Rules of the Game Review (WoTs Normal)

By Marry Holey
Many parents find it very hard to deal with Autistic Syndrome Disorder. The old ways don't yield satisfying results, and frustration (from self and from the child) isn't a rare feeling.

Kerri Stocks was also one frustrated parent, as she writes herself. On her website she describes how her own guide book "Rules of the Games" was written. She talks about how nobody had an up to date, relevant solution that did not classify her older child as a "problem". Actually, she didn't find the problem to be on his side at all. She changed her point of view entirely first by defining the target. That brought her to start teaching her son about peoples feeling, what do the mean, how to recognize them, and how to forecast other's behavior.

She kept asking her self "what is normal?", and so grew the project WoTs Normal, which include the 4 books guide. The greatest innovation here is the bonding that is being created between parents. Kerri has years of academic education and consulting experience which is brought in favor for all of those who weren't in touch with her. The Books gives practical exercises, dilemmas and conversation models that are aimed to bring to the child's awareness the emotional part of any kind of communication.

The books are so far being published as e-books in an electronic version only. Though they were accepted and approved to be published at printed copies by the Autism Asperger Publishing Company, it would be available on your shelf by 2011.

READ MORE - Rules of the Game Review (WoTs Normal)

Psychologists Are Psychologically Challenged As They Argue About Their Science - Book Review

By Lance Winslow
Any good psychologist which wants to make money will tell you that it is important that everyone get a mental check up now and again. This is indeed pretty good advice, and if you are psychologist it is really good advice for you to give to clients to keep them coming back. But did you know that psychologists do not actually agree on everything? There many controversial topics in this field.

Psychiatrists and psychologists often clashes as well. If you'd like to read about all the chaos and controversy in these fields, then I sure have a great book to recommend to you, one that will also make you think about all the moral dilemmas that are produced by these professions.

Most of them you will have heard of before, but when you see them all in the book, all in one place, it makes you shake your head and wonder; what are we doing? If you enjoy discussing topics like this then I'd sure like you to go pick up a copy of this book;

"Taking Sides; Clashing Views on Controversial Psychological Issues" by Joseph Rubenstein and Brant Slife, 1986.

Each topic has its own chapter along with both pros and cons and experts on both sides. Everything is done from an intellectual standpoint, but the debates and arguments are such that once you hear all the details, it makes you wonder if there is any right or wrong answer, which is interesting because that is quite typical of the profession of psychology. The topics discussed include;

* Psychosurgery
* Electric Shock
* Behavior; Nurture or Nature
* Children and Citizens Rights
* ESP
* Hypnosis in a State of Consciousness
* IQ Tests
* Aptitude Employment Tests
* Ethics of Increasing Intelligence
* Can One Rationalize Suicide

In the book he even discusses the future of artificial intelligence and its impact on society, and then asks a question; can Computers Really think? That is to say are they really thinking, or do they just appear to be thinking, and what is thought anyway, this makes for a nice healthy intellectual debate, one, I'm sure you will enjoy. There is also some debate about justification of deception in Research. Of the politically correct world we live in, and how psychologists and academia have put forth an agenda that may be intellectual fraud. Boy, this book is controversial. I totally enjoyed it, and you should have a copy.

READ MORE - Psychologists Are Psychologically Challenged As They Argue About Their Science - Book Review

The Science and Psychology of Lying - Psychological Book Review

By Lance Winslow
All humans lie, in fact they are probably one of the most deceptive species on the entire planet, and with their rather large brain humans are able to lie about just about anything. We know when our politicians are lying to us, what's that old joke; "when their lips are moving." But did you know that your parents lie, your teachers lie, your boss lies, your spouse lies, and everywhere you go half of what you hear is not entirely correct.

Some believe this is a moral choice, and it varies from culture to culture, but for the most part it permeates every human endeavor in every culture. If you'd like to learn more about the psychology of lying, and how to spot a liar, not that it's that hard, then I have a really good research book that like to recommend to you. It's helped me significantly in business, and allowed me to forgive all the Liars I run across. The book is called;

"Lying; Moral Choice in Public and Private Life," by Sissela Bok, 1978.

The research writer asks the question; what is the whole truth? And what's the difference between a Liars perception and the perspective of the deceived; these are both different points of view. There are a couple of very good chapters on this topic, and the author does not lie in explaining it. She also goes into great detail on religious lies, and when you must lie based on your job or duty. These are all dilemmas that the book discusses.

She also talks about white lies and the justification of such, along with mutual deceit, and even the ethics of lying to Liars. How about giving the enemy their due, and deception in warfare, competition, etc, indeed, she discusses what she calls the noble lie, along with the lies or compliments which are not deserved. I think you will very much enjoy the book, and if you are psychologists I recommend it to you, because it might help you to stop lying to yourself. Please consider all this.

READ MORE - The Science and Psychology of Lying - Psychological Book Review

Mental Illness and Homelessness Connected to Violence

By Justine Landes
Through thousands of anecdotal cases documented for forty years and also tracing the legal history of mental illness from the late 1940s, Dr. Torrey, an eminent psychiatrist, effectively makes the connecting link between a percent of people afflicted with mental illness who are at risk of violent behavior. Schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and severe depression are Dr. Torrey's targeted mental health areas. A portion of this population does not acknowledge their illness, do not take their medication and frequently abuse alcohol and drugs. It is this segment of mentally ill persons who most often display, or are at risk of, dangerous and violent behavior. It is also this segment of mentally ill persons who, unfortunately, stigmatize the majority of mentally ill individuals who "make good neighbors."

"One of the great social disasters of recent American history" is the aptly coined phrase Dr. Torrey uses to describe the consequences of laws and policies that have led to increasing homelessness, incarceration, violence and homicides involving mentally ill. Most importantly, the legislatively passed laws and policies have caused much anguish and pain for the multitude of families with extremely mentally ill loved ones.

During the past fifty years hundreds of thousands of people have been released from the public mental hospitals as a result of civil rights involuntary commitment law suits and civil rights lawsuits that said a person with a mental illness has a right to refuse to take medications, even though the medications are effective in treating the person. The results led to deinstitutionalization which subsequently led to documented homelessness, violence, incarceration and tragedy for a segment of the mentally ill population.

One of the documented cases Dr. Torrey summarizes in his book involves an intelligent young man who at the age of sixteen was diagnosed with schizophrenia and considered dangerous. He was in-and-out of hospitals, threatened on several occasions to kill his mother, his sister and her child. His behavior became increasingly erratic as he got older. For over ten years his mother and sister tried in vain to get help. Finally, in desperation and out of love in not wanting to see him suffer the rest of his life they killed him. Dr. Torrey agreed to testify pro bono for the defense at the trial but the lawyer declined. Sadly, Dr. Torrey states that several times each year someone in the United States makes the same decision. "Faced with what appears to be inevitable, the unthinkable becomes thinkable."

Another documented case related by Dr. Torrey is a 2004 case involving a bipolar disordered young man who was not taking his medication, strangled his mother and stabbed to death his sister and her young son. His father, a lawyer, stated, "If I had had any clue this would happen, I would have gone over there, killed my son, and turned myself in..."

Dr. Torrey's belief is that the system that treats mentally ill persons is sadly deficit. He makes the strong case that it is imperative the mental health policies be reformed and that policies mandate the extremely mentally ill persons who could be or are dangerous receive the treatment they clearly need. The final chapter of his book is devoted to the steps that should be taken to successfully fix the present disastrously ineffective system.

READ MORE - Mental Illness and Homelessness Connected to Violence

The Ponderings of a Master Key

By Lilly Oliver
The Master Key Course is a powerful source of information for learning, understanding, and applying the energy of thought in relation to shaping one's life. Many have used the knowledge shared in this book as a tool to change lives for the better. Popular teachings such as what is found in books like "Think and Grow Rich" by Napolian Hill and the far-famed movie "The Secret" are perfect examples of how interested people are in this is type of knowledge. Like "The Master Key System" they all point to the importance of focusing on improving mental thoughts as the ground level of improving the quality of life.

The Master Key System was written in 1912 by Charles F. Haanel, and it is considered the master key to understanding the concepts, principles, and practicality of choosing to think thoughts with intent to create desired outcomes.

As the course is a progressive learning system, it is warned not to read the book as a novel but to focus on one chapter a week. This is what the writer felt was best for those taking the course back in the early 1900's. Although some concepts such as meditation and visualization taught in this 1912 published book are more commonly accepted in today's time, the course is still valued with Haanel's insightfulness. As he uncovers basic principles, Haanel makes it easy to understand the logic of training our brain to think in a productive way.

As it is suggested to master this twenty four week course one week at a time, you may find one or a few of the lessons not taking the full seven days to master. In my personal experience I feel, regardless of how long each lesson takes to master, the importance is to keep the focus on progressive learning.

There are also cautions from skeptics for readers to consider careful examination rather than easily adapting to the information taught in this course. Haanel himself warns not to read the book as a novel, as well as for the student of this course to be committed to the life changing applications without fail. Those who are skeptical of the law of attraction's relevancy in both Haanel's day and modern day, warn that the teachings in this course can be dangerous. As in any case when many perspectives are present, it is best to acknowledge disputes and ultimately think for one's self.

The Master Key System can be read as suggested in a way for progressive learning or it can be read like a novel in simply getting to know the material of what the author is sharing. The warning not to read this course like a novel can easily be understandable when considering it as a course for introducing new concepts and most likely unheard of reasons to consider thoughts as a core measure of shaping lives in the early 1900's.

In my opinion this book is an excellent source of information. I have found it to personally enhance understandings of spiritual perspectives. It has awakened the senses and stimulated necessity for application. However as I stated earlier, anyone reading this book should think for themselves in how to respond to the information shared in it.

READ MORE - The Ponderings of a Master Key

Two Old Women

By Levell Watts
The Chief's announcement that the old women be left behind to fend for themselves, sends the wrong message to his people. It signifies what happens to those who adopt the habits of old women, i.e. carrying walking sticks, complaining of aches and pains, etc. The chief confers with himself and delivers a morally incorrect choice. His word is law, and the people blindly accept it, knowing that collectively, they've issued a death sentence. After all, the old women don't hunt, and are most likely incapable of defending themselves from wolves, bears and worst ... cannibals.

According to Kohlberg's stages of moral development, the people have arrived at a post conventional dilemma; what should be done for the greater good? Rather than ask themselves how the actions of the two women impact their survival, and at least one person stepping forward to express it, the two old women are cast away like yesterday's garbage. The chief's directive is law and accepted unconditionally. As a result, over time, he behaves more like a governor, rather than a shepherd. He's forgotten that every life is significant, and everyone has something to offer towards the greater good.

Before the separation, Ozhii Nelii leaves a "bundle of babiche" [thickly stripped raw moose hide that served many purposes] for her mother, and Shruh Zhuu secretly leaves his hatchet where the old women can find it. The two old women are less concerned with the valuable tools, than with the backs of people trudging forward without them. They are angry and stunned, but to Sa's credit, they do not despair. She rallies the older companion, and probably with her fists raised up to the heavens, shouts "If we are going to die, my friend, let us die trying, not sitting".

We learn, as the chief must have also surely forgotten, you don't become an eighty or seventy-five year old nomad without survival skills. The women are next creating traps out of the babiche, and successfully slinging the hatchet for squirrel meat. They remember a place where the fishing was abundant and wonder aloud why they never returned. Possibly another of the chief's blunders.

They create snow shoes out of more of the babiche, and head for better eating. Along the way they continue to trap various critters, and outfox a bear.

Sa' is physically stronger and naturally adventurous. On one of her frequent wanderings, she encounters a full grown bull moose, and a field of berries. She remembers what moose-meat tastes like, and actually attempts to knock the moose upside the head. At this point, I gotta ask who died and made that guy chief. These old ladies are not only surviving, but thriving. According to Erikson's development psychology, the old women's separation from the people have allowed them to become productive rather than useless; rich in foodstuffs, survival gear, and experience. Everything a growing nomad needs.

The author tells a story handed down to her that must have instantly become classic. Its message is more than just another example of "what doesn't kill us makes us stronger". It's a story of perseverance after abandonment, and under possibly, some of the worst conditions. To be eighty or near eighty on some frozen tundra, miles away from civilization, at zero degree temperatures, starving and left to die. Surely many, and younger, have perished under similar conditions. It's a remarkable story, and a book I'll keep.

A year passes, and the old women learn more about themselves and each other. The walking sticks are long gone, and the complaints of aches and pains have been replaced with grimaces and pained physical expressions. The skins and furs from the many animals they've trapped are woven into many various articles of clothing. They've settled where the fish are abundant, and where their presence is not easily ascertained by predators or those damn cannibals. The old women have enjoyed good fortune, but still wonder about the family and life they once had, and the people.

After the long cold season, the chief and his people return, and begin searching for the remains of the old women. The chief's conscience (and probably a year of stares from Shruh Zhuu and his mom) influences this decision. Once again, the people arrive to this place starving, but in fewer numbers. The chief is confused as to why the remains of the women are not easily found. He sends one of the elders, a tracker named Daagoo, along with several young men, to learn the fate of the two old women, and he is successful.

The old women reunite with the tribe, on their terms, but mostly out of great respect and admiration of these two wise old women. Ch'idzigyaak is reunited with her family, and along with her younger companion, assume a position of respect among the people. The tribe learns never to abandon another elder, but probably because the chief never becomes an elder.

READ MORE - Two Old Women

Men in Therapy

By Bryan Knight
This book should be read by the psychotherapists for whom it is intended and also by anyone, male or female, who wants a better understanding of why men are the way we are.

David Wexler draws upon masses of research and his own experience as a father, husband and uncomprehending-of-women man to offer guidance to therapists looking for new ways to help their male clients.

If the book has a limitation it is that while brilliant in clarifying the male mind of the past two generations or so, it hardly speaks to current young men who, in my opinion, are unlike their fathers and grandfathers in that they have little difficulty expressing emotions, changing diapers or recognizing their feelings.

Those older men were brought up to not show emotion, to hold back tears and never admit to vulnerability or sensitivity. As a consequence, writes Wexler, when they are upset they don't even recognize the feelings of loss, sadness and depression, for example. Instead they experience anger.

A man's anger, arising from fear of abandonment by a woman, only serves to alienate the very person he loves. In the chapter on relationships Wexler offers guidance on how to deal with the underlying fears that such a man is not even aware of.

Several chapters have lists of Rules. In the section on Men Who Abuse Women the author offers Nine Rules. The first is excellent (although modern men, despite or maybe because of being attuned to their feelings, seem largely to ignore it): "We are all 100% responsible for our own behavior."

But how can a misogynist wife-beating guy accept Rule Two: "Violence is not an acceptable solution to problems"? America is steeped in violence as a solution to problems. This was the rationale for the birth of the United States. It's what the white-hat cowboys used against the black hats. It's the excuse for invading Grenada, Iraq, Afghanistan. It's the justification for the right to bear arms.

While the book ranges over a wide territory something about the author's justification of his credentials for writing the chapter "When Women Treat Men" made me uneasy. He admits "I am a little uncomfortable writing this chapter. I would feel presumptuous (as a white male) writing a chapter on the experiences African-American therapists face in treating white men... " [Although there is a chapter on white males treating "Men of Color"]. He then goes on to proclaim "...over the years I have supervised many female therapists, I have co-led groups with many female therapists, I have reviewed many articles on this subject by female therapists, I have been in therapy myself with female therapists, and I have a wife who is a female therapist."

The many other instances of self-disclosure by the author enable the (male) reader to identify with familiar themes, e.g., self-doubts about being a good father to one's son.

Wexler's broad experience in treating men individually and in groups infuses the text with a vast amount of enlightening explanation rendered memorable by his pithy labels (e.g. the "Broken Mirror" of Mummy not reflecting back to her son what the boy longs to see), Lists (e.g. "The Four Pillars of Intimacy") and references to books, movies and TV shows (particularly the Sopranos).

Each chapter is a stand-alone piece. Not surprising since the Depression chapter is largely taken from a previous book by Wexler and the first chapter appears to be a research paper complete with jerky reading because almost every sentence finishes with a reference.

Wexler warns of transference and counter-transference. But elements of many psychological approaches besides psychoanalysis are intertwined in the text. Such as attachment theory, cognitive dissonance, control and mastery, feminist theory, family systems, CBT, even Zen Buddhism.

READ MORE - Men in Therapy

Review of Unlimited Power by Anthony Robbins

By Laura Rosewall
This is an older book. I think it was written sometime in the mid 1980s. Still, Unlimited Power remains extremely relevant today and happens to be one of the most effective books I've ever read in my life. I take that back, I think it probably is the most effective book I've ever read in my life.

Reading Unlimited Power, you need to come into it with an open mind. If you go into your reading experience thinking this is all new age hype that doesn't actually mean anything, you'll probably get nothing out of it. Listen to what Tony Robbins says and listen closely. Read every page with a completely open mind and I can guarantee your mindset will change for the better.

The exercises in this book should also be taken seriously. At the very least, they'll make a believer out of you. You'll realize that neuro linguistic programming does in fact work and your life will be put into perspective. Everything is in fact what you make of it. If you choose to be happy, you'll feel happy each and every day. If you tackle things with enthusiasm, your productivity will increase by multiples and you'll yield better results. This will feed into a better lifestyle that you're satisfied with.

As you can see, this is all an intertwined cycle that actually does make sense. Life is short. Make the most of it and don't waste your years dwelling on things that you can't change. If you can in fact change them, then by all means do it!

READ MORE - Review of Unlimited Power by Anthony Robbins

Being Genuine - A Book Review

By Bradley Foster
Being Genuine is simply stated, one of the best books I have read all year. It very clearly and effectively conveys a process for communicating with others in a genuine and non-judgmental way. Thomas D'Ansembourg is a student of Marshall Rosenberg's Nonviolent Communication Process but rather than simply restating Rosenberg's principles, he enhances and adds a new dimension to non-violent communication based on his experience as a psychotherapist and youth counselor. Anyone who learns and practices his four simple steps will quickly discover that their everyday communication becomes clearer, less judgmental and less conflictual because they are taking responsibility for their feelings and actions and creating a space to connect. I have never come across an easier way to show people how they can get their needs met without fear of conflict.

Originally published in France in 2001, the English translation has only recently been published in North America. As D'Ansembourg cares deeply about the language he uses, the book is beautifully and elegantly written, a joy to read with a terrific translation. He wears several hats at appropriate times in the book. As a psychotherapist he delves into the psychology of why and how we become disassociated from ourselves. Being nice is a function of neglecting our needs, of not listening to ourselves so we can fulfill the needs of others. As a philosopher, D'Ansembourg examine larger theoretical issues of the individual in society and the meaning and value we place on language. As a coach, he is gentle and thoughtful but persistent as he guides us through our confusion and anxiety with practical, easy to follow steps and appropriate actions.

As one who reads a lot of self help books (and contributed to the genre) I am happy to say that this book is a cut above the rest. The principles he outlines are so basic and so crucial to good communication, every child should be taught them at an early age. He makes the point that if a fraction of military budgets were devoted to teaching communication skills, there would be fewer conflicts and less crimes of aggression. So go our priorities. The basic problem is more of us are taught to 'be nice' rather than to be genuine. The result is that we grow up servicing the needs of others and even when we know something is wrong, we lack the language and the skills to be our authentic selves. As a coach I see this "servicing" behavior all too often. Having a resource like Being Genuine makes my task of transforming clients easier.

I can best describe Being Genuine as a highly readable manual of authentic communication, full of examples, theory and genuine warmth. D'Ansembourg describes the four steps:
Observation: We are reacting to something we observe, we hear, or we're saying to ourselves
Feeling: The above observation generates within us one or more feelings.
Need: The feelings guide us to our needs.
Request: Aware now of our needs, we can make a request or implement concrete action.
That's it. Nothing more, nothing less. The trick for the learner of being genuine is to break free of old beliefs and patterns but this can be done with a bit of awareness and some practice. D'Ansembourg believes that what passes today for communication is aggressive and violent. For instance when judgments and blame come up, it's like slamming a door in the conversation. The receiver of this treatment usually responds defensively and often returns the blame and aggression. His method of communication is like opening a door and inviting your partner through it to come in and have a chat by the fire. But rather than waiting on them hand and foot, it's about articulating your needs and feelings to help ensure that you get seen by the other. If their needs are not the same as yours then a compromise can be negotiated, but this is only possible when each side is aware of each other's needs.

Although his respectful techniques may be a bit too touchy-feely for the office bully, the spirit of his teaching can easily be adapted and integrated into a clearer awareness of how humans communicate or more likely, fail to communicate. I have integrated D'Ansembourg's simple and effective techniques into my coaching with great success, especially for clients who have spent too much of their lives being nice at their own expense. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn how to communicate authentically or to any professional who is in the business of working with clients who can use a boost in the communication area, which in my experience is just about everyone.

Bradley Foster - Mid Life Coach

I have written extensively on coaching and midlife. As a coach I help my clients get clarity about where they are right now and how they got where they are. I help them define and get in step with their beliefs, values, strengths and goals and work according to their agenda. I come to coaching and leadership from a background as a consultant, an artist and as a trained therapist. I work with my clients to close the gap between who or what they say they are, or want to be, and who or what they actually are now, as expressed by their actions. Then we develop goals and come up with a life plan and a road map.

READ MORE - Being Genuine - A Book Review

Ernest Becker - Biography of the Father of the Science of Evil

By P Park
Ernest Becker was a cultural anthropologist born on September 27, 1924 and died in March 6, 1974. He wrote several books studying human nature, specifically trying to understand why man acts the way he does. He posthumously was award the Pulitzer Prize for The Denial of Death which was published just months before his death. Today, it is widely used in university courses from psychology, anthropology, and other fields.

Ernest Becker's works were well known for their clarity and interdisciplinary nature where Becker drew upon multiple fields from sociology to philosophy to child development. He felt there was a deep schism between academic disciplines, and it was necessary for some foundational synthesis in order for human knowledge and research to once again help solve human problems rather than seek knowledge solely for its own sake.

Ernest was an army private in World War II and has been said to been involved in rescuing a concentration camp. Not only would it have been frightening to be one of the first outsiders to see a concentration camp, Becker also had a Jewish family background. This experience along with the surrounding zeitgeist of post WWII undoubtedly shaped Becker's later intellectual and life works.

After World War II, Becker eventually went on to Syracuse University to get his Ph. D. in cultural anthropology. It's said that Becker choose anthropology naively because anthropology means the "study of man". Afterward, he taught at several universities and was well liked by his students. However, his views and beliefs at the time often went against university administrators. During these years, he wrote several books which culminated in his masterpiece The Denial of Death.

In The Denial of Death, Ernest Becker says the main motivational force for human beings is the denial of one's own mortality and seeking to overcome one's death through an immortality project. Thus, we focus our life around certain projects to transcend our physical death whether it's our family or our accomplishments. These projects are the "vital lies" which allow us to function day to day without the crippling awareness of our impending death. This is going against other thinkers such as Freud who argued our unconscious sexual desires dictated our lives. In The Denial of Death, Ernest Becker is directly drawing on psychologist Otto Rank and explicitly states if nothing else, he hopes his book will inspire readers to pick up Otto Rank's works. Otto Rank was one of Freud's students who did not receive as much attention as his peers such as Carl Jung or Alfred Adler.

Peter Park is a student of the human condition with a background in philosophy, religion, and psychology. He currently is finishing his Masters in Philosophy and is a member of the Ernest Becker Foundation.

READ MORE - Ernest Becker - Biography of the Father of the Science of Evil

Evocative Or Manipulative? - The Trance of Modern Hypnotherapy

By Bryan Knight
A Guide to Trance Land
By Bill O'Hanlon
W.W. Norton, 106 pages, $18.50

This slim volume is a clear-cut guide to the hypnotically permissive manner of encouraging clients to uncover their own solutions.

O'Hanlon distinguishes this solution-oriented hypnotherapy from what he calls the traditional approach with its emphasis on treating the "causes" of problems and the outside-in focus of the hypnotherapist telling the client what to do to overcome her pathology.

"Ericksonian or solution-oriented hypnosis holds no such assumption of pathology, problem, damage, or deficit. Instead, we are oriented to people's abilities and resources. Therefore, we use the hypnotic process to discover and connect to [to the person's inner] resources."

This "permissive" approach is in direct contrast to the old way of conducting a session of hypnotherapy. Instead of speaking of "shoulds" and "musts" the hypnotist speaks of "perhaps" and "maybes". The idea is both to meet the client where he or she is and to allow solutions to their problems to arise from within them.

Despite the author's demarcation of his approach as being radically different to traditional hypnotherapy in practice surely most of us incorporate something of both methods?

Just the other day, for instance, when a Christian client spoke of herself as being immature, I said perhaps that's true but she is moving forward and as St Paul said. "When I was a child..." and continued with the Biblical quote that was meaningful and relevant to her. Meeting the client where she is now.

O'Hanlon rightly warns (in regard to using the client's vocabulary) "it is important to be careful here and not come across as mocking or disrespectful..."

I certainly don't want to be "mocking or disrespectful" about this Guide but here are four items that raised my eyebrows:

1. I find the cover, with its big dog looking down at a cat, puzzling for a book about human hypnosis.

2. On almost every page there is a rubber-stamp type black and white image of an animal or bird. Contrary to the author's assertion that such designs make the book easier to read and memorable I find these images distracting. At first glance, the book appears to be a book about pets or for children. It is neither.

3. Some of the suggested "therapeutic" behaviors are downright comical. For example, what would you think about a hypnotherapist who bounces around, speaking into your left ear while emphasizing "you can make those changes you really want to make."

4. What have become known as NLP [Neuro-Linguistic Programming] techniques are, in my opinion, manipulative and dishonest. This one, from page 31, is both. And funny:

"The hypnotist sometimes mirrors the person's posture or movements as a way of joining and connecting. For example, when a person crosses and uncrosses his legs, the hypnotist also crosses and uncrosses her legs. Another way to match body behavior is to vary some part of your behavior when the person changes his body behavior. That is, every time he blinks, you nod."

Despite such hilarious portions of the book, the main thrust provides invaluable instruction for hypnotherapists - particularly those hitherto inclined to bark orders at their clients.

To this end, Bill O'Hanlon provides many specific examples of what to say and how to say it. Much of this is derived from the genius of the late Milton Erickson whose (at that time) unorthodox methods of hypnotherapy have become dogma for some devotees.

Unfortunately, you can't package genius. How Erickson dealt with people arose from his unique talents. We can be inspired by him, we can imitate his respectful approach but we stifle the very essence of his permissive attitude when we seek to encapsulate his methods into rigid rules.

Nevertheless, the synthesis of the Ericksonian approach that O'Hanlon details at the end of the book is masterful.

Hypnotherapists new to the field and those previously stuck in the "traditional" mode will find these instructions enlightening. Especially the chapter, "Bad Trance/ Good Trance" with its table of "Symptomatic Trance vs. Healing Trance."

READ MORE - Evocative Or Manipulative? - The Trance of Modern Hypnotherapy

Economics, Happiness and Optimism - It's Natural For Humans - A Book Review

By Lance Winslow
(Book-Reviews/Philosophy)

If you are tired of reading all the negative news in the newspaper, and watching all the economic doom and gloom in the cable TV media, then boy do I have a decent book to recommend to you! This book is written by a very knowledgeable scientist who has spent a lifetime studying human civilization, societies, and evolution. The name of the book is:

"The Rational Optimist - How Prosperity Evolves," by Matt Ridley, Harper Publishing, New York, NY, (2010), pp 448, ISBN: 978-00614-5205-5.

It turns out that the rich actually are happier, but not by much, Ridley suggests that if you are 10-times as rich, you are not ten-times as happy. Nevertheless you are somewhat happier overall.

"We should judge wealth not only by money in the bank, but rather we should be also counting the benefits received," and he explains that if you get free health care, what is the relative value of that? If you get a housing allowance, or are fortunate enough to rent from a landlord under rent control, what is the benefit of that, and how does that attribute to your standard of living, or quality of life.

The book has many themes, it seems to discuss similar issues to "The World is Flat" and "Tipping Point" and even a little "Black Swan" and since it is written by Matt Ridley you know he comes from a evolutionary perspective, and is well studied in human historical migration. He speaks specifically to the reality of billions living with very little, even challenged for water, and the number of people living in less than a dollar a day.

He shows how religious people seem to do better with regards to commerce and capitalism - fairness in buying and selling. He appears to be a capitalist as well, showing how capitalism has done quite well for lifting people out of poverty. He shows how it is the mission of human beings to build a better life for himself and his family, and in this quest we should see future optimism for ecology, economics, and happiness.

Improvements in modern first world environment are extremely better today, than they were 50 years ago. As people have more money, they tend to demand a better quality of air and water, and food. And as the society does more industrialization and commerce in the beginning - things are problematic to a point, then there is a shift. He discusses Chinese Cities, and Mexico City and India, and how in the future they will clean up their acts, cities, and environment and Matt, shows how this is a natural progression.

Matt Ridley gave a great talk in NY City at the New York Academy of Science for Book CSPAN2 TV on May 18, 2010. You can view this on YouTube, CSPAN, or the Rational Optimist (dot) com. Please consider all this.

READ MORE - Economics, Happiness and Optimism - It's Natural For Humans - A Book Review

Title - Decoding the Language of God - Author - George C. Cunningham, MD, MPH - Book Review

By Gary R. Sorkin
(Book-Reviews/Philosophy)

Dr. Cunningham "peels the onion" by exposing, revealing layer by layer, the intricacies of human belief in the existence of God, from the perspective of a scientist subscribing to scientific reasoning. Dr. Cunningham's platform stems as a rebuttal, a clarification of inaccuracies of the renowned work of Dr. Francis S. Collins, The Language of God. Dr. Cunningham goes

further by "Decoding" his colleague's truisms using critical logic, analytical reasoning, citing historical and contemporary sociological influences and conforming to explanations based on scientific reasoning.

This forms the basis of a systematic, logical, and expertly written series of, what are essentially "White Papers" of expert analysis; each taking incremental steps towards his conclusions. Dr. Cunningham writes, "The universal application of scientific theories to explain nature has been one of the most productive uses of the human mind." He uses this powerful methodology to answer, to the best of his ability, the questions of theology.

As an example, Dr. Cunningham, in his retort to the question; Can science explain the need for religion, explains the following medical research conducted by Dr. Andrew Newberg using a PET Scan of Buddhist monks while praying. "He found decreased brain activity in the posterior superior parietal lobe, an area that helps us locate ourselves in three dimensions and separate ourselves from the world outside. Newberg believes that without the parietal lobe, the concept of god or God would not exist. No scientist or rational person would deny that while god or God might exist elsewhere, god or God also has to exist as a mental state in the brain."

"Decoding the Language of God: Can a Scientist Really Be a Believer?" discusses very personal and sensitive issues of belief in God, with the utmost politeness and highest regard for the personal opinions of the reader. The innate quality in the writing of Dr. George C. Cunningham makes this book as enjoyable as if one was to spend an evening in conversation, or perhaps attend one of his lectures. His written "voice" rings true to his belief and his personal opinions, while carefully respecting the intelligence of the reader. He makes it clear his research on the topics is based on logical plateaus others have already proven or disproved.

This is very delicately done, revealing the "gentleman" within the scientist. He professes the humble teachings of a man that has performed immeasurable research, has devoted much of his life's work toward achieving his skillful articulation of his reasoning. He carefully and successfully postures his work not to offend any of his intellectual readers. As a literary piece, his use of footnotes and indexing are impeccable. With the respect he gives, I certainly reciprocate, as I believe all that read his work would agree in his soundness in his determinations, even if contradicting their own belief.

To Dr. Cunningham, I say, "Q.E.D. Quod erat demonstrandum." You certainly have decoded Collins' work. This book is for the open-minded person that isn't afraid to challenge the standard belief system of religion, science, and the question regarding the existence of God.

READ MORE - Title - Decoding the Language of God - Author - George C. Cunningham, MD, MPH - Book Review

John Locke's Second Treatise of Government and the Limits of Our Implicit Consent to Government

By Adam Link
(Book-Reviews/Philosophy)

In John Locke's Second Treatise of Government,(PhilosopHy) his entire political philosophy hinges upon the fact that humans are moral equals and thus unable to legitimately govern or impose rules upon another without that other person's consent. For Locke, the perfect answer to this is entitled express consent. According to Locke, "[n]o body doubts but an express consent, of any man entering into any society, makes him a perfect member of that society, a subject of that government" (Locke 64). Express consent is the perfect way

READ MORE - John Locke's Second Treatise of Government and the Limits of Our Implicit Consent to Government