THE ROOTS OF HEALING is a book that explores how the nature of our soul infuses health and well-being. It is a series of questions and answers provided by leading edge thinkers who understand the power of spirit to heal. This book reminds us of our true nature. More importantly, we are reminded of the roots of healing itself - our soul. When our soul experiences well-being, the possibility for physical, psychological, social, and spiritual unity becomes an expression and extension of the unmanifest becoming manifest. Thanks to all who contributed to the future of medicine. Samuel Oliver, author of, WHAT THE DYING TEACH US: LESSONS ON LIVING.

Dr. Weil has assisted me in connecting all aspects of my life to my health and well being... It simply can't be escaped at any age... with thought and reflection we as women can replace poor choices with better ones to encourage harmony with in our lives and our bodies... it is up to us to take charge and make a difference and this book is one ticket to the express of better living for all woman.

Simply put, this is a very good book. It explains so many useful concepts that you need to focus on and try to apply in your tai chi practice. The language (including the very useful translations from Tai Chi Classics) is clear and the book is well organized. Notice however that although the book also describes the slow form, you will not be able to learn it from the book. The form is there for reference.

This is an interesting book that advances the argument that the reason people use drugs is to achieve altered states of consciousness but that meditation is a better way to do it. Furthermore, the author argues that drugs do not cause the user to become high, but instead are simply the "trigger" that induces the mind to enter an altered state. These are thought provoking ideas and worth reading, but they are totally wrong. People use drugs to change their mood, not their consciousness. Drugs make people happy or excited or are just fun, and that's why people use them. Moreover, drugs have real effects on the mind due to their pharmacological properties; they aren't simply "active placebos". For the most part, the author's arguments are based on unsupported premises and as a whole the book is unsatisfying. As the author would no doubt point out, I have some biases. I am a materialistic neuroscientist (in the sense that I believe that the thoughts occur when neurons fire or that the mind and the brain are the same thing) who has personal experience with nicotine, caffeine, alcohol, marijuana, LSD, mescaline, and meditation. Most agitating to me is the author's (weak) arguments against materialism. He suggests that there is some non-material property of the mind responsible for the effects of drugs, and that to think that drugs are the actual cause of the highs one can experience is to fall into a "materialistic trap". Later he contradicts himself by stating that the material and non-material are the same thing. So which is it? Are you a monist who thinks that the mind and the brain are just different sides of the same coin, or are you a dualist who thinks that they are two wholy different things that magically interact? As I said, this was a thought provoking book and probably worth reading, but was it a "good" book? Not really.

In The Natural Mind, Weil presents his research and opinion in a clear and effective manner. Regardless of your opinion on drugs, this book will give you insite into the world of drugs (both accepted drugs such as tobacco and alcohol and "illicit" drugs). It is an absolute mind-opener!

It is one of life's unexpected pleasures to discover Doctor Weil's original trail-blazing book on consciousness now revised and re-released. This book is a genuine countercultural classic. Along with millions of others, I have watched with interest as Doctor Weil's writing career has progressed from his concern with drug use and consciousness into his current writings educating the American public as to the values of wholistic alternative medical practices. Yet, most of his new fans are unfamiliar with this earlier work. Remedy that one fast, friend! With the publication of this book in the 1970s Weil established himself as a singular and original thinker not bound by the traditional and nearly exclusively rational allopathic medical viewpoints promulgated in western medical education. In spite of his eminent credentials as a Harvard-educated physician, Weil debunks conventional wisdom as to drug use and the so-called drug problem. As Weil states in the book, contemporary society doesn't have a drug problem so much as it has a consciousness problem, one exacerbated by the increasing use of rational thought as the exclusively legitimate path to knowing and understanding ourselves as well as the world around us. Instead, Weil counsels the reader as to how the act of recognizing the role of one's attitude and personal intellectual/ mental approach to experience can positively or negatively affect the nature of one's perceptions, experiences, and consciousness. His viewpoints and insights regarding the relative properties and values of inductive versus deductive reasoning is worth the price of the book alone. Wow! I haven't had this much fun anticipating anything since my lady friend came back from her sabbatical in London. Now we won't have to haunt the old used books stores in search of old copies of Doctor Weil's work. Enjoy!

This book covers almost all the information you could want toknow about mind-altering substances. It includes a history of drugsand drug use. It has user reports, lists side effects, has precautions for would-be users, and offers advice as to the safety of various drugs. There is a section all about WHY people use drugs, as well as suggestions for a sane domestic policy regarding drug use. Dr. Andrew Weil is probably the most respected proponent of homeopathic medicine in the USA. His insights are detailed and while he has a certain political bias in regards to drugs, his advice comes from his extensive experience as a Medical Doctor. I'd give this one an extra star if it were an option. If you're seeking useful info about drugs that is not clouded by anti-drug propoganda or pro-drug mania, then this is the book you need.

The previous reviewer's feeling of mixed signals from this book is simply due to the fact that Weil and Rosen acknowledge that drugs and drug use are neither good or bad but much more complicated. A refreshing viewpoint given the extremist positions presented by politicians and the media today. I highly reccomend this book to parents, teachers and anyone else interested in well thought out and informed factual information on drugs and drug use.

This book is amazing. It is very unbiased on the subject of drug use; however, it strongly discourages drug abuse. It merely tells the truth about drugs. The purpose of the book is to educate; if it has any persuasive purpose at all it is to convince the reader to lead a healthy life, drug user or not. I am no longer a daily coffee drinker after one day with this book, and I definitely plan to look into non-drug methods of altering my mind. I have used and enjoyed quite a few drugs before I picked up this book, however, I was badly misinformed about many of them (by the government for the most part). Now I know I can use most drugs and still be as healthy and productive as any non-user. Many will say this book encourages experimentation with drugs and drug use. Even if it did, you may see that possibility as not so bad after reading this book.

user, non-user, whatever the case, get this book out from the library or buy it NOW.

**note** I am not sure that this book has the most updated information on the drug MDMA (ecstasy). I would look elsewhere for info on this particular drug.

This must-read book is rational, grounded in scientific medicine, open to safe and effective combinations of conventional and alternative medicine, and extremely well written. I really liked the authors' respectful and friendly tone, and their comprehensive consideration of everything that affects the health and well-being of children. Well organized into 3 easy-to-use sections: foundations for healthy living; alternative forms of medicine that are safe for children; and how to combine conventional and alternative treatments for run-of-the-mill problems. Good guidelines on when to call your health professional and what you can try on your own. Great references and resources for all parents. I've been giving it as a gift for showers and new parents.

Complete. If I had to choose one word to rate this book, it would be "complete." Dr. Russ and Dr. Stu dive into nearly every facet of child-rearing: to breast feed, or not to breast feed, pros/and cons. A balanced look at medicine. Preventative versus reactive medicine: teaching healthy habits to prevent illness and disease. How to raise your child's awareness and your own in today's pop-culture. Think Andrew Weil on kids, but MORE! I would recommend this book to anyone planning to have kids, anyone with kids, parents whose kids are having kids, ... etc., etc. It's an easy read and a wonderful reference. My only question is, "what took you so long!?" Thanks Dr. Stu and Dr. Russ!

"Healthy Child, Whole Child" is a terrific guide to childcare for the 21st century. Drs. Stu and Russ and Lynn Willeford offer smart, actionable advice on raising healthy kids--weighing in on everything from herbs to conventional medicine to mind/body therapies--all written in easy-to-understand, entertaining language. Dr. Russ's training with integrative medicine physician Andrew Weil is a plus. I'd recommend this book to any parent.

Yes, some very extreme methods are described here. But, being lowered into a pit of dung and having a shaman shove more into your ears, nose and mouth?

There are numerous other exciting activities described. I've done firewalking and board breaking among others and thoroughly enjoyed it. To a great degree it seems we owe Tolly Burkan for this.

The premise is to break through fears, mind over matter. Excellent and empowering concepts.

I suppose it's a good thing to have someone exploring all these various avenues.

But walking on broken shards of glass, allowing an object to pass through your body? Sounds like a traveling show or some sort of magic trick.

It's a good thing they put a disclaimer at the beginning of this book. Don't try this at home, kids.

What a wonderful, fresh, powerful and right-on collection of stories, insights and exercises. Extreme spirituality is not so extreme as it is grounding, practical hands-on spiritual practice from a guy who has at least 30 years of experience in teaching and living his talk. I imagine that this book is going to generate a lot of buzz and lively discussion about what it means (in the way of positive consequences) to make spiritual life a 24/7 endeavor, quite apart from the inside scoop about firewalking, sky diving, and snapping arrows from the throat as a means to learning the difference between ego reality and soul reality, and between fear and love.

I am happy this book has been printed -- that Tolly Burkan has added his voice and depth of experience to the increasingly global conversation about urgent spiritual lessons, while reminding us with precious, grounding and exotic examples and stories, that love is the greatest personal power of all. (Tolly Burkan is known as the father of the global firewalking movement, and one of Tony Robbins' early teachers) Oprah's likely to love Extreme Spirituality. I sure did. I ordered 5 copies to give to friends.

In April 2000, I found myself in the living room of an unassuming and humble man: his name was Tolly Burkan, and I was there with two of my colleagues to learn about Firewalking. What ensued for the next five days changed our lives forever, and I will always be grateful for that time with one of the greatest teachers in the world.
Extreme Spirituality is the closest thing to a guidebook of some of our experiences during those days. Do you have to be that extreme in order to be spiritual? Definitely not. Do you have to be spiritual to be that extreme? Definitely yes! And this is what Tolly taught us: how to be spiritual in a world of extremes, where all concepts are constantly tested and the pressures of modern living are far more dangerous than any of the activities presented in this book.
I have no doubt that this book will be regarded as a must read book in the years to come, and thoroughly recommend it to those who can be open-minded just long enough to see the extreme activities for what they are - metaphors to learn from. And it need not matter if you never take part in any of the activites written about in this book.

This book has so much information and makes so much sense!! I just wished I had found this book first, before buying all those other diet books! I just love what it says on the back cover - "If Americans lived more like the Okinawans, 80 percent of the nation's coronary care units, one-third of the cancer wards, and a lot of the nursing homes would be shut down." Some friends of ours (living in the bay area) had severe health problems - they moved to Okinawa several years ago - I've just recently heard from them - they have the best health, more energy and will probably outlive us all!! Wow, I am so impressed!! Even, Andrew Weil M.D. wrote - "As you will learn in this scientifically factual and highly readable book, the general principles of living the Okinawa way ... are accessible to everyone and quite consistent with the latest medical research on healthy lifestyles and healthy aging." He is author of "Spontaneous Healing and 8 Weeks to Optimum Health. Much Health To All - And Well Being!

I have read the Okinawa Program and find it a 'fantastic guide' for healthy living. Not only does it give sensible advice about the right way to eat but it also emphasizes that a healthy lifestyle encompasses a balanced approach to eating habits, exercise, stress management and human relations.This book is not your average 'self help' book. It meticulously documents all statements it makes and gives the reader the means to check the data upon which it is based through a detailed reference section. I have always been interested in a healthy lifestyle and I can now see why the Okinawans have achieved the world's longest life expectancy. I have been checking out the recipes and find them not only delicious but everyone of them has been analyzed for nutritional content including flavanoids and omega-3 fatty acids. The book even provides two tracks for healthy eating so one can ease into the more exotic and health-promoting dietary habits of the Okinawans. I love the book so much that I have been recommending it to freinds!

This book has already made some changes in my eating habits, and I thought I was doing fairly well before. I agree with all the positive comments already made, so I won't add much to that, expect to say that I think, for me, the unique aspect of this book was that it gave a clear picture of people who were doing it right, and living long healthy lives as a result. Most books tell you what you should do, and that's helpful, but a wholistic picture like this spurs more enthusiasm, and somehow makes it easier to actually do it. My main reason for adding my review is that some recent reviewers seem to have looked at the menus without realizing the implications of the fact that these menus are intended to wean one away from our present unhealthy diet. So of course the first week looks out of keeping with the Okinawa findings, esp. in the Americanized version. But if you look at week four, and at the Eastern version in particular, you will see a lot of Asian foods, and mighty little of our bad habits, if any. (Also, you have to read the recipes--their "scrambled eggs" dish has no actual eggs, for example.) Seems to me their week four menus are very much in keeping with the findings of the book, and if we all started eating like week four, Western or Eastern version, health stats in the US would start looking a LOT better. I hope the authors someday put together a whole cookbook.!

The nutritional health guru provides his latest work in the 307 pages of food facts, fads, fantasies and feelings. Dr. Weil really is an authority on health and alternative health care and is in a position to help us improve our well-being through appropriate choices of how and what we choose to eat. His major emphasis is on safety, and the best ways to lose weight, diet affecting your energy levels and sleep abilities; and how foods can cause or help ailments. For dieters, he helps you evaluate reducing aids and weight loss programs. For those interested in learning more about good nutrition, there's a wealth of good info provided. Many "Optimum Diet" menus are provided, along with a wealth of menus that you can use at home and away. We can all be better consumers, by following his specific advice on reading labels. Much helpful information presented clarifies some of the questions about vitamins, fiber, minerals, and other popular supplements. Some of the material may be slightly too technical for the average reader, but there is enough other material presented to make it worthwhile reading. Unfortunately, with all the data available, most of us (myself included) are just too lazy to do what's best for our health. Even so, I recommend reading this new book. Every little bit of knowledge that we can gain from it could be of long lasting benefit to our health.

Eating well for optimum health provides a very complete overview of eating, nutrition, and how it should be done according to Dr.Andrew Weil. In the book, he explains all of the essentials that compose a life of healthy eating. From fats, carbohydrates, and proteins, which are the essential elements that provide the calories needed for an essential human diet. The sections that are devoted to diets are quite interesting, because Dr.Weil addresses the problems with diets such as the low-carb and low-fat diets, which could cause problems in the longrun. He offers the worst diets in his opinion, which are supported by very legitimate facts and also the best diets in his opinion, which are also supported by very legitimate facts. The beginning of the book is quite informative as to how eating and what a person eats affects their physical and emotional well-being. How the food we eat defines our identities and how food is also essential to our social situation. Eating is presented as the most essential factor in a person's life, and without it, we would not be alive. Although I do not agree with a few of the ideas presented in the book, the majority of the ideas are very agreeable and quite informative. The recipes that he gives towards the end of the book are quite appetizing, such as the mediterranean tuna steaks, salmon cakes, and tart cherry - apple crunch. These recipes list the nutritional facts and are healthier alternatives to foods that people eat on a daily basis. It prooves that you can eat something appetizing without intaking more cholestrol and calories that are not beneficial. Eating well for optimum health is a great book to read for your own health and the health of those around you.

I started following Dr. Weil's nutritional recommendations a little more than two years ago. My weight and blood pressure started dropping right away and I felt younger. But without warning, feelings of stress would suddenly overwhelm me. It wasn't until I started keeping a daily log that I realized that my residual stress wasn't related to my diet. It was caused by my mismanagement of money and triggered when bills arrived or when I'd have to make an investment decision. My finances were a mess and I didn't know where to turn. Then I saw a woman on "GOOD MORNING AMERICA" talking about her book. After following her advice for three months, my finances and stress are finally under control. The book is called "SIMPLE MONEY SOLUTIONS: 10 WAYS YOU CAN STOP FEELING OVERWHELMED BY MONEY AND START MAKING IT WORK FOR YOU."

If Dr. Weil were to write a personal finance book, this is the book he would write. The author is actually named Nancy Lloyd. She really explains financial matters like I've never seen them explained before. Now my health is good and so are my finances. MY STRESS IS GONE! Both books will change your life.

Anyone who reads this book and implements each of its suggestions will be a better person as a result. And, if one fails to follow the book's instructions, then it won't be Dr. Weil's fault if the reader doesn't end up healthier.

His writing style is lively and easy and he makes his notions very seductive. Whether, in practical effect, most of us can integrate every one of his ideas into our lives is a personal issue. True, his theories include the latest in nutritional knowledge and the environmental impact of agribusinesses; nonetheless, there's a lot in this book for the average American adult to assimilate. Breathing exercises, walking, fluid intake, green tea, no coffee, no news, eating more fish, more broccoli, more soy, taking supplements, sweating...well, anyone who can successfully undertake Dr. Weil's suggested lifestyle is to be complimented.

Still, if just a few of his concepts become part of the reader's way of living, that reader definitely will be the better for the change. And, on that level, EIGHT WEEKS is well worth the effort.

After reading all of the reviews on Dr. Weil's 8 Weeks, I am stunned to find anyone say anything negative. There is no medical question that the program outlined in this book is healthy for all people. Dr. Weil certainly urges people to consult with their own health care provider if they need other help. My best friend and I have been on the program. I feel 100% better both physically and emotionally, as well as spiritually. My friend has lost 30 lbs, her blood pressure has stabilized, and her doctor has taken her off of a blood pressure medication she has been on for 15 years! Reading everything he has written not only inspires me to live healthy, but has inspired me to begin studying naturopathic medicine and it is a pleasure to talk with others about good health. I give this book every chance I get and have probably bought 20 copies thus far. Without hesitation, I recommend this book to anyone, even if you feel you are in good health. Its just good living. Anyone interested in talking more, feel free to contact me.

This is a great book, full of helpful information on becoming healthy. I have made a lot of small, but meaningful changes in my life because of it.

I wonder if the people trashing the book even read it, since the best they could come up with was making fun of the way Doctor Weil looks. That's so ridiculous! You don't have to like the man's beard to learn from this truly great text. Many of the points he makes are common sense, but you just don't bother to think about them unless someone points them out. That's what Dr. Weil has done here.

I have not made these changes in eight consecutive weeks, I'm still slowly phasing them in. This book is not simply a diet, it's a complete lifestyle change. You can except as much or as little of it as you want, but even if you one take one or two points from each week (chapter) into your life, I think this book is worth the purchase.

I'm looking forward to reading his other books now, starting with Spontaneous Healing.