What an insightful book, another gem by James Hollis, and probably my favorite of the few I have read of his authoring. Personally, reading his words and the way he distills Jung's complex and deep ideas, refreshes my conviction of diving deeply inward into my own humanity, and make this journey truly my own, even if it's not what I think it's about. Excellent book.
This is an excellent book about attachment theory and how it relates to therapy work. I learned a great deal about how this works. The main ideas I take away are how “mentalization” and “mindfulness” interact and how they can be combined to use as a powerful tool for mental wellbeing.
I feel the book is geared towards, or more useful for practicing therapists or psychology professionals, so being neither one of those (other than curious on the subject), a lot of the more “technical”, and clinical/psychology field ideas were hard for me to relate or transfer to my life experience. Nevertheless a big resource for anyone interested on knowing more about attachment theory and how psychological therapy works and how it can helps anyone live a better life.
This is the first time I read a book by James Hollis, as I first discovered him thanks to a podcast where he was the guest speaker on, precisely discussing this book just some months ago. Somehow, his spot on ideas and the immense amount of insight he delivered resonated with me and got me immediately hooked. I am grateful for being able to discover his writing and ideas.
There's not much else that I can say that others haven't already mentioned. I'll just say that there's so much insight and grounding ideas here that anyone can take something useful, even if you are starting to live your life as an adult. Truly a chest full of wisdom for a more conscious life. I can't wait to read more of his work.
A little but profound book about a boy's journey to self discovery and meaning, seeing him living through different phases of life all the way to old age. What I learned from Siddhartha is this: Whatever I'm going through life, in every situation, in every suffering, there's always something to learn, as long as I stay open and present. Also, an old and known truism driven home, riches and luxuries don't bring meaning to our lives. However, I think sometimes we have to toil, suffer, despair and make mistakes in order to clearly see this. Another thing, maybe we need to stop looking so much in order to see that what we look for is staring us in the face.
I first read Meditations in 2015. I really liked it and was awed at how the ideas written by Marcus Aurelius two millennia ago, felt so true and on point in our times.
On this second reading though, almost five years later, and after so many things have changed in my life since then; I've come to truly appreciate the wisdom of Aurelius. He's showed me how we are not so different, a Roman Emperor and the most powerful man on earth at the time and me, just an ordinary man two thousand years later. There were so many passages I highlighted and notes I made on the margins and in between blank spaces in my hardcover edition. Really contemplating the ideas he wrote to himself and sometimes being struck at how much his words resonated. Without any doubt in my mind, an outstanding and inspiring man. I will definitely be returning many times to my copy of this book (Hays translation), to center myself as I continue to find my way in this chaotic life and strive to be a better man, just like Marcus Aurelius did.
I bought this book maybe 10 years ago and started reading it, but then I stopped not very far into it, and didn't try again. Not because I hated it, but I guess it was just too dense and a little too slow for young, impatient me at the time. I picked it up again after reading somewhere how this book was a “love story between father and son”, and as a father myself, I immediately wanted to read it. I did and I can say that statement is true. I felt the frustration and desperation of the world the man and the boy were living. I was able to relate to the emotions the man felt for his boy, and I shed a tear at the end. In my opinion, a book that is able to stir emotions in you is a good book. And this was one of those for me. Like the man, I hope I can carry the fire for my boy and help him do the same.
I really liked Dr. Jandial's easy and direct way of describing some of the latest discoveries about brain health. Some good practical tips on how to improve and maintain our health in this important area, coming from someone with a pretty solid background and life-long experience to know what he is talking about. Not the definitive work on brain health, but again, an easy and well structured read which makes it useful and practical for everyone.
For some reason this book took me a long time to finish, I think that maybe I was avoiding it because I felt guilty I wasn't creating any new healthy habits while I was reading it. But I did finish it and I can say it deserves all the praise it's got so far. James Clear was able to structure a simple yet powerful process for us to implement new habits, and to help us understand how and why habits impact our lives in weather good or bad. I've definitely included into my life some of the tools and practices he described here. I recommend anyone to read this book along with “The Slight Edge” by Jeff Olson for a powerful combination.
As others have pointed out, maybe a little repetitive on the main idea; but then again sometimes that's what our minds need to really grasp it. I think I did, and the Slight Edge opened my mind to new possibilities; but also, made me realize the ways on which I've been doing this already on some areas in my life. Excellent addition to anyone's personal development library.
4.5 stars.
I found very interesting the hypotheses described in this book, and will definitely study more some of the concepts that the author explained in order to improve my own “happiness level” and become more conscious of my own behavior. I fully recommend this book to anyone that wants to understand more clearly how our mind and emotions work together.
I enjoyed this book. It was a good thriller story that kept me interested for the most part. The first novel I've read from John Grisham. I liked the character development, story complexity and the author's story telling style. However I felt the story to be a little rushed towards the end. Anyway, a good ol' attention-grabbing thriller for sure!
OK, this was a massive book. Took me a long while to finish it, however I have to say the author did an outstanding work, this was one of most thorough biography works I've read. A deep investigation into the many sides of Rockefeller's life; private, family, business. From a look into his upbringing all through his descendants' lives. I learned a lot about this man's life, the bad and the good.
Excellent work by Ron Chernow, for anyone interested in the life of John D. Rockefeller, the man that changed the world in industry, philanthropy, and built the biggest fortune in history by his time; this is the definitive one.
My second Gaiman book. A story I liked, filled with fantasy, mystery and nostalgia; made me think about my childhood years; in a similar way such as the protagonist reflected on half remembered adventures and things that were true back then but aren't anymore. With wonders and fears, amazement and disappointments. I think most of us can relate to some of that.
I enjoyed the narration by Gaiman, personally getting a longing feeling from it that just adds to the mystery of the story.