January Quote of the Month - By thought, the thing you want is brought to you.....- Wallace D. Wattles -

Happy New Year! As things go, the holiday season has passed by quicker than we all could have imagined just a month ago and a new year, 2017, is upon us. We wish all our readers, authors, partners and those of you who happened to find us today a successful, prosperous and healthy New Year.

Last month, we started with selecting and presenting a monthly quote, an inspirational message from one of our authors, and present it here on our blog and also include it in our company's voicemail.

As January represents a fresh start and the beginning of a New Year, our quote for this month reminds us that it is by thought and by action that one can make new things happen this month and every day the rest of this new year. This month's quote is from Wallace D. Wattles, an author and predecessor of modern day gurus such as a Tony Robbins and whose book The Science of Getting Rich was the inspiration for Rhonda Byrne's bestselling book and film The Secret.

This month's quote from Wallace D. Wattles best-seller, The Science of Getting Rich is:

"By thought, the thing you want is brought to you; by action you receive it."
- Wallace D. Wattles, 1910

Cosimo offers quite a few books by Wallace D. Wattles, including a hard cover of The Science of Getting Rich, and also a Wallace D. Wattles Trilogy: The Science of Being Well, the Science of Getting Rich & the Science of Being Great (paperback & hardcover):

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!

January Classic of the Month: Eat and Grow Thin by Vance Thompson

In the spirt of the new year, we at Cosimo are spending the month of January highlighting books that will help our readers become the best version of themselves. We are happy to present Cosimo's Classic of the Month for January: Eat and Grow Thin by Vance Thompson.

Known as one of America's first low-carb diet books, author Vance Thompson offers his strategy for "escaping the tragedy of growing fat." What's more. "The Mahdah menus tell you exactly what to eat just what food values should be banked every day. The menus are composed. Each luncheon is complete in itself. Each dinner provides exactly the nutriment needed and in exactly the right proportions. And breakfast? Oh, we of the slim-waisted gracilities breakfast on a cup of yellow tea or a cup of black coffee or a dish of fresh, ripe fruit."

Originally published in 1914 and long out-of-print, Eat and Grow Thin proves just how long low-carbohydrate eating plans have been around. Of course, contemporary dieters familiar with the current low-carb craze will find memorable advice here as well as a wealth of "slimming recipes" from the turn of the century.

About the Author

Vance Thompson (1863-1925) was an American author and literary "Renaissance Man" of the early 20th century. His work covers a wide-range of genres including poetry, stage plays, miscellaneous manuscripts as well as sheet music. Capitalizing on popular tastes of the era, his earlier works include Take It From Me: A Look in on the Other Fellow (1916), Drink and Be Sober (1916), and Live and Be Young (1920). An extensive collection of his literary works and personal papers are stored in the Library for Rare Books and Special Collections at Princeton University.

Eat and Grow Thin is available on Amazon, at Barnes & Noble, and at your favorite bookstores. From everyone here at Cosimo, we wish you a very Happy New Year!

January Classic of the Month: Hatha Yoga

In the spirit and new beginnings, Cosimo is proud to present Hatha Yoga: Or, the Yogi Philosophy of Physical Well-Being by Yogi Ramachaka as our first Classic of the Month for 2015.

Followers of the early-20th-century "New Age" philosophy of New Thought believed they could learn the secrets of mind over matter, and one of their most influential teachers (enormously popular writer and editor William Walker Atkinson, writing under the pseudonym Ramacharaka), revealed to them, in this 1904 work, the teachings of Hatha Yoga. 

His lessons cover how what we eat impacts the "life fluid" of the blood, the yogi's approach to food and eating, mastering yogi breathing, rules for relaxation, and much, much more.

While this book is useful all year round, it is especially relevant this month in a time of resolution making for those interested in healthier minds and bodies.
About the Author
American writer William Walker Atkinson (1862-1932) was the editor of the popular magazine New Thought from 1901 to 1905, and editor of the journal Advanced Thought from 1916 to 1919. He authored dozens of New Thought books under numerous pseudonyms, some of which are likely still unknown today, including "Yogi Ramacharaka" and "Theron Q. Dumont." Other titles available from Cosimo are Yogi Ramacharaka's Series of Lessons in Gnani Yoga and Series of Lessons in Raja Yoga, plus many more.

Cosimo is happy to offer Hatha Yoga in both hardcover and paperback formats at leading online bookstores including Barnes & Noble (paperback, hardcover) and Amazon (paperback, hardcover).

January Book of the Month: Mystic Journey by Robert Atkinson

For many, a new year symbolizes a new start, a new journey, or a hopeful beginning. It's what inspires us to make change---to finally begin, or do, what we have always hoped to. In excitement of the new year, and in anticipation of a new beginning, Cosimo is proud to present Mystic Journey by Robert Atkinson as our Book of the Month.

In this life-changing and award winning book, Atkinson uses a multi-faith approach to reveal the path of the soul. Guiding readers to use their life stories to help solidify their identities, live with an eternal perspective in mind, and reclaim their common spiritual heritage, Mystic Journey reveals why we are deeply connected to others. Getting to the heart of your soul is soul-making, and it is through this journey that leads us to personal and collective transformation.

This book is a must-read for any individual who seeks spiritual insight, or who simply wants to make positive changes to his/her life.

About the Author:
Robert Atkinson, Ph.D., an internationally recognized authority in helping people tell their life stories, is an author of eight books, professor of human development and religious studies, and director of the Life Story Center at the University of Southern Maine. He is online at www.RobertAtkinson.net.

Cosimo is proud to offer this title in both paperback and eBook at leading online bookstores including Barnes & Noble and Amazon (Kindle, paperback).

Mystic Journey Author Robert Atkinson on New Year's Resolutions

Our Book of the Month author, Robert Atkinson recently shared a thoughtful commentary on the transformation process and resolutions on his blog. In the spirit of the new year and new beginnings, Cosimo would like to highlight his reflections from the post.

"Even if we are not aware of this truth that we are living, as it might be especially difficult to do so when we are right in the midst of a struggle or conflict actually meant to lead us to and trough our own transformation, it is precisely this kind of challenge or “muddle” that is needed to show us the necessity of the difficulty. This is how we are led to a “resolution” and the completion of the transformation process." (To read the post in its entirety, please visit Robert's blog, Reflections for the Journey.)

Be sure to check out Robert's newest creation: StoryCommons, where life stories are recorded locally and shared globally. StoryCommons grew out of the Center for the Study of Lives, founded in 1988 by Robert as a research, educational, and service unit of the University of Southern Maine, and was founded in 2014.

About Robert Atkinson
Robert Atkinson, Ph.D., an internationally recognized authority in helping people tell their life stories, is an author of eight books, professor of human development and religious studies, and director of the Life Story Center at the University of Southern Maine. Find out more about Atkinson, his books, or to read his blog, please visit www.RobertAtkinson.net. Cosimo is proud to publish Mystic Journey: Getting to the Heart of Your Soul's Story , a 2013 winner of the Bronze Living Now Book Award by Robert Atkinson.

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. 

"Many New Years" Poetry Collection for the Holidays by Vera Srbinović

Cosimo is proud to present this holiday season
Mnoge Nove Godine/Many NewYears, a beautiful New Year’s holiday collection of poems in English and Serbian (originally published by Dan Graf in Belgrade, Serbia.)

Ranging from the present back to 1998, award winning poet - and Cosimo author - Vera Srbinović showcases one poem for every year. The artwork in this hard cover book was created by the poet herself as colorful New Year’s cards symbolizing the events that took place that year. 

As this holiday season extends into next year for many Orthodox Christians, who will be celebrating Christmas on January 7 and New Year on January 14, Many New Years is the perfect holiday gift for poetry lovers, or those interested in European culture and history.
 
Vera Srbinović has received widespread praise for her work, including:

 

“Her poems are Pushkinesque, warm and tender.”

-  Politika (a leading Belgrade daily)

“Her poems seem to be sprinkled with gold-dust.”

- Snezana Lukić, in the Belgrade art magazine Bazar

 

But let her art speak for itself in the following poem from Many New Years:

 

 2014

As if the stars came down to Earth and Sea

Into this night on a black winged steed

They fly over cities, forests and fields

Celebrating the end of the year

Covered in pollen and snowflakes

In my eye covered with snow

Ancient nights repeat like a kaleidoscope

Light breeze strums the strings

Purple fires of Atlas

Covered in heavenly dust

                                          


Many New Years/Mnoge Nove Godine is in the U.S. only available from Amazon (or if bulk sales from Cosimo)

A New You For the New Year

As the new year approaches many people find themselves taking stock of their past year, analyzing their accomplishments and failures and deciding on new goals and resolutions for the coming year. For many it's a surprisingly tough part of the year, as all the stress of the holiday season melts away and finds us at our most introspective and self-critical. We criticize ourselves for the sweets we ate at Christmas, the choices that didn't yield quite the results we expected, or the relationships that ended. Self-introspection can be a powerful (and, indeed, necessary) thing, but we have to engage in it in a way that yields positivity and proactivity.

At Cosimo our motto is "Be inspired. Be informed." Our motto is not just about understanding the world around us, however--it's also about the importance of understanding ourselves and inspiring ourselves (and our readers) to be stronger, better people. With that in mind, we'd like to recommend a few spirituality and personal development titles that we love, and which help the reader generate positivity and understanding both outwards to others and inwards towards the self. We think they're the perfect companion to a New Year's resolution, and guidebooks to a New You in the New Year.

Mystic Journey: Getting to the Heart of Your Soul's Story, by Robert Atkinson
Mystic Journey is an award-winning work on the process of "soul-making," helping the reader understand themselves and connect to others. It asks the reader to recognize the "patterns of transformation" that unfold in our lives, and how we all share a spiritual heritage. Mystic Journey is a wonderful text for those interested in practicable soul-making and self-actualization. Mystic Journey is available via Google Books, Amazon (for Kindle and Paperback), Barnes & Noble (for Nook and Paperback), and is available for digital download at a special December price of just $4.99 at reKiosk.

The Joy of Ritual: Spiritual Recipes to Celebrate Milestones, Ease Transitions, and Make Every Day Sacred, by Barbara Biziou
Our September Book of the Month, Biziou's Joy of Ritual is a recipe book for fortifying the soul. Biziou's recipes integrate ritual and spiritual practices into our daily lives to help us cope with transitions and changes. By integrating the sacred into our lives, rituals allow us to stabilize our lives and transform the ordinary into moments of reflection and self-understanding. This easy-to-use recipe book provides practicable ceremonies the reader can use in their daily life to center themselves, or to honor special occasions and milestones. The Joy of Ritual is available in various digital formats, including for the Kindle, as well as in paperback. Be sure to check out Biziou's new website, with weekly vlogs and affirmations.

The Self-Inquiry Process: Using Powerful Questions to Awaken Awareness, by Linda Brierty
Brierty's Self-Inquiry Process is an experiential workbook for the reader seeking to understand themselves through an active questioning of the self. The Self-Inquiry Process guides the reader through a journey of self-discovery through the positing of questions, from simple and direct to more complex questions like "What is the difference between surrender and giving up?" The workbook is meant to help the reader better understand--and love--themselves. The Self-Inquiry Process is available in Paperback via Amazon and B&N, for Kindle, Nook, and other eReader formats.

The Book of Balance, by Yasuhiko Genku Kimura
"The Tao Eternal is beyond definition. / No name given can capture its eternality."
Translated from Tao Teh Ching, by Lao Tzu, The Book of Balance provides a foundation for the reader to gain spiritual insight and character development. Lao Tzu is often considered the founder of philosophical Taoism, and this translation is considered a particularly artful translation, maintaining the poetics of the text without sacrificing its complexity. The Book of Balance is a challenging yet rewarding read, available as a Google Book, for Kindle, and in Paperback via B&N and Amazon.

Everything You Want to Know About TM--Including How to Do It, by John White
TM, or Transcendental Meditation, is a powerful form of meditation that helps reduce stress and create a state of relaxed awareness. White provides a comprehensive history of TM and other forms of meditation, allowing the reader to understand the deep history of the process they are about to undertake. White's history and analysis of TM provides a helpful background to the TM user, who can then use the chapter "How to Do TM" to begin practicing TM themselves. White's work is available in Paperback and for Kindle via Amazon, for Nook and in Paperback via B&N, and in various digital formats at reKiosk.