June 14, 2024

Book - 
Fragments Within Time: Ideas and Insights
by Steven Maimes 




















This small book contains 240 short and concise writings on such topics as meaning, reality, imagination, and time. It presents ideas and insights to be mulled over and thought upon. These fragments are both philosophical and literary. As philosophical, they present ideas that question and seek depth. As literary, they can be considered complete as a highly constructed aesthetic form like poetry. 

Available from Amazon.com
Paperback Book, $7 from Amazon
Kindle eBook, $2.50 from AmazonDigital Services 

Kindle Unlimited, $0 from AmazonDigital Services 


Excerpts from Fragments
We are always on a journey whether we know it or not. Our journey is to any place different from where we are now.

What makes things valuable? We set our own criteria. Often it is time and memories with people and things that make value. What was valuable yesterday may be worthless today. Our perspective is unique in time.

History is an example and warning to the future. Knowing the past helps one to anticipate the future thus enhance the present.

The act of imagining allows us to expand time and touch the past. It allows us to play in the present and glimpse the future. It helps provide meaning to experience and understanding to knowledge. It is a fundamental facility through which we make sense of the world.

The world is constantly upgrading. The question becomes how slow or fast do we participate? With the speed of angels does awareness change. We hold on to thoughts until the next one appears. We act with awareness or not.

Reviews posted on Amazon

 -- This is a small book that is worth taking the time to savor and enjoy. It reflects the author’s ideas and insights on meaning and reality, imagination and time, and is sure to provoke and incite your own thoughts and beliefs. The short fragments are easy to read and are best enjoyed taken slowly and thoughtfully. The text flows nicely and is a valuable addition to the collection of anyone seeking to understand the universe and their place within it. -JR

 -- These Fragments are delightful sparks of light and intelligence. In a few sentences, the author opens wide our mind. He spreads seeds and lets us be free to agree or not, keep thinking or not. As concise and powerful as poetry, every chapter is a jewel. A wonderful book to read and read again, to bring everywhere and, of course, to offer to everyone. Even to unknown people. To sow or not to sow, that is the question... -CG

 -- I love this wonderful, beautifully written little book! It’s a perfect companion for anyone who ponders the deeper aspects of life. -AD

 -- Steven Maimes describes all manner of Human Realm Concepts and experiences with a clarity that I found spiritually reassuring. You will find a pinpointed light on many relevant ideas when you read this work. -TDC

Discovering Timeless Unity With 'Fragments In Time'
    Author Steven Maimes’ book ‘Fragments Within Time’ immediately reveals what a reader can expect when they ponder through its plethora of ideas; that is, distinct experiences, understandings and perceptions within a framework of constantly changing, evolving ideas which spontaneously occur throughout life -- moment by moment -- in time and place, according to the circumstances at hand. This is something we can all relate to the human experience. Fragments spark our imagination and curiosity to uncover what the author’s life experiences have been matched with our own.
    The author takes us further, even beyond diverse ideas and reflections, and addresses ‘eternal’ reality, also constant but ‘that’ which does not change ever. For this reason these writings can be approached and appreciated by anyone who is immersed in life’s practicalities and worldliness, as well as by anyone interested in life’s deeper meanings, touching upon subjects such as spirituality, philosophy, religion, physics and really all disciplines that can be understood in terms of one underlying universal truth. Maimes leaves it up to the readers to explore, discern and decide for themselves what is relevant and true in their experiences.
    The specialty I experience with ‘Fragments’ is its CONCENTRATED POTENCY in expressing each seed idea. Rather than a book intended to be read like a story with plot, development, conflicts and resolution, Maimes has given readers something new. He has presented an array of literally hundreds of thought-provoking and soul-searching perspectives to explore, discover and realize more about ourselves and life – to examine what’s really important amongst the myriad of events and experiences we encounter every day.
    Readers may also wish to savor these ideas silently and independently; slowly, one at a time, as a kind of meditation. These writings are, after all, the synthesis of a lifetime of the author’s experiences, continuously flourishing…and are being offered now as seasoned Fragments In Time, ripe fruit that can be gently plucked, tasted and enjoyed. - GR

Book Review 2024

"Fragments Within Time: Ideas and Insights" by Steven Maimes explores profound philosophical and theological concepts across various domains such as meaning, reality, God, religion, history, imagination, words, action, experience, philosophy, wisdom, and culture. The book is structured into ten chapters, each delving into different aspects of human existence and consciousness, reflecting on the search for meaning and the nature of reality. 

The book stands out for its use of short, concise fragments that make complex philosophical ideas accessible and engaging. Each fragment, though brief, encapsulates profound insights that encourage deeper reflection, simplifying philosophical discourse for a broader audience. Maimes effectively bridges philosophical inquiry with everyday experiences, prompting readers to ponder essential questions of existence, consciousness, and spirituality. For instance, his exploration of meaning delves into the roles of culture, personal experiences, and the search for transcendence, highlighting the complexity and subjective nature of meaning. 

The literary quality of the book is notable for its poetic nature. Maimes employs rich, metaphorical language that adds an aesthetic dimension to the philosophical content, making the reading experience unique by appealing to both the intellect and emotions. By avoiding academic jargon, Maimes makes philosophical ideas more approachable, emphasizing ordinary language and practical examples. This approach is particularly evident in his reflections on time, where he links the philosophical concept of time with personal experiences and the movement of the mind. 

The book also offers valuable insights into religion and spirituality, presenting religion as a tool for encountering reality and finding inner peace amidst life's turmoil. Maimes' exploration of faith, mysticism, and the connection between poetry and theology provides a rich, multi-dimensional view of spirituality that resonates with readers seeking a deeper understanding of their religious experiences. 

In summary, "Fragments Within Time: Ideas and Insights" offers a rich tapestry of philosophical and spiritual reflections presented in a uniquely accessible and poetic style. While the book’s fragmentary nature and abstractness may pose challenges for some readers, its depth, literary quality, and engaging insights make it a valuable read for those interested in exploring the complexities of human existence and consciousness.

June 10, 2024

ADAPTOGENS: Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief

Book
ADAPTOGENS: Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief  by Steven Maimes and David Winston, RH (AHG)
Healing Arts Press (Inner Traditions): Quality paperback, 324 pages, illustrated, ISBN: 1-59477-158-8. April 2007. 54,000+ copies sold (both editions). eBook is available. Purchase used on Amazon.
Foreign editions are available: Japan, Bulgaria, Czeck, Romania, Germany, Poland, and Hungary. 
> See information about the Revised Edition of ADAPTOGENS below.
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The definitive guide to adaptogenic herbs, formerly known as “rejuvenating herbs,” that counters the effects of stress on the body, supports normal metabolic processes and restores balance.

We all deal with stress every day, and every day our bodies strive to adapt and stay balanced and healthy. In Adaptogens, researcher Steven Maimes and herbalist David Winston provide a comprehensive look into adaptogens, non-toxic herbs such as ginseng, eleuthero, and schisandra, that produce a defensive response to stress in our bodies. Formerly known as rejuvenating herbs or tonics, adaptogens help the body to “adapt” to the many influences it encounters.

• Reveals how adaptogens increase the body’s resistance to adverse influences and provide a defense against stress. 
• Includes a detailed overview of adaptogens with history, actions and monographs. Scientific research includes efficacy, safety, phytochemistry and biomedical stress theory. The chapter on health benefits of adaptogens discusses leading applications for 23 different indications including aging, athletic performance, cancer, cardiovascular function, immune system support, sex hormone regulation, sleep problems and stress.
• The monographs on the individual adaptogens tell their interesting story in history, ethnobotany (relationship between plants and people across cultures) and modern use. 

They also present the latest scientific research and include the origin, actions, properties, preparation, and dosage for each herb. Because 18 of the 21 adaptogens have been used as medicines in either ayurvedic practice or traditional Chinese medicine, these traditions are discussed in more detail. In addition, there are chapters on adaptogens as food and adaptogens for animals.  

About the Authors of Adaptogens
Steven Maimes, the former owner of an herbal products business in the San Francisco Bay Area, is a researcher, freelance writer, philosopher, and principal of SALAM Research in New Hampshire.  
David Winston, RH (AHG), is an herbalist and ethnobotanist who has practiced Cherokee, Chinese, and Western herbal medicine since 1969. He is the president of Herbalist and Alchemist, Inc., a company that manufactures over 300 herbal products, author of Herbal Therapeutics and Saw Palmetto for Men & Women, and coauthor of Herbal Therapy and Supplements. He lives in Washington, New Jersey. 

Praise for Adaptogens
"Adaptogenic herbs can be most useful in the quest for health in our stressful society. David Winston and Steven Maimes explain and champion the use and benefits of these important herbs."
James A. Duke, author of The Green Pharmacy
Essential reading for all involved with adaptogens, whether practitioners or consumers. This is the first comprehensive guide to adaptogens based on good herbalism, good science, and NO hype! A truly excellent book.” 
David Hoffmann, author of Medical Herbalism and The Holistic Herbal
“With Adaptogens, David Winston and Steven Maimes have finally made this important healing concept accessible to a wider audience. We need adaptogens—gentle remedies that, over time, have the powerful effect of restoring and protecting our health on many levels. David Winston’s vast clinical and practical knowledge of herbs adds tremendously to the value of the book.”
Christopher Hobbs, author of Handmade Herbal Medicines and Medicinal Mushrooms
“Brilliant! Fully researched, full of information not readily available, as well as being practical and easy to digest. The authors have managed to blend the traditional and recent scientific information into a fully comprehensive and informative text. This will become a classic, a definitive work on this most important group of medicinal plants.” 
Rosemary Gladstar, founder of United Plant Savers and author of Herbal Healing for Women
“Adaptogens are destined to play an increasingly important role in the future of health care. This book provides an excellent introduction to and comprehensive overview of their traditional uses and of the science supporting their safety and therapeutic benefits.”
Mark Blumenthal, founder and executive director of the American Botanical Council
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Most herbal adaptogens that have been identified are used in either Ayurveda, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) or western traditions, they include:
Ayurvedic Herbs: Amla, Ashwagandha, Guduchi, Holy Basil, Licorice, Shatavari, Shilajit
Chinese Herbs: Asian Ginseng, Astragalus, Codonopsis, Cordyceps, Eleuthero,
He Shou Wu, Jiaogulan, Licorice, Lycium, Prince Seng, Reishi, Schisandra
Western Herbs: American Ginseng, Rhaponticum, Rhodiola

TONICS include Rasajanas, superior herbs, ADAPTOGENS, and other tonics. How do we define primary and secondary adaptogens? They are either defined by herbalists through human observational studies or they are defined by scientists through animal studies. There are different perspectives. Personally, I prefer that herbalists decide. Herbalists can look at science, but science is not the ultimate authority.  ~Steven Maimes

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See ADAPTOGENS page on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/AdaptogensHerbs/

For additional information, contact Steven Maimes
smaimes@gmail.com
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* New updated and expanded edition of ADAPTOGENS is now available. 

To order go to Amazon

This revised book includes more "science" for the medical practitioner.  
September 2019. Color illustrations. 406 pages. eBook is also available.