Justine A.

Effortless Connection

Revisado: 10-16-17

Siani's "The Flame" delivers what it promises... I found this particular meditation very easy to imagine and follow along with the guided direction/instruction, and I absolutely loved the ending.

Like all of Siani's meditations and hypnotherapy offerings, the audio track is more of an "experience" rather than just something to listen to. As soon as it begins, you are invited as more of a companion and the description offered builds the entire experience around you in perfect detail.

Listening to "The Flame" in particular, I came away from listening feeling changed and more positive. This experience is really effective. At least, it definitely delivered just what I need to hear/remember or consider for feeling centered and peaceful. Siani simplifies the concepts she's presenting with great keywords and memorable phrases to hang onto long after you finish the meditation, that you can carry with you after into your daily life. And you come away with a wonderfully "empty" mind, seeing everything with new eyes.

Highly recommended!

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Priceless Wisdom & Inspiration for All

Revisado: 04-16-17

(I'm posting the same review for two different Neil Gaiman audiobooks because... they're so good, this is really all that needs to be said...)

I've attended a few events with live interviews, readings, etc. by Neil Gaiman. Be assured, he's every bit as personable, true to his work, accessible, well-spoken, and enjoyable as a narrator of his work as he is in person. Pure listening pleasure. He is the embodiment of the "joy" and "childlike delight" that exists in all of his work. His audio work holds every bit of the same invaluable quality.

The contents? Absolutely excellent.

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An Absolute Treat in Every Way

Revisado: 04-16-17

(I'm posting the same review for two different Neil Gaiman audiobooks because... they're so good, this is really all that needs to be said...)

I've attended a few events with live interviews, readings, etc. by Neil Gaiman. Be assured, he's every bit as personable, true to his work, accessible, well-spoken, and enjoyable as a narrator of his work as he is in person. Pure listening pleasure. He is the embodiment of the "joy" and "childlike delight" that exists in all of his work. His audio work holds every bit of the same invaluable quality.

The contents? Absolutely excellent.

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Something's Terribly Wrong...

Revisado: 04-16-17

...when a publisher doesn't dissuade the author from narrating her own work when she either just doesn't have the performance/acting/reading ability or just doesn't enjoy her own work enough.

Based on the reviews, I had to check out this audiobook. A narrator, especially an author-narrator, can't be THAT BAD, can they?

Yes. Yes, they can.

My actual quick-notes on the narration during and after listening for as long as I was physically, emotionally, and psychologically able to: "She sounds bored, perturbed, pauses weird, suddenly speaks again, shouting. Reads too slowly. Suddenly shouts chapter headings."

Perhaps the story itself is amazing, but listening to it is painful, shocking, heartbreaking, and that destroys the ability to hear/feel the story itself. For the days Terry McMillan sat in a studio recording this, she just wasn't in the mood and not at all a fan of her own work. Supposed "director" and "producer" of this audio presentation cited at the end of the audiobook: what in the HECK were you thinking??! Did you LISTEN to it? DID you direct Ms. McMillan?? (don't admit to it if you did) Were you contractually obligated to employ the author as narrator and unable or unwilling to secure a performance artist to narrate instead to ensure a quality product that would certainly earn more royalties for all involved? Wrong decision.

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The Ultimate in Relaxation!

Revisado: 03-04-17

You never know what you're going to be given when tapping into a new guided meditation or hypnotherapy session. The transcript is a mystery until you've already committed your time, money, and full attention. We make our choices based on others' reviews, our experience with the creator or narrator, or just the subject matter or title itself.

The promise of "lifting your spirits" appealed to me in the moment when I granted myself some time for... myself. And, in that moment, I could use some lifting of the spirits most of all.

And what did I receive from listening to Heartlight?

Surprisingly intense relaxation and a full-bodied feeling of peace and tranquility. An unexpected and blissful detachment from what had negatively affected my spirits to begin with. A returned feeling of self-control of my own emotions, happiness, contentment. All in about 25 minutes.

If I knew it was that easy, that all-encompassing, I would've set aside 25 minutes much sooner.

I don't know how she does it. I've had great experiences with Loretta Siani's audio offerings, and this time, I found myself wondering how she devises the "experiences" themselves, selecting imagery that universally serves to relax the listener, calm and soothe. Is she just that good at describing the most effective experience she first imagines for herself? Or is she a masterful writer, mulling over every detail in draft after draft to script the most effective progression of verbal suggestions, symbolic imagery, and precise moments for altering the tone, rhythm, and volume of her voice?

I'm looking forward to continuing to sample Siani's full audio catalog. For Heartlight in particular, I'd only correct her own description of this session by deleting the final five words. Heartlight is ideal for anyone... without caveats or exceptions, no pre-existing conditions necessary.

This audio session is deeply relaxing, calming, and contentment-inducing for all, regardless of your levels of happiness and joy when you begin listening. It delivers a boost—an undeniable treat—that we can all benefit from at any given moment.

Heartlight is most highly recommended.

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It Works!!

Revisado: 05-08-16

What does Loretta Siani bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The carefully guided, nuanced full experience, with rich supplemental audio effects.

Any additional comments?

This was my first experience with "hypnotherapy", rather than the audio guided meditations I'm familiar with. I chose The Ladder to try, as who doesn't struggle with obsessive, nagging, repetitive, totally unwanted thoughts?? Who doesn't want new tools to help address them?

Without expectations—and admittedly, with plenty of doubts, conscious and subconscious—the overall experience of The Ladder was AMAZING, something I want to return to, refer to, and further explore and invest in. Here's why:

- I instantly felt "safe" and trusting, through the entire session. I was quickly put very much at ease, even before any drifting to a deeper state of rest. I didn't hesitate to "go with the flow." The Ladder is accessible to, and easy to follow and benefit from, for even the first-time experiencer.

- Each step, instruction, and suggested imagery lead me through a very pleasant experience with a natural flow, all positive, helpful, reassuring. The whole experience was like taking a trip, without going anywhere. By the end of the audio, I didn't want it to end! I would've willingly, eagerly listened for ages longer.... especially for gathering up more of the benefit I was already feeling during the session.

- The special audio effects were a great, helpful addition, adding to the restful state. The overall volume range was perfect for the experience.

The most memorable take-away from the whole experience? The post-session state of mind AND body: I was very relaxed, totally at ease, felt like I was pleasantly floating, and oddly, unexpectedly NOT rushing! As I walked around the house to carry on with menial tasks, I just felt "not worried" about anything, completely empty of any nagging, negative, plaguing thoughts on any subject. That's worth a million bucks right there.

The different state of mind and body was so obvious and wonderful that one part of my mind even dared to ruin it all, wanting to test myself with the usual annoying thoughts...probably out of horrible lifetime habit. Immediately, a stronger, recently-nourished part of my mind responded, "nah... I don't feel like it." I didn't want to go there, that spell of recycling, regurgitating thoughts automatically was broken, and it was easy to remain in a blissful state of "no mind," a nice, empty mind ready to be filled with positive thoughts and observations.

I couldn't even walk around fast as I usually do, to attend to all the things that aren't urgent anyway. I only wondered why I ever hurry—or worry. I'd completely forgotten.

(Additional note: it's been a few days since listening to The Ladder, the blissful, relaxed feeling is STILL with me!)

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DEEP Relaxation

Revisado: 05-02-16

Any additional comments?

Just what a guided meditation should be... and what many audio meditations for purchase are not. I have a nice library of guided meditations, quick breaks to longer, deeper, focused sessions, and Loretta Siani's 61 Points of Light is one I'll return to frequently among them all.

1) Siani has a great voice for audio—and for guiding meditation. Her voice and tone are soothing, relaxing, and inviting—friendly. (How many free or sold guided meditations have you bought or sampled, only to find the guide's actual voice NOT at all conducive to comfortable listening or a soothing subject matter!) I thought it was also a great touch when Siani's voice would lower or slow or even fade a bit (not a technical glitch - masterful vocal adjustment for a distinct moment) and suit the words, instructions, etc. perfectly. Many narrators of guided meditation can seem to be more focused on the consistency of their voice and pace of speaking then on the quality of the meditative guidance they are giving and altering their voice for the subject. And, in focused meditation, every moment, every adjustment counts and alters the experience.

2) Siani's personality/manner make you feel "safe." Important, when you are venturing to let another person into your head and guide your subconscious! As I began this meditation, I consciously felt safe with truly letting go and experiencing the next 25 minutes with Siani... and that allowed me to fully experience the meditation as intended.

3) Siani's introduction, before beginning the meditation, was adequately brief and an added benefit. I liked hearing and being reminded of the benefits to be gained from yoga nidra and the 61 Points of Light meditation; it helped me focus on those and "feel" the benefits to a greater extent.

4) The 61 Points of Light meditation itself is DEEPLY relaxing. I honestly have not felt this level of relaxation from any other guided meditation before.

Considering the experience, the connection and comfort with Loretta Siani's narration skills, and the level of relaxation that stands out from other meditation experiences, I'll be perusing her catalog of audio for many more new purchases.

(side note: this is my first purchase from Audible. My previous audio meditations are collected from CDs, meditation apps on the phone, etc. 61 Points of Light came highly recommended, and having just read Loretta Siani's Everyday Miracles: Nine Keys to Miraculous Living and gained a great deal from it, I ventured to sign up to Audible to try out her audio offerings. VERY glad I did.)

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