stay engaged and be even more immersed in the story. This book is a fun way to talk about spiritual ideas and teachings to younger ones, and would definitely be an adventure you can go on together if you read parts of it at bedtime each night. Even for a well read adult in this genre, it is a unique way to incorporate things you may already know, such as grounding and visualization, mindfulness and acceptance of the present moment, creating your own reality with each choice, gaining clarity, and blasting limiting beliefs and negative thoughts. All in a creative way that keeps you entertained. I highly recommend this work of art, all ages will benefit!

The Midas Tree 

Review by Hannah Tofts, Tofts Reviews, Calgary, AB (age 9)

This story is about a boy named Joshua who finds an acorn in a river that takes him to a tree.  The Midas Tree is filled with creatures called devas and each and every one of them is different. The character Joshua is brave, scared, and strong and never backs down. I think the book is amazing and really adventurous.  I loved it. I recommend this book for children ages 8-17 years old.

The Beautiful ‘Midas Tree.

Review by Phyllis Helene; NLP Coach, Life coach, Playwright, RCR Host

“Told through the fictitious character of Joshua, the story in the Midas Tree is a quiet, incredible ride; carrying you along on the journey of Life. It is an uplifting literary narration composed of life’s lessons. A Literary masterpiece that engages you while you learn to transform thoughts into reality, unlock the mysteries of the law of Attraction, along with self healing. Respecting and understanding the beauty of life is where you will find yourself. And when it is all over; you will realize it is a story that lead you to glory, to glory, to glory and the answer is love !

The Midas Tree has the Midas Touch

Book Review by Jenny Keller Ford

I recently finished the book, The Midas Tree, by Dr. Lesley Phillips, and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it.

The first thing that struck me about this novel was how beautifully the book captures the essence of spiritual growth without being preachy or religious (not that I have anything against religious books, but since this book is meant for younger children, I liked the idea of teaching spirituality and leaving the teaching of religious beliefs to parents).  I was immediately taken with Joshua, his curiosity and his innocence.  As soon as he enters the secret realm of The Midas Tree, I knew I was in for a very special treat.

I am usually not one for talking animals in books, but in this case, they are necessary and endearing.  Not only do they speak, but they teach us about who they are and their connections to the universe. The Midas Tree is a wonderful exposition on the most purest, spiritual level of how we all are intertwined with one another, and how one single deviation from our natural course can set off a domino effect that has long lasting effects on our lives and our world.

The Midas Tree is not only inhabited by these wonderful creatures, but also by Devas:  fairy-like creatures who have separate but equally important  roles to play in teaching Joshua about the spiritual connectivity of all life.  They are probably my favorite characters in the story.

Throughout Joshua’s journey, I also encountered the spirituality in myself, and I learned a few things about tuning in and connecting with my spiritual self.  For someone who is fascinated with chakras, astral traveling, meditation and the laws of attraction, this novel gripped my spirit and led me down paths of understanding without realizing it.

Children and adults alike will enjoy this book for its wonderful lessons and unique and very special characters.  If The Chronicles of Narnia and Alice Through the Looking Glass are some of your favorite books, you will adore The Midas Tree.  It is definitely a book to add to your permanent collection for a lifetime of reading.

I give this book 5 stars out of 5.

by Jenny Keller Ford

Author, of tales of chivalry, unlikely heroes and a dragon or two…

Angels are For Kids and Furkids

Book Review by Angie Krause

With a summary like this one provided on amazon.com, I don’t have to write my usual one as it would be nothing but redundant.  When I was approached to read this book I thought it sounded like a fun and enlightening read.  I was not disappointed at all.  This book is one to be enjoyed by all readers of all ages.  It is easy to follow and understand for the middle to young adult readers, and yet in depth enough if you read more into it for the adult readers too.  I loved the fantasy concept of the book very much and all the different characters and Devas that were created for this book.  The characters help “make” the book for me.  I loved the talking insects and also how they weren’t just talking insects, they had true facts about them too.  Such as the talking Bee that tells Joshua his theory on the missing bees by not only talking to him, but showing him how bees communicate by dancing out the gist of what they want to communicate.  The Devas were amazing!  The reminded me of fairy godparents by how they are there to help Joshua explore and learn what is needed to go back to the world he is familiar with outside the “Midas Tree”.  I must say I agree with the comparison of the story seeming somewhat comparable to “Alice in Wonderland” or “Through the Looking Glass”.  The spiritual messages that come through in this book are truly amazing too.  You don’t even realize you are learning as you read this fictional story, but you are.  I found myself “transforming” like Joshua was as he learned from the Devas and all the other wonderful characters.  I stopped to reflect on his lessons myself as I was reading through the book.

I read bits and pieces to my son also who is ten years old as I was reading if he was home.  He also enjoyed the parts I read to him.  His favorite was the Black Widow Spider “lesson” and part of the story.  I was impressed to hear him voice the lesson back to me too that he thought Joshua learned before the spider told Joshua what the lesson was.  I felt this book was written in such a way that he was intrigued enough to pay attention, but also he was learning without even realizing it.  He reflected to me even, that he was like Joshua in that lesson and he needs to do things more in the way of how the spider taught Joshua.  You need to focus on things in front of you without being brought to distraction by worry and other issues not pertaining to the problem at hand.  He also learned some fun facts about the black widow spider, which thrilled him to no end as a nature kid.

I usually am not “moved” by a book, but this book really hit home for me and made me feel as though I was truly learning lessons to improve myself and my outlook on life just like Joshua was.  I feel that I left this book a better person with a greater understanding of the spiritual aspects in my life and myself.  I also must say that I was reading this book during a rough patch in my own personal life and found this book to be comforting to me and a help to me to get back in sync.  This book could not have been read by me at a better time.

I highly recommend this book to anyone of any age to read or read with a parent or adult.  I think a lot can be taken from this book to use in our real lives.  Very enjoyable and inspiring book and a MUST read!!

5/5 Stars!!!!!

This book counts toward my following challenges:  100 Books Read, and 1 Million Pages Read.

By Angela Krause
Mommy Blogger
Creator of http://angiesangelsrkids-furkids.blogspot.ca

Astral Connections

Book Review by Shahiroz Walji

In my life, I’ve read very few titles of fiction in their entirety. The only ones that I managed to finish are the ones that have succeeded in keeping me engaged from the beginning to the very end. Dr. Lesley Phillip’s book “The Midas Tree” is one that did just that. It is a unique, thought provoking, and entertaining novel

Not only is “The Midas Tree” a captivating story that kept me at the edge of my seat wanting to know what happens next, but it is one that can also serve as a unique and effective reference manual for acquainting one to their intuitive and psychic senses. Phillip’s novel can be enjoyed by a wide range of individuals with diverse experiences and interests, and can be interpreted on a variety of levels.

As a work of fiction, the story is an enchanting adventure that keeps the reader engaged through the portrayal of a fantastically animated cast, imaginative settings, and a unique and enthralling storyline. Through the many layers of twists and turns, you meet dynamic and impressionable characters brought to life by each segment of the story. As the story progresses, you will be reminded of moments in your life when you wished you had a guide to answer the questions that arose on your own journey. Perhaps then you would know how to understand and deal with your own experiences. By reading “The Midas Tree”, as the answers unfold for the characters, the answers will invariably unfold for you.

In my opinion, “The Midas Tree” is also a clever work of non-fiction. The story ingeniously weaves in various concepts of physics and metaphysics. It visually manifests an imaginal reality in the mind leading the reader through various dimensions and states of awareness. As the story evolves, the lessons to personal growth also unfold, and as the main character is enlightened, so too is the reader.

What if you could have in your hands a book that is an enjoyable read for everyone you know and a source of timeless information that will help you practically by providing a toolbox of mental and spiritual knowledge to effect personal growth? What if its also a book you can read to your children and have meaningful discussions with family and friends over coffee? Wouldn’t you want to read it and share it with everyone? “The Midas Tree” is such a book. A great gift for all.

By Shahiroz Walji

Owner, Astral Connections

See Shahiroz interview with Dr Lesley

Explore Astral Connections Events

Relaxation-at-Home Book of the Month

Book Review by Caroline Begin

Relaxation-at-Home’s Book of the Month for October 2012 is The Midas Treeby Dr. Lesley Phillips.

Children and adults will enjoy Joshua’s adventures as he leaves the Garden of Light to enter a mysterious door in the trunk of a tree. As Joshua explores different areas of the Midas Tree, he’ll encounter many of its magical creatures

The Midas Tree is inhabited by real animals (woodpeckers, spiders, birds, bees, etc.) and Devas — fairy-like creatures who each have essential roles to play within the tree and who also teach Joshua analogous spiritual lessons.

Young children will enjoy the magical aspects of the story (who wouldn’t want to step into a door in the trunk of a tree?), and adults will reacquaint themselves with their spiritual abilities and discover tools and techniques that will allow them to tune in to their spiritual selves.

Through his encounters with the book’s many mystical and inspiring characters, Joshua will discover who he truly is and how he can help the Midas Tree and himself turn to gold, a metaphor for becoming enlightened.

Joshua will also learn to find a balance between good and bad and he’ll also learn that he has to first help himself if he wants to help others. He’ll learn how to ground himself and remember the importance of compassion.

While following Joshua’s exciting adventures and learning more about the physiology of trees, readers will also find analogies and hints to chakras awakening, grounding and centering, clairvoyance, clairaudience, telepathy, astral traveland meditation.

This beautiful book captures the essence of spiritual growth without being preachy, technical or religious. It contains spiritual concepts that apply to everyone, no matter their beliefs. If you read it from a religious perspective, you’ll find references and characters that you may want to associate with your faith but I recommend that you read it without trying to do so. Let the story work its magic on you without over analyzing it!

The Midas Tree is an inspired parable that will both entertain and remind you of some of life’s most important lessons.

A highly recommended read for anyone between the ages of 8 and 80.

By Caroline Begin
Writer and Web Developer
Creator of Relaxation-at-Home.com
Devoted to helping others relax through meditation, yoga, astral travel and more.

Lesley was kind enough to send me a copy of her book, The Midas Tree, to review. I have also hosted a guest post by her – which lets you know that I value what she has to say.

What kind of book is it?
It is a kind of extended parable. It lays out the path of spiritual development by telling the story of a character. In this story the character is Joshua and he learns about self development through learning about a tree (the Midas Tree of the title) and the changes this brings to the tree and himself.

It tells the story of Joshua’s journey from the garden in the presence of Morfar, through the Midas Tree, until his eventual return to the garden in Morfar’s presence.  Most of the book is taken up with his journey in the Midas Tree and the lessons he learns there.

This style of writing is difficult to do. There are some masters – like C S Lewis. There are a great many more who are quite poor writers (not to mention any names – because then you would know what I think of the writing of James Redfield and Dan Brown.).

I am delighted to report that Lesley is much closer to the masters than most of those who attempt this kind of writing.

The biggest challenge with this kind of writing is for the characters to be more than just cardboard cut-outs for what the author wants to say. To gain emotional engagement rather than just presenting an intellectual system. All too often this kind of writing becomes a thinly veiled lecture – and not a particularly interesting one.

Lesley has thankfully avoided this. Mostly this is because her descriptions are vivid and emotionally engaging. And her central character, Joshua, does have moments of vulnerability and genuine feelings. The other characters are less fully developed, as you would expect, although Lesley does manage to differentiate some of them. She also manages a few surprises in the story – which is tricky to pull off in this kind of writing where the plot is laid out in advance.

This isn’t a novel – and doesn’t try to be. It is not the characters and their relationships that is the primary interest. The interest is from the lessons conveyed. Lesley has managed to write in such a way that the book is engaging and the message is conveyed clearly.

The Message
The message is about a true understanding of our selves and our world. It is about how we go about transforming ourselves.

The main way of transformation is through meditative practices. These are explained along with other traditions – the runes, and the assistance of devas.

This self development also leads to the development of special abilities – like remote seeing and hearing and speaking. I have no experience of these special abilities, so can’t comment. And they only occupy a small amount of the book. They are treated as a matter of fact development, rather than being seen as the goal of self development.

I don’t want to be a spoiler so I don’t want to give away too much of the message. I hope this gives enough of an indication to know if you would be interested in what the book has to say.

WIIFY?
(What’s in it for you?)

1. An enjoyable read about self development.
2. The explanation of how to do the practices are the clearest I have found in any book of this kind. You will know what to do if you wish to pursue this path of self development. There is no getting lost in clouds of abstraction.
3. The path is clearly laid out.  The stages are clearly separated, the issues described on the path are clearly distinguished.  Lesley manages to do this through incidents that are engaging and can be surprising.  This isn’t a dry manifesto.
4. The path described does include social transformation. Unfortunately with a lot of books of this kind you can end up thinking that we don’t have relationships and that we somehow exist in space – without living in any particular place; and that our place and relationships don’t really matter. (I think this is a major weakness.) Lesley specifically addresses social problems and the part that responding to them plays in our self development. This doesn’t occupy a large part of the book, but it is included, which is great to see.

Drawbacks?
None really. I have some philosophical disagreements with the approach in this book. But that isn’t a criticism of it.

There were only a couple of times throughout the whole book where I thought the characterisation slipped – the character spoke in a way that sounded much more like a 21st century adult than the speech of someone from the world of the book. Except for these couple of minor slips (early on in the text) the world of the book is convincingly created.  They didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the book.

My Assessment
If you are open to this approach to self development then this will be an enjoyable read and a valuable guide on your path.

The Midas Tree (approx. 330 pages) is available from the 11th of November. If you pre-order it here you will receive a signed copy of a limited edition printing.

By Evan Hadkin
Creator of www.livingauthentically.org/

Review by Heather Hicks

I have finished reading The Midas Tree & had a hard time putting it down once I started it. Not only is it a wonderful story but loaded with very worthwhile information. Having practised many similar techniques for over 40 years I was amazed at how much new information I learned and how enjoyable it was. I am now re-reading the book so that I can employ some of the lessons into my daily life along with my long term practises. I especially loved the roses. Thank you Lesley!

Interested in ALL: Books, Fashion, Food

The Midas Tree about a boy named Joshua who happens to find a way into what seems like another world, inside the Midas Tree. And his only way out is to learn the ways of those living the Midas Tree. Joshua journeys on and learns new and different things, goes through stuggles and assist those in need, just to find his way out. But, will he want to go after all that he has learned? Will he stay?

The Midas Tree is a great bed time story book for kids of any ages. It’s adventurous and informative about the ways of the earth and the ways of the mind.

The creatures that live in the Midas Tree and the creatures that Joshua comes across all seem very very creative, and they all seem to really know their stuff and are all eager to help, which is a great inspiration and role model for the young ones reading this, even if they’re just creatures.

Throughout the book, Joshua is taught how to mediate to manifest what he really needs to survive. And one quote that I really like and that really inspired me:

“Let all your doubts and disbeliefs flow away down your grounding. In fact, create a rose and place anything that says you cannot have your creation into this rose, and then explode it. Keep creating and exploding roses, until all your doubts have disappeared.” – Devany – Pg 240

This line taught me that when in doubt, imagine or a rose and place all that doubt in that rose and explode it. It’s funny, but it’s a surprisingly great way to release doubts.

The art work in the beginning of every chapter is spectacular. It’s cute, creative and it really speaks about the chapter.

The Midas Tree, is an informative magical book that teaches one the power of the mind and the ways of how the earth is. I recommend this book to absolutely anyone who enjoys reading about adventures and knowing more of the mind and our world in a unique point of view.

Nada Qamber

Blogger

Owner, Interested in ALL: Books, Food, Fashion

The Midas Tree by Lesley Phillips

Book Review by Susan Voss

Why I Read It: It was a combination of the cover & the concept of adventuring through a tree.

Where I Got It: A review copy from the author (thanks!)

Who I Recommend This To: Folks into meditation might enjoy this.

Publisher: ArtVision Enterprises Inc. (2012)

Length: 294 pages

Joshua starts off in a kind of paradise, the Garden of Color and Light. Joshua ends up chasing an acorn to a secret door at the base of a tree. Later he comes to learn this is The Midas Tree. He becomes trapped in the tree and gains assistance from several of the inhabitants of the tree, chiefly a variety of Devas. At first he can only think of finding a way back to the Garden of Color and Light. But eventually he learns to live in the moment, tackling the tasks and life lessons in front of him.

Lesley Phillips built a story around meditation techniques and adventures through a natural environment. The tale is told simply, so that even children with an interest could enjoy this book. I also enjoyed the artwork, both on the cover and the illustrations at the beginning of each chapter. Several nature elements provided lessons for Joshua, both as teachers and as quests. The Devas act as guides, often leading Joshua, but sometimes giving him a push, in the direction of his next life lesson.

At first the meditation bits were intriguing to me, being a part of the way of life in the Midas Tree. Such ideas as grounding your self, removing energy blocks, and connecting with your personal cosmic energy all started off as background to the larger story. However, towards the end it became a little preachy and I found myself skimming over those bits to get back to the main story line. I enjoyed the Devas; each of the main Devas had main tasks to keep the tree healthy. Through them, Joshua got to explore the tree from root system, to trunk, to the topmost tree canopy. Often, there were natural animals to help him along such as a spider, a woodpecker, a bat, and a grub. Some of the lessons involved Joshua assisting another to learn their lesson.

The overall tone of the book was simple, easy to read. In fact, most of the chapters could be read individually, such as a bedtime story to an interested child. Each of the main characters had their own personalities that did not blend together as the story went on. However, there was one Deva, Devalicious, who’s character sometimes dropped into that for a more mature audience; her flirtatious behavior jarred with the rest of the novel. In the end, while I can appreciate the craft that went into this novel, many of the concepts did not ring true to life for me and I found myself loosing interest.

What I Liked: The art work, especially the cover; strong use of nature elements; Joshua is an average guy thrown into a life where he has to learn everything; the cubicle ants made me laugh; while a little preachy, I appreciated the message about the evils of consumerism.

What I Disliked: The character Devalicious seemed to be transplanted from another, more worldly book to this one, jarring my reading; towards the end, the book got a little preachy on concepts that don’t ring true for me.

Susan Voss, Owner of Dab of Darkness

Throughout Joshua’s journey, I encountered the spirituality in myself, and learned a few things about tuning in and connecting with my spiritual self... Children and adults alike will enjoy this book for its wonderful lessons and unique and very special characters.  If The Chronicles of Narnia and Alice Through the Looking Glass are some of your favorite books, you will adore The Midas Tree.  It is definitely a book to add to your permanent collection for a lifetime of reading.

Jenny Keller Ford
Jenny Keller Ford - Author

The tale is told simply, so that even children with an interest could enjoy this book. I also enjoyed the artwork, both on the cover and the illustrations at the beginning of each chapter.

Susan Voss
Dab Of Darkness