Rating: 
Summary: An Application of "Peace in Every Step" (Thich Nhat Han)
Review: I had heard of this author for a long time and never read any of her work, so it was with careful reflection and consideration that I opened this book - attracted by the "Peace" and "Busy People" of the title.
The book is divided into 52 chapters (almost chapterettes) that include ideas for application of the principle discussed. Borysenko writes with a friend-like, compassionate voice as she guides the reader into a more centered life style.
The strategies discussed won't be new for those "experienced" at Personal Development AND the presentation makes it worth the investment. Each idea is narrowed down so succinctly and at the same time, the resulting "a-ha's" have the possibility of being substantial for those who take the principles and put them into practice.
I love how personable Joan comes across - in the section on perfectionism she describes how she still deals with it in her life through a story from a recent holiday dinner. Her chapter on "Breath" is so simple and yes, so powerful. These happen to be my favorites, but each lesson has gold to be mined.
For those folks who don't want to do the lessons "one-a-week", the book could easily be opened to any page, read and applied in that moment. The chapterettes can literally be read while waiting in line at the grocery store so there is no reason NOT to live more peacefully now -
There - see how effortless that was? *Smile* Reading and using this book is even easier than reading this review.... Enjoy!
Rating: 
Summary: This is one self-help book that really helps.
Review: I've read a lot of self-help books in my day. What they all have in common (besides the section in the bookstore from which they came) is that there are so many components to their "programs" that it is well-nigh impossible to know where to begin. Naturally, the result is usually that I don't begin anywhere, the book ends up adding to the clutter in my house, and my stress level is elevated another notch by the awareness of time and money wasted. This book is completely different. Short, easy-to-read, to-the-point chapters offer excellent, easy-to-implement steps that I have actually used! I highly recommend this book!
Rating:
Summary: This is one self-help book that really helps.
Review: I've read a lot of self-help books in my day. What they all have in common (besides the section in the bookstore from which they came) is that there are so many components to their "programs" that it is well-nigh impossible to know where to begin. Naturally, the result is usually that I don't begin anywhere, the book ends up adding to the clutter in my house, and my stress level is elevated another notch by the awareness of time and money wasted. This book is completely different. Short, easy-to-read, to-the-point chapters offer excellent, easy-to-implement steps that I have actually used! I highly recommend this book!
Rating:
Summary: Terrific, As Usual
Review: Joan Borysenko, who is possibly the smartest AND nicest woman in America, has done it again with this gem of a book. For those of us with To Do lists that appear to be on steroids,(and sadly that's just about everybody, right?) this is the book. Practical, helpful, based in grounded psychology and integrated spirituality, eminently readable and instantly translatable into action... what can I say? Read it, use it and benefit from it.
Rating:
Summary: Terrific, As Usual
Review: Joan Borysenko, who is possibly the smartest AND nicest woman in America, has done it again with this gem of a book. For those of us with To Do lists that appear to be on steroids,(and sadly that's just about everybody, right?) this is the book. Practical, helpful, based in grounded psychology and integrated spirituality, eminently readable and instantly translatable into action... what can I say? Read it, use it and benefit from it.
Rating:
Summary: Sound Self-Help Advice Based on Mind-Body Research!
Review: Many people report that the more they succeed or have materially, the less at peace they feel. Yet they feel driven to do more and more. Dr. Borysenko has written a practical book that draws on the latest mind-body connection research to show you how to balance using stress to focus your attention with bathing your life in tranquility to bring satisfaction and joy. The book is greatly improved by her many self-deprecating personal examples of being a perfectionist overachiever with many demands upon her. Having been on the front lines of being overcommitted, she definitely knows what she's talking about! Anyone who is feeling less than satisfied with meeting their responsibilities will find this book to be a refreshing and valuable guide. The book is divided into sections based on strategies for guiding your life overall, taking care of yourself, changing your relationship with time, managing your state of mind, developing the quality of your emotional connections, and adding meaningful purpose to your life. The book has 52 sections, which I would normally describe as overkill. But Dr. Borysenko takes a gradual, step-at-a-time approach that makes these like desserts to be sampled over time rather than rigid prescriptions to apply every day and immediately. Even if you only read the first six sections and remember their lessons, you will probably end up taking a lot of unhelpful strain out of your life. So use as little or as much as you feel comfortable applying! I read a lot about mind-body research to understand how physiology affects psychology and vice versa. These connections are well documented in the medical research literature, and are explained in simple, compelling ways in the book. Personally, I can report enormous benefits from meditation, which is just one of 52 concepts in the book. Although this book will help you understand why taking time to meditate makes the rest of your day go better, you will probably want to get another book or some personal instruction to actually begin doing this practice in the most satisfying way for you. If your spouse, child, grandchild, or friend shows signs of too much stress, this book may also make a wonderful gift to show your compassion and understanding. After you finish this book, I hope you will take some quiet time to reflect on what the purpose of your life will be in the future. How can you shift your attention to make that purpose come true in ways that are more emotionally rewarding for you and others?
Rating:
Summary: Sound Self-Help Advice Based on Mind-Body Research!
Review: Many people report that the more they succeed or have materially, the less at peace they feel. Yet they feel driven to do more and more. Dr. Borysenko has written a practical book that draws on the latest mind-body connection research to show you how to balance using stress to focus your attention with bathing your life in tranquility to bring satisfaction and joy. The book is greatly improved by her many self-deprecating personal examples of being a perfectionist overachiever with many demands upon her. Having been on the front lines of being overcommitted, she definitely knows what she's talking about! Anyone who is feeling less than satisfied with meeting their responsibilities will find this book to be a refreshing and valuable guide.
The book is divided into sections based on strategies for guiding your life overall, taking care of yourself, changing your relationship with time, managing your state of mind, developing the quality of your emotional connections, and adding meaningful purpose to your life. The book has 52 sections, which I would normally describe as overkill. But Dr. Borysenko takes a gradual, step-at-a-time approach that makes these like desserts to be sampled over time rather than rigid prescriptions to apply every day and immediately. Even if you only read the first six sections and remember their lessons, you will probably end up taking a lot of unhelpful strain out of your life. So use as little or as much as you feel comfortable applying! I read a lot about mind-body research to understand how physiology affects psychology and vice versa. These connections are well documented in the medical research literature, and are explained in simple, compelling ways in the book. Personally, I can report enormous benefits from meditation, which is just one of 52 concepts in the book. Although this book will help you understand why taking time to meditate makes the rest of your day go better, you will probably want to get another book or some personal instruction to actually begin doing this practice in the most satisfying way for you. If your spouse, child, grandchild, or friend shows signs of too much stress, this book may also make a wonderful gift to show your compassion and understanding. After you finish this book, I hope you will take some quiet time to reflect on what the purpose of your life will be in the future. How can you shift your attention to make that purpose come true in ways that are more emotionally rewarding for you and others?
Rating:
Summary: A Book for the Times
Review: The events of the past few years have intensified our stress levels. The economy, the impact of 9/11, war, political rhetoric, unemployment, uncertainty, and just the pressure to do more with less has presented untold challenges. Everyone is so busy that balancing all the things on the to-do list has become nearly impossible. "Stop the merry-go-round! I want to get off!"
Is there no serenity anymore? Is there no way to get away from all the noise...even if that noise is in our heads? Reading this book, and thinking about its messages, will move you to a different space...if even for a brief time. I started reading the 52 chapters at the rate of one each evening before bedtime. 52 chapters = 52 weeks. The more I got into the book, the more I accelerated my reading. I gained something from each brief chapter. Sometimes I learned a new idea, a new approach, a new way of looking at something. In other cases, I was gaining some new knowledge and insight-things I hadn't really thought about before. Joan Borysenko is an expert in stress, spirituality, and mind-body connection. As a no-nonsense businessman, I've avoided the spirituality and mind-body stuff...until recently. Maybe I'm getting older; maybe I'm becoming more sensitive; maybe I can benefit from these approaches more than I thought I could. This Inner Peace book makes the process comfortable; I don't feel discomfort at all in reading it. No "woo-woo" alarms sounding.
This is good stuff. You'll find Borysenko's writing easy to work with and absorb. Her personal stories engage the reader with the perspectives and advice she shares. Whether you read a chapter a week or read straight through, this is a book with value for you, personally.
Rating:
Summary: Clarity, wit, and compassion
Review: This book has changed my life. The strategies she gives in the book are absolutely wonderful. They have helped me take time out for myself and relax and enjoy life. It has definitely helped me deal with stress I encounter in everyday life. Her strategies on relaxing your body through breathing, and the importance of music were great.
Rating:
Summary: A Wonderful Book with Practical Strategies
Review: This book has changed my life. The strategies she gives in the book are absolutely wonderful. They have helped me take time out for myself and relax and enjoy life. It has definitely helped me deal with stress I encounter in everyday life. Her strategies on relaxing your body through breathing, and the importance of music were great.
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