5 comments about Your Power to Create.

1. I usually don't give written reviews since I believe that we all react to things according to where we are in life. However after listening to Your Power to Create, I find myself packing it up in it's neat little box for a refund.
   
   The title for my review has been my mantra for the past several years and I found myself repeating it as I was listening to Ms. Myss' attempt to educate. I agree that there may be times, and there may be people whom will need a strong talking down to, but to put out a 2 1/2 hour cd of attacks and berating to the general public, and one that is paying for her materials, is not only arrogant but hypocritical!
   
   Arrogant, because she speaks as if she were the final word on matters of Spirit and Personal Growth. She comes across as if only she (and maybe Deepak, whome she refers to on a first name basis) have attained that level of growth and spiritual maturity that makes her the quintessential leader for the "stupid" people. In listening to this particular CD set I didn't feel as if she were speaking to an equal, a partner in this spiritual sharing and growth. I didn't feel as if she respected my intelligence nor the possibility that I may reach the same conclusions she already has. I didn't feel this was an act of service from her 7th chakra, to quote her Invisible Acts of Power. I didn't feel loving guidance coming from this cd. Hell, I didn't even feel knowledge coming from this cd set- I only felt this was a 2 1/2 hour scolding! She seems to have forgotten she was just a teeny, tiny speck on a teeny, tiny planet in this huge universe. Who is she to stand judgement on other teeny, tiny specks that are in the same teeny, tiny planet she lives on? (quoting this CD)
   
   Hypocritical, because in this scolding she defends her right to profit off these teachings. Now, I don't begrudge her income; however, I find it amusing to hear how she calls people stupid for needing rituals and candles and new age belief systems while her website is chuck full of those very same items for sale for the very same purposes she judges so vehemently. What she teaches IS a new age belief system. And they are not cheap, either! I would also point out that in her teachings she critisizes people for allowing themselves to be abused and yet her discourse is nothing but abusive.
   
   I would offer that being vulnerable takes more back bone (quote from this CD) than being so agressive with your message. Caroline Myss, grow yourself a back bone!
   
   This cd was playing in my living room where my whole family listened and I must say that I was not the only one to feel the negativity coming from Caroline's Your Power to Create. My companion has been ranting for the past hour on how negative this cd was, what a waste of time and money it was, and how this woman must be in a dire need for a vacation from her patients, her touring and her life. He felt the cd was not empowering nor educational but rather insulting and demeaning, particularly since we don't purchase these types of books/cds as a jump on the bandwagon, but to actually listen to them and process the information. He says he could have had more spiritual growth and empowerment from an AA meeting and a cup of coffee and suggests that maybe Ms. Myss should visit a 12 step group- CODA is a good one to start with.
   
   I doubt Caroline looks at these reviews, but if she should, I hope she learns that although we cannot please everyone, there may be a grain of truth in what is being said: the attitude Caroline Myss demonstrated in this cd was revolting. The message was lost in the struggle to ignore her angry ranting.
   
   I wish her growth- just not on my dime.



2. There is no question that Caroline Myss is one of the most gifted "pop" spiritual teachers on the scene. Consistently her perspective is surprising yet deeply illuminating. She cuts to the quick of what ever topic she's discussing so don't be surprised if her message hurts a little bit.
   
   This short CD series (two cd's) is Caroline's response to the growing popularity of the plethora of "law of attraction" movies, books, cd's, etc. Many of these authors discuss the power to create as if it's as simple as staying positive, doing affirmations, meditations, and visualizations, and dismissing any thoughts or beliefs that are counter to your goal (and of course the "goal" is always "stuff" as Caroline calls it: money, fame, a "soul mate", health, etc).
   
   Caroline takes to task all those who promote the fast food model of creating. It's not about ordering up the life YOU want and willing it to happen. Creation is a divine dance with God and the universe, and guess who's leading (clue: it's not you!) In fact, 9 times out of 10 YOU are the main obstacle to co-creating your life and Caroline spends a fair amount of time talking about how we get in our own ways and what to do about it.
   
   Love these CDs, but not for the faint of heart. Caroline can be shrill, pointed, and dismissive...but if you can see beyond that, there is much to be learned here.



3. Bought this CD in hopes of finding something uplifting and rewarding. Was I ever disappointed. I don't know how she could call herself a Medical Intuitive and spill such garbage. She is obviously trying to make money by debunking all the other quote "myths" on the market of how to use the power of attraction. Well Carolyn let me tell you that maybe you haven't seen a change in people's lives, because you are too obnoxious with your own thoughts, that you can't really see whats going on. How can you work in a world that doesn't even accept the fact that you don't practice modern medicine and support the community that would have you burned at the stake if they could? You sound more like a crazed fundamentalist than a New Age thinker. Sounds True should pull this trash from their collection. I totally agree with those who have given you low ratings. After listening to the first CD I was very depressed. Only got through half the second tape until I could take no more. You need to rethink your profession. For those considering buying these tapes, in my opinion you are wasting your time and money. I will never purchase anything else by her again. Excuse me while I go throw these CD's in the garbage where they belong.



4. Gosh, I love all of Caroline's works and to me this was her best yet--funny how we all differ, isn't it--I find Caroline's honesty refreshing and love that she always guides me to look beyond how things might appear..I have grown so much since first seeing her on PBS in "Why People Don't Heal" and I know that God placed her in my life--just like the parents he gave me--and my siblings--I thank God for her! Thank you Caroline!



5. Caroline Myss is a gift to all of us at this time on the planet. If you think The Secret is important, then you must listen to the message Myss offers here. Her integrity is impeccable. She speaks Truth with a capital T. Because of this she can be interpreted as preachy. Instead, I know her to be deeply grounded and appreciate her perspective. I've spent two weeks with her taking workshops. She has low tolerance for greed, weakness and stupidity. ALL her teachings are all based on us claiming our personal power and using it appropriately. She does this because as an intuitive she "sees" us all as powerful creations of the Divine and encourages us to become who we can be at our highest potential. Listen to her.

2 comments about Creativity Revealed: Discovering the Source of Inspiration.

1. I really enjoyed this book and for a more detailed review, visit my blog http://waynehastings.blogs.com/offtheshelf/2008/07/creativity-revealed---a-review.html. I found Scott's book to be a tremendous kick in the pants to my own creativity. He does a fantastic job of giving the reader context and also practical advice on creativity. I would recommend this book to anyone.



2. This book by Scott Jeffrey is a Gem! Not your usual book on learning/finding/developing Creativity in your life or business! I underlined so many pages and going back to re-read the book! If you are serious about being more creative in any endeavor and have an open mind to want to learn how, then I truly recommend this book "Creativity Revealed" You will get more out of it than you can imagine...You will see what I mean!
   Thanks Scott:)

4 comments about Sark's New Creative Companion: Ways To Free Your Creative Spirit.

1. Wow! I loved the first copy she wrote and Sark has outdone herself again! Creativity is where it is at. Dream your dreams and they do come true. An inspiring mind elevator!



2. Add this to your SARK collection even though there is repetition here. Some things just deserve repeating.



3. WOW, this is a great book. I really love the colorful, handwritten style. It has really inspired me too. I love this one so much I bought several other SARK books



4. i can't believe that this book has been out long enough to be renewed! with the extra pages and it being all in color...it's fantastic! thank you again sark!

5 comments about The Creative Age: Awakening Human Potential in the Second Half of Life.

1. The book perpetuates harmful stereotypes about aging. Cohen chastises older people who try to take care of their health. He claims that they are searching in vain for a "magic bullet" to regain their youth. Cohen then advocates a false mind/body dualism. Through this dualism, one gives up taking care of their body in order to follow their creativity. I honor the author's belief in the importance of creativity; however, I believe that the approach presented is self-defeating.



2. If ever there was any question about our ability to make meaningful contributions at midlife, this book will dispell all doubt! I found the continual notes (on the outer edges of the pages) encouraging, as they documented the multiple contributions made by individuals of "advanced" years. This is absolutely exciting, and gives me hope for the future!



3. This "easy-read" book offers both professional and lay people alike a very refreshing and encouraging perspective on maturity. When coupled with a gentle sense of spirituality and wisdom which comes from life experience, it should help the reader to establish and reinforce a sense of purpose and resilience that engenders hope and creativity unimagined by most youth. This book is to become a part of my professional counseling practice for senior patients to read and discuss as they search for a deeper meaning and ultimate purpose in their lives. In a sense, I anticipate it will help to set the stage for welcoming passions of an existential nature, heretofore unknown in many individual's lives.



4. Was perplexed by a negative review of this book, so I wanted to find out, firsthand what the author really said and I am so glad I did. Nowhere does the author chastises older people who try to take care of their health. Just the opposite.
   
   Not only does the author have fifty year old plus folks on the cover, kayaking, swimming, painting etc but on page 188 he writes of 'More on the Effects of Creativity on Health' . Heck the whole book is about embracing the second half of life and taking personal responsibility for making needed changes so that you live to one hundred and do so eating healthy, interacting with others, becoming involved in ones community etc etc etc.
   
   On page 10-11 , the author notes that studies of aging people and in my work with them, four aspects of creativity stand out:
   
   1) Creativity strengthens our morale in later life 2) Creativity contributes to physical health as we age 3) Creativity enriches relationships 4) Creativity is our greatest legacy. That 'Increasing numbers of preliminary findings from psychoneuroimmunological studies-research that examines the interaction of our emotions, our brain function, and our immune system-suggest that a positive out look and a sense of well being have a beneficial effect on the functioning of our immune system and our overall health' These findings are particularly strong among older persons.'
   
   The many examples of famous and everyday folk who have been or become creative after age fifty, sixty, seventy, eighty are empowering. In Chapter 9 titled Creativity us Everyday Life: Letting It Start with You,' the author gives some excellent examples of how as the quote he gives from Lao Tsu notes 'The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step'., and how we do have the choice to think outside the box, and live life to the fullest. And that we need to make the effort to get involved in a variety of activities that will stimulate the mind from different directions. Be it painting, reading more, walking more, volunteering more. Anything that will stimulate the brain which in turn will stimulate the rest of the body.
   
   I am so impressed with the book I am buying a copy for a physician friend as well as the library over at hospice, where our widow/widowers group meets.



5. The author emphasizes creativity as an important part of growing old but does a poor job of guiding the reader in terms of what they might do to awaken "human potential in the second half of life." I expected a less vague, more concrete set of guidelines rather than an anectodal review of the author's previous patient loads. Psychotherapy can help everyone (duh!) but the author takes that premise and builds a book that purports to target the special problems of the aged. It isn't really that selective and could apply to nearly everyone. The author's experiences are somewhat enlightening but become excessively autobiographical by the end of the book.

5 comments about The Soul's Palette: Drawing on Art's Transformative Powers.

1. I have read all the books on art and health and this one surpasses all of them. The author writes beautifully and sensitively about art making and why it is helpful to one's well-being. The exercises suggested in this book are easy to do and have great results, for both the beginner as well as more advanced. While I loved No More Second Hand Art by London and Trust the Process by McNiff, this book is much more clear in its writing and message.

   The book is particularly useful if you are going through a physical illness or emotional distress-- you will find that the author offers many creative strategies to help. And if you are interested in spiritual aspects of art making, you can buy no better book on why art and spirituality are closely connected.




2. This is a great book for tapping into that inner voice, taking some time to be quiet with ourselves and just plain have some artsy-craftsy fun. The book sarts with some intro chapters that provide short stories/examples of the healing power of art through the ages - from Buddah to present day folks. From there it talks about "being mindful" - here there's discussion of drawing things from your dreams, using your imagination, etc. I love the section that talks about the difference between "curing" (where you remove all evidence of the disease) and "healing" (a more spiritual transformation of repairing and connecting, gaining a peace.) Again, there are lots of stories andexamples within the text which makes it interesting reading. The next few chapters go into getting in touch with your soul's palette - rediscovering what you see as "art", remembering your own personal history as an artist,paying attention to symbols. Next there's a whole chapter on different mediums to play around with (water color, clay, pen & ink, chalk, etc. Then she gets into playing around with art, being creative, letting ourselves free to create. There are short exercises throughout to help get you rolling and there are great discussions on things like howe to talk to your images/embrace them and create meaning around them. Then there's the healing aspect - one excerise is "paint or draw your emotional response to illness" another is "use color to sooth your symptom." There's also a section that talks about keeping a journal. Overall a really excellent book that I've enjoyed. Its fun, and there are so many interesting ideas/information woven in. Symbols have always been of interest to me and there's some interesting info on that in here too.

   The chapters in the book are as follows:

   - Rediscovering the Soul's Palette
   - Creativity as a Healing force
   - Knowing materials and creating space
   - Visual symbols as messengers, guides and friends
   - Letting your images tell their stories
   - Images as a path to physical well-being
   - Art as reparation and restoration
   - Nuturing the sacred
   - Sharing the Artist within

   I definitely recommend this book for someone looking to open up/get in touch with that quiet voice. I have a clay cup that has a saying written on it - "When in doubt, listen quietly to yourself." This book helps you listen to that quiet voice.




3. This book is an inspiration! On every page, in every section there is something to draw on to expand one's spiritual and artistic expression. The mandala information is very good. The pocket shrines are also wonderful to make with or for children. They really respond to them. I was encouraged, uplifted, and inspired to create more art, and as a result learned more about me in 40 days, than I have in 10 years. If there was one art/spirituality book (that wasn't a single technique) that everyone needs for their bookshelf...it is this one. Don't miss it!



4. I realy liked this book.
   It made me think about how art really helps people.
   Including me.



5. I loved this book! It's a fast read, but rich - full of great advice and suggestions for art activities that tap into the inner self. The author tells of her Catholic upbringing, but shares information on a variety of faiths and how they explore self through art. I'm teaching art to adults, and found it a very relevant resource. I also recommend it to anyone seeking to explore art in a playful, low-pressure way.

5 comments about The Mozart Effect: Tapping the Power of Music to Heal the Body, Strengthen the Mind, and Unlock the Creative Spirit.

1. While I've had the pleasure of hearing Don Campbell speak, his information is, sadly, quite flawed. As others have rightly noted, the "science" in this book is simply horrible and there are many with his comments concerning classical music. The fact that he also copyrighted the term "Mozart Effect" is also deplorable. Finally, this type of book is responsible for placing music and sound on the backburner at many research institutions as it falsely implies that the use of music and sound belongs to "new age" nonsense. As a rule, I cringe when I see that someone else has used this book as a reference to back up other poor research.



2. I find the mozart effect an interesting concept and have purchased a few cds for my newborn. I love classical music, and I do find that when we listen to good music, we feel energized and uplifted.
   
   I'm not sure I buy into all of the claims here, but one thing is for sure: classical music does have a calming effect and for that, I give this book 4 stars.



3. As other reviewers have mentioned, this book is full of scientific and musical inaccuracies. Campbell's research methods are shoddy, and he has spent much of his career publishing irreplicable results.
   
   Don Campbell is not a board-certified music therapist, nor does he even remotely have the equivalent training. While listening to music indeed has benefits, this has nothing to do with music therapy.
   
   Music therapy involves a highly trained therapist working in person with a client, using music (usually live, often improvised, and usually created by client and therapist together) to work on client-specific goals. These goals do not ever involve "making a child smarter," and this does not ever involve using a CD that was "prescribed" without having met with and assessed the client.
   
   The actual field of music therapy has published reserach showing that listening to a variety of music is good for intellectual and emotional development. This does not require any specific music selected by any experts. This just involves going to performances and/or getting CDs from the library.
   
   Participating in interactive social music-making, such as community drumming circles, or parent-child play with instruments or improvised instruments has also been shown to be good for child development. Structured music lessons are also good for child development in different ways. All of this has been demonstrated over and over again by research.
   
   Instead of buying this book, I suggest reading a music therapy textbook or speaking with a music therapist in order to learn about music therapy, and listening to recordings and participating in music-making in order to reap the benefits of music.



4. I wish to give this book no stars.
   
   After I read about 15 pages of this book, and flipped through the remainder, I realized that it was completely useless. If you are interested in Music Therapy, I believe you should check out the American Music Therapy Association website. I am a Music Therapist, and I am disheartened by the fact that this concept ("The Mozart Effect") is believed to be a research based idea--if you check out the research you will realize that it cannot be replicated (i.e. does not work), and is completely anecdotal at best. Take the information with a grain of salt, and realize that you'll have to do some research yourself after you read this to be able to make a proper decision about the information.



5. This is the best book I've read about the power of music. Anyone who thinks music has little or no effect on people should read it.

4 comments about Creativity for Life: Practical Advice on the Artist's Personality, and Career from America's Foremost Creativity Coach.

1. As a trainer of creativity coaches, I felt like this book was a delightful feast. The information is both exceptionally intuitive and timelessly helpful to both those who work with creative people and the creative individual themself. If you are a creative person all you need to do is open this book to feel validated, understood and inspired. It is a motivating reality.



2. The latest from Eric Maisel is an amazing and wonderful book that any writer, musician, artist, or performer would benefit from reading. In CREATIVITY FOR LIFE, Maisel brings together concepts and ideas he's discussed in previous books, but here every part is synthesized and complete. It's a smorgasbord of examples and tactics. He breaks new ground in detailing the artist's personality in ways that that the non-psychologist reader will instantly understand, and the book is highly accessible to anyone from beginner to master.
   
   In the introduction he distinguishes between the "artful life," which is the way many people wish to live; the "art-filled life," which includes the joy that art brings; and an "art-committed life," the process of actively choosing to be creative. It's this latter that's the focus of the book.
   
   "As soon as you decide to be creative in a particular domain and that you mean to live as a novelist, biochemist, actor, or sculptor, you introduce a set of profound challenges that you would not have confronted if you had `settled' for artful living and an art-filled life" (p. xii). In four major sections, Maisel thoroughly examines the challenges faced in seeking an art-committed life: The Challenge of the Artistic Personality, The Challenge of the Work, The Challenge of Relationships, and Strategies & Tactics. Each section is brilliantly detailed and will make sense to anyone at any stage of invention, innovation, or imagination.
   
   Because creative folks face major obstacles that non-artists do not, Maisel spends a great deal of time giving hints, ideas, and suggestions. Just a few include ways to silence negative self-talk, using visualization, focusing, and practicing one's craft while bringing to it skills such as regularity, honesty, self-direction, intensity, joy, discipline, and more. He tells us, "Creativity is the act of making one choice after another" (p. 120). Living an art-committed life is the same. As Maisel says late in the book, "Lifelong creativity isn't given to you. You must earn it and attend to it every day... You will have to dig deep to find the requisite honesty, courage, and resilience to live an artful, art-filled, art-committed life... You must really want it and really commit to it in order to have it... to crack through everyday resistance and create for a lifetime" (p. 319-320).
   
   I approach every new nonfiction book by Maisel with giddy excitement, wondering what fresh aspect of the creative process he'll unearth, dust off, and show around. Sometimes I feel like the man must personally know me and the challenges I face in writing - but we have, of course, never met. Maisel is just an amazing creativity coach and counselor who knows the secrets and insecurities, triumphs and tribulations of those who seek the creative life. This book is the next best thing to personally experiencing Maisel's creativity coaching, and I highly recommend it. ~Lori L. Lake, Midwest Book Review



3. The author presents a fairly detailed and good overview of the artistic personality and the challenges that the artist faces, both in terms of internal challenges via the personality of the artist, and career challenges that can also occur for the artist. The author also includes exercises at the end of each section that can the artist can use to help him or herself out by answering some good questions. Additionally creativity coaches can also use the exercises to help clients.
   
   A couple problems I found is that the exercises weren't really integrated into each chapter. The writing is also fairly dry, which occasionally had me feeling that I was slogging through the book.
   
   Overall, I'd recommend this book as a resource to both creativity coaches and artists who are looking for some understanding and help.



4. This book addresses, with great honesty and comprehensiveness all aspects of the artist's personality and the artist's life. It provides insight, validation, support, inspiration, besides providing just good facts and information about the world of the artist.
   
   I love all of Eric Maisel's books. His knowledge of the artist's temperament and life is profound and comprehensive. He does not balk at the hard stuff. And having the hard stuff out on the table makes me feel understood and supported and inspires me to keep moving forward with my work and life.
   
   Whenever I feel alone in my life's goals with writing, I read any of Eric Maisel's books and immediately feel better and encouraged. He really has a great writing style and a beautiful way of pointing out the truth with heart. That's a rare gift. Thank you Eric!!!

4 comments about Would You?: Questions to Challenge Your Beliefs.

1. Many people who have been faced with moral temptation report that they are unprepared to deal with the issue. This sometimes means that they cannot decide, and in other cases makes it easier to choose the wrong way. Educators have found that by thinking about issues before we actually confront them, we are more likely to make good choices in a timely way. I found this book to be an excellent guide to that type of moral learning.

   The book is designed to take you into moral areas where you may not have to treat (but who knows what life will bring?). "Most of the questions in this book you will never have to answer. (Unless your life is very interesting.)"

   What follows are 250 questions in 125 pairs. "We suggest you answer the first question in each pair before reading the second question." The reason for that instruction is because the first question is often a set-up for a more difficult question designed to help you see any potential hypocrisy (such as a double standard) in your reactions.

   For example, one opening question is: "Would you be able to forgive your child anything at all?" Now most parents will probably answer pretty liberally here. We are all familiar with the picture of the Mother crying at the execution of her son, the condemned murderer, protesting that he was a good person.

   Then, you get hit with the second question: "Would you forgive your mate anything at all?" From overhearing many people talk about that subject, most people have a long list of things they would not forgive a mate for.

   My assumption then is that you are supposed to think about why you would treat your mate differently from your child. Naturally, that might make sense of your child is still very young, with diminished capacity to hew to the straight and narrow. But what if your child is 40? Shouldn't the standard be similar, if not the same? Only you know what you would answer, but that is the sort of thinking that these questions will stimulate.

   The subject matters cover stealing, cheating, priorities for your life and society, preferences in family relations, relationship values, relationships to strangers, priorities for character traits, sexual attitudes, sex role attitudes, choices between self-interest and self-sacrifice, racial attitudes, life span versus quality of life issues, faithfulness, trust, law versus morality, and self-interest versus morality and legality.

   The questions are short and pretty simple. How you answer them is not so short and simple, especially after you see the second question. Leave yourself the option to go back and rethink your answer to the first question.

   I found the experience of reading this book and answering the questions to be a very valuable and rewarding one. I think you will, too.

   The only weakness in the book is that the design makes it unnecessarily hard to keep from seeing the second question too soon. You should keep an opaque piece of paper with you to cover the bottom of each page as you go. A better design would have been to have had the first question on a right hand page, and the second question on the following left hand page. That would have increased the cost of the book by making it longer, but it would have worked much better.

   I suspect that this would be a good book to discuss with other members of your family. You may be able to add even more moral muscle by thinking some of these questions through together. Certainly, you will understand each other better.

   Choose better and choose well!




2. This book is a fabulous way to ease yourself into the entire "If ..." collection by Evelyn McFarlane. The questions aren't quite as "open ended", so there isn't as much deliberation and/or internal insight required when reading it. But the questions are still great and provoke fabulous converstations between friends, loved ones, etc.



3. "Would You?" is a book in the "If" series and it has 250 questions that will challenge you to discover how much character you, or anyone else, actually has. The questions are thought provoking and some almost impossible to answer. This little book will force you to THINK in ways that test your values and beliefs. It is a great conversation opener as well as something to spend a few hours in deep contemplation over. It would be a great idea for the next presidental debate!



4. This book is easy to get right into. Everyone becomes interested with just the first question. It is also fun to guess what the other person may say before they give their answer. My husband and I went through the whole book the day I got it (and he is NOT a conversationalist). Definitely worth it to pick one up.

1 comments about Art Heals: How Creativity Cures the Soul.

1. Art does heal, but that art needs touch, feel, look, so on and so forth.
   
   Donot buy this book by its cover. Cover page gives you a colourful and an impressive hyperlink.
   
   Contentwise, it hardly gives an idea of what is that art that can move, inspire and initiate the process of mindfulness, spiritual healing and therapeutic fulfillment.
   
   Academic and arm chair healing narratives apart, the book could have added real pictures of what art makes this healing.
   
   A few black and white images DONOT satisfy any healer, let alone the end-user.
   
   Look at the contents and make your own decision to own it or not:
   
   Table of Contents: Preface ix Acknowledgements xv ; Part One INTRODUCTION 1 ; ~ Part Two ART IS SOUL'S MEDICINE 9 ; 2 The Creative Space 15 ; 3 Letting Go in a Safe Place 28 ; 4 Embracing Upheaval 31 ; 5 The Early Work, 1970-1974: Anthony, Bernice, and Christopher 34 ; 6 The Art Therapist as Artist 52 ; 7 Aesthetic Meditation 55 ; ~ Part Three OPENING TO IMAGES AND MEDIA 69; 8 The Interpretation of Imagery 75 ; 9 Treating Images as Persons and Dialoguing with Them 82 ; 10 The Challenge of Disturbing Images 96 ; 11 Images as Angels 100 ; 12 Angels of the Wound 112 ; 13 Artistic Auras and Their Medicines 121 ; 14 The Effects of Different Kinds of Art Experiences 137 ; ~ Part Four TOTAL EXPRESSION 147 ; 15 Pandora's Gifts: Using All of the Arts in Healing 151 ; 16 A Pantheon of Creative Art Therapies 163 ; 17 Working With Everything We Have 168 ; 18 A Review of Jung on Active Imagination by Joan Chodorow 171 ~ Part Five CONNECTIONS TO SHAMANISM 181 ; 19 From Shamanism to Art Therapy 183 ; 20 The Shaman as Archetypal Figure 194 ; 21 The Shaman Within 200 ; ~ Part Six REFLECTIONS ON THE SOURCE 209 ; 22 The Basis of Energy 211 ; 23 The Healing Powers of Imagination 221 ; 24 Surrender to the Rhythm 230 ; ~ Part Seven USING NEW MEDIA TO EXPAND CREATIVE EXPRESSION 239 ; 25 Video Enactment in the Expressive Therapies 243 ; 26 A Virtual Studio 255 ~ Part Eight ART HEALING IS FOR EVERYONE 263 ; 27 Art Therapy Is a Big Idea 267 ; 28 An Inclusive Vision of Art Therapy: A Spectrum of Partnerships 271 ; 29 The Way of Empathy: The Practice of Creativity in the Workplace 283 ; 30 The Test of Time 290

5 comments about Poetic Medicine: The Healing Art of Poem-Making.

1. John Fox's POETIC MEDICINE: The Healing Art of Poem-Making is a user friendly book. You will find yourself circling phrases, underlining sentences, writing in the margins, completing the expertly crafted exercises and drifting in thought and reflection over poetry that touches your soul. The format also includes a wonderful collection of side bars with poetry and quotes by a wide variety of poets, writers and philosophers.

   John's choice of chapter titles are in themselves poetic: "The Fragile Bond" -- expressing poems of pain and love between parent and child, "Landscapes of Relationships -- reflecting on intimacy, marriage and longing, "When God Sighs" -- making poems about loss, illness and death.

   As an instructor of a poetry course for seniors, I used many of the exercises in POETIC MEDICINE. Participants who often came hesitantly to the class, were delighted when they discovered they were able to express themselves in poetic form. We also worked with some of the tools and basic elements of poetry which are nicely presented in the book.

   POETIC MEDICINE is a book one could choose to use individually too. Expressing personal sorrow and love, poem-making to heal societal wounds, or celebrating earth and nature are all avenues one can explore within its pages.

   Rachel Naomi Remen, MD says in the Preface, "Poetry is simply speaking truth", and John's unique book helps us to find truth and to create poems from the heart. It is good medicine for, as Dr. Remen says, "simply speaking truth heals."




2. As a literature student, I stayed as far away from poetry as I could. It wasn't just that I preferred fiction Poetry made me feel "less than". I didn't get it, and all the terms were confusing.

   Now, as an English teacher in a community college, I get a similar response from my own students, most of whom haven't read much poetry, find it difficult or overwhelming, and don't really see the point.

   Even sadder, neither of us have believed we can write poetry. Instead, we have believed that poetry is something only a chosen few can do, something that requires mastering a certain form or stanzaic structure or tapping into the Muse at some deeper level of creativity than most of us are capable of.

   It's too bad that only recently have we had John Fox's book Poetic Medicine to show us what poetry really is or can be, a means not only of discovery or creative expression, but also of deep emotional and spiritual healing.

   As Rachel Naomi Remen points out in the Preface, "Poetry is simply speaking the truth...and one of the best kept secrets in this technologically oriented culture is that simply speaking the truth heals."

   Fox helps us get at our truth and thus heal, via a range of exercises that explore such territory as personal relationships, loss, illness, our connection to the earth, love and pain between parent and child, and the use of traditional poetic tools to merge the spiritual and creative.

   These exercises are hugged on either side by text which combines Fox's personal insights and experience, both as a poet and poetry therapist, with concrete examples from his own life and those of former workshop participants. Poems from friends and students, as well as pertinent quotes from other writers, complement and enrich Fox's words.

   But these words are not just for those of us who already fancy ourselves poets or writers. One of the great characteristics of this and Fox's other book, Finding What You Didn't Lose, is that Fox, like Natalie Goldberg in Writing Down the Bones and Susan Woolridge in Poemcrazy, give us permission to use writing to discover our own selves.

   As in his workshops, Fox's kindness, spiritual depth, and true belief that poetry can help us express the inexpressible come through loud and clear in his tone. He is someone who listens deeply, pays attention to his inner world, and by example, helps us do the same.




3. I"m still working my way through this one, but I'm finding it overall to be helpful... It's a good read, as well, engagingly written and leads me to want to try...



4. There are many exercises in the book to inspire your poetry and many inspirational quotes. I've read it twice and intend to read again, as each time I read it different exercises and examples appeal to me. There is an exercise where you write down all the words that appeal to you in poems, to remind you to use them in your own works.



5. I had the opportunity to meet John Fox, and I bought his two books then. I have since given them away and had to buy new copies. I found Poetic Medicine particularly useful when I taught high school English. The exercises helped my students deal with grief (that chapter is the best) and depression, and when I've used it, I have felt much better afterwards.
   
   I think this should be a required book in every English teacher's personal library.