Book Review: Being Here: Modern Day Tales of Enlightenment

This book review is part of a series that covers the topic of Self Realization. Self Realization is knowledge of the true self gained from personal experience, as opposed to book knowledge. Self realization can be achieved through spirituality, meditation, and yoga. Ariel and Shya Kane are the Official Guides to Self Realization.

Being Here: Modern Day Tales of Enlightenment, by Ariel and Shya Kane, is a valuable resource for people interested in Self Realization, and it is available through Amazon.

ForeWord Magazine, September/October 2007
"This little gem of a book....cracks open amazing possibilities for transformation."

Library Journal, July 2007
"Recommended to public libraries looking to update their inspirational sections."

Love in Santa Fe Magazine, Winter 2007
"A must for every self-help book shelf!"

Review by Dr. Maryel McKinley, Syndicated Book Reviewer,
featured in Love in Santa Fe Magazine, Winter 2007 issue
Move over Chicken Soup for The Soul - there is a new book in town: Being Here, Modern Day Tales of Enlightenment. Ariel and Shya Kane, award winning authors of How to Create a Magical Relationship and Working on Yourself Doesn’t Work, have done it again in producing yet another masterpiece.

Being Here will take you around the world and home again as the Kanes expertly entertain you with situations they have encountered in their own lives and in the lives of their workshop participants - weaving a beautiful fabric of hope, love and real change in this sometimes stormy world that we all encounter on a day-to-day basis.

This book is full of profound stories that amuse and enlighten. The Kanes bring a fresh perspective to topics such as listening to your own true desires, dissolving upsets, being in the moment and forgiveness and compassion. Being Here is smart and upbeat, addressing age-old challenges with a modern day approach.

One of my favorite stories in the book is a chapter called "The Accidental Gift," in which the Kanes describe accidentally damaging their boat trailer and how the whole experience turned out to be a an unexpected gift. Ironically, just after reading this story, I had an experience that appeared at first glance to be a horrible catastrophe for me in my career, but then I remembered to look for the gift in it, and low and behold I realized that it was an amazing opportunity, a blessing in disguise!

A must for every self-help book shelf, ten gold stars for Being Here and the Kanes as they dish up meaningful tales of transformation, morsel by morsel, one story at a time.

Review by Mary Arsenault, Publisher, Wisdom Magazine,
featured in September 2007 issue
Ariel and Shya Kane, creators of Instantaneous TransformationTM, and best-selling authors of Working on Yourself Doesn't Work and How to Create A Magical Relationship, have just released their newest book, Being Here: Modern Day Tales of Enlightenment. A slight departure from their other books, Being Here is a treasure trove of vignettes, mostly taken from their own personal experience, which show the principles of Instantaneous Trans-formationTM in action.

Written in the Kanes' trademark light, down to earth style, Being Here is a deceptively simple read which expertly conveys their enlightened approach to the difficulties we all face in our life journey. From the death of loved ones, to relationship problems, to trusting of your own intuition and following your heart, Being Here covers the gamut of conditions, offering a new perspective which can transform any mundane event into a magical experience. Divided into chapters, Being Here has the stories grouped according to the point they are making, with explanatory text introducing each new section. Prior reading of the Kanes' other books is not required to fully appreciate the lessons, but once you've read Being Here, you'll want to read them all.

Since 1988, the Kanes' system of Instantaneous TransformationTM has been the impetus of profound change in the lives of thousands of people. Transcending spiritual/religious/scientific dogma, Instantaneous TransformationTM is based on three very simple but profound principles to which all can relate.

Principle #1. Anything you resist persists and grows stronger. This principle explains how trying to change an unwanted behavior usually results in perpetuating the behavior.

Principle #2. No two things can occupy the same space at the same time. This principle basically means that anything that has ever happened, could only have happened exactly the way that it happened, because that is how it happened. When fully understood, this principle of accepting the past, warts and all, removes the feelings of both guilt and resentment that can ruin one's present moment experience of peace.

Principle #3. Anything that you allow to be exactly as it is without trying to change or fix it, will complete itself. This principle states that simple awareness of an unwanted behavior is enough to stop the behavior once and for all. The Kanes use walking through a darkened livingroom as an example, whereby with the lights out, you can't see the furniture and end up tripping over it. Once you turn the lights on, however (awareness), you can see exactly where the furniture is and you can easily navigate through the room without bumping into things.

Book Description
As humans, we are taught how to learn, analyze and improve, yet we have little training in how to simply be. This book uses stories to illustrate a new possibility for approaching life; one that produces well-being and satisfaction, where upsetting events -- even death and loss -- dont have to affect ones ability to have a brilliant life.

From the Author
Join us for "Being Here," our weekly radio show, where each week we address a certain topic and take calls from listeners. The topics include everything from money, relationships, listening, creativity, intuition to parenting. Don't miss "Being Here!"
Shows air Wednesdays at 9am PST / 12pm EST. Archived episodes are also available for download.

From the Back Cover
We have learned how to acquire and have things,
We've learned how to do things and get things done,
But when have we ever simply learned how to be?

Being Here
offers a new possibility...

"An ordinary person's guide to every-day-enlightenment. These moving, witty and life inspiring stories will stay with you long after you have read them."
- Susan Donlon, Associate Director, Bear Stearns Co, Inc.

"Like ancient Zen parables, the Kanes' engaging stories remind me how simple, beautiful and fun life is meant to be."
- Josh Pais, Actor

I've read so many books in order to get IT. In reading the Kanes' book Being Here a funny thing happened: IT got me!
- Alisa Sher, College Academic Advisor

Being Here: Modern Day Tales of Enlightenment is a collection of ordinary yet profound moments from a lifetime of inquiry into Self-Discovery by authors Ariel & Shya Kane. The Kanes are masters of transformation, the ability to live in the moment and dissolve problems through awareness. They have inspired individuals and organizations across the globe, bringing people through the swamp of the mind, into the clarity and brilliance of the moment. The Kanes' transformational approach has a unique flavor that is designed for modern day circumstances and complexities while resonating with universal truths of the ages.

About the Author
Since 1988 Ariel & Shya Kane's unique and revolutionary approach has inspired individuals, couples and organizations across the globe. Their transformational approach has a unique flavor that is designed for modern day circumstances and complexities while resonating with the universal truths of the ages. Award-winning authors and Internationally acclaimed seminar leaders and business consultants, the Kanes have presented transformational seminars both nationally and throughout Europe, in Central and South America, Australia and Indonesia. In the United States, they have taught for many organizations such as The United Nations Society for Enlightenment and Transformation, The United Nations Women's Guild, The New York Theosophical Society, Organizational Development Network, Omega Institute, Swedish Institute, The Learning Light Foundation, The Learning Annex, The Seminar Center and various conferences and health expos.

The Kanes are expert guides who can help you relate with clarity and brilliance. Their books, Working on Yourself Doesn't Work and How to Create a Magical Relationship (winner of the 2007 Nautilus Book Award in the category of Relationships / Men & Women's Issues), are available via their website and at local and online bookstores. Ariel and Shya lead evening and weekend groups in Manhattan, dedicated to supporting people in living in the moment and having extraordinary, fulfilling lives.