The Joy of Family Ritual - Book of the Month

With Thanksgiving around the corner, we chose The Joy of Family Rituals Recipes for Everyday Living by spiritual teacher and motivational speaker, Barbara Biziou, as Cosimo's book of the month.  

The Joy of Family Rituals is a guide book for families who want to further enrich their lives with rituals. By reflecting on the significance of the everyday rituals and making them a part of daily life, families can strengthen their bond. Rituals help a family communicate, foster spiritual connections, and provide a secure foundation for growth. Though rituals are probably already a part of your family life, especially during these dark times of Covid, The Joy of Family Ritual can help incorporate even more rituals into your daily life.

See here what Barbara Biziou says not only about the importance of Thanksgiving, but also 

December Book of the Month: The Joy of Ritual by Barbara Biziou

December is upon us and we are getting into the holiday spirit! Prepare for Christmas and Hanukkah by reading our Book of the Month, The Joy of Ritual by Barbara Biziou.

Ritual is a universal language that gives substance and meaning to our lives. People are eager to honor the significant moments in their lives and Barbara Biziou, one of America's foremost ritual experts, teaches us how to restore ritual to its rightful place as food for the soul through practical, easy-to-use ritual recipes that are inspiring and fun.

Rituals can enhance daily routines, enrich milestones, and guide us through difficult transitions. Whether you're releasing fear, bringing deeper meaning to a family or community gathering, or celebrating an important event, The Joy of Ritual is like a wise best friend that reconnects us to our hearts and souls.

About the Author
Barbara Biziou is an interfaith minister, motivational speaker, and a life-strategy coach. She is the author of The Joy of Ritual & The Joy of Family Rituals, as well as a Huffington Post blogger, executive consultant, dynamic public speaker, and national TV personality. Biziou has a deep commitment to integrating practical spirituality into people's lives, both personally and professionally. She is a frequent guest on radio and television and has appeared in the New York Times, Body and Soul, Harper's Bazaar and Parent's Magazine.

Cosimo offers this title in paperback at leading online bookstores including Barnes & Noble and Amazon, and also as an eBook.

December Book of the Month: The Joy of Ritual by Barbara Biziou

December is upon us and we are getting into the holiday spirit! Prepare for Christmas and Hanukkah by reading our Book of the Month, The Joy of Ritual by Barbara Biziou.

Ritual is a universal language that gives substance and meaning to our lives. People are eager to honor the significant moments in their lives and Barbara Biziou, one of America's foremost ritual experts, teaches us how to restore ritual to its rightful place as food for the soul through practical, easy-to-use ritual recipes that are inspiring and fun.

Rituals can enhance daily routines, enrich milestones, and guide us through difficult transitions. Whether you're releasing fear, bringing deeper meaning to a family or community gathering, or celebrating an important event, The Joy of Ritual is like a wise best friend that reconnects us to our hearts and souls.

About the Author
Barbara Biziou is an interfaith minister, motivational speaker, and a life-strategy coach. She is the author of The Joy of Ritual & The Joy of Family Rituals, as well as a Huffington Post blogger, executive consultant, dynamic public speaker, and national TV personality. Biziou has a deep commitment to integrating practical spirituality into people's lives, both personally and professionally. She is a frequent guest on radio and television and has appeared in the New York Times, Body and Soul, Harper's Bazaar and Parent's Magazine.

Cosimo offers this title in paperback at leading online bookstores including Barnes & Noble and Amazon, and also as an eBook.

December Book of the Month: The Joy of Ritual by Barbara Biziou

As many of us get into the holiday spirit in preparation for Christmas and Hanukkah, the Cosimo staff will be reaching for The Joy of Ritual by Barbara Biziou to help us celebrate. 

Ritual is a universal language that gives substance and meaning to our lives. People are eager to honor the significant moments in their lives and Barbara Biziou, one of America's foremost ritual experts, teaches us how to restore ritual to its rightful place as food for the soul through practical, easy-to-use ritual recipes that are inspiring and fun.

Rituals can enhance daily routines, enrich milestones, and guide us through difficult transitions. Whether you're releasing fear, bringing deeper meaning to a family or community gathering, or celebrating an important event, The Joy of Ritual is like a wise best friend that reconnects us to our hearts and souls.

About the Author
Barbara Biziou is an interfaith minister, motivational speaker, and a life-strategy coach. She is the author of The Joy of Ritual & The Joy of Family Rituals, as well as a Huffington Post blogger, executive consultant, dynamic public speaker, and national TV personality. Biziou has a deep commitment to integrating practical spirituality into people's lives, both personally and professionally. She is a frequent guest on radio and television and has appeared in the New York Times, Body and Soul, Harper's Bazaar and Parent's Magazine.

Cosimo offers this title in paperback at leading online bookstores including Barnes & Noble and Amazon, and also as an eBook.

Upcoming author event alert! Barbara Biziou will present her favorite rituals and ways to prepare for 2018 at her event Navigate 2018: Rituals and Astrology on December 16th in New York City. For more information about the workshop (cohosted with Rebecca Gordon), tickets, and location, please visit the event site.

Healthy Mind and Spirit eBooks for January

As you come to the end of your first month's worth of resolutions, we at Cosimo would like you to take a step back and recognize the hard work you are doing. Here are a few eBook titles for our readers to exercise the mind and spirit so you can be healthy inside and out!

Everything You Want to Know About TM, Including How to Do It by John White 

Wildly popular in the 1970s and 80s, Transcendental Meditation (TM) continues to be one of the most accessible forms of Eastern spiritual practice in the West. But does it live up to its hype? In this objective exploration of TM, consciousness researcher John White looks at what's billed as "a simple, natural, and effortless mental technique, practiced twenty minutes a day" and takes on its critics as well as its cheerleaders.

Purchase at Kobo.com

Mystic Journey: Getting to the Heart of Your Soul's Story by Robert Atkinson

Mystic Journey uses a multi-faith approach to reveal the path of the soul; this not a solitary quest but rather a superhighway meant for everyone. As we explore the deeper story of our soul, we also discover that we are living a lifelong process of soul-making, leading us ultimately to personal and collective transformation. Getting to the heart of your soul's story is soul-making. Mystic Journey guides readers to: use their life stories to help solidify their identities, live with an eternal perspective in mind, and reclaim their common spiritual heritage.

Purchase at Kobo.com

The Joy of Ritual: Spiritual Recipies to Celebrate Milestones, Ease Transitions, and Make Every Day Sacred by Barbara Biziou

Ritual is a universal language that gives substance and meaning to our lives. People are eager to honor the significant moments in their lives and Barbara Biziou, one of America's foremost ritual experts, teaches us how to restore ritual to its rightful place as food for the soul through practical, easy-to-use ritual recipes that are inspiring and fun.

Purchase at Kobo.com

January Book of the Month: The Joy of Ritual by Barbara Biziou

In the spirit of new beginnings, Cosimo is thrilled to offer The Joy of Ritual by Barbara Biziou as our January 2016 Book of the Month. 

Rituals are fundamental elements to this time of year, and help to bring substance, meaning, and cheer to our lives. Rituals can enhance daily routines, enrich milestones, and guide us through difficult transitions. They help to release fear, bring deeper meaning to a family or community gathering, and bring greater enjoyment to an an important event. 

In this wonderful book, Barbara Biziou, one of America's foremost ritual experts, teaches us how to restore ritual to its rightful place---as food for the soul---through practical, easy-to-use recipes that are inspiring and enjoyable.

If you need some help embracing 2016, be sure to read Barbara's posts on 12 Simple Rituals To Help You Release 2015 and ’Tis The Season For Rituals!

About the Author
Barbara Biziou is an interfaith minister, motivational speaker, and a life-strategy coach. She is the author of The Joy of Ritual & The Joy of Family Rituals, as well as a Huffington Post blogger, executive consultant, dynamic public speaker, and national TV personality. Biziou has a deep commitment to integrating practical spirituality into people's lives, both personally and professionally. She is a frequent guest on radio and television and has appeared in the New York Times, Body and Soul, Harper's Bazaar and Parent's Magazine.

Cosimo offers this title in paperback at leading online bookstores including Barnes & Noble and Amazon, and also as an eBook.

Happy New Year from all of us at Cosimo!

Rituals for the New Year Workshop with Cosimo Author Barbara Biziou

Our January Book of the Month author Barbara Biziou is holding a workshop in honor of the New Year!

From Barbara's website:

"Rituals can be wonderful tools to help us release old patterns and limiting thoughts and move into the future with clarity and lightness. January is an auspicious time to use the focused power of ritual to align our minds, hearts and actions, and release the blocks and barriers that prevent us from manifesting our goals.

In this workshop, we will draw from a range of cross-cultural traditions and spiritual teachings to create our own rituals, tailored to modern urban reality and our own contemporary lives. Whether we want to re-ensoul our daily routines, move out of an unwanted situation, complete an unresolved issue, focus our goals more clearly or manifest love and abundance, this workshop can help us move into a new year with energy, inspiration and focus."

Event: Rituals for the New Year: Beginning the Year with Clarity, Intention, and Inspiration

Date: Friday, January 15, 2016

Time: 7pm to 9:30 pm
Where: New York Open Center, 22 East 30th St. New York, NY 10016
Cost: NY Open Center Members: FREE, Members’ Guests: $18, Non-members: $35

To register, please visit the New York Open Center website.

About the Barbara Biziou
Barbara Biziou is an interfaith minister, motivational speaker, and a life-strategy coach. She is the author of The Joy of Ritual & The Joy of Family Rituals, as well as a Huffington Post blogger, executive consultant, dynamic public speaker, and national TV personality. Biziou has a deep commitment to integrating practical spirituality into people's lives, both personally and professionally. She is a frequent guest on radio and television and has appeared in the New York Times, Body and Soul, Harper's Bazaar and Parent's Magazine.

Bringing in the New Year with Barbara Biziou

As 2015 begins and January resolutions and new beginnings abound, author Barbara Biziou writes on MindBodyGreen a few easy rituals for everyone to follow as well as how and why these rituals will inspire and encourage you to have a fantastic new year.

In "12 Spiritually Uplifting Rituals To Try," Barbara details a few simple ways to bring playfulness and gratitude into your life. Ideas include creating an inspiration tree, taking time for yourself, and taking a digital detox.

In "12 Rituals To Do In 12 Days To Guarantee 12 Months Of Love & Prosperity," the author explains the importance of the first 12 days of January and how to give thoughtful attention to each day to symbolize the coming year. 

Click on the above video to watch Barbara discus rituals to bring prosperity and love in 2015.


Follow Biziou on Twitter at @barbarabiziou for spiritual reflections and suggestions, or visit her website for more information.


Barbara Biziou is an interfaith minister, motivational speaker, and a life-strategy coach. She is the author of The Joy of Ritual and The Joy of Family Rituals, as well as a Huffington Post blogger, executive consultant, dynamic public speaker, and national TV personality. 

“Rituals for the New Year” with Barbara Biziou

Join author Barbara Biziou at her first event of 2015, “Rituals for the New Year” at The Open Center.

About the Workshop:

When: Friday, January 9, 2015, from 7:00pm - 9:30pm
Where: The Open Center,  22 E. 30th Street, New York, NY 10016
Cost: Free for Open Center members ($35 for non-members)

"Rituals can be wonderful tools to help us release old patterns and limiting thoughts and move into the future with clarity and lightness. January is an auspicious time to use the focused power of ritual to align our minds, hearts and actions, and release the blocks and barriers that prevent us from manifesting our goals. 

In this workshop, we will draw from a range of cross-cultural traditions and spiritual teachings to create our own rituals, tailored to modern urban reality and our own contemporary lives. Whether we want to re-ensoul our daily routines, move out of an unwanted situation, complete an unresolved issue, focus our goals more clearly or manifest love and abundance, this workshop can help us move into a new year with energy, inspiration and focus."

For more information, visit Barbara's event page. Click here to register.

About Barbara

Barbara Biziou is an interfaith minister, motivational speaker, and a life-strategy coach. She is the author of The Joy of Ritual and The Joy of Family Rituals, as well as a Huffington Post blogger, executive consultant, dynamic public speaker, and national TV personality. Biziou has a deep commitment to integrating practical spirituality into people's lives, both personally and professionally. She is a frequent guest on radio and television and has appeared in the New York Times, Body and Soul, Harper's Bazaar and Parent's Magazine.

December Book of the Month: The Joy of Ritual

In spirit of the the holiday season, Cosimo is thrilled to offer The Joy of Ritual by Barbara Biziou as our December Book of the Month. 

Rituals are fundamental elements to this time of year, and help to bring substance, meaning, and cheer to our lives. Rituals can enhance daily routines, enrich milestones, and guide us through difficult transitions. They help to release fear, bring deeper meaning to a family or community gathering, and bring greater enjoyment to an an important event. 

In this wonderful book, Barbara Biziou, one of America's foremost ritual experts, teaches us how to restore ritual to its rightful place---as food for the soul---through practical, easy-to-use recipes that are inspiring and enjoyable.


To see Barbara Biziou in action, see the below clip on modern holiday rituals:

 And another clip with a preview on Vision 2015, a workshop on how to start the New Year:
 

 

About the Author
Barbara Biziou is an interfaith minister, motivational speaker, and a life-strategy coach. She is the author of The Joy of Ritual & The Joy of Family Rituals, as well as a Huffington Post blogger, executive consultant, dynamic public speaker, and national TV personality. Biziou has a deep commitment to integrating practical spirituality into people's lives, both personally and professionally. She is a frequent guest on radio and television and has appeared in the New York Times, Body and Soul, Harper's Bazaar and Parent's Magazine.

Cosimo offers this title in paperback at leading online bookstores including Barnes & Noble and Amazon, and also as an eBook for Kindle, Nook, and Kobo.

Book of the Month: The Joy of Ritual

“The Joy of Ritual is a road-map to celebrating life. This book will be a great companion on your journey to attaining clarity, balance, and calmness amid the chaos of life.”

— Donna Karan

Our Book of the Month may look familiar: we spotlighted Barbara Biziou's The Joy of Ritual back in September. We've chosen to spotlight it again because we think it's a great recommendation for our readers who may have New Year's Resolutions tied to self-improvement. 

The Joy of Ritual is an easily practicable recipe book for the soul, which helps the reader center and understand themselves. It's easy for New Year's resolutions to be forgotten as the days progress and we become busy living our lives; The Joy of Ritual is an easy-to-use manual that can help the busiest of us maintain a connection with the inner self. There are simple and quick rituals in the book to enhance our connection to the self every day, with more complicated and time-intensive rituals for those special moments when we seek greater guidance or understanding.

For more on the integration of simple rituals into your daily life, be sure to check out Biziou's new and improved website, which launched in December. This wonderful new site includes a link to sign up for a free Transformation Toolbox, and features vlog posts and links to Biziou's other products and events.

Start integrating the spiritual in your daily life with The Joy of Ritual in Kindle, Paperback, or in another digital reader format.

Cosimo's Book of the Month: The Joy of Ritual

As the arid heat of the summer changes into the cooler winds of autumn, it's a good time to take stock of all the other changes happening in our lives. Even something as simple as a seasonal change can affect our bodies, moods, and spirits, which is why September's Book of the Month is Barbara Biziou's The Joy of Ritual: Spiritual Recipes to Celebrate Milestones, Ease Transitions, and Make Every Day Sacred.

The Joy of Ritual is a recipe book unlike any other, providing recipes not for fortifying the body, but for fortifying the soul. Biziou believes that rituals and spiritual practices can help us cope with all of life's changes and transitions—both big and small—because they remind us that "we have the power to design our lives."

This empowering collection provides the reader with a recipe book of rituals they can utilize to navigate a wide range of situations, from mourning a loved one (“Dealing With Grief”) to celebrating a move to a new house or apartment (“A New Home”). Biziou illustrates how rituals—even ones that take mere seconds—can bring stability to our lives, integrate the sacred into our daily routines, and transform the ordinary into moments of reflection and connection within ourselves.

This wonderful book is currently available as an e-book (now at a special rate at the ReKiosk digital marketplace) or in paperback. Fans of Biziou's work can also purchase The Joy of Family Rituals. 

Follow Biziou on Twitter at @barbarabiziou for spiritual reflections and suggestions or visit her website for more information.