MYRRIDDIN: Book II Of The Merlin Factor follows the tale of the boy turned young man, as Myrriddin learns the power within his own being and the power within the Spear – now disguised as a magic-laced Druid Staff – that speaks to him of ancient times and eternal knowledge. MYRRIDDIN tells of the loves in the young Druid’s life from his passion for Igraines, the future mother of King Arturius, to his desire for the lowly clans girl, Nimue. MYRRIDDIN also follows the battles and trials with an old enemy, Creconius Mab, and new ones in the Christian church whose certain factions are bent on destroying the Old Ways and obtaining the spear and its powers. Author, Steven Maines Born in northern California, I began to have an interest in writing at a young age. I was trained on the piano in the classical tradition starting at age eight, and began composing music at age twelve. My experiences with music fueled my imagination for story-telling. Perhaps it was because, in my mind, music always conjured images, images of a given story that the piece of music was conveying, the soundtrack to a story, as it were. Whatever the reason, I became interested in the art of story-telling and began to write short-stories. Philosophy and spirituality are fields that have always been of great interest to me as well. I agree with Socrates in that, “the unexamined life is not worth living.” I was baptized into the Mormon church when I was eight and attended the church regularly for most of my childhood. When I came of an age to realize that the Mormon beliefs were not mine, I left the church. But my experiences with Mormonism kindled a life-long desire to investigate my own nature, as well as philosophy and spirituality in general. I began studying the teachings of Eastern mysticism, as well as the deeper teachings of Catholic and Christian mysticism. The teachings of the Rosicrucian Order, AMORC became quite prominent in my life as did studies with Religious Science and the “New Thought” movement in general. I studied philosophy in college (The philosophy program I was in was also a writing program) and graduated with a degree in the subject. I was actually working on a postgraduate degree in philosophy, when the creative urges became too strong and I left -- for Los Angeles.

I have been diagnosed terminal twice: once from an illness and the second time from car accident injuries. I have experienced years and years of the kind of physical pain you would jump off a building to get out of. (Good thing I lived on the first floor most of this time.) When it came time for the car accident trial, I lost. I was buried in legal and medical expenses. I lost my business and my entire life savings. If suffering were a buffet, I have apparently sampled everything at least once and gone back for seconds on the really juicy items. The gift of earning a Ph.D. in suffering is that I learned how to resolve it and use it for my benefit. I clearly recognize what causes this limitation we call suffering in the flow of our lives. I also understand what wisdom releases it, or at the very least, diminishes its destructive impact. To have any authentic value in life, wisdom has to be practical in both its understanding as well as its application. If the wisdom you have is not pulling your butt consistently out of life’s many fires, it is meaningless! Real wisdom detoxifies you and develops within you the strength, power and agility to handle whatever obstacles life throws your way. The process of repeated self-resurrection has blessed me with a profound canon of wisdom that covers vast territory in the realm of the human experience. Every life challenge that is a source of suffering is like an oyster stimulated by a grain of sand, resulting in the growth of a pearl. In my case suffering produced great pearls of wisdom. Wisdom Rising is a collection of those pearls, strung together to create a jeweled accessory stylish enough to adorn and compliment the remarkable and extraordinary wardrobe know as the human experience. Wear it with all my love and Blessings, and dazzle the world with your stellar, eternal, Divine beauty. www.purplev.com Love, Vaishāli (April 2008)

7th Annual Conscious Life Expo, Conference – Exhibition, Concert and Film Festival Los Angeles (November 15, 2008) – The 7th Annual Conscious Life Expo, Business Symposium and Film Festival: Empowered Living, Alternative Health, Philosophy, Science, spirit, and prophecy. Held February 13 – 16th, 2009 at the LAX Hilton Hotel, and features internationally recognized speakers, panels and symposiums on a variety of topics. Visit our complete line-up and schedule at www.consciosulifeexpo.com WHAT: Conscious Life Expo, Business Symposium and Film Festival. The Conscious Life Expo is a 501c(3)non-profit organization whose primary intention is to participate in the conscious co-creation of a new world; a world based on new paradigms in science, health, spirituality, philosophy, conscious business and global community. It is one of the largest conferences of its kind in the U.S.A today and last year brought in nearly 12,000 attendees. In addition to the 200 plus speakers and panelists, this event includes lively exhibit hall with great exhibitors and products and services to help the public become more aware. WHEN: February 13 – 16th, 2008 Friday, February 13 -- 1:00pm to 10:00pm Saturday, February 14 -- 9:00m to 10:00pm Sunday, February 15 -- 9:00 am to 9:00pm Monday, February 16 -- 10:00-10:00 pm (Workshops only) WHERE: LAX Hilton Hotel 5711 W. Century Bl. Los Angeles, CA 90045 1-800-367-5777 ADDITIONAL DETAILS: • Special Friday night concert by TV Celebrity & Musician - David Carradine and his band David Carradine & The Cosmic Rescue Team. • Conscious Business Symposium by BrandU. Teaching Conscious Entrepreneurship, BrandU's Power Path Program and how to apply them to your business,www.BrandU.com • Workshops and Lectures by national and internationally renowned speakers and teachers throughout in their fields though out the whole four days, including Oprah & Friends’ Marianne Williamson and David Icke (Great Britain). • Film Festival that include some of the most outstanding life changing cinematic films that are about to or have just been released. • Discussion panels with experts in their fields including: Alternative health and healing practices, 2012 and Beyond, predictions and prophecies, Green Business. • Latino spirituality symposium in Spanish • A Yoga symposium and workshops. • Special tribute to philosopher & legendary author Zecharia Stitchin. SOME 2009 KEYNOTE SPEAKERS INCLUDE: Celebrity & Musician David Carradine, David Icke, Marianne Williamson, Zecharia Sitchin, Eric Pearl, Dr. Bruce Goldberg, David Wolfe,Sonia Choquette, Dannion Brinkley, George Noory of Coast to Coast am, radio personality Vaishali, David Wilcox, Eric Pearl, Master Sha, Dr. Walter Simkew, Sean David Morton, and 100’s more. For discounted tickets visit: www.consciouslifeexpo.com for more info 800-367-5777 *Speakers and information may be subject to change.

SEE VAISHALI IN PERSON: Vaishalis strength as a Spiritual teacher, and what separates her from other teachers, is practical application - her unique ability to make Universal wisdom relevant to your everyday life. * Lean what it means to make your mind your best friend, instead of your worst enemy. * Learn how to identify where you sabotage your growth and personal happiness. * Allowing your Spiritual identity to navigate life's biggest questions: Who Am I? Why Am I here? What is the meaning and purpose of my life? What is my value, power and worth? The joy of all Vaishali's workshops and sharing is that it is all expressed with high energy, great compassion and a laugh-out-loud sense of humor. LOS ANGELES, CA- THE CONSCIOUS LIFE EXPO Feb 13-15th, 2009 The Conscious Life Expo @ The LAX Hilton 5711 W. Century Bl. Los Angeles, CA 90036 800-367-5777 www.consciouslifexpo.com Lecture #1 -6-7pm Saturday, Feb 14th Lecture #2 – 2-3pm Sunday, Feb 15th Health & Healing Panel-9-12 noon Feb 15th LENOX, MA-THE KRIPALU CENTER June 7-11th 2009 The Kripalu Institute (starts 7:30pm on June 7th and ends at 11am on June12th) Located at West St. and Richmond Mountain Rd., Lenox, MA 01240. “How To Make Your Mind Your Friend: The Fine Art Of Creating A Life Worth Living” with Special guest Mellen-Thomas Benedict. Cost $395- Various accommodation rates (costs also cover three meals a day) range starting at $320 for a dorm style lodging, $704-$1236 for a private single and double suites with private bath. To Register Simply call 866.200.5203 or register on-line after Jan 1st @ http://www.kripalu.org/ . Albany Airport is the nearest airport to Kripalu. Kripalu suggests Tobi’s car service at 413-637-1224. The second nearest airport is Boston. RHINEBECK, NY-THE OMEGA INSTITUTE August 30th-September 4th 2009 The Omega Institute- “How To Make Your Mind Your Friend: The Fine Art Of Creating A Life Worth Living” with Special guest Mellen-Thomas Benedict. To Register Simply call Omega Registration at 877.944.2002. register on-line after Jan 1st @ http://www.eomega.org/ . Cost $395. For various accommodation rates (costs also cover three meals a day) please visit: http://www.eomega.org/omega/retreats/dstyjdstyjes/Housing/ Directions to The Omega Institute: (See Omega Transportation Services http://www.eomega.org/omega/retreats/dstyjdstyjes/TravelDirections .) Vaishali has been enormously influenced by 18th century mystic Emanuel Swedenborg whose brilliant wisdom is the central core of her spiritual practice, and the remarkable Sir Oscar Wilde, which is where she says she gets her invincible sense of humor. “What life has taught me,” Vaishali will tell you, “is if you can’t beat em’, laugh at em’.” Vaishali has appeared on national radio and network television programs including ABC TV, CBS TV & NBC TV and on “Oprah & Friends” radio. For everything Vaishali visit www.purplev.com