5 comments about Chakras and Their Archetypes: Uniting Energy Awareness and Spiritual Growth.

1. This book is an excellent review of the chakras and archetypes. It provides real and true remedies for healing through the chakras. The author's description of the archetypes will suit any reader that has a penchant for psychoanalysis and psychotherapy.
   Written in easy to understand language, it never gets bogged down in unnecessary details. Excellent.



2. This book has become a handbook in my practice of Life Coaching using the modality of Rapid Eye Technology. It is amazing how the author clearly explains the mind states of each archetype and how to get into balance. Connecting these archetypes to a chakra is genius. Simple, concise, to the point, easy to use. I am hoping Wauters is working on connecting archetypes to all 12 chakras, she has my attention.



3. Often without even knowing it, we all act out roles in our lives. We have all met (and played) the Victim, so entrenched in suffering that they can't escape their prison. We've probably come across a Warrior who champions the needy or fearlessly fights for the environment. We may have even had the honor of meeting a Communicator who made us feel completely understood or the Guru who inspired us with his peaceful nature.
   
   The most interesting thing is that all of these pieces and many more (the Victim, the Mother, the Martyr, the Emperor, the Servant, the Warrior, the Actor, the Lover, the Silent Child, the Communicator, the Intellectual, the Intuitive, the Egotist, and the Guru) are parts of our personality. The best part though, is that we get to choose which aspects we wish to let guide us through life. We get to determine if we want to continue being miserable while playing the Martyr or if we are willing to give our needs a voice and set the Emperor free.
   
   Chakras and Their Archetypes examines archetypical roles as they compare to our seven main chakras. Each chakra is associated with two personality aspects. One tends to surface when the chakra energy flow is out of balance and the other illustrates a healthier expression. Being able to unequivocally identify where our issues are and knowing where to go from there is invaluable.



4. I found this book to be very enlightening and energizing. I found it a wise purchase.



5. I have been really surprised by this book. I have been interested and read about many different philosophies and practices about self-awareness and development but I have never felt that any of them were true or useful. None seemed to do as they claimed. So, I've been very skeptical about any of these concepts because I've only seen failure from them. This book on the other hand, has made me a true believer of chakras and the power energy can have. I truly appreciate her honest approach to describing what these energy centers are, how they affect us, and explaining it in a more scientific way and not in the "I have magic to sell you" way that I have seen in other books. Bless her. Whether your looking for chakra information or looking for psychological practices to achieve results, you'll find it in this book.
   
   My Story:
   I became critically ill after a car accident and developing Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue syndromes with lots of secondary conditions. I've been consumed with pain, anxiety, and depression ever since and have been desperate for some type of relief from my mental instability and physical deteration. I use to be a all around happy gal once after all. I've tried quite a few things over the years, on my own accord, as I've been on the search for something that works for me, but as I said before, no luck. I came across a site one day that talked about chakras; I thought why not, I haven't tried this yet. I actually picked up this book on accident looking for another chakra book at my bookstore that I read great reviews about. I never did find that other book and the last bookstore I went to I found this one. I liked how it talked about chakras AND acrhetypes; explaining chakras and their psychology. Even though it wasn't the book I was looking for I bought it anyways, something rare for me. I'm ever glad I did. Right now, my world is turned up side down with stressful events in my life. If all of this had happened to me before reading this book and practicing, I would be mentally gone by now, but instead; I'm rock solid. I haven't been this emotionally stable in years! I'm doing better in my college classes and I'm even seeing a lot of my physical health issues from Fibromyalgia clearing up, with help of good diet of course. I feel like a new person, or perhaps I am now the person I was always meant to be.
   
   I can't speak highly enough of this book. It really helped me where everything else seemed to fail. I am thankful.

2 comments about When Your Best Isn't Good Enough: The Secret of Measuring Up.

1. Dr Leman is best known for his book regarding birth order and its effect upon personality and characteristics and so I expected this book to be good and I was not disappointed.
   
   It is ironic, but the fact is that many underachievers are in fact not lazy, but people capable of excellence who have determined on some level that it is safer to gaurd against being judged by others by engineering circumstances in their lives, jobs and relationships to where other elements can be blamed, at least in the mind of that person, and they are insulated from the terrible judgement that they somehow are just not capable people.
   
   I was struck as I read this with Dr Leman's ability to tie in a great deal from the the field of cognative behavioral therapy which has moved treatment beyond a Freudian or Jungian approach that may provide insight as to how someone has become a defeated perfectionist, but offered precious little on what to practically do about it. Dr. Leman quotes from and includes many broad themes from this field, with several direct references to Dr. David Burns who is a leader in this field.
   
   Issues such as self-talk and coaching are addressed well and within the grasp of the average reader in an easy to read and entertaining manner.
   
   Well worth the read. Consider it a practical read for self-coaching. It would make a good introduction to this area of behavioral therapy and should be followed up with Dr. Burns' material for those that find themselves benefitting and wanting more.
   
   Bart Breen



2. This man is so funny about real life situations. His down to earth approach and realistic ideas on how to rear children is exactly what we need in today's environment! He is a man blessed with plain reason and common sense!

5 comments about 101 Things to Do Before You Die.

1. Don't bother getting this book. Several of the things it says to do are illegal, like go do Graffiti, & get arrested, Other's most people will not able to do such as get a painting in a gallery or write a great American novel.
   If your want to do something fun and new save your money use Google, & take the money you saved & buy something fun.



2. Generally it's a great book, and I love the layout of it. The only bad thing I have to say is a few of the "Things" are bound to raise eyebrows.



3. A very funny and unusual book. The pictures and way that you fill it out are great. Stickers included are a bonus!



4. I was looking for a book to encourage me to get out and live life to its fullest. This book is a disgrace to humanity. 85% of its suggestions of things to do before you die are either illegal or immoral. I didn't want to waste the money to send it back and I refuse to give it to anyone. The solid waste dump seemed most appropriate, so that's where I put it.



5. The book is absolutely brilliant. The author even updates the book occasionally on the companion website, giving new and helpful information in accomplishing the tasks in the book. I ran across the book a few years ago and was immediately taken in by the graphics, writing, and, most importantly, the concept. Since then, I've introduced dozens of my friends and family to the book and a group of us jump at every opportunity in order to cross off an experience suggested in the book. I can't recommend this book enough. It's incredible!

No comments about Enough Already!: Clearing Mental Clutter to Become the Best You.

5 comments about How to Survive the Real World: Life After College Graduation: Advice from 774 Graduates Who Did (Hundreds of Heads Survival Guides).

1. The type of real world advice varies from humorous to very practical. Many topics that recent graduates face are discussed, including traveling and the workplace. If you want even more details about finances after college, then another book entirely devoted to it will be more useful. However, I still give this book my highest recommendation!



2. I thought it would be a nice, light graduation gift, but this book really tells it like it is. I highly recommend this for anyone who is about to face the Real World for the first time. Also good for those who need a refresher!



3. I am almost a junior in college now, and so when I saw this book I thought I didn't really need to worry about it yet. However, I'm glad that I picked it up and really gave it a look through. The topics in this book are not only relevant but also extremely helpful. After I started reading some of the tips and advice presented in the book, I couldn't help but keep skimming through. Everything from finding a place to live to finding a job that is right for you.
   
   If you're worried about getting out into the real world on your own, or if you know someone who will be soon, this is a great book to get.



4. Though HOW TO SURVIVE THE REAL WORLD was written for the outside the college walls dilemma of college students with diploma in hand and eyes wide open with fear about stepping across the threshold into real adult life, this well designed and very informative book is a clever means for encouraging everyone who is making changes - whether that be from schooling or from career changes at any stage in life. Andrea Syrtash serves as special editor for this latest offering from the creative minds of the folks at Hundreds of Heads Books - a thoughtful publishing group that has hit upon a very user-friendly, unique, and entertaining manner of surveying important issues by seeking comments from thousands of individuals facing the problem subject of the book. The old adage of 'two heads are better than one' has been extended to 'many heads are better than just two', and the result is stimulating, easily digestible body information that is solidly practical and from a broad spectrum minds that comfortably offers from-the-trenches advice.
   
   This helpful aid covers chapters ranging from topics such as selecting the type of job and the location and expectations involved, whether or not to return to further schooling and when and why, financial problems about credit cards and investments, the value of making contacts both as personal friends or people in the workplace who can help further the steps up the ladder of success, how to be 'on your own', to how to stay fit both physically and spiritually. The advice comes from interviews with regular people, the comments are brief but span a variety of viewpoints. The result is similar to stepping into a think tank for 'making it' outside the hallowed halls of ivy.
   
   There is a lot of homespun wisdom in this fun little book. While it is an invaluable asset to the new grads, it is also a useful resource for people of all ages and walks of life as chances for growth become available! Well worth the purchase! Grady Harp, June 08



5. I am always a little skeptical of guides like this. I never pick up those
   "for dummies" books, Maybe it's a bit of a put off for me to purchase
   a book that tries to teach you so condescendingly. But apparently these
   books are helping some people - because thousands upon thousands
   of "dummies" books have been sold.
   
   
   How To Survive The Real World surprised me. When I picked it up and
   started to read through the pages - I found it pretty enlightening and rather humorous. It wasn't like reading from some boring manual penned by a stuffy, elitist professional, such as allot of these types of books are, that are geared towards grads.
   
   
   How To Survive The Real World is like sitting down to chat with your
   best friends - the ones you can pour your heart out to and that won't make you feel completely idiotic. The friends who you secretly admire for their guts and grittiness because they always seem to have no fear when it comes to tackling difficult situations , and who have the crazy stories to prove it. And it's these same friends who you always have the happiest and enthralling times with.
   
   
   How would you like to have 774 friends like this? This book combines real, sometimes brash, sometimes tongue-in-cheek, advice from the grads who set out before you and I, to conquer their destinies - but surprise, their grand visions didn't always match their real life situation.
   
   This book is full of really useful tips and advice for just about any situation the college grad might find themselves in. Here are just a few examples - a guide to stocking your first kitchen, resume dos & don't(s), email etiquette - this is great material to have at your disposal. I would highly recommend How To Survive The Real World.

5 comments about Broken Promises, Mended Hearts : Maintaining Trust in Love Relationships.

1. This is the most important book I have ever read. My partner and I finally understand WHy we made the mistakes. Only then could we fix them and not repeat them. If you read nothing else ever, read this book. Your life will make complete sense



2. I think this book has some fabulous points on anyone who has any trust issues, it's very direct and makes so much sense. I wish I had read this book a long time ago, I'd say it really gives an in depth description as to why so many of us don't trust and sabotage a potential good relationship.



3. I have to admit, I read this and really found a lot of good points made. I am sure we can each read into what we want about a book and find some spin on how it fits in our life. I am not a big self-help book guy. My girlfriend HATES them...she thinks they are just the easy answer, we need to look inside ourselves to find what we are looking for. These books are just cookie cuter and broad strokes over what we are looking for. But for me, I say read it and let the book get you to think about things. It won't solve all your problems and issues....you will have to do that on your own. But at least this will give you a nice start. I truly recommend this to whomever is wanting to at least improve themselves and take ownship of thier own life!! Yea books!!!



4. The surest path to happiness is losing yourself in a cause greater than yourself. When a relationship is over, it is best to bury the past and get on for your own satisfaction. It just wasn't meant to be with that particular person. Words are important, but its the tender little gestures of affection, the hugs and hand-holding, even shoulder squeezes, which confirm personal connections. Call upon the pride you feel for the good choices you have made.
   
   It could be jealousy rearing its ugly head, so it is not good to give too much credence to people who are asking you to rethink things. Life is like a jigsaw puzzle, without the picture on a box to show what iss supposed to look like. Live life everyday and be happy just to be alive. Sometimes you're not even sure if you have all the pieces, like my Russian architecture in blue and gold. Life can be beautiful, a song sung by the California group.
   
   Even if you wish the truth were something different from what it is, call the problem like it is so that everyone, especially the person you love, can understand where you're coming from. If anyone doubts one of your choices, stand up for yourself. Put your best foot forward and fight for your perspective. Value how you feel about yourself, if for no other reason than it makes you happier -- and more pleasant to be with. You will gain the support and approval you need so go right ahead and step in, feet first.
   
   Love is expressed through trust and respect. Our natural reaction is to not trust ways and ideas counter to our own. In non-romantic relationships, you can hardly expect to be respected for what you say or believe, but you can expect instead to be condemned by someone because of it. It is rare to find an opportunity to savor a thought or fact. For most, it is immediately inspected for relevance. Life does not stand still; we can't stop change. At times, change disappoints us and causes hurts to surface. Without it, we could never hope for anything better than what we have. To continue living is to change. Complicated situations worked through enhance the relationship; moving on and putting hurt aside keeps us mired in self pity. We'd have no way to ever hope to be a better person than we are. Love can aid in enduring change to glean good from it.
   
   The source of overt frustration is not change itself, but what we let change do to us. Change would be no problem if we didn't wish others would think and act as we do and as we feel they should. We need to strive to let the power of love enable us to respect and trust others and their opinions more. It's hard sometimes to know who to trust. I have trusted the wrong people many times, and I have loved the wrong people. But life is honesty. I learned the hard way that the "little white lie" sometimes is necessary for the other person's soul.
   
   If you possess a very particular type of honesty, that's straightforward and compassionate, you should ever let anyone tell you that it's not the right way to be. It's okay to admit that you don't know it all. Money is nothing compared to personal growth and emotional fulfillment. Problems generally don't happen one at a time. They don't wait patiently for you to solve one thing before another pops up. Problems often travel in groups.



5. This was a hard call for me. There were many aspects of the book I really appreciated---and, overall, I found the book very helpful. Why not a five-star rating, you may ask? I cannot conscience the advice of the writer to keep infidelity a secret. He actually advises people who have been unfaithful, but have a partner who "does not know" about their infidelity, to keep it a secret (they should discuss this with a therapist, not their partner, he advises). In doing this, he ignores the fact that he also says lies and the failure to disclose information (even seemingly unimportant information---and certainly, in a relationship, an affair is pretty important information) are the foundations of betrayal and result in a breakdown of trust (and, thereby a breakdown in the relationship), and this is a significant premise in his work!
   
   "Secret keeping involves self-deception because we focus on its protective functions rather than its limiting aspects. Indeed, keeping secrets is especially problematic in love relationships..." - Joel Block, Naked Intimacy, pg 99.
   
   This gross inconsistency aside, he fails to note that, as Stanley Greenspan has pointed out, there are no secrets in families. To say the "blissfully" ignorant partner doesn't know, besides being naive, betrays a lack of insight and sensitivity to nuance, and nonverbal comprehension. Unfortunately, I speak from experience.

5 comments about Making the Brain Body Connection: A Playful Guide to Releasing Mental, Physical & Emotional Blocks to Success.

1. This is the book I have been looking for for a long time. We had private BrainGym classes with a BrainGym instructor to help my son's social skills and attention. It worked fine. But it is just too expensive($85/hour). What she did to my son is just what the book describes about ten step change process. In brainGym it is called repatterning/balance. It is very powerful. I would like to learn. So I can do it for my son. But none of BrainGym books give you complete description/steps to do it. Instead they recommend you to take their classes/workshop for several hundred dollars to learn it. It is like a secret. And you need to pay several hundred dollars in order to get the secret. This book is so good and it gives comprehensive instructions. And it tells the secret. And it is easy to follow and implement. I recommend everybody get it and try it. It will work on many areas.



2. Based on reviews, I was so certain I would like this book, I ordered 2--one for a gift. I was hugely disappointed. The information would have fit in a pamphlet instead of spread out in an oversized book with big margins. I don't like being repeatedly told what I am about to read and then re-reading it at least two more times, sometimes on the same page, and it is riddled with unnecessary cutesy drawings. I have found very similar information free on the internet.



3. I haven't even finished reading the book yet, but I would whole-heartedly recommend it to anyone who is looking to create a greater sense of clarity and well-being in his or her life. I've been doing the "Quick Six" and have noticed an unmistakable increase in my enjoyment of life. I'm working on a dissertation and these exercises have helped me be able to better focus, concentrate, and stay on task--a true God-send since I lean toward ADD and my mind tends to jump all over the place. I've even taught the Quick Six to my Educational Psychology students to help them get through finals. Doing the exercises makes me feel kind of silly, but hey--they work!!



4. This book offers great ways to overcome the impact of stress and emotions on the learning process. As an educator, I have come to believe that these issues are at the root of many "learning disabilities" that are becoming so common. I honestly hope that someday these sorts of activities will become an automatic part of our educational system from early childhood. This book is very practical, so I would recommend reading up on the neurobiology that underlies the connection between learning and emotion. If you do, you will be very convinced of the importance of these methods. Take a look at this, too! Power Brain Kids



5. This book is a good introduction to brain/body integration work. The illustrations are a bit crude and unimaginative and a bit off-putting. The book is essentially good for learning a few basic brain/body integration exercises. If you're beyond the basics, look elsewhere.

5 comments about Instant Calm: Over 100 Easy-to-Use Techniques for Relaxing Mind and Body.

1. This is a great book!
   it has many techniques, something there for anyone!
   on first impressions, very impressed on the mention of the various techniques, nice and simple to understand too!
   great resource, great to read and flip through
   enjoyable, makes you feel good to use



2. 
   I've been using the techniques from this book for a couple or years now and I have to say that it works!
   This book uses many different ways to help you, going from yoga to massage... from exercising to dieting.
   The book is simple, does not use a hard to follow vocabulary, has clear ideas and instructions, and will help you to learn how to get rid of that horrible thing called stress.
   A very good book!



3. I'm a practicing psychologist with several years experience as a therapist as well as a trainer of psychologists, psychiatrists and students. I have a lot of respect for self-help books. I read one or two a year. Most of them are pretty good. Some aren't. This one is the worst.
   
   To begin with one should read the bio on Paul Wilson. He is the head of an advertising agency, in other words, a guy who is pretty good at hyping things, which is all he does in this book. If he went to college it isn't mentioned in the bio.
   
   There are hundreds, maybe thousands of reasonable studies showing that various relaxation techniques work. Wilson cites none of them. It reads as if he was in a big hurry to meet his publisher's deadline for 100 techniques. There is no depth. It's impossible to tell what's useful, and in some cases, what he's even describing. Meditation, which has been shown to be very effective, gets only a few pages.
   
   Although practically every page has an example of sloppy work I'll cite just two to make my point. On page 213 he attempts to explain "Meditation Goggles." His explanation is skimpy at best and ends with the following: "Try it. It could be the easiest way yet of discovering real calm." Really? How about taking some time to track down the efforts of some researchers who might have looked into this already? Also, in the unlikely event that a reader is motivated to try this out, there is no info provided on where to go for further info or product purchase.
   
   On page 21 there is a silly little chart which tries to show a relationship between stress and performance. In psychology we've known for years about the Inverted U Curve. This looks a little bit like it but with some critical changes to make it useless.
   
   There are many great relaxation books. I won't endorse any of them here. Read some reviews or if you don't have the time, throw the dice; you can definitely do better than this.



4. Overall, I would say this was a pretty good book with several valuable exercises to create instant calm. However, many of the exercises weren't really instant (such as a diet with calming foods or changing lifestyles or patterns). The book emphasized the use of proper breathing techniques which can certainly help create calm and is the basis of many of the techniques. There is a wide variety of techniques throughout the book that will allow readers to select several that are most appropriate for them to use.



5. A guide to finding shortcuts to help you relax and keep your mind and body free of stress and anxiety. This book will show you ways to do this by using several different methods that have been proven to work.
   
   Feel like your sitting on a time bomb? I did and I knew I had to do something to ease it all. Finding this book has started me down that road and more.
   
   In this book are over one hundred anxiety and stress relievers that can work for anyone. By using things such as music, hugs and even different words, you can begin to relieve your stress in a matter of minutes.
   
   Managing a hectic lifestyle can be easy to deal with. This book gives you straight forward ideas on how to make this work. By using self hypnosis, aromatherapy, diet and exercise, just to name a few, you can have a less stressful life.
   
   This book is just so simple. Within just a few minutes time I was trying to put some of this advice to work for me. Itís pretty straight forward and really nothing explained in this book is hard to do. You just have to want to get rid of the stress and anxiety and be willing to use these ideas to do it.
   
   My favorite part of the book is the section on words. Word play can make a big difference. For instance instead of thinking sad, think happy. If you are thinking you are angry try thinking about being calm. Just changing a word around can make a big difference in how you perceive and cope with the world. This book helps to point that out.
   
   If you are looking for quick, effective ways to help reduce the stress in your busy life try reading this book. Put to use the information you find inside and you will begin to feel better about the world you live in.
   Anxiety Disorders. Concise Blueprint To Overcome Panic Attacks, Phobia & Anxiety. Plus Information On Medication.

No comments about Collage, Artplay for Your Creative Spirit 2009 Wall Calendar.

5 comments about The End of Suffering: Fearless Living in Troubled Times . . or, How to Get Out of Hell Free.

1. R. Parness "BULL's" angry review reminds me of the emotional reactions readers have when they don't take the time to (or learn the art of) careful reading. Aristotle is an important component of this innovative book's thesis about Buddhism: it is as connected to a different kind of logic as it is to the "truths" and "pathways" we so often associate Buddhism with. I'm finding the book extremely helpful in its claims that we in the West still hang on to our ancient Greek ways of dualistic thinking, and that these ways cause so much mental (and even physical)suffering. Aristotle's logic is carefully explained, is not mentioned more than necessary, and is not a reason for careful readers to tear up the book. On the contrary, I would hope if any reader finds the sections on logic puzzling, he or she might simply patiently retrace reading steps to find an enlightening stance on Buddhist awareness vs. Western habits of thinking.



2. Essentially, this book is a scattered assortment of topics from psi research, quantum theory and Buddhism which are supposed to culminate in the reader a sense of connectivity to the universe and in turn trivialize our earthy sufferings; sort of a new age version of the "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff." However, I really don't think that the authors have delivered on this premise. Although to some readers this book may serve as a semi-decent introduction to such topics as psychic phenomenon, quantum mechanics and Buddhism, overall, the explanations are superficial and don't come together in a coherent fashion to support what the book claims in its title. If you are looking for a more meaningful coverage of the relationship between quantum theory and psi, may I recommend "Entangled Minds: Extrasensory Experiences in a Quantum Reality" by Dean Radin.



3. Dr. Richard Moss has a more lucid and well-defined program for putting the ego in its proper place. That program is in his 2007 book called The Mandala of Being.



4. Most of the new age books and spiritual related literature present to us a lot of information that most of the times seems too abstract or too "up in the sky" (by this I do not mean that all that information is not real or authentic).
   I believe there needs to be a bridge between everyday reality and spirituality, or to put it in other words, we need to start bringing and applying spirituality to our every day life. This is a great book for adressing this sense of separation. In my opinion, it can help a logic mind to start awakening to a more intuitive way of thinking and a more holistic perception of reality.
   The title may not sound like a very scientific book, but it is mainly about physics and phylosophy, written on a very simple way (I think understandable to anyone).
   It also may be great to "ground" a lot of people on the spiritual path to a more concrete way of living without losing any "connection" to the spiritual realm.
   Wether you enjoy this book or not, I think is a must. Besides the essence of the content itself (which obviously is the teachings that the authors are attemping to transmit), it is also an excellent reference about the development of science and spirituallity in our times.
   On top of everything, it is not a long book, so that makes it even more readable.



5. I picked up this book by way of recommendation because I wanted to expand my conscious horrizon and the RV aspect. I found it esoteric at best but that's probably because I am not familiar with the notion of non locality and the like.
   I don't agree with the thought of demonstratively forgiving people who have hurt me and my family and going further and apologising to them. This invites more hurt by such people as they thrive on such actions. Remember that there is evil out there and it's up to us to guard from it, not invite it by ignoring hurtful intention so as to accept it, this results in evil being justified in its own right. Give evil latitude and it will take every inch.
   However, forgiving such people in your heart is more the way to a peaceful state which is important for healthy living. Jesus' "turn the other cheek" expression was not literal. He was talking about a heart condition.
   
   Overall the book was a hard read for me mainly because it used unnecessesarily complicated verbiage with little explanation.