Balance

Jim Dreaver has been teaching people about the connection between body, mind, and spirit for more than twenty years. His latest book, The Way of Harmony: Walking the Inner Path to Balance, Happiness, and Success, is intended to help people "clear away any conflict or confusion in your mind, harmonize the energy in your body, and tap into the joy that is your true nature."

Dreaver says that people are not their thoughts or emotions, and that the spiritual and material are not separate, but part of one reality. He calls this the "core insight," and he has devoted his book to explaining how each person can use this insight to balance and enrich their lives.

He starts with an explanation of how to let go of physical tension and worry, so that healing energy is free to flow throughout the body. He then moves to the mind, emphasizing that "the body and mind are not separate." What affects one also affects the other. After that he discusses ways to waken spirituality, followed by creating harmonious relationships. He says that "people struggle with their relationships so often because they don't really know themselves. Relationships are relatively effortless when you know who you are, when you are inwardly free."

Dreaver finishes with chapters discussing work and money. Contrary to what many people believe, it isn't necessary to give up material pleasures in order to be spiritually rich. He says that "a spirituality that is divorced from the social and economic realities of our age doesn't serve anyone," warning however that "if your spiritual well-being depends on how much money you have, you're not free." Money is like everything else--it needs to be in balance with life.

What he wants people to understand, Dreaver says, is "that you are not your thoughts, emotions, beliefs, personal history--nor are you your work. It is this understanding that will set you free and allow you to move in the world . . . without stress, with genuine ease and balance." In The Way of Harmony, he provides practical guidelines to achieve that understanding and balance.

There is no greater gift than being a part of someone's life when they are ready to "shift" to a new level of awareness. I found The Way of Harmony to be a helpful tool in my journey, thank you Jim. As a yoga, pranayama and meditation guide to many beautiful people I found this book to be uplifting, joyful and a reminder that the truth of you who are is uncomplicated, easy to access, and can be taught by anyone, even Jim's son Adam is a wonderful teacher in the book. If you enjoyed BE HERE NOW from the 70's you will love the simplicity and the depth of The Way of Harmony. I came on line only to order more copies as birthday gifts for my sons and read all the reviews, couldn't agree more with all of them. Thanks to Jim for taking the time, and being so honest with "who" he is, it helps all of us, bless you and your son Jim. Namaste, Susan

At the outset, I acknowledge that I have known Dr. Jim Dreaver, the author, for many years. He is a good friend and sometimes teacher, so my perspective is not entirely unbiased.

Nonetheless, I think Jim has done a very fine job with his latest work, THE WAY OF HARMONY. It is not the most cutting edge or original work on personal growth that I have ever seen (and what truly is original in spiritual matters?) However, it IS one of the clearest, most succinct and easy-to-understand guidebooks to contemporary living.

This book would seem particularly useful for beginners in introspection and self-awareness, because it is so straightforward and comprehensible, free of jargon and far-fetched theories. The exercises are practical and uncomplicated, and can be useful even for readers with busy schedules and complicated lifestyles.

On the other hand, more experienced and advanced seekers may sometimes be startled at the depth and profundity of some of Jim's insights, presented so concisely and unassumingly that they appear deceptively simple. This style is greatly aided by Jim's forthright disclosure of his personal experience and struggles. He is obviously not a novice, and "knows wherefore he speaks".

Finally, I appreciated Jim's willingness - and ability - to tackle difficult issues that most of us face as we attempt to live more consciously and spiritually: money, relationships, and careers. I found these chapters particularly relevant.

I hope Jim will continue writing and sharing his insights. His growing reputation as a thoughtful and thought-provoking teacher is appropriate, and well-deserved.

In Life Matters: Creating a Dynamic Balance of Work, Family, Time, and Money, Rebecca and Roger have linked the resources of time and money. The connections are so self-evident that I am surprised it hasn't been done before. In the case of both resources, we can have a consumption or an investment paradigm. The first leads to being overextended and having no margin in our lives, the latter to freedom. Life Matters is full of practical advice on how to break the downward consumption spiral.

Two years ago I attended a seminar where Roger Merrill spoke on some of the ideas in this book. After that day, I began to shift my thinking. For years I had wanted to live on the Upper West Side in New York City. The question I had been asking myself was, "Would I rather live on the Upper West Side or in a 'boring' neighborhood in Queens"? Well, the Upper West Side won hands down. My husband resisted, saying the higher expenses would be a trap and would virtually chain us to our high-paying, high-pressure jobs. Still, I liked the fancy neighborhood. (Life Matters points out how most spouses have different views on money matters). After listening to Roger I began to ask the question differently. "Would I rather have an apartment on the Upper West Side or freedom"?

By staying in our non-flashy neighborhood, we have been able to make some terrific changes in our lives. My husband quit his job to study cooking and music. I have reduced my time on the road and am now writing a book. If the price of freedom is giving up a little flash, I'm persuaded. Maybe Life Matters will persuade you too.

For readers committed to lifelong learning, this book is a must. The seven components or chapters, encourage readers to question and to challenge their traditional understanding of these so-called "matters" in order to design a sense of overall well being and purpose. Money can often be traced to the origin of discord in people's lives - The Merrill's chapter on Money Matters is about the best I have seen.

Congratulations to the authors! They had written an excellent, practical, and realistic book on Life Balancing.Probably the best book on life leadership since 7 Habits and First Things First (actually even better than "F£ÔF", since the writing style and selection of ancedotes and examples are even more mature and veteran).

Congratulations to the readers! We have a chance to read an excellent book on personal/family development, well presented in the 7 Habits/Covey's tradition, but in a less wordy, theoretical, and jargons-filled way.

Both authors are very sincere, writing and sharing usefulideas
from their hearts. They talked about Money Matrix, See Do Get Model, and many useful skillsets for balancing.

They didn't just repeat old ideas from First Things First. Instead, they injected a lot of new ideas and useful wisdoms about life into the book. Very unlike Stephen R. Covey, who is very idle in using new materials and new ideas in his so called new books. He is just so repetitive and wordy sometimes that readers can be turned off by his lack of inventiveness in terms of both form and substance in his new books.

Of course, Life Matters also has its weaknesses . It deals with Work, Family, Time, Money, and Wisdom Literature on Life Balancing. But it didn't mention the word, Health in the book even once, or didn't even mention the importance of Spirituality, by which both are essential elements in human life.

Since health is wealth, there will be no Work, Family, Time, Money, Wisdom, or Spirituality, when people fail to prioritize Health in their life.

In an overall sense, this is a great book that I cannot put down. If more personal development books can be written with Life Matter's type of quality, the readers will benefit-- the society will ultimately be benefited.

My sincere thanks and salute to the authors! This book will be a Mega best-seller, just like 7 Habits or First Things First...
Just wait and see!

I have perused many books about magnet therapy and found this one to be the best. Unlike other books on the market covering this topic, "Healing Magnets" explains the complicated science behind magnetic healing clearly and concisely. I appreciated the comprehensive documentation and practical applications for a therapy that has worked for me but remained a mystery as to why until I read this book. I encourage anyone who is using magnets now or is wondering if they should for health reasons, to get this book and use it.

My patients often ask me questions about magnet therapy. This book answered all my questions and then some. I recommend it both to my patients and colleagues who want a clear explanation and well-documented resource.

If you want to quickly get your arms around magnet therapy, read this book. Having first used magnets a few years back, I knew they worked - but I didn't know how or why. There was very little accessible information on the topic then, and I ended giving up on understanding why I was having such great results. This book does a fantastic job of explaining the hows and whys in language I can easily understand. So many people say there's not much evidence that magnet therapy works. Maybe not yet in the US, but this book summarizes studies from around that world that prove that it helps a far wider range of conditions than I ever imagined.

It's comprehensive, well-researched and easy to understand. Two thumbs up!

I read this book in preparation for a life & career strategic planning course and ability testing when I was 43 years old. I had been laid off from a good job, had been temping & part-timing it for a couple years, and was just undecided about what I should do next. I had plenty of ideas, and many of them sounded good -- at the moment -- but I was just so unsure about which was the right path, which would be fulfulling for me, and on what factors I should base my decisions. Well, this book was a key to my recovery! I soaked it up like a sponge, as it addressed many of the issues I was grappling with and helped me get back on the road to a fulfilling life. It's great at helping you determine what's important and identifying the values which guide key life decisions. I heartily recommend this book for anyone at a crossroads, in transition, or just unsure about how to make their next career move and provide the right balance in their life. This book is one of the best career and overall life-planning books on the market! Enjoy!

Unlike other career guidance books that force the reader into existing job titles, this book offers wonderful insights and process to guide you to developing and designing your own customized career/job. TLC looks at the whole person, and factors in the need for personal and professional balance to get more out of life. Kudos to the authors for writing a book that instilled the courage to break-away and do what I love, leading a life I look forward to each day.

After reading the first few pages of TLC, I had to put it down for a moment. The authors had described the last three years of my life almost perfectly. I didn't put it down again for two hours. I'm a highly compensated information worker who "has it all" by most people's standards, but still feels unfulfilled. TLC showed me how to examine my talents and skills and use them more effectively to achieve what I really want from my life. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

I have read the books - all the good ones I thought; I've researched the treatments; I've talked (& talked...) to several physicians, to other women - nothing has even come close to this book. This makes sense! We are all so unique - biologically, psychologically, chemically; why would our passage through menopause not be unique as well? Of course it is!

Well written, logical & filled with simple yet revolutionary new alternatives to use immediately for the irritation, anxiety, memory-lapses, hot flashes, night sweats, you-name-it... that you're experiencing, the book gives you some control over what you're experiencing.

I knew I was doing something wrong (though I was trying almost everything!), but didn't know what. Now the pieces fit!

Beg, borrow or steal if you have to, but get a copy for your home library; you'll refer to it again & again.

Finally, sense to the confusing passage of menopause. Why do some women hardly notice the change at all? Why does one do well on estrogen while another, natural progesterone only? Why do some women's discomforts resolve while others continue to baffle? Not only does Dr. Collins make all of this simple to understand, but he offers straight forward protocol for analyzing, understanding and prescribing for the whole range of individual differences of menopause. What a relief, to see light through the tunnel. The book is in my back pocket. The appointment is made. My Naturopath and I now have the tools to mend my menopausal way.

I am a practicing Naturopathic Physician. Dr Collins, has provided me with a great tool to further my understanding of the complexity of menopause. I have had cases that have not responded to what was a resonable treatment plan. After reading "What's your menopause type" I now have a new insight into those patients and their needs. To have the "types" defined and put into categories lends to a greater understanding for the practitioner. The "menopause Type Questionnaire", combined with the labatory hormone levels is very useful information that should help everyone who is working with this transitional time in a womans life. The information on the nutrition and supplements is excellent. I applaud Dr Collins for his commitment and dedication to an area of medicine that is in great need of more information and understanding. If you are practitioner who deals with menopausal patients, I strongly suggest you read and understand what Dr collins has to say. If you are not a practitioner but would like a better understanding of menopause, this is a good read.

I am a writer who is currently at work on a book on my living through colon cancer. I was diagnosed at age 47 with Duke's C-3 colon cancer. Because of the early onset of my disease, I was three years too young to be considered for routine colon cancer screening, which doctors are supposed to offer to patients when they reach age 50. I was lucky. Even with one year of chemotherapy (due to minor lymph node involvement) medical textbooks and doctors said my chances of surviving five years (a five year colon cancer survivor is considered "cured") were about 35 percent. Now, seven years later, I can say that Esther Sternberg's work validates some key elements of the survival strategy I developed for myself that links health and wellness and emotions.

Sternberg flies in the face of conventional medical wisdom by providing proof that stress can make you sick. She provides evidence that the immune system can be trained, citing the work of Bob Ader and Nick Cohen. And she offers evidence that nerve chemicals or hormones can affect immune-cell function in a physiological way.

This is ironic considering that when you ask a psychiatrist or even a psychopharmachologist how the latest generation of SSRI anti-depression/anti-anxiety drugs (Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Celexa etc.) work, the answer is that they are not exactly sure.

The medical establishment in the US tends to hive off the debate about health and emotions (the mind-body connection) to the area of alternative medicine. New age healing and some of the Eastern approaches tend to overlook the scientific connection. Sternberg taps history and science to frame the issue and if it were simpled down to the level of a mass market audience her book would be a best seller.

Brilliant scientific exploration of the mind-body connection expressed in compelling, animated realism. I enjoyed this delightful learning experience. Dr. Sternberg not only demonstrates outstanding knowledge and expertise in the field of psychoneuroimmonology, but she does so through the eyes of a sensitive, caring human being. A true inspiration to read many times over. Especially recommended for anyone who is looking for a way to enhance their health and well-being....

Dr. Esther Sternberg from the outset tells us that she wrote this book "out of a question" that "seemed ostracized from the rest of the scientific community." Clearly, it seems that the information in "The Body Within" is a daring challenge to present new brain-immune connection information to the lay public, and is determined to not let it stagnate only among the doctoral elite. I found all 11 chapters fascinating and richly detailed, gloriously free of slanted opinions and filled with highly intelligent questions. All 250 pages inform, with its interesting anecdotes and illustrations, and my gratitude goes out to Dr. Sternberg for ensuring that some of us, even though we do not have a "Ph.D" attached to our name, are nonetheless able to grasp concepts as the workings of the brain, the immune system and the role of various hormones and neurotransmitters.

"The Balance Within" is solidly founded in irrefutable facts "collected from rigorously performed experiments." It is a real treat to read about such things as Chapter 5, "It's a Two-Way Street: The Immune System Talks to the Brain and the Brain Talks Back" and Chapters 6 and 7, "When the Brain-Immune Communication Breaks Down" and "Can Stress Make you Sick?" I could easily spoil the conclusions of this book, which I dare not out of pure respect for Dr. Sternberg, especially when she so adeptly investigates such ideas as "Can Believing Make You Well?" Gradually the walls between the public and the scientific community are crumbling down, allowing us to make up our own minds and deciding what is right for our own bodies. This book is groundbreaking, indispensable and should not be out of your hands for another second. You may encounter resistance at first, as the author put it, "Whenever a new field comes into being, it comes up against the older dogmas. So the resistance that we felt was real and steeped in traditions going as far back as Galileo, Copernicus, and beyond...Whenever one tries to change prevailing opinion, resistance is inevitable..." Esther, I want to party with you, sister. A little less I talk, a little more I listen. I'm taking a page from your book!

My wife encouraged me to try the Chakra Meditation because I have been experiencing a lot of stress from my career. I was a bit skeptical that this would help, but am convinced by the results. I have been using it for a few weeks and I am sleeping much better and facing the day ahead with less anxiety. I find myself to be calmer and clearer in my thinking, and even my body feels more energized. I never meditated before until I used this cd, but my wife has for many years, and we both love it! Thanks Aretta Swanson!

I have been experiencing a lot of stress with my work and my wife encouraged me to try Aretta's meditation. I was a bit skeptical about using meditation to relieve stress, but have found the results to be convincing. "The Chakra Meditation" has helped me to sleep better at night, and when I use it in the morning, I feel calmer and better equipped to face the day ahead. My wife and I both listen to it while lying in bed and it has worked wonders for us both.

This meditation is very relaxing for me. I have been meditating for a few years and Aretta's Chakra cd really helps me get centered when I'm feeling restless or out of balance. When I listen to the evening meditation I find myself slipping into a deep state of meditation before we even get to the third chakra. Aretta has a very beautiful and healing voice... I can feel her energy and love in the meditation.

This Book, like many others have said, is a Very Very easy book to follow. Very nicely set up, including very nice pictures, and very good information. There is not one paragraph that isn't too hard to understand. It gives information on many different types of crystals, as well as many different excersises you can practice with your crystals. It also tells you what the different crystals are used for and how you can use them for healing in your everyday life. I would deffinetly recomend this book for anyone who is interested in crystals, crystal heling, wants to learn about crystals but has trouble understanding some information, or anyone who wants to expand their horizons! It is a great book for just about all ages. I hope everyone enjoys it as much a I do. Personally I bought it after I borrowed it from the library after the 3rd millionth time

Excellent - simple and straight forward - colour photos illustrating a good cross-section of 100 or more crystals and their properties, how to use them and heal, balance and restore balance and health. Highly recommended not just for the beginner but great as a quick reference guide.

excellent little book that is easy to follow and understand for any reader. stones and crystals are described in their colour sections making it enjoyable to read when referencing. Well recommended and a book that you can read again and again.

This book gave me answers to nutrition questions that had plagued me for years. WHY did I crave sweets at night? WHY did I crash at 3:00 pm every day and head for the vending machine? WHY wasn't I losing weight even though I was cutting calories and trying so many different diets?

Joshua's book is very different than other "nutrition" books in that he assumes the readers are intelligent and can figure things out for themselves... with a bit of gentle guidance along the way. The book doesn't present one diet as THE DIET that must be followed... or else! Instead, it explains the way food affects us - our mood, our energy, our cravings, our weight. Then it helps readers figure out what will work best for them, personally. It's a refreshing change from the dogmatic slant of most nutrition books.

I particularly love the chapter which talks about the Energy Balance solution itself, a simple formula for health. It's so beautiful in its simplicity! It doesn't require fancy herbal formulas or expensive supplements to be taken. It requires simple, whole foods and lots of love and self-care.

The part that was most unique to me was the concept of primary foods. Joshua explains hows how primary foods - fitness, career, spirituality, and relationships - affect our health just as much as food does. It's a connection that I intuitively knew, deep down in my heart, but didn't actually recognize until I read this book.

As a holistic health counselor, I use the simple - yet powerful - food and "primary food" concepts in this book as the basis of my healing programs. This is the first book I give to my clients, because we then have a common language around nutrition, energy and healing.

The revolutionary approach of The Energy Balance Diet, and Joshua Rosenthal's unique concept of achieving wellbeing and balance within one's life through integration of mind, body and spirit, have been my way of life for many months.

This practical, gradual and safe dietary plan has helped me and my family incorporate healthy food choices and subtle lifestyle changes into our way of life, without feelings of deprivation and frustration, as many other diets have done in the past. We have achieved greater health, higher energy levels, love of life and deeper, more fulfilling relationships.

Unlike so many diet books which I have read, the Energy Balance Diet book is the only one which sheds light on the importance of integrating "Primary Foods" into our daily menus. Foods which often times are more fulfilling than real food. 'Foods' like love, satisfying careers, creativity, physical activity, spirituality, self-expression, friendships, fun, sex!

Realizing how lack of primary foods could create a void in our lives and compromise our mental and physical health was revolutionary to me. The book helped me get clearer on which steps I should take toward achieving a more balanced life and optimal health.

I think the time has come for more people to try a book that offers not only a diet but a whole way of life !

This is an exceptional book.

It's rare to find an author in the nutrition field
that looks at all sides of the debate
and offers an easily followable, non dogmatic diet.

The book, and the school run by the author - Institute for Integrative Nutrition - are ground-breaking.

Joshua is truly ahead of his time, and I highly recommend this book. The principles and recipes in it have really helped me balance out my blood sugar and have more consistent energy throughout the day.

Agnes open the play with a monologue in which she contemplates the possibility that one day, unexpectedly, she might turn mad. She says she contemplates it with astonishment, but she does not sound very astonished at all, she is more... fashinated by the idea. Her husband is listening, but not listening at all as if he could not hear Agnes, or her talking about the possibility of becoming mad was perfectly normal, or she has been mad a long time and he discounts her.
I won't spoil the play, but (for me) it is an interesting investigation in what it means to be mad. Indeed it is not clear who is mad, probably all of them, possibly none. The bounderies of madness are not clearly drawn and characters seem to shift in and out of it on a continuous basis. Rules of the polite society are called into question. Is it mad to break them or to upkeep them?

The play is enjoyable to read, but not overly so, it is above everything else, enjoyable to think about.

Albee, the playwright who invented one of the more complicated and vivid relationships ever in a play in ZOO STORY, has again demonstrated his intimate knowledge of the deeper motives behind human interaction. Every interaction between characters in this play -- from long monologues to short snippets of conversation -- has behind it some manner of conflict.

Everybody in this play needs change, and can only reach it through the destruction of others; Tobias and Agnes who simply want to be left alone, but whose house has been invaded; Julia, the daughter who is betrayed by the fact that her parents gave away her room; Claire, who wants only to excercise her right to a good time; Edna and Harry who aren't quite sure what they need, and subsequently frustrate everyone else.

This is a very heavy play, but written in a such a way that is has the guise of being a comedy. A must-read for anybody that loves drama.

This is so much like Beckett's Human Wishes (throughout, especially II, ii) that either Albee read it in manuscript somehow, or else he felt the necessity of inventing it. The change from Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf? is from a precision of language in an easy, American manner to one that is self-conscious and, well, "thought-tormented," and lasting.

The general sense is of a trilogy, Woolf-Balance-Seascape, or rather Pictures at an Exhibition: Town-Country-Seaside.