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!

This is a fabulous book. The author's writing style is beautiful, inspiring and uplifting. The book flows nicely, is pleasing to the eye, and covers everything you could hope to learn about strolling gently down the path to inner peace. I've been reading personal growth books since 1995 and this has become my new favorite. I learned so much and have already put it into practice. I'm sending a copy to my mother for her birthday and recommending it to all my busy friends. Even if your life isn't busy, you can gain so much from this book. Thanks, Joan! I'm going to read your other books now!

This is a beautifully written book: simple, clear, funny, and brief. The author shares lots of personal experiences that make it interesting to read and easier to relate to. There are 52 very short (2-3 pages)chapters, one for every week of the year if you want to use it that way. Even an insanely busy person like I used to be can read 3 pages a week!

There are so many chapters in this book that have helped me to get my life under control: Practice Patience, Understand What Saving Time Really Means, Make the Mind Your Ally Instead of Your Enemy, Try Power Whining, etc. Some of the suggestions you will have heard before, but Joan restates them with such clarity that they resonated with me for the first time.

I approached the age of 50 with the determination that I would finally quit making my life miserable with stress and over-work, and this book has given me many insights and helped me make some very significant changes. I recommend it without reservation to anyone who feels they are "too busy" and "have too much to do."

I had this book for a long time and just never was drawn to it. After reading THE SAI PROPHECY, I felt a real need to read it. It answered questions I had not even formed, and led my mind to solutions and possibilities I had never imagined. A real catalyst and a must for every woman on a spiritual search. Thank you, sister Boryshenko!

Honest self-examination without self-absorption. I highly recommend this book to any woman -- particularly any mid-life woman -- who is exploring what it means to be a spiritual creature, and any man who looks at the women in his life and wonders what might be going on for them.

A brilliant and thoughtful book which should be read by all women seeking to explore their spirituality, as well as validate themselves as women in a patriarchal society. The book is also interwoven with deeply personal anecdotes.

This tape has helped me relax on many, many occasions. I have almost worn out my tape. Joan's voice and the music are exceptionally soothing. You don't even have to pay attention to it, in order to get benefit from the tape. I just wish it came in CD.

I highly recommend this audio tape to people who are trying to incorporate meditation into their lives. Dr. Borysenko has a very soothing voice and the exercises are effective. I think this tape may be especially appealing to women; there is some content that I know some men may find corny. However, I found the both the breathing exercises and the stretching to be relaxing and very beneficial.

If you are looking for a book that will give you some real evidence that humanity is well equipped for peace, harmony, and wisdom, put this one by your bed and savor it through the winter days ahead. You'll find yourself more eager to tap into your own capacities for love, wisdom, patience and courage by keeping company with this sage, gentle voice. He'll likely convince you that we CAN navigate our way to a better world, and these days, what better gift can we give ourselves and one another?

This book speaks to my heart and gives me hope for the future. David La Chapelle draws on economic, scientific and social history as he pinpoints where we are in the changing tides of our tumultuous world. But he goes beyond that and delves straight into the heart of the human spirit, giving inspiration and meaning to our role as human beings. He shows how we are linked in a reciprocal relationship with the rest of the world. The thread that weaves throughout this book is the power of Love to transform and heal. The author asserts that "whenever the passion of the true heart is summoned, the course of life is changed." The Interludes after each chapter are inspiring stories of historical beings who, with passion and courage, changed the course of their world. Florence Nightingale, Black Elk and Gandhi are but three of the guides who show us, by their example, what can happen when we dare to follow our hearts and our dreams. Mr. La Chapelle invites us to "find a song, search for a star, listen to your heart, and join me as we search for a way through the turbulence of our times." It is a pathway of healing that encourages us to open our hearts and begin to restore a sacred balance to this world that we call home.

In A Woman's Book of Life, Dr. Borysenko explains with wit and introspection, the cyles that women journey through during their lives. Every woman (of any age) will nod their head in recognition of the myriad of feelings that we all experience in our journey. This is full of insightful, historical, and scientific knowledge and is important to share with all women. In the Invocation of Angels tape, Joan relates her journey to understand herself better through her "angel" guides. This is an interesting narrative of the nature of the unknown that we all might hope exists to aid in our defense of what life throws our way. It is refreshing to hear someone's opinions expressed in such marvelously lucid terms and definitions and to share her experience of "psychic ticket agents". Both tapes have great meditations on the alternate sides. I thoroughly enjoyed both tapes and plan on giving a few of the sets this holiday season to all of the women in my family.

Extraordinary visuals accompanied by brief, but very meaningful
meditations.
They may be,'meditations for awakening the source,'but it's a wonderful book to page through before drifting into your dreams.

Reflections on a Woman's Book of Life (cassette tape) by Joan Borysenko should be read by all women--young and old. This book explains and honors the cycles of growth from childhood to cronehood. It's a life-altering read, and it will probably be the first time you'll hear the story of Lilith. You'll find out about how wonderful it is to be a woman--of any age--without any kind of 'man-bashing.' Some old, crippling myths are dispelled. Joan Borysenko's presentation on her tapes is wonderful and makes for easy 'listenability.' Her scientific background, wisdom and experience all blend together to make a powerful presentation. Ideal present for any special woman in your life.

I just happened on this book in the bookstore, and it's a gem. Beautiful language, elegantly organized, with particularly appealing imagery throughout.

I would give this book 6 stars if I could. The yoga-based exercises Dr. Brownstein describes and illustrates so clearly saved me from the expense, pain, and risk of a lumbar laminectomy to remove a synovial cyst at the right L4/L5 facet joint. I didn't even know I had a back problem until I had an MRI this spring. All my symptoms were in my legs and hips, beginning with intermittent pain and numbness a few years ago, then progressing to fairly severe sciatica last fall. I was not incapacitated, but just moving around for daily activities was at best unpleasant. It was not fun to have severe cramps in my gluteus, along with sharp, shooting pains down the backs of my legs, and numbness in my toes and soles of my feet. I was advised that surgery was the only long-term solution. I attended Dean Ornish's Preventive Medicine Retreat in mid-April, 1999, where I met Dr. Lee Lipsenthal, and asked him if he had any knowledge about lumbar cysts. He strongly recommended Dr. Brownstein's book. Participants in the Retreat were given some instruction in Yoga, but Dr. Lipsenthal said Dr. Brownstein gave many more stretches aimed specifically at relieving back pain by developing better muscular conditioning. I consulted a surgeon on April 20, and scheduled a lumbar laminectomy for May 17. I bought a copy of Healing Back Pain Naturally on April 22, and began practicing the Yoga positions. On May 3, I was still having significant pain. I could not carry a box of newspapers weighing 25 to 30 pounds out to my curb for recycling without stopping to take the weight off my spine. I started doing the stretches twice a day for about 45 minutes each time. The following Sunday, May 9, I carried six 50-pound sacks of salt from my car to my water softener and poured them into the softener - WITH NO PAIN OR DISCOMFORT. I continued the twice-a-day regimen, and decided on May 11 to cancel the laminectomy. As a scientist, I find it difficult to believe that something so simple can have such a profound, immediate effect. But I am almost completely free of symptoms, and those I have left are mild and confined to my right leg. Nothing, including the program recommended in this book, will work for everyone. But if you have back problems, buy a copy, pay careful attention to the disclaimer at the beginning, consult your physician, and, if your physician approves, try Dr. Brownstein's recommendations, including those on diet and stress reduction (the latter are essentially the same as Dean Ornish's program). No other book I have read has so powerfully affected my life.

If your back hurts a little or a lot, try this book. It is very helpful, to the point, no non-sense. I tried physical therapy, anti-inflammatory drugs and was ready for cortizone injections because the pain was still bad (all recommendations of my back specialist, which I saw for 3 months). After a week of doing 45 minutes of daily stretching shown in this book, I felt a lot better. In two weeks, I quit the drugs. I am in my fourth week, almost pain free, feeling great and starting to exercise again. Thanks, Dr. Brownstein!

This book literally saved my life! For a year and a half I suffered from acute back pain diagnosed as spinal stenosis, and at one point fibromyalgia. I tried everything in an effort to find relief. Conventional medical treatment offered no hope whatever, and acupuncture, reflexology, and herbs helped only slightly. The pain was so unbearable that I actually purchased a gun and was thinking of ending my life. Fortunately, I learned about Dr. Brownstein's book, and a few weeks ago I began on his Back to Life program. Today, I am almost completely pain free, and I have an entirely new lease on life. Only someone who has been through back pain can fully understand and help others who have the same problem. As a former back pain patient, Dr. Brownstein speaks from personal experience. He is a compassionate man who gives his readers the gift of hope. This book is essential reading for everyone who suffers from back pain, and for the doctors who treat them.