2009 January/February

COVER STORY
•Make the Most of Yourself: A New Understanding of the Creation of "I" by Peggy La Cerra, Ph.D.

FEATURES
•Why Western Women Become Eastern Nuns by Mridu Khullar
•Saving Sacred Species by Tracy Basile
•A Perfect Place to Live: Benedictine Monasteries by Clair McPherson
•Transformative Travel: When a Luxury Spa Becomes an Ashram by Stephen Kiesling
•SCOUTING REPORT: Getting Used to Stuff - A Conversation with Daniel Gottlieb by Betsy Robinson

UPDATES & OBSERVATIONS

Soul + Body
•If You're Dying, Please Check the Ceiling by Betsy Robinson
•How Virtual Bars Help Alcoholics by Sheldon Lewis
•How a Sexy Walk Signals Vaginal Orgasms by Monika Rice
•On Fighting PTSD with Ecstasy by Stephen Kiesling
•Alexander Technique Proves Helpful for Chronic Back Pain by Betsy Robinson
•On Deja Vu and Memory

Enlightened Diet
•Why We Don't Recognize the Health Benefits of Beer by Matt Sutherland
•Our"Sixth Sense" for Real Sugar
•Mushrooms Do Replace Meat by Monika Rice
•Fighting for What's Kosher

Connections
•New Health Care Comes in PODS by Stephen Kiesling
•A Magazine for Kids with Big Questions
•How We Think about the Future

Actions
•ACTIONS: How to Make Your Own Wind Power by Allison Balas
•How Green Are We Really? by Betsy Robinson
•MATERIAL WORLD: Eco-Friendly Parties, Healthy Ramen, Popsicle-Like Treats for Grown-ups by Heather Shaw
•Let There Be a Little Less Light

Expanding Universe
•BEYOND THE HORIZON: What Are We, Really? by Stephen Kiesling
•Declining Brand Loyalty Leads to Secret Shoppers ... in Churches by Betsy Robinson
•Being a TOURIST at a Tibetan Sky Burial by Ult Mundane

DEPARTMENTS
•From the Editor: Awakening to Our Selves by Stephen Kiesling
•Care of the Soul: My Quest for Silence by Thomas Moore
•Open Mind, Open Heart: Into the Wormhole of Addiction ... and Out Again by Jill Neimark
•Roadside Assistance for the Spiritual Traveler: Say "Cheese" Instead of Jesus? Should I Teach My Revelation? by Rami Shapiro
•Opening: Making Where You Are Holy
•Poetry: Poem by Bonnie Thurston Commentary By Kathleen Norris
•Zenvesting: The Antidote to Finance Fears By Paul H. Sutherland
•Body Practices: Practicing Presence through Breema By Jennifer Derryberry Mann
•Best Practice: The First Step to Losing Weight By Paul McKenna

Book Reviews
By Kristine Morris and Erica Lee
•Just Courage by Gary A. Haugen
•On That Day Everybody Ate by Margaret Trost
•The Change Manifesto by John W. Whitehead
•Deep Economy by Bill McKIbben
•Anitcancer by David Servan-Schreiber, M.D., Ph.D.
•Musicophilia by Oliver Sacks
•Surprised by God by Danya Ruttenberg
•Men and Angels by James C. Christensen, with Kate Horowitz

Music Reviews
By Benjamin Ivry
•James Blackshaw: Sunshine
•H.M. THe King Bhumibol Adulyadej Musical Compositions: The Jazz King
•Szymanowski: Violin Concertos
•Alex Cuba: Water From the Well
•Odetta Sings Dylan