How to Save the World and Still Be Home for Dinner: A Day in the Life of an Awakening Mind

Kirkus Discoveries

An ode-and even a bit of a passport-to living a mindful life.

D'Angelo counsels that we take a moment to reflect upon ourselves, shake off inhibitions, give received opinions a pass and take a breath. A deep breath, a whole chorus of them, and relax, find some balance. Her book starts as dawn breaks: You awake, take those breaths, concentrate on awareness. How will you conduct yourself today? Will you be a stooge-to the media, to authority, to a life lived without examination-or will you be guided by fellow-feeling, peace, delicacy, empathy, love? In writing that is like a gentling hand-a bit of the counterculture, some Eastern philosophy, a soupçon of the more kindly and gracious aspects of organized religions, even a shot of classical physics-she shows readers ways to be attentive to how we are players in our mood and worldview, and how we can act, individually and in concert, to help create more joy in the everyday. This may be as simple as taking those balancing breaths so that you sally forth with composure, or be conscious of what you eat and where it came from, or scrutinize the actions of governments; to live peacefully, open to wonder and miracle. About us, she avers there is "something that is all-permeating," something more than evident, and that something-call it what you will; D'Angelo doesn't insist on God-conveys a sense of purpose. The themes of walking lightly, lovingly and alive in the world, questioning self appointed-or any other-authority, living in the present, are well wrought. Despite wormholes, D'Angelo is a force for good. Guidance in that direction should never go begging.

D'Angelo, "of the angels," is Sandra's mother's maiden name. It is her signature when she writes and paints. The Chinese do not have a name for "of the angels." Her chop translates into "Ambassadors from the Sky." "I love that we are all ambassadors from the sky, wearing wonderful and diverse space suits."Sandra was born in Northern Ontario, right in the centre of the largest game preserve in the world. Her childhood was idyllic. Except she never felt she belonged. She was either kneeling in a wooded area near a large rock waiting for the Virgin Mary to appear and share her secrets or in a large open field waiting for the mothership to land and take her home.Life offered diverse learnings and opportunities. She took on all that came her way with an open mind, an open heart, and a willingness for change. A plethora of careers opened to her, from teaching to politics, playing an active role in worldwide organizations, working directly with street people, hosting her own television show, accepting requests as a guest lecturer at various universities, as well as keeping an ongoing practice as a therapist and spiritual mentor. Everything held her interest and captured her attention.Since the late 1970s, Sandra has been a student of A Course in Miracles, applying the teachings in her therapy practice, sharing the tools of Mindful Meditation and Vipassana, and mentoring those who are ready to hear their inner Voice.She remains always a student, always a teacher. Sandra has come to recognize that her present journey is the most important journey-there is only now. "I am learning how to live so I can know how to die."Through her writing, Sandra dreams of awakening in others what they already know.