Practical information on how to find your own "liberation"
351557
This may be one of Yogani's best books! The first time I have seen him express the process of "Liberation" so openly. And... it contains practical information on how to find your own "liberation" ... and not have to fit into someone else's definition of "liberation".

The highlight of this book is chapters 3. He has talked about the evolution of the mind as we continue with practices, in other writings, but here he adds a special treat. Based on what stage our mind is at (pre-witness, witness, discrimination, dispassion, unity) and our "ripeness", he outlines self inquiry techniques that can be effective to us at that point in our practice and how to evolve the self inquiry techniques as our mind evolves.

Being at a pre-witness stage and trying a self inquiry technique that involves inquiring into "who am I" is a practice that will lead to frustrations. Similarly being in a discrimination phase and doing "only mind based" or "unstructured" self inquiry techniques is not using the stillness we have access to, to it's full potential. Knowing there are various techniques available and picking one that works for us and allowing it to evolve, is making sure we are working with a technique that is the most effective for us at the stage we are at.

One other key thing he covers is the pitfalls of the mind. It is an important thing to be aware of... liberation is going beyond the clutches of the mind based suffering we all live in... but once we have seen through mind stories and freed ourselves of the suffering caused by these, there is a good chance our minds will make up another story to attach to (may be very subtle, very sneaky)... being aware of this, and not attaching the mind to anything, allows us to grow and open to the divine more and more... the less boundaries (created by the mind) we have, the more we can be in awe of the boundless divine.

There are many books that will tell you how beautiful Liberation feels... but very few (like this one) that will give you practical information of how to get there.
2616543
We are suspended over the abyss of an infinite wholeness and something in us knows that greed, hatred, delusion, and self-affirming behaviours are unconscious reflexes aimed at hiding ourselves from true reality. Our unconscious reflexes are desperate attempts aimed at helping our illusory selves feel more concrete. The way out of this mirage is the realization that there is no separation between "us" and anything; we are the universe, the universal, the expression of one reality. Curflexion is a practical manual for accessing the nondual. This is no easy feat, given the highly-esoteric and experiential nature of this topic. Curflexion is grounded in Dr. Cortina's personal practice, which involves decades of exploration into nondual philosophy from personal and academic perspectives. Like all wise and skillful teaching, it invites us to test practical hypotheses as they relate to our own lives. This book serves as a wonderful introduction for those who are beginning their exploration of nondual practices. For experienced meditators and teachers it offers new perspectives and straightforward explanations for that which is often difficult to capture in words. I highly recommend this book for anyone who is sincerely interested in exploring the human mind, realizing the absolute reality of non-separation, and living in a state of infinite wholeness.
2781363
Interesting and supportive read. I stumbled upon this, not because I was searching for "the one" or "The One", but rather because I appreciate and value insights that encourage my own continued growth and exploration. Mr. Siegel aptly analyzes his own journey and in doing so opens the door, the readers mind, to who we are. I have always been comfortable in "my own skin" - from as long as I can recall. But, there was always a nagging feeling of selfishness. I have questioned that feeling of comfort as being not right. This book dispels those thoughts for me as it illustrates so beautifully ideas on spirituality, faith, self-worth, introspectiveness, personal responsibility and ownership. Thank you, Randy, for illuminating what I feel and hold dear.
4731039
This eBook presents a crucial analysis of women's struggles in a concise and palatable format. By tracing the roots of women's oppression to the stratification of society into classes, providing historical examples of liberation struggles, outlining the importance of intersectionality, and exposing the impossibility of real justice under a capitalist system: this collection of selected works is vital to understanding the way forward for all those who consider themselves revolutionaries/radicals/progressives.
2570975
As with others of his books, I found this book both easy to read, and highly instructional.  Its practical, and universal nature appeals to me.  I especially enjoyed Dr. Bitkoff's way of telling the story and then, from time to time, stepping out of the story line to provide insights into the Teachings.  This little book is filled with nuggets of wisdom.  I struggled over which to include here, and chose to simply quote his proposed structure for living an "original life."

 "If you wish to live an original life and fulfill your own, individual destiny, follow these principles.

- Strive to lead a balanced life and avoid excess.
- Enter into the mainstream of your community. Strive to become an `ordinary' citizen within the society you find yourself.
- Seek to help others.
- Say the prayer of submission each morning and evening. Prayer is intended as a joy not a burden.
- Follow the religion of your birth and fully embrace it. This is a starting point for more advanced spiritual study. If you are not able to follow the religion of your birth then say the prayer of submission or seek another Path.
- Abstain from mind altering drugs and stimulants. Rarely use alcohol.
- Follow your heart wherever it may lead you. You have a Life Plan and must learn to follow it. You do this by listening to your heart.
- Spiritual learning is part of life. It is intended as a center from which to come forward. Lead a complete life. Use all of your abilities.
- Avoid people who are obsessed. Be someone who is not "weird" and is normal. Try to be someone whom you would trust.
- Remember to trust yourself. You have everything you need inside of you; you have been given enough for the journey. Listen to your higher self -it knows your Life Plan.
- Make your way to the teacher.
- Remember, travelers are different and there are many paths. Find your own path; embrace and follow it."

The beauty is in the universal nature of these teachings.  It doesn't matter what path you follow, these principles can help guide the way.

If you are seeking, I highly recommend this book.
2679887
Ken Robinson's life story is an inspiration.  This book contains valuable insight about finding one's natural state of being that is the bedrock of personal well-being, vocational meaning and satisfaction.  This book contains great stories and guidance for people in finding their true path.
I highly recommend it; it is easy in life to follow others expectations and think that they are your own, or get on  functional treadmill of activity that blocks the path to your natural self and your unique gifts.
3046601
This book is a great read if you need answers concerning how to deal with your "stuff". Read this book and it will help you get on the road to freedom.
3453830
There comes a time (or many times, actually) in everyone's life when things appear to be at a dead end.  You know you don't want to be where you're at, but you're in a quandary about how to move on.  That's the subject of the book Getting Unstuck: How Dead Ends Become New Paths by Timothy Butler.  If you're willing to work his process and exercises, you may well find that "new path" to take you to the next level.

Contents:

Part 1 - Impasse: Facing Crisis; Feeling Stuck and Doubting Ourselves; Opening Up and Letting Go; Shifting to a New Understanding

Part 2 - Vision: Our Deepest Interests (The First Pattern in the Carpet); Learning to Let Our Passions Guide Us; Power, People, and Achievement (Three Interwoven Patterns); Mapping Our Insights (Patterns in the Sand)

Part 3 - Getting Unstuck: Moving from Impasse to Action; Living at the Border

Appendixes: Continuing the Journey (An Annotated Bibliography); A Note on Impasse and Depression; Scoring the One Hundred Jobs Exercise

Notes; Index; About the Author

Butler is a researcher and business psychologist who works with people who have hit a "dead end" in their life.  Many of the stories in the book involve students who have gone to business school, have a number of options in front of them, but nothing seems quite right.  His approach to getting unstuck is to allow the inner thoughts and passions to direct us towards what we probably already know the answer to be, but we just haven't tuned into it.  Many of these exercises are covered in sidebar entries called "deep dives".  These sidebars go into detail about how an exercise works and how to do it.  For instance, "free attention" is the technique of allowing your focus to reside on a particular part of the body, letting the sensations and feelings wash over you without judgement.  When your mind wanders, you've lost your free attention and need to refocus on the body part.  This then shifts to focus on breathing, and the goal is to let emotions run their course and learn from them.  Another technique is paying attention to images that form in your mind.  These images can often be formed from deeper core feelings and emotions, and taking the time to reflect and analyze them can cast light on your situation and point to a new path.  Probably one of the most in-depth exercises is the 100 Jobs list.  You choose 12 jobs from a list of 100 that appeal to you on an emotional basis.  Scoring the exercise involves categorizing the types of attributes that make up those jobs.  By grouping and classifying the different underlying traits, you'll see trends such as leadership, persuasion, coaching, etc.  These trends can then be used to examine your direction and make corrections...

On the whole, the ideas are solid.  I can see where working through the process could lead to dramatic changes that might not be explored by a more cursory examination of your life.  But while the book is designed to be used on your own, I think it'd work best if you had someone skilled in these techniques working with you.  It's hard to be objective about your own mind, and an external viewpoint would help keep things focused.  I also think that the material would appeal most to business professionals who are at a career crisis.  Most of the material is slanted towards job-related issues, and the stories are largely about college and grad school students.  While anyone could use these ideas in various areas of their lives, I think the "average" person might find it all a bit daunting...
500753
Really love most of this revelation of liberation Kris Valloton has shared.  He lays out a great framework for a Spirit-inspired and location-specific understanding of the issue of women in the body of Christ.  A hearty "Amen" to his willingness to leave behind the curse and press on to purpose!
I found a few things to be funky; I don't consider Wikipedia to be "real" sourcing - certainly wouldn't allow it is a high school paper, so he loses some scholarly credibility.  I'm also trying to wrap my mind around his idea of an androgynous Adam and "wombman", and I'd hate that to become a focal point obscuring the greater message.  I hope he doesn't lose too many with some of his more personal, esoteric takes on several issues.
That said, I love the call to be willing to look at things from God's point of view as opposed to generations of religious tradition and pre-Jesus context.  "It was for freedom we were made free" - what will you do with your freedom.  Well worth the read and invitation to a greater, fuller life!
2178561
Dr. Douglas Weiss's book Clean, subtitled "A Proven Plan for Men Committed to Sexual Integrity" is a highly practical manual for Christian men who desire to break free or help others break free from sexual addiction of all forms. There's plenty of important information here for disciples, pastors, church leaders, wives, families, and brothers in Christ who seek to root out and destroy sexual addiction in their own lives and the lives of others. Clean is well-written, uncompromising, but unusually encouraging and hopeful as it presents practical steps for men to find freedom in their lives.

Dr. Weiss's approach remains biblical but is often informed by psychology. The strength of the book lies in the author's ability to approach the issue of sexual addiction as both a Christian counselor and as an evangelistic minister. The powerful commitment to clean living, accountability, and public confession partnered with the practical component will be compelling for many searching for answers, and while the book never compromises on issues such as pornography, inappropriate relationships, and masturbation, it remains overwhelmingly positive and encouraging, repeatedly emphasizing the hope of freedom, which is vital for this kind of book.

The emphasis on psychology and practical methodology presents both informative and unique nuggets of truth as well as some potentially harmful ideas. Dr. Weiss is clearly an advocate of the most basic behavioral modification. Much like Pavlov's dog, he believes that addicts can and should condition their physical brains and bodies by punishing themselves when they transgress in the area of lust. This includes, "Eat a raw onion, Run two miles (if you're not in shape), Eat Ben and Jerry's at 10:00 p.m. (if you are in shape), Leg lunges for half a mile or one mile." He also advocates the method of snapping a rubber band on your wrist each time you have a lustful thought.  I believe these behavior modification techniques are potentially harmful and unbiblical. Jesus did emphasize doing whatever necessary to end sin in your life (Matt 5:29-30), and I empathize with those who want something practical they can do and believe in to end their sin apart from repentance and confession. Some may indeed be helped by these techniques, but an emphasis on this kind of behavior modification can be harmful and distracts from the life-giving power of the Spirit within. I can't imagine Jesus or the disciples teaching others to snap themselves with a rubber band or beat themselves when they mentally transgressed.

In spite of my strong reservations regarding Dr. Weiss's methodology of behavioral conditioning and never-ending accountability, there is life-giving power in this book and the core is here to set every man free and lead a revival of purity within the church. As with most books on sanctification I've read, I wish more was said about identity in Christ, the practical power of the Holy Spirit, and the ability to live above temptation by taking every thought captive. My dissatisfaction does not mean that this isn't a good book that will help many. I am glad that I read it, and some of Dr. Weiss's revelations were new and important to me. While I would recommend Winning the Battle Within by Neil Anderson and At the Altar of Sexual Idolatry by Steve Gallagher before Clean, it is an important book on a much needed topic.

My thanks to Thomas Nelson for providing a complimentary review copy. I have provided an honest review.
4781485
One will definitely pick up on the fact that David R Hawkins was a doctor as this book is a bit technical at times however the technicalities are needed and a very important part of understanding the pathway of surrender.  In this book,Dr. Hawkins offers a pathway to freedom that we long for but find difficult to attain.  I have read many self-help titles and they are more vague compared to Dr. Hawkins book.  Letting Go; The Pathway of Surrender provides the roadmap to a freer life for anyone who is willing to make the trip.  All that is required is the willingness to let go of the attachments of your current life experiences.
This is not the type of book that you will want to rush through, slowly and methodically taking in each and every word is the way to go about absorbing all this wonderful information to help better yourself and that of the others around you.  Each and every chapter is filled with a multitude of  information to help one have a greater understanding of their emotional, physical and spiritual selves.  As you read through this masterpiece you will discover things about yourself that you thought were not even aware of.
3927396
This book is ideal for busy people who want to feel empowered and learn some practical strategies to achieve this.
I especially liked the parts about wobbly courage and letting go of what others think. There are also some great quotes. A worthy addition to anyone's library, especially those of us who juggle competing demands.
4264585
Each of us has to discover what works for ourselves, right?

Robert has put together some of the best advice I've found for working through getting stuck.  Most of the "stuck" is a self-feeding cycle of emotion and imagination (most "thinking" = imagining).  But if I "reject" those, I'm practicing rejection, not healing.  That's a a very subtle trap -- one that took a long time for me to become aware of.

The work I do always has to be "mine" in a subtle, but very important way.  When I do this, it isn't "Robert's method" -- it's "mine" in the sense that the work itself doesn't "belong" to anyone.  So I continue to explore how these tensions ("stuckness") work, and how "release" happens.

There's one step Robert recommends that I don't do: "imagine what I'd be if I wasn't stuck."  But that's just setting up a new set of imaginations!  What I'm looking for is to get in touch with reality, not a "happier" set of imaginations.
4276186
Author Charnita Arora is the founder of Perfect Life Spot (PLS). She mentors (offline and online) sessions on mindfulness, inner-peace, emotional well-being, self-discovery, self-expression and self-actualization. Her gentle caring is evident in the message to those who would open her book: `In a world where immediacy, over-stimulation and distraction have become the norm, this pocket-booklet simply hopes to bring you back to your breath. It aims to politely disrupt the norm and bring you buckets-full of nourishing breaths for more inner-space, equanimity and joy. We have never been more connected, and yet we have never been more alone. Why is it so? This booklet that you are reading aims to encourage you, to restore that essential connection within yourself. It engages in awareness-training in a very simple and practical way. These insights on mind-management shall initiate you into more inner-peace, equanimity and happiness.'

In her introductory comments Charnita offers the opposite of mindfulness - that being mindlessness: `When our mind is full of past ruminations or future anticipation, then our mind is pre-occupied. This state of absence or unawareness can be referred to as Mindlessness. If our mind is already booked, then we are on a 'budget-mind' space. On a 'budget-mind' space, we are unable to interact with our context with the mental alertness, openness, humor and clarity that would contribute to our happiness. It also means that since we are pre-occupied, we do not have sufficient space for the present moment and its possibilities. In such a mind-space our perception of reality is very limited. These perceptions are only crude  estimates of reality. When we identify with them, our reality becomes limited. This causes us suffering. To elaborate, in a state of mindlessness, we are more likely to either overlook or misunderstand, (ours and others') needs and feelings. Overlooked or misunderstood needs and feelings are the major cause of chaos, conflict and pain. - Mindlessness leads to Suffering:  Mindfulness leads to Well-being.'

Though to take full advantage of Charnita's thoughts it is best to read (and re-read) her book in the silence of your own space. There are lists and issues that are of paramount importance, such as her Anchors of Mindfulness: `Stream of Consciousness' or Free-writing, Spending time with nature, Being with inspiring people, Body-awareness, Digital-Mindfulness, Mindfulness Rituals/Sign-posts, Concerts of Silence, and Earthing.' Just a brief sample of the content but hopefully enough for everyone to obtain this beautiful book. Grady Harp, July 15
3046274
Something to read for all of us dealing with repression especially when by the self.
168002
Author, speaker and Master Certified Coach Marcia Reynolds asked herself the question, "How much of my life was I living on automatic pilot?". That's a door-opening question we must all ask ourselves, and the answer is found in her new, award-winning self-help book, Capture the Rapture. Indeed, if you are not leading a passionate, joyful life, this book is a must-read!
The beginning of Capture the Rapture asks the reader to self-examine life. Are we doing things i.e. keeping busy but not feeling satisfied---living in a horizontal world, moving from one activity to another? Or is our world vertical---using our senses to appreciate all that is around us---the sights and smells and touch of mountains and rivers; roses and lilacs; the softness of a partner. Marcia, using her own personal experiences (she lifted herself out of a world of drugs, jail and a total lack of self-esteem) and her education and experience (two masters degrees and two decades of successful corporate work) guides the reader to self-discovery, empowerment and thus joy and happiness. Her first step is visioning---a three-dimensional picture of our desires---a virtual reality- program of our own design!
The second step is covisioning---to include other people around you, bringing visioning to fruition, and then "...the commitment to your vision and a disciplined approach to its attainment." Step by step, page by page, Capture the Rapture leads the reader out of the past and even out of the present---to envision a future of fulfillment. Thus Marcia Reynolds has given us much more than a self-help book. She has given us the means to liberation.
In this reviewer's opinion, Capture the Rapture is a well-written, heart-felt path to passion and purpose!
4306869
Cyndee Rae Lutz's personal story, "When Your Heart Belongs to an Addict", details her beloved son's descent into addiction and its profound effect on her and her family.  The author paints a vivid and painful picture of the despair and powerlessness that unwittingly strikes the addicted, as well as those who love them.  Neither party would ever choose this tragic path, but once addiction takes over, all are brutally forced to confront the sad and desperate state in which they now find themselves .  Cyndee's over-riding message is one of love, self-reliance, forgiveness and spirituality that is individually defined.  In addition to her personal story, the book lays out clear and concise instructions that are borne from personal experience and are presented in separate sections with the intention of providing both provide clarity and empowerment to those who confront the scourge of alcohol and drug dependency in their personal lives.  The chaos and challenges that face those who love an addict are then matched with helpful advice and practical suggestions designed to prevent those who love from being overwhelmed by the monster that has, for the time being, taken over their loved one.  After all, in order to be of any possible assistance to another one must save one's own self first.