Books (June 2007)

Janis Amatuzio. Beyond Knowing: Mysteries and Messages of Death and Life from a Forensic Pathologist.Novato, CA: New World Library, 2006.  205pp.  $21.95 www.foreverours.com

To the outsider, the title of this beautifully written book stands in stark contrast to the science we tend to associate with forensic pathology.  After all, the author repeats her own caveat about the investigation of a death several times throughout the book: “Observe, don’t judge,” which she also combines with the reminder she received from the police: to provide the court simply with the facts, nothing else.  So what would then provoke such a fact-oriented scientist to stretch to the knowing beyond the realm of conventional science?  Perhaps one of the carefully selected quotations that introduce each chapter in Janis Janis Amatuzio’s book captures the answer most eloquently: “Look and you will find it.  What is unsought will be undetected.”  The true meaning of Sophocles’ statement has evidently led Dr. Janis Amatuzio to many heart-filled and touching stories that have enriched her personal and professional life.

“Trust yourself; you’ll know.” These words by one of Janis Janis Amatuzio’s beloved mentors and friends, have guided her throughout her career and personal life.  Having understood their deeper meaning, namely that the answer is always “found within” which, “of course, … changes everything” (p. 109), the author invites her readers to visit the realms that lie beyond the visible, tangible, and audible – beyond at least for those who do not wish to see, touch, or hear that which appears to belong in a different realm – in order to share with us the mysteries and messages of life and death.  One of the author’s friends and neighbors, who also added to Janis Amatuzio’s collection of experiences, advised her very wisely, “You realize we don’t have it all figured out.  You remember to do the best you can with the day you’ve got.  That’s what will change the world, Janis.” (p. 133).  Perhaps we can all walk away with this awareness and knowledge deeply edged into our hearts.

The mysteries and messages presented in Beyond Knowing are actually demystified by the author who refers to them as “wisdom of the ages.” …
 (See more in IJHC, May 2007)

Greg Tamblyn. Art from the Heart. (CD)A musical joyride into the profound and the absurd. A celebration of love and laughter.

Thoughtful, intelligent lyrics and fresh, singable melodies. Randy Newman meets Deepak Chopra. Great studio band.

http://www.gregtamblyn.com/cds.html