No comments about Stress-Proof Your Life (52 Brilliant Ideas): Smart Ways to Relax and Re-energize (52 Brilliant Ideas).

No comments about Relaxation Scripts for Harmony, Tranquility and Serenity.

1 comments about Horrific Traumata: A Pastoral Response to the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

1. I am the wife of a Viet Nam veteran and we are both struggling mightily with the effects of his delayed PTS. I have my own bookshelf with the PTS 'classics', but Duncan Sinclair's book is the first I have encountered to acknowledge, discuss and address the spiritual wound of trauma.

   Sinclair was a two tour chaplain in Viet Nam and suffered life altering effects of PTS himself following being called to assist the wounded and dying after the Tet Offensive. He is also a degreed therapist. Though his own suffering was war related, he fully identifies and relates to trauma by other causes.

   As anyone who has lived with or undergone treatment for trauma will understand, there is more to PTS than healing the mental and emotional wounds. Many survivors see improvement but are left helpless with residual effects. For the first time, I have came to see there is also a spiritual wound that co-exists and must also be addressed for real healing to occur. While psychology is making great inroads into identifying and treating PTS, it cannot address the spiritual wound.

   This book is for anyone with PTS who has done the work and has seen improvement but can't understand why they remain affected; for wives, children and families who also suffer the effects of trauma in loved ones; for professionals who treat trauma and have the courage to admit part of this wound remains beyond the reach of science and who have the compassion to desire deeper understanding of their patient's ongoing pain; for all ministers or pastors who do not know how to respond when confronted by persons wounded by trauma; for anyone who is researching PTS in addition to the better known trauma titles as this will not conflict with accepted information on trauma it will add to it.

   Sinclair's book is very readable, concise and not complicated. The subtitle, 'A Pastoral Response...' is apt - though I would add the word 'Intelligent'. The title, Horrific Traumata, frightened me a bit as I dread reading books that endlessly recall detailed horrors of traumas but Sinclair does not do more than give a few apt examples to set the stage for discussion. Also, some books on trauma I find to be less-than-helpful personal purges for those who seek recovery but are stuck in the past - not so here. If you fear that a Christian minister's approach to PTS might be trite or an evangelical's sales job, I assure you will not find those things here. Sinclair has done a brilliant job of being survivor, therapist and pastor in one whole professional yet spiritual man. Non-Christians will not feel threatened by this book yet believing Christians will see the root of real healing.

   I feel this book was well worth the high price and consider it an important and unique read for the hurting.

4 comments about The Lost Teachings of Yoga.

1. This is an extensive and innovative review of the traditional teachings of Yoga, well delivered in an engaging, conversational manner. The key Yoga teachings from the Hindu, Buddhist and Jainism traditions are systematically developed, well-woven with references to both the classic literature and an astounding range of references to other world wisdom traditions and history. Among my favorites is his linking of the four traditional goals of life from the Vedas with the Declaration of Independence of the United States and the preamble to the Constitution.

   Patanjali's Yoga Sutras are, of course, discussed in depth. I appreciate his emphasis on the central role of the Kriya Yoga model of transformation - a model still quite relevant today - even though there are some differences from the Krishnamacharya teachings I have heard from Desikachar and Kraftsow. All of the more well known eight limbs of Ashtanga Yoga are discussed in depth, with much deserved emphasis on the Yamas and Niyamas, the traditional moral foundations of Yoga. Each of the seven traditional paths of Yoga are well explained in some especially educational ways, not just listing the different paths. Georg's command and experience with of the spectrum of Yoga teachings allows him to present some of the teachings in new ways, such as his 12 steps to spiritual recovery and his tests for authentic yoga.

   The lecture style is easy to listen to. He peppers his discussions with questions that a modern student would logically ask, and then weaves personal experience into his answers. Feuerstein is not afraid to focus on contemporary issues with the lens of the classical teachings. For example, free market capitalism. As an economist I have a few different interpretations than his, but I appreciate the importance of examining modern situations and making personal choices from a considered moral foundation as opposed to simply self-interest.

   I see these tapes as an important resource in three key ways. First, as a delightful educational and thought-provoking experience for the Yoga student in all of us - perhaps on long cross-country drives as I do. Second, for Yoga teachers brushing up on selected topics for their own teaching. The tapes have already helped me prepare for a couple of lectures I am giving later this month. Third, I see these tapes as recommended or required "reading" in the many new Yoga teacher-training courses springing up around the country to help meet their philosophy requirement.

   My only regret is that these lectures on tape are not available in written form so one can easily go back to review and highlight key sections. Feuerstein is a prolific writer and these teaching are well discussed in a wide variety of his books elsewhere. In my view, however, the lectures on this tape set are especially well put together. They are an intellectual tour de force distilling many decades of study and writing. I very much enjoy hearing them in his own voice.




2. Absolute bliss! This is a magnificient work of synthetesis of the complex and fascinating world of Yoga; history, traditions, techniques are presented with knowledge , expertise and a suave voice (well its a recording). I have been listening to the whole thing 3 times now and there is still much to learn.



3. I have looked for a long time for something that taught yoga philosophy in an engaging, comprehensive manner. Some books are a bit on the dry side, others just touch on one small aspect of it. This CD set is a wonderful overview of the classical philosophies of yoga. The author's voice is clear, soothing and pleasant. Best of all, he's interesting! I haven't found a more complete and well-organized source of yoga philosophy. Definitely a worthwhile purchase!



4. This set is a decent introduction to yoga for someone who knows nothing about yoga and has never been involved in any kind of esoteric practice. I don't know why is it entitled "The Lost Teachings of Yoga", since the information presented on these CDs is widely available elsewhere. Most of the information presented here comes from Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. There are also references to Babaji and Trailanga Swami from Autobiography of a Yogi, Gopi Krishna's Kundalini experience, transcendental meditation, and works related to tantra, mantras and hatha yoga.
   
   Few CDs in this set deal with yamas and niyamas (moral virtues) which are presented here in a way that sounds pretty much like the Ten Commandments given by Moses. For comparison purposes, Emmet Fox has written a wonderful book explaining those Ten Commandments but not in terms of "thou shalt not", but rather in a way that makes perfect sense to esoterically or spiritually inclined individual, and I suppose I have expected on these yoga CDs explanation of yamas in niyamas more from a spiritual perspective, rather than from physical perspective.
   For example, the author talks how difficult and challenging it is to live by them and mentions that he uses the model of 12-steps from AA to make the process easier. That may very well work, though I have found that since all of the moral virtues arise out of the principle of Oneness, as the individual meditates upon One Spirit, surrendering to it within to the point that he allows it to take over and in that way experiencing Oneness - all moral virtues fall in place effortlessly. If one walks through life with the awareness of himself, his own spirit, one spirit, being present in everything and everyone, he would neither wish to injure another nor to take anything from another; he would not have to struggle to live with conscience, it happens naturally, as the outcome of the experience of oneness. It doesn't take struggle - by embracing the higher, the lower falls off.
   
   The author talks about different branches of yoga and when it comes to bhakti yoga - yoga of divotion - he made it sound as if bhakti yoga is of necessity steeped in duality. For many people, and in the beginning stages of spiritual understanding and experience, it may be so, but ultimately, what one experiences is that one is loving and perceiving himself - one Spirit - One Self - everywhere, and eventually all forms dissolve and only the Self remains. One merges with that which he loves, and in that merging one dissolves in it, and in that merging and dissolution, all forms dissolve also. Such has been my inner experience. This path of yoga leads to the same outcome as any other path of yoga and for that matter it is present to some extent in any other path of yoga.
   
   Overall it is a good set of CDs.

No comments about The Art of Breath and Relaxation.

No comments about Stress Management: Finding the Balance (Felt Need).

No comments about The Cure of Nervousness and Stage Fright.

No comments about Deep Stress Relief: When You Need a Long Vacation, But Only Have a Short Time: Total Relaxation & Guided Relaxation.

5 comments about Weight Loss: A Subliminal Persuasion/Self-Hypnosis.

1. While going through a divorce, I tried this. When I took a nap or at night, I'd play it in my bedroom. Not only did I lose 35 pounds over a period of time, I slept better after listening to it. It gives very commonsense advice, but the repetition really helped me. I was so pleased with it, I bought others by Konicov for everything from improving my bowling, to decision making, to adjusting to the divorce.



2. Having trouble just getting started? Too busy, too tired, too whatever? GET THIS TAPE! IT WORKS! I even had a hard time listening to it everyday as instructed and after three weeks I'm "automatically" WANTING to and DOING things that after two
   years is finally sending my weight down instead of up. Yeah,
   you still have to cut down on food and you do have to do some
   exercise, BUT IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE HARD. I'm pleased with my
   purchase and will buy another one because I'm afraid my tape will wear out now. I'M LOSING WEIGHT! ME! I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!



3. it is a good tape, i just need to get in the habit of using it every day. i believe it will be a great help.



4. I love this tape. Although I'm not quite sure if it really helped me eat less or loss weight. The reason I love it is mainly because I noticed an extreme improvement with my overall anxiety. I noticed how much less I worried and I felt more content. It's easy to fall asleep to and you wake up feeling positive and rested.



5. Don't waste your time. I listened for months day and night and zilch

2 comments about Lighten Up: Survival Skills for People Under Pressure.

1. Humor is an instrument of healing if used properly, not a destructive weapon to be used to put down other people. Such is the philosophy of Metcalf, who along with his wife Roma Felible offer a set of skills built around that claim. The book has strengths and weaknesses. On the positive side, the argument that humor is a healing tonic has validity. They offer evidence of recent scientific studies that support this principle which goes back at least as far as the book of Proverbs in the Old Testament. Some of the skills they offer are doable and can be applied by virtually anyone. The disappointment comes at the end of the book. The chapter about death is NOT from a Christian perspective, but from that of a Buddhdist Since Buddha's still in his grave no hope is offered, just a shallow "be positive" which is an awful substitue for the promise offered by Jesus who is NOT in His grave.



2. It's a shame the only other reviewer as of early 2006 is quick to attack the book on religious grounds. Most societies have religion to thank for their lack of humor. Open up, live a little and prepare yourselves for the shock when u die and find that u didn't have the truth after all.