Strong And Fearless: The Quest For Personal Power by Phil Nuernberger is basically a "self-help" guide to taking charge of one's own psyche, so as not to be controlled or overshadowed by fear or self-doubt. An inspirational and meditative guide to mastering skills of relaxation and mental discipline, Strong And Fearless is strongly recommended for personal self-help reading lists and self-improvement library resource collections.

I was lying on my belly in the bath, satisfyingly successful at driving away the common-cold chills that had vied for my energy all day. I was thinking only about the warmth. Then I started thinking about being sick, and the times I had been sick before, particularly the time I taught kindergarten to impoverished migrants, and how disrespectful some of them had been, then about rotten children in general... And I started sneezing furiously. Sitting up, I realized what I had done. I had let the mind chatter start again. But I also know I can turn it off. This singular suggestion was worth the price of The Quest for Personal Power, by Phil Nuernberger, Ph.D. He has a book full of ideas, all based on Buddhist psychology (which is not the Buddhism religion). My beloved yoga sun salutation is there, though I recommend learning it from a video or class. The author encountered Buddhist psychology after receiving his conventional psychology degree, and knowing that it wasn't enough. I have enjoyed reading a similar book at the same time. Thoughts Without A Thinker, by Mark Epstein, M.D., is from the perspective of someone who studied Buddhist psychology before studying to become a psychiatrist. As an aside, these two books are the first ones I have read by men authors in quite some time. I have been doing the feminist thing for a while, unfortunately being only moderately and sporadically comforted.

Too many books competently discuss the causes and symptoms of modern misery and unhappiness, but offer no practical solutions. They simply suggest to "change your beliefs" or offer other such vague advice. Dr. Neernberger brilliantly demonstrates the limitations of "positive thinking" and clearly shows that what we need is not more positivity, but instead, a quiet mind. He states that this is a handbook for self mastery. Mastery requires two conditions: self awareness and skill at using the built-in resources that we all possess. Then, he clearly explains exactly what has to happen to reach this awesome state. This book is satisfying to the intellect, but goes far beyond it. I have read literally hundreds of these kinds of books, and this is my favorite. I read it every day and will continue to do so, because I find new treasures each time I read it. This is an experience, not theory. (PS: it is from the Hindu tradition, not Buddhist).

Phil Nuernberger's book "From Loneliness to Love" picks up where his prior book "The Quest For Personal Power" leaves off. Phil defines loneliness as an illusion created by the ego. He asserts that we are spiritual beings and loneliness is a spiritual problem. His prescription for spiritual awakening includes prayer, meditation, and contemplation to attain the mystical experience of love. Having recently completed a seminar taught by Dr. Nuernberger, I recommend that readers first read "The Quest" before reading this volume. "The Quest" will give readers a more complete overview of Phil's knowledge and the techniques he describes for achieving self-mastery and self-fulfillment.

Phil Nuernberger's "From Loneliness to Love" picks up where his prior book "The Quest For Personal Power" ends. The author briefly restates his methods for achieving self-knowledge, self-mastery and self-fulfillment which the reader will find clearly explained in "The Quest." Phil's message is that loneliness is a spiritual problem, an illusion created by our ego. He prescribes prayer, meditation, and contemplation as the means to achieving the mystical experience of love. Having recently completed a seminar taught by Nuerenberger, I recommend reading "The Quest" prior to reading this text, as I believe the reader will have a better appreciation of what Phil is trying to teach us.