Book Description
Every parent hopes their child will be self-reliant, optimistic, and well mannered, a challenge in our current culture. Clinical psychologist and Jewish educator Wendy Mogel distills the ancient teachings of the Torah, the Talmud, important Jewish thinkers, and contemporary psychological insights into nine blessings that address key parenting issues such as:
* determining realistic expectations for each child
* respect for adults
* chores
* mealtime battles
* coping with frustration
* developing independence and self-control
* resisting over-scheduling and over-indulgence
The Blessing of a Skinned Knee guides us toward effective, enlightened parenting in an increasingly speedy, material, and competitive age.
Customer Reviews:
The Blessing Of The Skinned Kness.......2007-08-05
Simply the best parenting book I've ever read. Straightforward, simple and addresses every issue I've ever had with my kids. Intuitive and funny.
Some good advice from a Jewish lady.......2007-07-21
This book is very good, in general. There are some unimortant things that the author feels we need to hear about anyway. But still, for everyone who has children, or is intereted in parenting, it is quite a helpful book. I personally do have desire to learn from any book that can teach me something different or make me look at things in a different way. I'm not Jewish yet I felt there is a lot to learn here from the Jewish tradition. Mostly, it is the simplicity which is mixed together with divinity that I find is a very interesting and positive concept. I do recommend this book.
Take the time.......2007-07-06
I read this book when it first came out - read it once, twice, probably 3 times. The guidance here really helped get me through some challenging pre-teen years. My children (now older teens and college age) have all turned out better than I could have ever imagined! Parenting has a lot to do with following a clear path with frequently discussed values and clear expectations/consequences. I hope Wendy's messages continue to reach a lot of people.
A very good parenting book .......2007-06-28
The overwhelming majority of readers of this book I know of have found it to be a wise, practical guide to better parenting. They found it replete with ways of making their child more respectful, self- reliant children as preparation to becoming better and stronger human beings.
There was only one person whose negative criticism raised a question in my mind, and this in regard to the authors' treatment of children who suffer special disabilities.
In any case I found that there was already a certain wisdom and direction in the way the contents of the book are structured. The reader opens with a chapter on the way she changed her whole practice of counseling children. She then has a chapter teaching parents how to accept the special character of their children. Her idea is basically that we should not simply take children as if they are blank slates in which parents write out their own needs and wishes. But rather each is a unique human being whose special qualities we must understand and help develop in a way best for them.(This accords with the traditional Jewish saying "Educate the child according to its nature") She too teaches the danger of over- protecting children.This is the focus of the title- chapter on the blessings of a skinned knee. She then considers the whole question of how we can find in ordinary decisions sparks of spirituality . She goes on to talk about the blessing of longing , and how important it is to teach children gratitude for what they have received. One of the main messages of the book is teaching children to overcome that kind of mentality in which they are perpetually hungry and dissastified, always looking selfishly for the next treat they can get. Mogel aims to teach parents how to teach Moderation in regard to physical demands, and appreciation for Good received. This connects up with the chapter in which she deals with the traditional Jewish terms for motivation ( Yetzer Hara- The Evil Impulse) and how children need to be taught how to use their drives in a beneficial way . She also speaks about Moderation in relation to food . In her last chapters she moves to more purely spiritual considerations, and teaches how parents should help in teaching their children Faith in God.
While much of the Teaching here has its basis in traditional Jewish teachings about raising children it is clear that the work has a universal meaning and application.
Theology for every day.......2007-06-19
What I loved most about this book was the way in which the author marries theology with the nitty-gritty of everyday parenting decisions. The payoff for me personally has been a sense of joy, freedom and confidence as I rear my son. Mogel isn't only out to save kids' spirits or turn up the butane under the reader's observance of Judaism (I suspect that if I were Jewish, this book would have had such an effect on me); she wants to make parenting fun again, and she succeeds brilliantly. Witty, readable, and profound, this book is a real treasure. Don't miss it.
Amazon.com
When doctor and author Rachel Naomi Remen (Kitchen Table Wisdom) was young, she was caught between two different views of life: that of her rabbi grandfather and that of her highly academic, research-oriented parents, who believed religion was the opiate of the masses. As Remen gravitated toward academics and serving the world as a medical doctor, her grandfather became an "island of mysticism in a vast sea of science." But over time, Remen discovered that two seemingly divergent paths could lead to the same destination, especially as she learned to blend her spiritual beliefs with her medical treatment.
Remen uses the heart-rending stories of her patients to teach readers how to follow in her example, that is, combining a life of service with a life of receiving and giving blessings (a combination that avoids common problems such as burnout, self-sacrifice, and navel gazing). Remen also includes personal stories of her grandfather, who showered the world with his mystical beliefs and wizened blessings. While this story-by-story structure is similar to the bestselling Kitchen Table Wisdom, it is still a tearful and satisfying formula. --Gail Hudson
Book Description
As a small child, Rachel Remen sat at the feet of her grandfather, an orthodox rabbi and scholar of the kabbalah, and learned the secret of life: that love and blessings given to others heals our loneliness, unhappiness, and in fact all our wounds. Remen uses her power as a master storyteller to bring to life the extraordinary blessings of ordinary existence. These exquisite pieces show us how we bless and serve each other most often without knowing it, how much life gives to us, and how many of our own blessings we have still yet to receive.
There is nothing more comforting than hearing Rachel's grandfather speak of love, life, and God to a small, lonely, and very spiritual child who was trying to find her way in an unspiritual world. These are stories for keeping at the bedside, for those dark nights when we go out in search of our souls.
Rachel's grandfather has blessed not only his beloved granddaughter but, through her, has blessed us all.
Customer Reviews:
A truly inspirational book!.......2007-10-11
I was deeply moved and inspired by this book. I bought 3 more copies and gave them to friends and family.
Beautiful.......2007-09-24
I love this book - it's absolutely beautiful. The stories can help you grow. I would recommend this treasure to anyone.
A Blessing to Read.......2007-09-14
Easy to Read, Much food for thought.....Life lessons for all of us to learn and use. Short chapters with a new theme in each. Can read short snippets at a time.
A Blessing In Itself.......2007-07-22
I feel bad. Apparently, I'm only the 6th person out of 47 people to give this book anything less than a 5-star rating. And there's only one reason I did that. As a writer myself, I feel that there are too many stories in this book. Some of these little narratives just aren't as powerful or focused as others. And I would have left them out. But please don't let that get in the way of your enjoyment of this wonderful work. It is every bit as inspiring, uplifting, and profound as most of the other reviewers say it is. I especially like the common theme I see running through most of the pieces presented here. And that's the idea that the wholeness of an individual not only includes his or her health, talents and accomplishments, but his or her pain, suffering, shortcomings, and illnesses, too. In life we are called to embrace it all, and resist nothing. And that is the key to a life that is truly fulfilling and rewarding.
Steven Lane Taylor, author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat: A Guide For Living Life In The Divine Flow
One not to be missed.......2007-05-19
I have found My Grandfather's Blessings to be among the most moving books I have ever read. Each brief story can stand on its own. The author relates a simple incident, as many of us have lived, but then goes on in a simple and succinct manner to reveal a deeper meaning within the experience. Ms. Remen does not talk down to the reader, but rather sweeps us up into the experience with her. Upon finishing this book, I immediately ordered five more and sent them out to friends.
Book Description
Gary Smalley and John Trent's best-selling book offers a fresh, updated look at the life-changing gift the Bible calls "the blessing." Many of us-perhaps unknowingly-spend a lifetime striving for this acceptance. The unconditional love and approval that comes with the blessing is an important element of our self-esteem and emotional well-being.
In
The Blessing, Dr. John Trent tells of his search to receive the blessing from his father and the new insight-and deeper blessing-he received from God as he sought to pick up the pieces of his shattered dream. And Gary Smalley expands the concept of the blessing to include eight ways to bless adult children. "I never realized how powerful-and how necessary-the blessing has become to my older children until now. So if you have older children who have moved away from home, they're never out-of-reach of the blessing."
The Blessing is a powerful book no family should be without. Within its pages, readers will find solid, practical advice on how to be a blessing as well as how to insure that your parents, spouse, and children all feel the security of family approval.
Customer Reviews:
The Blessing by Gary Smalley.......2007-09-19
Anything you read by Gary Smalley is excellent but "The Blessing" gives great insights ino how relationships fail in your life becuse of nurturing you did not receive as a child. Very insightful and helpful!! I would highly recommend anyone to read this informative book. Gary Smalley is an expert on the study of relationships.
The Blessing.......2007-07-30
This book fully describes the Blessing given and withheld in families, but I thought it could go into depth more about how to deal with the lack of your family's blessing.
Motivating.......2006-11-03
Reading this book revealed my blessings from others...
...and my responsibility to be a blessing in the lives of others...
well written...
Book "The Blessing" can be used throught your life!.......2006-08-25
This book shows how you can be a blessing to others; how to bless and encourage. I have used if for many years. I found it very useful in my work with children and adults. It is one of the most useful books I have ever read. If you have any interaction with people, I encourage you to read this practical, short book. Your life and the life of those around you will be better for it.
I wish I had read this years ago..........2004-03-17
It would have helped me be a better father. But it's never to late to learn and improve. Don't pass it up.
Book Description
Human beings are selfish, small-minded, violence-prone savages, civilization is a blight on the earth, and the rising tide of chaos ensures that everything's going to fall apart any day now. Right? Wrong, says Rob Brezsny. In Pronoia Is the Antidote to Paranoia, he declares evil is boring, the universe is friendly, and life is a sublime gift created for our amusement and illumination. This buoyant perspective is not rooted in denial. On the contrary, Brezsny builds a case for a "cagey optimism" that does not require a repression of difficulty, but rather, seeks a vigorous engagement with it. The best way to attract the blessings that the world is conspiring to give us, he insists, is to dive into the most challenging mysteries. This witty, inspiring how-to shows how any reader can become "a wildly disciplined, fiercely tender . . . lustfully compassionate Master of Rowdy Bliss."
Customer Reviews:
I love this book!.......2007-09-30
This is my favorite book, at the moment, to have by my bed and read a random page or two every night. I've always enjoyed reading his horoscopes, and I look forward to them mainly for his unique and fun information and personality. This book is chock-full of that.
It's a real comfort-book to savor like fine wine or dark chocolate, (with no calories!) after a long day.
Enjoy.
To Have and to Give: giddy, hilarious, inspiring and fun.......2007-06-01
This morning I read an excerpt from Rob's book called "Glory in the Highest." It so moved me that I felt inspired to write this as a gratitude gift to him. A client gave the book to me several months ago. It has been a constant joy to me. I love everything about it. The cover pleases me. The title makes me smile. And the contents are tasty treats for the mind, the heart and whatever internal organ is in charge of laughing.
I just had several of my organs removed and spent almost a week on my back. I waited for for a phone call from the doctor with the results of a patholgy report. And dreamed the report I wanted into being. As my sweetheart so often says, "Never surrender your power to the menu" (and yes, thank you, it was great outcome!).
What helped me find the strongest place to do this from? Walking outside. I felt the intense rush of nature, all of it sun, grass, sky, energy from the earth, the trees. Living things, Life itself. The sheer and utter pleasure of LIFE.
The passage in "Pronoia," called "Glory in the Highest" so perfectly reflects the feeling I experienced and the way I still feel...a heady yet grounded blend of gratitude, amusement, enthusiasm, wonder, joy, appreciation and empathy for the poignancy of our adventure trips on planet Us as we learn to be kind and gentle to ourselves, to accept who we are and just be full-tilt humans, in all our wonderful weirdness.
I recommend his book in my hypnosis and coaching practice and to my friends. I thank him for the Divinely on-target and hilarious inspiration in "Pronoia," a light yet deeply satisfying souflee of short, easily accessed pieces blended together in a yummy concoction. Perfect for bedtime reading or refreshing moments throughout the day. Nutty, insightful, gorgeous and lots of fun. Great gift book for yourself or someone you love.
Some of the drops do sparkle!.......2007-05-29
As part of a valiant effort to shake Luddite tendencies, and despite a Credit Card perilously close to being maxed-out, I pressed the buttons to order 'PRONOIA' with the humble intent of making a silent gesture to thank Rob Brezsney for his Free Will Astrology. 'The least I can do is up this guy's sales - even if only by one - to thank him for his freely-shared gift and balance the cosmic scales a bit', thought I! Wrong! Wonderfully wrong! This book is such a rich cornucopia of wild and wondrous Truth - I feel like I'm now even further on the back-foot in this undeclared war - i.e. I'm even further challenged to yet out-bless Mr. Brezsney! Please buy this book to remind yourself of who you really already are! Effortless joy awaits, I promise! I also can't believe the incredibly low cost for a book this rich and voluminous, with every page a life-enriching treasure. And this mere token cost included shipping from half across the world! This book is simply the greatest gift in the whole world to give a friend or loved one, not only because it will look like you've spent a fortune on them, but more importantly because there's no way they won't LOVE it! How do I know this? Because I know there's a part of each of us that longs to simply let go of false-knowledge! The rewards are instant and ecstatically joyful. More than a necessary antidote - it's such a tonic! Brezsney you legend! I WILL get you back! Meanwhile, thanks to you too, good folk at Amazon, for such courteous and speedy service. Best buttons I've ever pressed! '... just a drop in the great blue motion of the sunlit sea ... but some of the drops sparkle ... Some of them DO sparkle'! (T.H. White)
Maybe We Could Just Be Happy.......2007-05-10
What a childish thought: just be happy! Yes, it is, and that is just the point. Few have considered the thought that life may be hard only because we have not really entertained the thought that it could be easy. Even Jesus recognized that we must become like children to enter God's Kingdom. That means childlike, not childish. And what is more childlike than the joyful perception that the universe is fundamentally friendly. If we get the God/world/life we believe in (and quantum research is proving that we do) then why not let a dose of Pronoia help you drop the cynicism and create something beautiful? If you are determined to remain a proud alumni of the "no pain, no gain" school of hard knocks, this is not the book for you. But if you would like to see the world from a fresh perspective, and have fun doing it, buy the book, relax, laugh and turn your world upside down.
Lee & Steven Hager are the authors of
Quantum Prodigal Son: Revisiting Jesus' Parable of the Prodigal Son from the Perspective of Quantum Mechanics
Pronoia; The Antidote For Paranoia.......2007-05-06
The Best book I've ever purchased. Rob Brezsny and The Beauty and Truth Laboratory is entirely infused with anti-cynicism. The truths they have researched and reported in these pages validate what I've always known and give me so much more insight into a way of transforming myself into the person I believe The Universe intends for me to be. It is Buddist in nature, very eastern in its philosophy, and so much more. There are quotes, notes and facts to back every word.
Book Description
“There are beautiful and wild forces within us.” With these words the mystic, St. Francis, described what ancient traditions believed was the most powerful force in the universe—the power of prayer. For more than 20 years,
Gregg Braden, the best-selling author of The God Code, has searched for evidence of a forgotten form of prayer that was lost to the West following the Biblical edits of the early Christian Church. In the 1990s, he found and documented this form of prayer still being used in the remote monasteries of central Tibet. He also found it practiced in sacred rites throughout the high deserts of the American Southwest.
In Secrets of the Lost Mode of Prayer, Braden begins by describing this ancient form of prayer that has no words, or outward expressions. Then for the first time in print, he leads us on a journey exploring what our most intimate experiences tell us about our deepest beliefs. Through case histories and his personal sharing, Braden explores the wisdom of these timeless secrets, and the power that awaits each of us, just beyond our deepest hurt!
Customer Reviews:
Secrets of the Lost Mode of Prayer.......2007-07-03
This is a permanent addition to my library. Mr. Braden's writing is engaging, inclusive and uplifting. While I did not want the book to end, I am compelled to reread it over and again. And the physical qualities of the book itself are tactile and visual encouragements to pick it up and page through many passages. In a word, inspiring.
Great!.......2007-05-07
This book is very artfully done, makes an excellent gift. He describes the "lost" wisdom in a very sacred way, compared to the - you want to get rich approach - of The Secret.
Give this to your friends.......2007-03-12
This book thoroughly confirmed my belief that our thoughts and attitudes influence and even change our world. It is beautifully explained, and illustrated for me how our preconceived ideas often block us from real perceptions of people and things as they are. To someone on a soul-searching journey to find the eternal answers of who we are, and why we are here, this book may be an AHA!moment revelation. Like all of Gregg Braden's books, it is written in an elegant, simple style, and every word resonates with truth.
What a blessing!!.......2007-03-11
Like all of Greg Braden's books - a true blessing in my life. What I enjoy most about Greg's books is the practicality of his spirituality and how he makes us practical in what spirituality has to offer anyone who wants its benefits in their lives. An enlightening read. indeed.
He's On To Something.......2007-02-22
I finished this book today, and am left with the feeling that there well may be something profoundly powerful about what he is saying here. If anything, it may be dismissed because it is so seemingly simple! We humans tend to like to complicate things. So for me now, it's practise, practise... I can almost feel what this is already -- maybe I'm just a little afraid to try it. I was very intrigued by the idea of not just doing prayer at a proscribed time, but all the time, all day, is your prayer. That's a challenge for focus and transformation if ever there was one.
The book is certainly a beautiful thing visually as well, the images for me served to heighten my feeling of connection to humanity's spiritual journey through eons of our history. This leads to my one complaint, which is that Braden's prose did not equal the poetry of the images, so the book felt imbalanced in that sense. In all though, what he is saying is certainly worth contemplating, and trying.
Average customer rating:
- A Guideline for Other Authors
- A Must for those looking for Truth.
- Amazing, Inspiring!
- For those in seach of understanding.
- Knowlege = Freedom
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The Gregg Braden Audio Collection: Awakening the Power of Spiritual Technology : Beyond zero point; The lost mode of Prayer; The Gift of the Blessing; The Isaiah Effect
Gregg Braden
Manufacturer: Sounds True
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD
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ASIN: 1591792517
Release Date: 2005-04-12 |
Book Description
The Gregg Braden Audio Collection brings together for the first time his revolutionary works - including a bonus CD with all new teachings, available nowhere else. Boxed set includes: Beyond Zero Point - Introduces Gregg Braden's pioneering theory that hidden within the earliest prophecies of the Essenes, Hopis, Egyptians, and others lies a universal and sacred sect of technologies with the capacity to alter the future of civilization. The Isaiah Effect - Bridging new insights into the physics of time with ancient wisdom from the Dead Sea Scrolls, Braden reveals how to harness the awesome potential of both prayer and prophecy to create "the Isaiah Effect" - a transformative tool for healing the planet and ourselves. The Lost Mode of Prayer - Through freshly translated texts of the Dead Sea Scrolls, Braden exposes the inner workings of a potent force for creating profound changes in ourselves and those around us. Plus an all-new 60-minute CD on the practice of prayer and how to give and receive the gift of blessing. Includes a special extended guided blessing exercise.
Customer Reviews:
A Guideline for Other Authors.......2007-09-06
Gregg Braden has delivered several books which basically contain the same information over and over again...
A Must for those looking for Truth........2007-09-04
This is absolutely incredible knowledge that we all need to hear and learn, not only for ourselves but for our children and the world! Gregg Braden is such a good speaker and never offends; he is such a kind and caring person which draws you in so intensely. I couldn't get enough of him. I am reading all he has to offer and anything he has on CD. I highly recommend Gregg Braden to anyone that is looking for truth. He offers scientific facts along with ancient knowledge that had been lost.
Amazing, Inspiring!.......2007-08-24
I loved these CD's, Greg Braddon's explanation on his ideas, research & views was inspiring and really easy to understand. My 16yr old daughter sits in the car with me everymorning on our 2hr drive and listens to them with me... it has opened up her mind to a new understanding about life, hope & the future. We are not religious but very spiritual and I recommend these CD's to everyone, every age ... you will love it!
Sonya
For those in seach of understanding........2007-07-05
I found Gregg Braden in my spiritual quest. His work really helped to provide some of the missing pieces that I had. He examines things like the Dead Sea Scrolls, and other texts. His insight to these pieces has helped to provide me with the logic that I needed to bridge spiritual concepts and real life. I have recently started reading and practising "The Secret." The logic and insight of Gregg Braden compliments other spiritual authors like those of "The Secret", Wayne Dwyer, Neal David Walsh and Ester and Jerry Hicks. I recommend Braden's books to others! This information simply makes sense and helps to provide logic to tie everything together! I have just started using "The Gift of the Blessing." These books/audios truly provide spiritual power! Some of the information is redundant from one book to the next but, it all comes together. These are a "must read" for anyone on a spiritual quest!
Knowlege = Freedom.......2007-05-19
Very informative. I found these CD's full of new information. I found them empowering, yet freeing, leaving me with great hope for mankind. We will change our thoughts, we will change the outcome. Thinking green (ie, Al Gore's movie, "The Inconvienent Truth"), along with futher developing our passion towards global peace and acceptance of each other-We can change the outcome. Awareness+Action=Change. Gregg Braden reminds us that their is a lot more going on here on Earth, than we realize, and "yes", we WILL make a difference, mainly as a result of our day to day choices. We make a difference whether we want to admit it or not!! " Man is What He Thinks All Day;" " Our Thoughts Create Our Reality;" "Think Good and Good Follows". Right now, our choices are manifesting the future of mankind. Gregg reminds us of the power within each of us. "WE WILL CHANGE THE 'OUTCOME', WE WILL AVERT THE MAJOR TRAGEDiES PREDICTED IN THE BIBLICAL TEXT FROM LONG AGO!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Book Description
There is no better way to see downtown Chicago---a dazzling canyon of glass, metal, masonry, and marble---than by taking the Chicago Architecture Foundation's River Cruise.
The Chicago River affords one of the best vantage points from which to enjoy this city's remarkable buildings and historic sites. The Foundation's open-air boats provide comfort and an unobstructed view, while its exceptionally knowledgeable and witty docents enrich the tour with commentary on Chicago's history and development, insights on how its world-class buildings came to be constructed, and stories of the visionaries who designed them. To round out this mix of visual euphoria and intellectual edification, there's a brief and fascinating overview of Chicago's dominant stylistic influences: the Chicago School, Art Deco, the International Style, and Postmodernism. The tour is a great way for visitors to learn about the city---and a source of fresh perspectives for those who live there.
Forty-three stunning Hedrich Blessing photographs convey the splendor and diversity of downtown Chicago's building---all featured attractions of the Foundation's cruise. The text, by longtime Chicago Tribune contributor Jay Pridmore, tells the story of Chicago's early history and reviews the significance of the Chicago River in the development of one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
96 pages. 48 full-color photographs including a map of the Chicago River area. Includes indexes of architects and buildings. Paperbound book, with flaps. Size: 8 x 10."
Book Description
Kitchen Table Wisdom
Stories That Heal
As I [began] reading this book, my eyes filled with tears and my heart was full once again-before I had even finished the introduction! Rachel Remen and her work are pure inspiration. Let her stories heal your heart and soul." (Christiane Northrup, M.D., author of Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom)
"A beautiful book about life, the only true teacher." (Bernie Siegel, M.D.)
"Rachel Naomi Remen is nature's gift to us, a genius of that elusive and crucial capacity, the human heart." (Daniel Goleman, Ph.D.)
My Grandfather's Blessings
Stories of Strength, Refuge, and Belonging
"Rachel Naomi Remen has done it again. My Grandfather's Blessings is a massage to the heart. It is a wonderful book." (Marianne Williamson, author of Illuminata)
"Rachel Remem is both a physician-healer and a masterful storyteller. The stories she tells in My Grandfather's Blessings are simple and profound, with healing lessons for all of us." (Andrew T. Weil, M.D., author of Eight Weeks to Optimum Health)
"[My Grandfather's Blessings] encourages readers to recognize and celebrate the unexpected blessings in their own lives." (Publishers Weekly (starred review))
Customer Reviews:
MY GRANDFATHER'S BLESSING.......2007-07-23
I READ THIS WHILE TRAVELING AND IT IS A VERY INSPIRING BOOK. I LEARNED A LOT FROM THIS BOOK AND LOOK FORWARD TO STARTING THE NEXT VOLUME IN MY SET CALLED KITCHEN TABLE WISDOM.
Ktchen Table Wisdom.......2007-03-16
Reading this book is an experience in healing. I saw in these stories that my problems are not mine, but that problems are common to each of us. I am not alone in this no matter what the trouble is, someone else has gone through it, and that is the key; they have gone through it, lived beyond it, and are now aware of the blessing of problems. This is a book about forgiveness, conscious surrender, and expansion. It will move you to tears and laughter.
1. My Grandfather's Blessing 2. Kitchen Table Wisdom.......2007-03-09
Both books display such intelligence and compassion, along with the ability of the writer to be empathetic to the needs of almost any reader. My husband recently passed away and the books were loaned to me. After reading half of one book, I quickly decided that I must have my own copies, so I bought both books, and have not been disappointed.
Kitchen Table Wisdom.......2007-01-19
This book is wonderful for anyone who wants to connect to themselves on a deeper level. Written by a medical doctor who through her own work and illness has developed a deep sense of compassion for the human condition. The book is also appropriate for any doctor who has treated patients who have experienced pain and loss. This book should be required reading for any healthcare provider as it teaches us that healing and love can be one and the same. This book is also appropriate for family members caring for loved ones who are chronically or terminally ill, and for the those who are coping with life threatening illnesses. You may read this book more than once. I know I will.
Recommend to any physician, medical student or person with chronic or life-threatening disease........2007-01-03
Extremely thoughtful stories with much insight into human behavior and reactions to suffering. Rachel Remen's ability to communicate important messages in short passages makes this easy reading. You'll feel wiser after reading it.
The theme that the terminally ill are a repository of knowledge for what is important in life has profound meaning, but I would have liked to have seen this developed more extensively.
Amazon.com
In the rush, rush, rush of too-much-to-do-and-no-time-to-do-it, the all-important, nurturing aspects of parenthood can easily disappear. Jon Kabat-Zinn, author of Wherever You Go, There You Are and Myla Kabat-Zinn have collaborated on Everyday Blessings, a book that approaches parenting from the Zen Buddhist position of moment-to-moment awareness. It's a beautiful presentation and a thoughtful approach to mindful meditation that will help you slow down, enrich your life as a parent, and nourish the internal life of your children.
Book Description
In the rush, rush, rush of too-much-to-do-and-no-time-to-do-it, the all-important, nurturing aspects of parenthood can easily disappear. Jon Kabat-Zinn, author of Wherever You Go, There You Are and Myla Kabat-Zinn have collaborated on Everyday Blessings, a book that approaches parenting from the Zen Buddhist position of moment-to-moment awareness. It's a beautiful presentation and a thoughtful approach to mindful meditation that will help you slow down, enrich your life as a parent, and nourish the internal life of your children.
Customer Reviews:
Everday Blessings.......2007-05-29
Worthwhile reading for time-strapped parents who want to be more present in their everday interaction with their children.
Not as helpful as I had hoped.......2007-04-05
I was hoping this book would help me learn to be a calmer, more patient, and contented parent. While there were lots of examples, I felt this book was rambling and didn't really give me practical help.
Tepid.......2007-03-07
The Kabat-Zinns have written a unique book in as much as it is one of the very few that apply mindfulness to parenting. Those portions of the book, where this application is described, are very good. Afterall, Jon Kabat-Zinn has done a fair bit towards popularizing this form of meditative practice. However, the book falters when the authors advise about bringing up children and disciplinary issues. They fail to distinguish, in any practical way, between utter laissez faire and much-needed corrective action. The reader is left to his/her own devices to figure out a path that should be followed. Well, one really does not need a book to tell us that the path is unique and must be forged by each parent. The manner in which mindfulness can help in charting this path is poorly described.
Overall, I recommend this book only for a few chapters (approx. 75 pages) that are very good. The rest does nothing to improve parenting skills.
Never too early!!.......2007-01-06
I read this book when I was 2 months pregnant with my first child. Now at 11 months old, I plan on rereading it. I'm a practicing Buddhist, so this fit with my belief. However, everyone can benefit from reading this book. People of all faiths can certainly relate. I passed it on to my sister, who is a Christian, and she had the same praise. Read it.
Once the realization is accepted..........2006-11-10
I found this book very useful. A friend recommended it, and emailed me an opening quote, from Rainer Maria Rilke, which I thought a lot about:
"Once the realization is accepted that even between the closest human beings infinite distances continue to exist, a wonderful living side by side can grow up, if they succeed in loving the distance between them which makes it possible for each to see eachother whole against the sky."
I have twin girls, and a lot of the what the authors write about do not particularly resonate with me, but there are pieces of the book I really enjoyed, and reading it has helped me be more attentive to choices I make that will allow me see past the reactivity of my own mind, and helped me cultivate the greater calmness and insight that I need to bring to my parenting.
Book Description
Now I find myself in late August, with the nights cool and the crickets thick in the fields. Already the first blighted leaves glow scarlet on the red maples. It’s a season of fullness and sweet longings made sweeter now by the fact that I can’t be sure I’ll see this time of the year again....
— from
Learning to Fall
Philip Simmons was just thirty-five years old in 1993 when he learned that he had ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease, and was told he had less than five years to live. As a young husband and father, and at the start of a promising literary career, he suddenly had to learn the art of dying. Nine years later, he has succeeded, against the odds, in learning the art of living.
Now, in this surprisingly joyous and spirit-renewing book, he chronicles his search for peace and his deepening relationship with the mystery of everyday life.
Set amid the rugged New Hampshire mountains he once climbed, and filled with the bustle of family life against the quiet progression of illness,
Learning to Fall illuminates the journey we all must take — “the work of learning to live richly in the face of loss.”
From our first faltering steps, Simmons says, we may fall into disappointment or grief, fall into or out of love, fall from youth or health. And though we have little choice as to the timing or means of our descent, we may, as he affirms, “fall with grace, to grace.”
With humor, hard-earned wisdom and a keen eye for life’s lessons — whether drawn from great poetry or visits to the town dump — Simmons shares his discovery that even at times of great sorrow we may find profound freedom. And by sharing the wonder of his daily life, he offers us the gift of connecting more deeply and joyously with our own.
From the Hardcover edition.
Download Description
Philip Simmons was just thirty-five years old in 1993 when he learned that he had ALS, or Lou Gehrig's disease, and was told he had less than five years to live. As a young husband and father, and at the start of a promising literary career, he suddenly had to learn the art of dying. Nine years later, he has succeeded, against the odds, in learning the art of living.
Now, in this surprisingly joyous and spirit-renewing book, he chronicles his search for peace and his deepening relationship with the mystery of everyday life.
Set amid the rugged New Hampshire mountains he once climbed, and filled with the bustle of family life against the quiet progression of illness, Learning to Fall illuminates the journey we all must take -- "the work of learning to live richly in the face of loss."
From our first faltering steps, Simmons says, we may fall into disappointment or grief, fall into or out of love, fall from youth or health. And though we have little choice as to the timing or means of our descent, we may, as he affirms, "fall with grace, to grace."
With humor, hard-earned wisdom and a keen eye for life's lessons -- whether drawn from great poetry or visits to the town dump -- Simmons shares his discovery that even at times of great sorrow we may find profound freedom. And by sharing the wonder of his daily life, he offers us the gift of connecting more deeply and joyously with our own.
"Philip Simmons writes with clarity and a passion for honesty, laced with wit. An extraordinary book."
ELAINE PAGELS, AUTHOR OF THE GNOSTIC GOSPELS
"Generous and genuine, like water from a deep well, halfway between a meditation and a dance, this book is an act of grace."
JACK KORNFIELD, AUTHOR OF AFTER THE ECSTASY, THE LAUNDRY
"Learning to Fall is for anyone who loves life -- or needs to love it more.... A wonderful achievement."
BALFOUR MOUNT, M.D., PROFESSOR OF PALLIATIVE MEDICINE, MCGILL UNIVERSITY
"Not only has Philip Simmons figured out the meaning of life for himself; with prodigious literary grace he has figured out how to tell us too. Required reading for Basic Humanity 101."
RABBI LAWRENCE KUSHNER, AUTHOR OF INVISIBLE LINES OF CONNECTION
Customer Reviews:
A Blessing In A Book.......2007-06-24
I was in a book store last evening and this book lay on a display table surrounded by fifty other books. What attracted me to to it? The simple yet beautiful cover art? The title? I'm not sure- but for some reason I picked it up and opened it to a random page, and read, "But maybe we're asking the wrong thing of God. Rhyme and reason, after all, are human values, not divine ones. Wanting human suffering to fit some divine plan is like wanting to fly an airplane over tornado wreckage and see that it spells out song lyrics or a cure for acne." (p.29)
In the words of Jerry McGuire, the author had me at hello. I read no further and bought the book.
I had a million other things on my to-do list today, and taking half the day to read a book wasn't on the list. But I read. And I couldn't put it down. And it's ironic, since the end of the book focuses on our need to practice the art of doing nothing--and in doing what we do with an aware mind. I suspect that if the author were still alive, he would be pleased to know that I stopped my endless tasks and simply read.
It is truly a book borne of human spirit and all that is good- love, compassion, understanding, faith. It is about looking at the "bad" and seeing it for what it is-- just part of life. It is funny-- I couldn't stop laughing at some of his jokes and observations. I won't spoil them for you but I hope you enjoy his joke about the turtle and the snail as much as I did. This book will make you laugh and make you cry-- that's a trite comment I know, but it's true. And, to continue my trite comments, I couldn't put it down. I hope you won't be able to either-- because that means it touched you like it did me. I know I will re-read it soon and I hope I remember to re-read it often. As the author would say (but not out loud for fear you might question his sanity) "Namaste."
Recommended suffering the loss of a loved one or going through an emotional trauma.......2007-06-12
This book is one of compassion and caring, without being leaden or self-serving. It is a learned book of considerations of life as a transient condition of being. I have given it to many people who have suffered the loss of a loved one or who themselves are facing great trauma. It is a salve on the wound of self-doubt and loss. I recommend it highly.
Learning to Fall: The Blessings of an Imperfect Life.......2007-05-19
Philip Simmons has a very good ability with words and his discriptions of the seasons and his own experience of losing physical abilities. He covers the various religions and the experience of living and dying.
This is for all individuals, those with chronic illnesses as well as for those who live with individuals who have chronic illness.
Beautiful writing.
Good and simple reading.......2007-02-15
I found this book at a mens retreat this past fall. I found his stories very easy to follow and helpful. His new found outlook to life under difficult times is inspiring.
I find myself trying to practice, and using simple actions and opening myself to new ideas very rewarding. Though I am no way going through his personal ordeal, I to am "falling" and hope to fall with grace.
A book for anyone, no denomination required. Enjoy life...look at the alternative!
A good book changes each time read. This is a good book.
Faling with--and not from--grace.......2006-12-31
Learning to Fall is a wonderfully enlightening and amazingly well-written book describing how suffering need not be a fall from grace if it is approached as a means of mindfully falling with grace. Although Phillip is dying from Lou Gehrig's disease, he models for the rest of us how to live more fully. In the spirit of Irvin Yalom's existential approach, by accepting his existential realities, Phillip is able to more fully engage in making his remaining days as rich as possible. May we all seek ways to find perfection in the imperfections of life!
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