Now you can discover for yourself the principles behind the Twelve Steps as they occur in Scripture through this best-selling New Testament.
You will find an introduction to the Twelve Steps of recovery with each step listing recovery meditations and related recovery scriptures. As you read and meditate on Serenity®, you will begin to see how the God of the Bible speaks directly to your dependency needs and liberates you from debilitating addictions to restore you to wholeness and a perfect relationship with Him.
And
Don't take the sky from me!
js
Need to know.......2007-09-04
There are so many things in this book that you should know if you liked the Serenity Movie. It makes you see all the little things that you didn't notice.
A MUST for any Firefly/Serenity Fan.......2007-05-26
Great book, visually beautiful book, just wish I could have gotten it in hardback. Joss Whedon fell a bit short on the opening, but made up for it on all the extra's added to the book. For those that loved the movie, the script covers a few short seens that had to be cut, and covers the English translations of all the Chinese inserts. Well put together. A must for any fan of the series or the movie. Unfortunately, I could only give this 5 stars.
Excellent!.......2007-02-13
Excellent! More thorough than you can imagine... if you have any interest in the universe of Firefly/Serenity, this book is the only place you'll find in depth explanations of the history and workings of the 'Verse.
Book Description
Here's How It Is…
The Earth got used up, and we found a new solar system and used terraforming technology to create hundreds of new Earths. The central planets formed the Alliance and decided that all worlds should unite under their rule. There was some disagreement on that point. After the Unification War, many of the Independents who had fought and lost drifted to the edges of the system, far from Alliance control. Out here, people struggled to get by with the most basic technologies. A ship would bring you work, a gun would help you keep it. A captain's goal was simple: find a crew, find a job, keep flying.
The Serenity Role Playing Game lets you re-create the action of the `Verse, the science-fiction setting created by writer/director Joss Whedon. Fly a ship out in the black, take jobs as they come, and always make sure you get paid. Everything you need to get started is right here! All you need is dice, friends, and your imagination.
• A self-contained role playing game. All the rules are provided for both players and Game Masters!
• Full character creation rules, plus fifteen sample characters—including the crew of Serenity.
• Complete details on spaceships, guns, and technology.
• Emphasis on story, action, and character development with easy-to-learn rules.
• Game details and descriptions of the characters and settings of the film!
Customer Reviews:
Excellent ruleset for a limited setting...........2007-09-21
The Serenity ruleset is actually quite sensible, although the avoidance of the d20 -- while understandable -- flattens out PC skills at the high end. It makes for easy and straightforward character creation, and the use of "Plot Points" strongly encourages cinematic play.
Unfortunately, our view of the 'Verse is limited to what we've seen in the show and film; consequently, gamemasters are somewhat expected to work within the show's framework -- Western outlaws in space -- and not step too far outside that remit.
Plenty of fun, particularly with a good group.......2007-08-29
First, any Firefly fan will absolutely love this--regardless of interest in tabletop gaming. The style of writing, the information, just about everything in here is a pleasure to simply read through. Jamie Chambers is truly a browncoat, and it shows.
Second, if you -are- into tabletop gaming, the Serenity RPG is a great setup. Bear in mind that the style is very different from the more common games like Dungeons & Dragons: less emphasis on combat and 'dungeon crawling', and greater emphasis on player and character interaction.
I ran a game as GM (gamemaster) with this setup; all of us in the group were familiar with D&D prior to playing (which thus formed our point of comparison). Here are a few main things I took from the experience:
- Combat tends to be very quick. With a good GM, this means more focus on plot. With a bad GM, this means repetitive battles.
- The game encourages players to play through their weaknesses. With a good GM, this means more interesting plot developments. With a bad GM, this means dead characters.
- The game is light on the rules. With a good GM, and a good group, this means less distraction and burdens imposed by constantly looking up rules. With a bad GM or group, this means less cohesion to the game, and possible arguments.
- The game is very light on equipment, ship builds, items, etc. I recommend borrowing ideas from another source to compensate ( Shadowrun, Fourth Edition tends to work well). The lack of equipment is the main reason it lost 1 star.
So, the Serenity RPG is a great product. And if you have a good group together, it can turn out to be a LOT of fun. And don't forget that the latest edition also has new character sheets and errata added. Enjoy the game, and keep flying. KF
Great license, mediocre game.......2007-04-03
This is a gorgeous book with lavish, full-color art, maps and stills from the "Serenity" film. In this regard, it's a fine product.
However, as a playable RPG, this product is quite lacking.
The writing adopts a 'Verse-esque tone in both the rule content and the opening chapter vignettes that is often cringe-worthy. The book is also fairly disorganized and rules often confusingly presented; expect a lot of page-flipping during initial play. On top of this, the game engine at its core is fairly pedestrian and uninspired, and the GM and player advice is about ten years out of date and actively antithetical to fun gaming. If it were 1997, this might be a passable effort. As it is, what you have is really a half-finished house engine tied to a lucrative license that it does a poor job of representing. That there's a big disclaimer on the writeup for River that states (paraphrased) "These stats do not represent River's ability as presented in the film; she has been modified to better balance with the rest of the crew" should be a red flag to anyone looking to capture the Firefly/Serenity experience with this system. (Why she's even presented as a PC, I have no idea.) I honestly find it somewhat sad that this game is selling in droves to many Browncoats whom I imagine are new to roleplaying. The hobby has progressed so far beyond what's in this game.
There's nothing that this system does that existing systems can't do as well or better. I'd suggest simply pairing your DVDs with an engine that suits your sensibilities (d20, GURPS, FATE*, Primetime Adventures, etc) rather than investing money in this product.
If you do decide to buy this, make sure to get the most current printing (4th, as of this writing), as there have been many significant corrections and rule changes incorporated, as well as an index being added. FYI, the Serenity GM's screen does not include these changes (a source of some confusion for our group).
[...]
I am not disapointed........2007-03-25
As a long-time roleplayer, I enjoy when something fresh and new comes into the industry. As a Sereny/Firefly fan, I always wanted a RPG adaptation of the 'verse, but feared it could be done in a wrong way, with a rules system inadequate to convey all the nuances of action and character development saw in the show, for example. Fortunately, "Serenity" both delivers something new and provides rules framework and gaming advice in a way that matches the spirit of both the series and the movie.
The most interesting thing in the rules is task resolution. Attributes are represented as a type of die - the more sides the better. They range from d4 (weakling) to d12+d4 (the too pf the top). By the same token, skills are also rated by a type of die, using the same range of Attributes. To perform an action that requires a roll, players roll the die listed for the relevant Attribute and skill, then add the results together, and see wheter they reached the set difficulty number (ranging from 3 to 31). If you beat the difficulty number by a margin of 7 or more points, you get an extraordinary success, which grants you additional benefits or an extra level of result coolness. The absence of a d20 is intentional, I think - and it is really not missed in this system. I do feel, however, that average success probability curves in this system are probably very weird, something that may be troublesome in a long campaign.
Artwork is good, mostly made of screenshots from the movie. There is some additional, original art, which ranges from acceptable to very good. Layout is clean and easy to read, and the presence of both a table of contents and a detailed index help a lot. Writting style is good, very informal and spiced with slang and chinese words now and then for flavor, but very objective and direct. Information about the 'verse is good but superficial, but generally enough for someone that saw the series or just the movie to get a feel of it and use it properly in a game. One of the book's best parts is its guide of Serenity Chinese. Very fun to read, and useful to help bringing the 'verse tone and feel into the game. How Shi Sung Chung, he?
Overall, I think the book is well worth what it costs and is a fine addition to any serious roleplayer's collection. My main complains are about the 'verse description, which is too sketchy for my tastes, some of the original artwork, which is good but somehow does not match the rest of the book's style. But even so, I liked it a lot.
A good read and a good game.......2007-03-10
A good read, regardless of if you play these sort of games or not. The prose was engaging, the system itself was refreshing and mostly intuitive. It isn't a perfect product, of course. While there are a good number of examples, a few more would have been useful (as an example, an example of what the gameplay difference is between Basic and Wound damage and how weapons effect that would have been nice). More background information would have been nice, but I can hardly fault the game for that; no, the limited amount of background information on planets, the alliance, Blue Sun, and so forth comes more from the limitations of Firefly the series and its very short (but very good) run.
Especially when combined with the fan-made material that has been put on the web, this is definitely a good game to pick up for those who like roleplaying, story telling, or narratives.
Book Description
Five hundred years in the future, Captain Mal Reynolds, a hardened war veteran (on the losing side), ekes out a living pulling off small crimes and transport-for-hire aboard his ship, Serenity. He leads a small, eclectic crew who are the closest thing he has left to family -- squabbling, insubordinate, and undyingly loyal.
When Mal takes on two new passengers -- a young doctor named Simon and his unstable, telepathic sister, River -- he gets much more than he bargained for. The pair are fugitives from a coalition that dominates the universe with unlimited wealth and power -- and that will stop at nothing to control River and her abilities. The crew of mercenaries, used to skimming the outskirts of the galaxy unnoticed, soon find themselves caught between the unstoppable military force of the Universal Alliance and the cannibalistic fury of the Reavers, savages who roam the very edge of space. Caught up in the fight to stay alive, they don't yet realize that their greatest danger may be on board Serenity herself....
Download Description
"Five hundred years in the future, Captain Mal Reynolds, a hardened war veteran (on the losing side), ekes out a living pulling off small crimes and transport-for-hire aboard his ship, Serenity. He leads a small, eclectic crew who are the closest thing he has left to family -- squabbling, insubordinate, and undyingly loyal. When Mal takes on two new passengers -- a young doctor named Simon and his unstable, telepathic sister, River -- he gets much more than he bargained for. The pair are fugitives from a coalition that dominates the universe with unlimited wealth and power -- and that will stop at nothing to control River and her abilities. The crew of mercenaries, used to skimming the outskirts of the galaxy unnoticed, soon find themselves caught between the unstoppable military force of the Universal Alliance and the cannibalistic fury of the Reavers, savages who roam the very edge of space. Caught up in the fight to stay alive, they don't yet realize that their greatest danger may be on board Serenity herself.... "
Customer Reviews:
Not much insight beyond the movie.......2007-05-12
I bought this book hoping to get more than just a quick retelling of the script but more insight into the characters and plot. There are a few of these moments, but not really much beyond what you see in the movie (and the Firefly series - which is awesome by the way).Firefly - The Complete Series
Fantastic companion.......2007-04-29
Joss Whedon has called 'Serenity' Mal's story as told by River. In the novelization of the fantastic movie, DeCandido manages to capture that idea perfectly. As we, the readers, are presented with events almost exactly as they occur on screen, we are also given the opportunity to look inside the heads of the characters we love so much. DeCandido does a stunning job of showing us not only what is happening, but also how the characters react. This is specifically well done in the case of River who not only has her own thoughts, but knows those of the others even when they aren't so sure.
I bought the book so that I would have the story even on trips when I didn't have the movie or a TV available. It's everything I wanted and more.
Mediocre novelization of disappointing movie.......2007-04-13
My name is YT and I'm a Firefly fan. Most of what disappointed me about the movie was audio-visual so, I expected to like the novelization better. I did not. The best part about the story (indeed, the best part about most of the stories in the original series) is the characters. And apparently, the best part about the characters is the way the actors bring them alive, make them real, make us care.
Movie tie-in novelizations tend to be written in a hurry, to a hard deadline, so it is perhaps not reasonable to expect great language. But the addition of narration and visual description only served to slow down this story, without enrichening it in the slightest.
Not recommended.
Can't Help Myself.......2007-03-27
I love the whole Serenity phenomenon: the series, the movie, and now the book. Well written without being too well written, if you know what I mean; the gritty ambience of the characters was maintained perfectly. The best quotes were written without ado and the character insights stayed in character.
The "original" vision of the movie. .......2007-02-06
I call it that since the book is based off an earlier script of the movie before cuts had to be made due to budget restraints or special effects not working out just right (ie. the operatives "computer glasses"). You get deleted scenes, additional scenes from the Firefly TV show (proof that Keith is a fan), but other than that, doesn't really explore the movie any futher other than explaing what people are thinking in a tad more detail.
I feel movie novelizations are more statisfying to read after you see the movie so you have a clearer idea what things look like and you're not disappointed that things in the movie didn't turn out like the way you imagined had you read the book first. This is definitely a product for the Firefly/Serenity completist.
Book Description
** COMPLETELY UNAUTHORIZED **
In this eclectic anthology of essays, former cast member Jewel Staite, "Kaylee," philosopher Lyle Zynda, sex therapist Joy Davidson, and noted science fiction and fantasy authors Mercedes Lackey, David Gerrold, and Lawrence Watt-Evans contribute to a clever and insightful analysis of the short-lived cult hit Firefly. From What went wrong with the pilot? to What's right about Reavers? and how the correspondence between the show's creator Joss Whedon and the network executives might have actually played out, the writers interrogate the show's complexity and speculate about what might have been if the show Firefly had not been cancelled.
Customer Reviews:
They always take off the best shows!!.......2007-08-11
This was a great and inventive TV show...too bad they didn't see fit to give it another chance. The movie was wonderful...check out the DVD's for the movie and series!! You'll find them here on Amazon...
Keeping Firefly alive.......2007-05-15
Good reading material for a fresh outlook on a series that should still be in existance.
Lost without Firefly? You need this book!.......2007-05-13
This is not just a puff piece.
There are serious critiscms of aspects of the Firefly 'verse in this book. But for the intelligent discerning reader, this is just what you've been looking for--people who love Firefly but are willing to critically discuss it. You may not agree with the authors of the various essays but you will share their loss and enjoy their intelligent commentary on the show.
Not for Everybody.......2007-02-07
This book is great for those who wanted to dig a little deeper into the short-lived cult show, Firefly. It's primarily made up of brief essays based on the show by various writers. Some of the essays range from thought-provoking ("Who Killed Firefly?") to humorous ("Firefly vs. The Tick") to quite useful ("Unofficial Glossary of Firefly Chinese").
A few of the contributing writers seem to miss the point of the show, but it's sometimes worth hearing their point-of-view regardless.
So basically, the book works for those fans who rewatch the episodes for fun and would like to get another fix but definitely not for the uninitiated.
'Joss' Fine!.......2007-02-02
If you really loved the series, then you HAVE to get this book! It gives you several different views of the characters, plots, history and imangination of this stunning and highly entertaining show. I bought it for my brother, but I ended up keeping it for myself!
Customer Reviews:
To Heal Again: Towards Serenity and the Resolution of Grief.......2007-09-01
When I experienced a year of loss which included the death of my husband, this was the one book that brought me peace and hope for the future. It can be read in a moment, in an hour, in a month or a year. The text is simple yet beautifully presented, and the accompanying art is uplifting.
A blessing.......2005-08-11
A friend gave me this book in 1996 when my mother died. It brought me so much comfort then, and still does. The simple, and eloquent phrases and drawings together kindly provide understanding to the feelings experienced while grieving. I frequently re-read it. I was very sad when it went out of print, and purchased two used copies to give to others. I'm very happy to see that it's back!
Consolation.......2005-01-07
My best friend gave me this book when my Mom died. It was overwhelmingly the most comforting words and pictures I read that day and the weeks afterward. If you want to give some comfort to someone you love, or if you need some comfort of your own, this book will give it to you. I have had it now for 15 years, and when I re-read it, it still delivers - even after all this time.
overcoming a sisters death.......2002-01-02
my best friend died almost 2 years ago, and i almost killed myself over it. she was more like a sister to me than a friend. our families were so close. i started seeking therapy, and my therapist read this book to me, and it really helped me. i bought the book for me, and my deceased best friends mother. its a wonderful book, and it truly helped me to get through the toughest time of my life. i read the book tonight for the third time, and realized that the feelings that its describing arent the feelings i am going through, but the feelings that i have overcome. i would love to personally thank rusty berkus for his amazing help by writing this book, and i recomend it to anyone who is grieving over any lost. god bless!
Exquisite Images to Help You to Heal Through Any Loss.......2001-08-20
The simplicity of this book is its power. The author and illustrator combine their immense talent to give us images in which we can linger as long as we need until we are ready to move on. Despite your religious or spiritual reference, this book transcends boundaries that might exist and speaks to us of renewal and transformation. One can read it over and over again and be touched in new ways with each reading. Often I have used it to take to a friend, slowing down to read it out loud to them, sharing its peace. Through many deep losses in my own life, this treasure has been one I return to. I deeply regret it is not now available and encourage you to ask for it to be made available. It is a gift to yourself and to anyone you love who is grieving from death, from the loss of part of oneself, from addiction.... Highly recommend.
Book Description
Out in the Black all-new adventure for the Serenity Role Playing Game, ready to either launch an all-new campaign or continue adventures already in progress. The adventure is written to work both with the Serenity crew or new characters created by the players. It introduces the mining town of Frisco, a detailed setting the crew may misbehave in for many adventures to come!
Customer Reviews:
Every Firefly/Serenity Fan Needs One!!!!!.......2007-01-10
This is a good adventure for Browncoats who RPG. Love the verse and love the game.
Great first addition to the Serenity RPG.......2006-09-26
This is a fantastic addition to the Serenity RPG. It is half adventure and half sourcebook. If you are a browncoat but not an RPG player, I still believe there is a lot you can get out of this work. One of the favorite recurring characters from Firefly is central to this adventure and it is great to see what sorts of complications she can work up in a different setting. I particularly enjoy the appendix on the authentic old-west card game Faro.
Serenity the RPG.......2006-09-21
I love this book the serenity RPG is the closest thing at this time to a new movie or series and is full of adventure. RPGs are not infantile as much as the other review says search After Serenity and The Signal in iTunes Podcasts and you will see that I am right
THIS IS NOT A BOOK.......2006-09-14
Amazon and the authors should appologize to everyone for their false advertising.
Prior to its release (now) the only information on this item was that it was a paperback book. The implication was that it was a story/novel set in the Firefly universe - it is not.
This 'book' is a rule book for some infantile role-playing game. As a fan of the Firefly/Serenity series, I pre-ordered this 'book' nearly one year ago, and checked the info page periodically to see if there was any new information. I was pleased when I learned it was shipped, and furious when it arrived.
Shame on you Amazon and shame on you Hickmans.
There's $25 I'll never see again
Amazon.com
No matter how many self-help books we read, workshops we attend, spiritual endeavors we pursue; no matter how often we cuddle our inner child or redesign our outer adult, many people keep returning to a gnawing angst and vague unhappiness, according to T. Byram Karasu, author of The Art of Serenity. One of the problems is that many of us define happiness in paradisiacal, childish terms, causing us to feel like we're missing out. "Happiness in adulthood, however, requires realism, reciprocity, and coming to terms with one's mortality," he writes. And, of course, it requires us to cultivate the art of serenity.
Like M. Scott Peck, author of The Road Less Traveled, Karasu brings a psychological background to the area of spiritual growth. (Karasu is the chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, as well as the editor in chief of the American Journal of Psychotherapy.) Sometimes blending spirituality and psychology muddies the waters, but Karasu has a solid understanding of how the two worlds intersect and has created an outstanding and completely accessible guide to lasting inner happiness. The door of joyful serenity can only be opened by a "combination key involving both soul and spirit," he explains. And it all culminates in the love of God. Using real-life cases from his psychotherapy practice, Karasu illustrates how the principles of soul work and spirit work are applied to daily lives. From lovers' jealousy to workplace angst, from friendships to solitude, Karasu offers original, lasting advice and insights. Read this one and put it on your shelf by your other spiritual classics--it's sure to be a lifetime companion. --Gail Hudson
Book Description
We all face adversity, both man-made and natural. How do we survive the loss of a loved one, a betrayal, illness, even impending death, and still find meaning in our lives? Even a "normal" life can seem empty, in spite of material possessions, success, power, and pleasure. In our search for fulfillment and meaning, we work through our past and present conflicts, cuddle our inner child, and redesign our outer adult. We attend workshops on life and secular spirituality and explore the comforts of traditional religion. We get married and divorced, experiment with drugs and alcohol, change jobs. And while our restlessness and unease may abate temporarily, the hollow feeling that there is something missing always returns.
In his profound and accessible work, The Art of Serenity: The Path to a Joyful Life in the Best and Worst of Times, Dr. T. Byram Karasu offers us the key to an extraordinary state of mind -- authentic, soulful happiness -- in the face of everything our life has to offer and take away. The door to this state of mind is opened by a combination of soul and spirit. It involves the soul through the love of others, love of work, and the love of community. It involves the spirit through belief in the sacred and belief in transformation. It culminates in the love of and belief in God. Brilliantly synthesizing psychology and spirituality, Dr. Karasu will guide you to explore the deepest yearnings of your heart.
There is no end to the journey to real happiness; there is no best place to start or best time to begin. So where and when to start? Start here, where you are, and start now.
Download Description
"We all face adversity, both man-made and natural. How do we survive the loss of a loved one, a betrayal, illness, even impending death, and still find meaning in our lives? Even a ""normal"" life can seem empty, in spite of material possessions, success, power, and pleasure. In our search for fulfillment and meaning, we work through our past and present conflicts, cuddle our inner child, and redesign our outer adult. We attend workshops on life and secular spirituality and explore the comforts of traditional religion. We get married and divorced, experiment with drugs and alcohol, change jobs. And while our restlessness and unease may abate temporarily, the hollow feeling that there is something missing always returns. In his profound and accessible work, The Art of Serenity: The Path to a Joyful Life in the Best and Worst of Times, Dr. T. Byram Karasu offers us the key to an extraordinary state of mind -- authentic, soulful happiness -- in the face of everything our life has to offer and take away. The door to this state of mind is opened by a combination of soul and spirit. It involves the soul through the love of others, love of work, and the love of community. It involves the spirit through belief in the sacred and belief in transformation. It culminates in the love of and belief in God. Brilliantly synthesizing psychology and spirituality, Dr. Karasu will guide you to explore the deepest yearnings of your heart. There is no end to the journey to real happiness; there is no best place to start or best time to begin. So where and when to start? Start here, where you are, and start now. "
Customer Reviews:
Wonderful quotes and content, but very fragmented writing.......2007-09-18
I was very much looking forward to reading this book. It even started off very well. There were wonderful quotes from other authors, references to mythological tales, a couple named Joe and Lisa that suffered many problems but were a perfect example of people like us.
Then I began to realize that the book was disjointed. These little tidbits were everywhere, and often popped up out of nowhere, breaking the flow. There would be a heading in a chapter, but Karasu wouldn't elaborate on it. Paragraphs didn't flow. The ideas jumped around. There was no cohesive wholeness. The reason this is so disappointing is because he picked out many wonderful quotes and does seem to have very insightful, important messages for his readers. But they aren't well presented.
Karasu is too absolute at times. For instance, he says that the only way to forgive is to forget. Period. No arguments, not too much discussion. But isn't an individual irresponsible and setting him/herself up for failure by simply forgetting. I don't want to harp on this, because this example isn't my point. My point is that he states his ideas too absolutely.
I am a Christian who is soul searching, and I thought this book would help. It did not. But that doesn't mean it won't help others. If you are looking to read a little at a time, and feel good about some stories and about some tidbits and quotes you pick up each time, this may be perfect for you. But if you want a solid flow, and to dive deep into these topics, you may want to look elsewhere.
A Breakthrough in Spirituality Requires a Backward Leap To Faith - Believing And Loving God .......2006-08-20
How do we live life with all its "twists and turns" to find meaning and happiness? T. Byram Karasu in his extraordinary book, "The Art of Serenity", takes us on a journey to find the answer. Karasu, presently Silverman Professor and the University Chairman of the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Psychiatrist-in-Chief at Montefiore Medical Center, serves as an excellent guide in finding the answer.
Karasu begins with the premise that we are born with the knowledge of God and are innately spiritual beings, making the cultivation of our spiritual side critical to achieving serenity. "Be a grown-up, soulful, and spiritual person...The first-step is growing up. If you have not, you cannot cultivate your soul and spirit, and will be chronically susceptible to unhappiness."
Breakthroughs in spirituality can only be made possible by a backward leap, returning to faith, that is believing and loving God. This return to faith leads us to the love of self, the love of others, the love of work, and the love of belonging - all critical to finding meaning, fulfillment, and happiness in all aspects of life.
"The Art of Serenity" is told in three parts - "The Way of the Soul" (why love makes a difference); "The Way of the Spirit" (why belief is critical to our transformation); and "The Way of God" (why religion is the natural ground of spirituality). This content-filled book can be digested by everyone, but will be most appreciated by those who have taken the first step, growing up. "Art" will not be a quick read as you will want take your time, absorbing and reflecting on its richness.
We are spiritual beings on a human path on a pilgrimage for meaning, fulfillment and wholeness. Karasu's "The Art of Serenity is a great guidebook, with all the landmarks and detours well marked.
Rare And Precious Wisdom.......2003-02-17
T. Byram Karasu, a respected teacher and author in the field of psychiatry, has ventured far beyond his field in this masterpiece of spiritual wisdom. Clearly he has been doing more than seeing patients all these years, he has been reading assiduously, absorbing the wisdom of the ages. Now, in The Art of Serenity, he distills this wisdom and his own expereinces, for all of us who are willing to taste.
It is not light reading. Karasu deals with the deep questions of life. He begins with love, work, belonging, moves on to the spiritual journey, the nature of self, the acceptance of aging, and the understanding of death. His concluding chapters, dealing with God, and bringing spirituality back home to its ground in religion, are like soaring towers, straining toward the light. The final section left me stunned, wanting to go back and read the book again.
The author uses clinical vignettes, folk-tales, bits of poetry, the Bible, the Quran, and many other works. His writing is fluid and graceful, with a kindly sense of humor. He says little about himself, putting himself into the background, and so his presence is powerfully felt--a man of learning, integrity, wisdom and care for others.
This book, I'm afraid, is not for everyone. It does not promote (or denounce) any single religion. It is not for the narrow-minded. And, I think, it is not for the young. It is a book for those who have some maturity and life experience. For those who are ready it will be a life-changing masterpiece. Thank you, Dr. Karasu. Reviewed by Louis N. Gruber
Well-titled!.......2003-02-09
"The Art of Serenity" is RIGHT! This book is incredible in that it really brings you directly into the glaring face of serenity--and then serenity doesn't break eye contact!! People always say: "Do not judge a book by its cover" but I'm going to have to plead the opposite in this case. The cover of this book gives you a perfect idea of the calm nothingness that awaits inside.
Take serene and multiply it times 25! THAT'S HOW SERENE YOU WILL FEEL AS YOU READ THROUGH PAGE AFTER PAGE OF "The Art of Serenity." It is the literary equivalent of a handful of sleeping pills, and I mean that in the most positive, relaxing way. In closing, I would like to assert (serenely) that if I hadn't read this 5-star book, I would never have been able to pin down what "happiness" is. I wouldn't have known that BEFORE I can love someone I have to love MYSELF...
The price of this book is absolutely ridiculous for what you get:
total self-comprehension.
Nurturing, reassuring, and hopeful.......2003-02-08
This book doesn't leave a stone unturned in finding all paths from all backgrounds and all schools of thought in our eternal search for inner peace and happiness. Great book. Also recommended, The Little Guide To Happiness. Another book that brings us closer to the prize.
Average customer rating:
- Excellent and Truly Helpful
- must buy!
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Transforming Anxiety: The Heartmath Solution to Overcoming Fear And Worry And Creating Serenity (Transforming)
Doc Childre ,
Deborah Rozman , and
Doc Lew Childre
Manufacturer: New Harbinger Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 Mood Disorders
| Mental Health
| Health, Mind & Body
| Subjects
| Books
Anxiety Disorders
| Mental Health
| Health, Mind & Body
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Self-Help
| Health, Mind & Body
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Psychology & Counseling
| Health, Mind & Body
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Health, Mind & Body
| Subjects
| Books
Similar Items:
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Transforming Stress: The Heartmath Solution For Relieving Worry, Fatigue, And Tension
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Transforming Anger: The HeartMath Solution for Letting Go of Rage, Frustration, and Irritation
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The HeartMath Solution: The Institute of HeartMath's Revolutionary Program for Engaging the Power of the Heart's Intelligence
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Freeze-Frame: One Minute Stress Management: A Scientifically Proven Technique for Clear Decision Making and Improved Health (Heartmath System)
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The Heartmath Approach to Managing Hypertension: The Proven, Natural Way to Lower Your Blood Pressure (Heartmath)
ASIN: 1572244445 |
Book Description
Nothing can destroy health and quality of life faster than chronic anxiety, that vague feeling of unease and distress that something, somehow is hopelessly wrong. Unfortunately, problems with anxiety, common before, are steadily on the rise. Anxiety disorders have always been the most common psychological problems, but new reports suggest that nearly 25 percent of Americans at any given time suffer from some form of anxiety. In response to this growing problem, the scientists at the Institute of HeartMath have adapted their revolutionary techniques into a fast and simple program that anyone can use to break free from anxiety once and for all.
At the core of the HeartMath method of emotional regulation is the idea that, by focusing on positive feelings such as appreciation, care, or compassion, anyone can create dramatic changes in his or her heart rhythms. These changes precipitate a series of neural, hormonal, and biochemical events that dissipate stress and anger and lead to greater well-being. The benefits from using this system are remarkable and far-reaching: blood pressure drops, stress hormone levels fall, immune system activity increases, and anti-aging hormone levels rise. Through its interactive learning system, this book teaches you how to use the HeartMath method, enabling you to see and experience in real time how thoughts and emotions affect your heart rhythms. It shows you how to engage your heart to bring emotion, body, and mind into balance, and helps you stay in a zone of focused clarity, optimal health, and high performance. Changes brought about through this method are fast-acting and long-lasting—the perfect antidote to our chaotic and anxiety-provoking lives.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent and Truly Helpful.......2007-09-23
Discovering HeartMath and their materials about a year ago has greatly improved my life. Transforming Anxiety gave me the understanding and tools I needed to nearly eliminate low grade anxiety I have lived in for decades. When I do experience bouts occassionally, I know just what to do and can often stop it in it's tracks. The difference this has made for me is profound. It has allowed me to pursue long held dreams I could not before due to constant anxiety. Remarkable.
must buy!.......2007-05-07
we all have stress and anxiety and it's killing us slowly whether we know it or not. the heartmath approach to dealing with stress and anxiety is excellent. highly recommended for ALL! :)
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