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Stand Like Mountain, Flow Like Water: Psychophysiologist Brian Luke Seaward advocates finding balance in life as a way of overcoming stress. The title of his book, Stand Like Mountain, Flow Like Water: Reflections on Stress and Human Spirituality, is based on a t'ai chi saying. Seaward says "to stand like a mountain suggests a sense of stability, resistant to the winds of change. To move like water implies the ability to go with the flow, rather than trying to change things we have no control over." He says that balance can be learned, but doing so requires becoming aware of, and using, our inner resources. Inner resources include humor, creativity, courage, intuition, and faith, among others. Inner resources "can and should be employed every day," not just during times of crisis. Study after study has documented the harmful effects of stress on the human body. Seward says many people feel stress because they have betrayed their spiritual nature by not living the lives they know they should be living. He compares life to climbing up a mountain, with each of us picking out the one path that is best for us. He says "not only are there numerous paths, but we each move at a pace conducive to our soul's growth process." He adds that "it is impossible to get lost on the spiritual path. We can only be immobilized by our own fears." Confronting stressors overcomes those fears and brings balance to our lives. Seward drew from many disciplines, including psychology, theology, quantum physics, philosophy, sociology, and mythology, as well as from his experience as a therapist, to write Stand Like Mountain, Flow Like Water. He says that "it is my sole wish that the collective wisdom found among these pages serve as a reminder of what we already know, because the guidance we seek is really within us."
TIMELESS WISDOM SYNTHESIZED by BRIAN LUKE SEAWARD: After the September 11th tragedy, I found myself rereading from the wisdom of Stand Like Mountain, Flow Like Water to try to find some meaning in all the sadness. His synthesis of the "Ageless wisdom" was very comforting in this time of spiritual hunger. I also found many passages which took on a greater meaning than when I first read it many years ago. I have given the book as a gift to many friends. I HIGHY recommend this book to anyone looking for meaning in their lives at this time. This book is a classic!
Simply the best: Luke Seaward provides inspiration, beauty and simplicity exemplifying this book's title. The book truly stands and flows, weaving the ancient and the current, the philosophical and the practical, the momentous and the mundane into a celebration of how to be your best "spirit on a human path." I have a copy for my office and a copy for my nightstand!
No very practical, very academic: Desipte the title, this book does NOT teach you how to stand like mountain or to flow like water. It is not a practical book on how to cope with stress. However, if you want an academic account of human spiritualaity, it is not a bad book, but this is not I am looking for so just 2 stars.
Finally, Someone got it right!: For someone who is spiritual, but not religious in the sense that there is ONLY one way, I highly recommend this book to anyone who is going through one (or many,as the case may be) life crises. This book is written in a simple manner on a very profound topic that meets you where you are and brings you up a few levels. Balance is the key to life, and I now have the key!
| Author: | Luke Seaward | | Binding: | Paperback | | Dewey Decimal Number: | 291.4 | | EAN: | 9781558744622 | | ISBN: | 1558744622 | | Number Of Pages: | 211 | | Publication Date: | 1997-03-04 |
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