1 comments about Memory Improvement (Love Tape/Audio Cassette).

1. Robert Griswold and all the Love tapes from Effective Learning Systems (I have over 10) are great. I have used a few different tapes by others and none of them even come close to comparing!

2 comments about Shamanic Spirit: A Practical Guide to Personal Fulfillment.

1. As one who has been apprenticed to a shamanic path with heart, I can see in Meadows book, although it is just the beginning of a shamanics education, a depth of understanding that shows true "knowing." This is important stuff for the West.
   
   Unfortunately, there is no bridge to shamanics from the popular teachings of Christianity, or Judaism, or any of the other mainstream spiritual paths. Someone who comes from one of these other spiritual traditions into "shamanics" will have to discover the obstacles to understanding implanted by their conditioned views of Reality and themselves. It would be very helpful to many from these traditions to have an early bridge chapter which prepares a reader for the assumptions and beliefs that he is going to have to challenge as he undertakes the shamanics teachings. That chapter is not here. But this doesn't lessen the excellence of what is here. It just means we've got to be prepared to leap from a high place into a deep pool without knowing how chilled the water or deep the bottom. Such is life! The Unknown is the only place to be to feel alive.
   
   Reflecting on Ken's book, it saddens me what Mankind in the West has already lost in embracing religious traditions which turn away from the Earth and the Sacredness of All That Is for a mechanical and deadened view of Life Itself. It often takes a great deal of courage for someone from those other traditions to take a step into the Unknown of the material in this book. For those who need a challenge, hear mine! This book will open your mind and heart.
   
   Good work, Ken! And thanks for all your other works as well. These works are a real Giveaway of Love by both you and the Medicine to the people of the World.
   
   Namaste



2. this book seems to be drawing from many different traditions in something of a surface manner when it comes to energy - the meridians, the chakras, some chi kung, even the taoist inner smile popularized by master mantak chia, runes, the I ching...what else can be thrown in? Seriously speaking, this is a good book. It is just not a very shamanic-focused book. It actually seems to be concerned with presenting some basic chi kung concepts and related practices from around the world, and identifying anything related to these as shamanism. If this is the case, why not try out the root of chinese chi kung by yang jwing-ming, and get the undiluted real deal? Or energetic anatomy by mark rich, or the book of changes and the unchanging truth by hua-ching ni? I have not read the earlier books by meadows, but I bet they are more shamanism than this later book.

No comments about How to Acquire a Remarkable Memory.

1 comments about Never Forget a Name or Face.

1. If you buy it understand it is a tiny 3 inch book with about one or two sentences per page (many pages have no text at all). So little serious content as to be considered a checkout counter toy. Many of the ideas are like take vitamins. Or you've heard it before- make associations, repeat it, etc. Let's face it, it's a bathroom "book" that I would be angry to find in my stocking at Christmas.
   Buy a real book instead. There are plenty of fine books on remembering people.

No comments about Memory and Learning: A Practical Guide for Teachers (Resource Materials for Teachers Series).

No comments about Mind Power @ Work.

5 comments about Memory Pack.

1. It's fun when you learn memory improvement techniques on the go with games. This book was useful for me in my MBA program, where I had used the tips to remember long texts that i had to present as a part of my presentation. It worked for me ! I prefer this pack because there are more games to play and more illustrations. I would recommend this over Kevin's Mega Memory book which contains nothing but 250 + pages with theory. The games with this pack are also recreational and fun to try ! Kudos Andi Bell and all the best for your endeavors in World Memory Championships !



2. Why not use a set of tools from a memory champion? Andi Bell has proven his memory technique and shown the potency of his memory.

   "Andi Bell, became World Memory Champion in 1998. He holds numerous world record for memorizing including the memorization of a deck of cards in 34.03 seconds, 22 1/2 decks of cards in an hour and a 333-digit number after hearing it only once". (Memory pack quote)

   Please check Mind Sports Olympiad for championships.

   This Memory Pack contains: "Pack containing 72-page instruction book, 150 cards, board game, memory bean bag. Everything a multiple world record-holder can teach you about everyday memory skills - and have fun at the same time."

   The 72-page booklet is informative and a good read. Andi talks about many different areas on memory. The chapters are as follows...

   Introduction, The Memory Bean Bag, Definition of Terms, Three Great Memory Tips, Lists, Time and Number Lines, General Knowledge, Networks, Names and Faces, The Name and Face Cards, Spelling, Speeches and Text, Visual Memory, Numbers, The Picture Code/Number Code, Games, Memory Tests, Whatever Next?,

   100 of the playing cards are mnemonic attributes for numbers. Andi does a very good job in establishing these mnemonics. In addition, they are colorful and very easy to learn.

   The board game is a system extension of the 100 mnemonic cards. Fun and a good mind play. It works well with the system.

   50 of the playing cards are names and faces, photograph faces; men and women. Andi does a great job here by making the names interchangeable as to allow more name and/or face combinations. A must have in a memory system.

   Of course, Andi does talk about other areas of memory, such as number lines, which are excellent for math.

   Andi Bell does not discuss his method for memorizing a deck of playing cards. This is not discouraging because of the first-class techniques Andi Bell does provide us with. I do wish he would share this technique with us!

   And of course, the memory Bean Bag... great tool for memory.

   As I mentioned the only disappointment I have with the Memory Pack is Andi does not share his technique for memorizing a deck of playing cards. This Memory Pack is a must HAVE and highly recommended. I have read a high quantity of memory books and articles. Moreover, I currently use Andi's method. What makes this system very worthwhile is not reading about the tools, but using them firsthand, Andi gives you this opportunity with his Memory Pack. A high-quality memory tool.




3. To someone who is not familiar with memory techniques, this manual may seem to be worthy. But in actuality this is a very poor book.

   First of all, it really covers only one memory technique. Which is the location or loci system. The entire book is based on this one theme. So you are really being cheated!

   Also, the book is badly written. The language is straight forward but the author has a hard time explaining what he means.

   The book comes with props that leave much to be desired. In my opinion, they are there only to increase the price of this package.

   It is hard for me to believe that this author is a champion memorizer. It may be the case that he has skill, but cannot teach! Or, he may be trying to throw potential competition off track.(...)




4. The memory pack consists of a book, some memory cards, a board game and a memory bean bag. If you are completely new to memory and mnemonic techniques, then this package will help you improve your memory. The cards, board game and other props do make the task of practising your memory skills more enjoyable.

   However the book is not a very useful text. It is not very comprehensive and it pales in comparison to Higbee, Lorrayne and other well established memory authors. Although as mentioned above the props do help, this is in part due to a novelty factor which quickly wears off. The most useful item in the pack was the set of cards for memorising faces. The rest were quickly discarded.

   I would recommend this package if you have someone else who is concurrently learning the art of memory. In this case it would be fun and stimulating to play the games and to make up your own using the props. However, if you are learning by yourself then avoid this package and try Higbee, Lorrayne and Buzan the rewards will be much greater.




5. Are you are willing to go to the trouble of memorizing a symbol for each number up to 100? If you have a long number you want to remember won't you just write it down or will you translate it into a series of symbols and then place the symbols in locations in your head? I learned the symbols for numbers on long distance runs (what else did I have to do then?) and drove friends crazy pointing to license plates saying "star, man standing on head, electrons." (Then the car would drive away before I got the letters in between...) It works because you use five times the effort to remember 1 thing. Or you could just pay attention in the first place and have a life.It's weak on people.
   
   The book, "Intelligent Memory" that works on observation skills and changing the way you think and link what you see is more effective and far easier. And yes, the author of Memory Pack should have redirected a little memory time on his English language/proofreading skills.
   
   But I gave it three stars because it the moment you look at it you know it's not intended to be taken that seriously. It was is fun (though time consuming) as a toy or solo game, a little empowering (in a cocktail party sort of way) and amusing on airplanes. Arguably there are more productive ways to kill time.

4 comments about Brain Dancing: Work Smarter, Learn Faster and Manage Information More Effectively.

1. Thank you Patrick, for writing such a brilliant book. I discovered your website while browsing for new material on Mind Mapping. I have been familiar with Mind Mapping for some years, but your book and website put an entirely new dimension on it for me. Long in search of a way to integrate my interests in this area with work on the PC and the Web, I was delighted to find that you have written an encyclopedia about it!

   You have applied the best ideas from various systems without getting trapped in the systems themselves. Moreover, the book presents strategies that help preserve humanity and sanity, without sacrificing productivity in a computer-driven world. The ideas you have brought together in this original format will definitely boost my productivity and creativity manyfold. Looking forward to more great products from Braindance in the future!




2. In this age of rapid technological change, one of the mostimportant intellectual tools to have is the knowledge of *HOW* tolearn.

   I discovered this book via it's website ( ) which came up as a hit for the search-term "MindMapping"---the technique of information organization and stimulation of creative thinking invented by Tony Buzan.

   For me, one of the wonderful things about this book is the way MindMapping is but one component and technique in a harmonized and co-ordinated system for learning ...which WORKS! The proof I offer is the series of successfully passed MCSE exams I have under my belt. I am a professional violinist ( ) with no previous professional computer science training to my MCSE studies. Even though I was a computing enthusiast for two decades before my study began---and therefore was not a complete newbie---I can honestly say that without:

   1) the theory and practise of the Alexander Technique ( ) 2) MindMaps 3) and last but not least, the learning framework, techniques and strategy expounded in 'Braindancing'

   I would not be having this level of success with my MCSE studies.

   The book's main theme is the management of the mental "dance" between four complementary modes of thinking, which if used and co-ordinated well inevitably lead to great study---IOW highly effective study. The four pairs are: -conscious/subconscious -individual thought/dialogue -"left-brain"/"right-brain" -detailed thought/high-level thought

   Visit the site ( ), buy the book, digest the ideas contained therein; you will then have learnt HOW to learn...something worth many, many times the price of the book.

   Highly recommended. END




3. I thought the authors premise was well meant but book lacks originality. It was like reading a summary of various works of the self imporvement field. The book had no clear flow of ideas and was disguised in endless referrals to others. What I got out from the book was that the references inspired me to read from the other authors / distinguished self improvement mentors.

   What I did like was his preparation for speeches. Unfortunately the endless references to Anthony Robbins were a turn off. I have read most of Robbins which do inspire and have many good ideas but one just has to look at his personal life and figur out that he is just as human as us. The book,I felt, book was bordering idol worship...

   What I would do is go to [a book store], browse through the index of references and go and read the original works.




4. My interests are psychology and the power of the mind, and this book will always have a place in my library. I find that I frequently re-visit this book to review techniques for handling information overload. When we focus on anything, or any subject for a period of time, we suddenly attract so much information that it can become overwhelming; and "Brain Dancing" demonstrates ways to absorb information quickly. The author delves into techniques derived from the fields of computer science, NLP, Mind Mapping, Mnemonics, Silva Mind Control, systems management, etc. He also shows how diet, exercise, meditation, and many other techniques can be used to achieve a clear, receptive learning state of mind.
   
   What Patrick has done with "Brain Dancing" is compile information from a number of sources and show how they are interconnected, and he gives us tools and exercises that I find very useful for improving my ability to learn and grow.
   
   This book is definately worth the investment. I also find his web site www.braindancing.com a good source of information.

No comments about Upgrade Your Brain (52 Brilliant Ideas): Boost Your Memory, Think More Clearly, and Discover Your Inner Einstein (52 BRILLIANT IDEAS).

5 comments about Mind Magic.

1. Mind Magic" provides remarkable insights into how our minds work. For months since I finished reading the book it has continued to resonate as events I was experiencing personally brought me back to "Mind Magic" and a greater awareness my learning processes.



2. Is genius level thinking only for the exceptionally gifted? Can we learn to think more effectively? If we understand our mind we
   according to Joel Miller can apply our minds to understanding our minds. This is the ultimate power, the power of the mind to achieve high levels of mind consciousness. He challenges us by saying "you may be far better off, if you develop your own "right way"". Thinking is like fingerprints in that each of us is unique.
   He highlights three skills:
   1) Adaptability
   2) Adept Manager of Information (Being the Architect of your own Information Management systems).
   3) Creativity
   We are powerful because of our ability to grow and adapt.
   He talks about Yin and Yang phases of thinking that are natural and important (self-expressive, expansive... and then narrowing, self-correcting) like business cycles. It is the mind's way of learning from its experiences and errors. It we keep practicing we natuarally get better and better so stay out of the way. It is normal to learn.
   He encourages us to learn by observing and understanding the thinking of people that we want to emulate. Do not demand things from the mind too quickly. Observe and respect the positive role of errors in our thinking.
   
   Identify yourself as the empowered learner, see yourself as capable and adapting, as the one in charge.
   
   Some helpful hints, monitor your progress, know your unique style, brainstorm, use the support of others, read for new perspectives. Use Analogies, timelines, prototypes, experiments, explore historical context, combine theory and practice.
   
   Ten Tips from the Scientists
   1)Make a lot of guesses, take a position, bold guesses from practice.Learn to love your mistakes.
   2) Question the legitimacy of the problem... ie are you barking up the wrong tree. Are you sure you know what the problem is.
   3) Question your assumptions, be aware of the them, write them down.
   4) Try to do the impossible!
   5) Respect your subconscious. Sleep on it.
   6) Believe in the power of peer review
   7) Cope with setbacks by taking a break, talking to a friend, using fresh approach. Don't be afraid to time-box solutions.
   8) Love the hard work, don't wait for a Eureka Experience
   9) Record interactions and side effects.
   10) Don't be afraid to reinvent the wheel.



3. I read this book all in one sitting in one day, and that says alot considering how this is abnormal for me. My problem with this book is it felt as if I was wading through materials of fluff that could have been covered in a book maybe half the size (MY OPINION). Sure the points are important - but they seem to be common sense... but thats just to me (MY OPINION).
   I was also quite annoyed at how the 2nd to last chapter seemed to just be built simply to convince me to buy more books on the subject and delve into it... as if my $15.95 weren't enough. I'm returning it tomorrow and getting myself a nice computer book especially since he promoted this so-called "mind magic" before the last chapter.
   Ok, well all in all the book is not that bad - I would suggest it to anybody as a decent read, but not as a decent buy (unless you got money). For those who took psychology classes (especially developmental psychology), I think you should skip buying. For those who have been in some kind of science/math for years and have read the tips pros give to stay motivated and efficient in the subject, I think you should skip buying. For those who are starting out from perhaps a low-SES and don't know what the hell SES is, you should buy it (I know the book doesn't say SES in it.) Oh yea and finally if you are the smartest person in the world (no such thing) then buy this book to read while your on that soapbox of yours. SO I have to go now, I give it 4 stars - I was going to give it 3... but even with the information reiterated again and again (as if I was actually taking a class and he had to spread the information throughout a whole semester) at least there were thoughtful studies put in there - and thats what made it worthwhile for me. But I want my $15.95 back.



4. I know this is not likely to go down well with many, but as a teacher who seeks to find a way to help children learn mathematics better, I feel that this book does not meet my needs at all. This book has a great premise to begin with. The idea that we possess a mind that has as much potential as any genius is very attractive. Unfortunately, it loses steam quickly well into its first few chapters. Many ideas such as yin and yang of learning and natural learning are really not new at all. They are just old concepts rehashed under new labels. In fact, other people have done a better job in addressing these ideas, such as Educational Kinesiology and writers such as Margaret Donaldson on the idea of natural learning and Daniel Goldman on the role of emotion on learning. No wonder Seymour Papert, in his foreword, politely warns the reader not to 'let anyone, even Miller tell you which is the right way to be you.' I guess I have to look elsewhere for better ideas and advice.



5. I picked this book up on a whim, and was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. Normally, a book with a title like "mind magic" is full of junk science and affirmation techniques. But Dr. Miller is a smart guy and a good writer, and what he shares in this book are some excellent methods for understanding how the mind works... and how we can get past the roadblocks that prevent us from accomplishing our goals.
   
   You might not be able to see the cover well from the thumbnail, but this book is really meant to introduce the reader to the research of Piaget, a scientist who spent most of his career trying to understand how the minds of children developed. The author is clearly a follower of Piaget's theories, and references Piaget's research constantly throughout the book. But it's very interesting, readable stuff -- Dr. Miller does a great job of making it palatable for a casual reader.
   
   My only complaint about the book is that the "mind magic" hook is a little forced at times... it feels like an afterthought meant to tie several different essays together. But since the information in the book is so useful, this is a minor gripe at best. I walked away with a new appreciation for how complex intelligence is, and how we take for granted how differently different people can see things. It's really all a matter of perspective, and this book does a great job of teaching the reader tricks to get around getting stuck when approaching a problem.