Inspiration Books

I found your book to be interesting knowlegible and Thank you for the quick delivery.

Hi,

I read this as I was going through therapy. Together I was able to sort out my ways of reacting to people and how they got setup. He believes you can only have one of them, but I think I had three. I have different histories to explain each, but now I have them under control. If only there was a book that would help me sort out my Dyslexia this easy. (Sorry for the spelling errors.)

Good read. (If you know anything about Dyslexia it's hard for me to read at all, but this was worth it.)

BB

Although the basic premise on which this book is based is what is known as the "chief feature" from the Messages from Michael book, I think Stevens has done a brilliant job of cutting out any psychobabble as well as any NewAge hippie-ism and purely focussed on the practical, usable, efficient methods of dealing with that aspect of our personality which most affects us in a negative fashion.
It may seem simplistic and yet the more I look at people, the more obvious it becomes that they are in the grip of one of the seven types of dragons (or rather one of the pairs of dragons) and it is truly the only think limiting them from showing their true potential through. The history of how these dragons are formed is particularly useful I think in that it not only shows you how you became the way you are but also highlights dangers you may encounter as a parent and hopefully how to avoid creating very pronounced dragons in your own children.

An excellent book. I am normally very critical of any self-help type book, but this one really does produce results (of course you have to apply the principles, but that's up to you, not the author!)

"Transforming Your Dragons" describes in great detail the seven personality patterns that keep us from living fully and successfully (aptly called personality "dragons"). Jose Stevens provides overviews, detailed descriptions of how they develop and operate, checklists and exercises that can help anyone be more effective, more successful and live a happier life.
I have used this book until it's dog-eared for myself, used the many tools from the book and Jose's workshops with clients, and have recommended it to countless numbers of people.
The dragon tools have helped me immeasurablly to be more successful in business. By learning the fear patterns (my own and those of others), I am able to know when others are operating from their dragons and change my approach to allow them to be themselves, reduce their fear of me and my ideas, and in the end, I can be more successful and have more win/win situations. It has also helped me to be a better person by knowing my own dragons, being able to feel when they are at work, and work to tame them.
I highly recommend this book for anyone who is interested in self growth, as well as anyone who must negotiate in business or personal life to get things done.

I was expecting the usual self-help book, with idealistic but generalized and useless exercises, flowery language that doesn't really say anything, and thinly-veiled advertisements for other books or products. Thankfully, this book has none of these. The writing is clear and direct, and the exercises are real and empowering. This book has helped me learn more about myself in a few days than I learned over the course of many years prior. Often, I felt the book was directed specifically at me, so accurate were the descriptions of the ways in which the "dragons" manifest themselves.

My one complaint (very minor) is that the section on maturity was almost overtly political, and in general not very useful or relevant to the core of the book. Happily, you can skip this section without hindering the usefulness of the rest of the book.

All in all, I recommend this book without any serious reservations.

A must for fellow Toltecs, not for others. For us, however, having Ken Eagle Feather's description of his own 'dreaming' experiences is helpful to the guiding of our own.

Ken Eagle Feather's TOLTEC DREAMING: DON JUAN'S TEACHINGS ON THE ENERGY BODY explores different levels of the dream state, contrasting ordinary dreaming with 'dreaming awake' in which an active dreamer ascends to the Dream of Transcendence. All this is placed in context of the Toltec tradition and provides a fine, purposeful blend of history and new age 'how to' insights.

An Excellent Book On Shamanism
By Jim PathFinder Ewing (Nvnehi Awatisgi)
From the newsletter "Keeping In Touch ..."
Vol. 7, No. 13 August, 2007

I've been reading a wonderful book just out by Ken Eagle Feather titled "Toltec Dreaming: Don Juan's Teachings on the Energy Body" (Bear & Co., 272 pages, June 22, 2007; $16). He was kind enough to send me an advance copy, which I endorsed:

"In Dreaming, Ken Eagle Feather masterfully outlines the appearance of Power in our lives as a shamanic principle that he shows can be easily recognized, and explores the power of dreaming as an active force that can define our lives in profound ways. As with his other books, Eagle Feather explains complex shamanic principles of the Toltec tradition as taught to him personally by don Juan Matus, the shaman many have come to know through the books of Carlos Castaneda. For the discerning Castaneda student, Eagle Feather provides painstakingly researched references including page numbers for ideas covered in Castaneda's books for easy reference. But Eagle Feather demonstrates his proficiency of the subject matter by expanding on the ideas and principles with examples from his own life, as well as offering new avenues of thought -- and exercises -- for readers. For novices to shamanism to the well-read, Dreaming offers new insights into the nature of the energy body that complement Eastern concepts, while also refining that which is known of Toltec ideas. In Dreaming, Ken Eagle Father demonstrates he is a man of knowledge in his own right, sharing a rare gift of inestimable value."

But, I'd go a bit further to say that all of Ken's books are worth reading, especially if you are "into" shamanism. For those who follow Castaneda's work, he has references to his books with the concepts; but, more importantly, in my mind, Ken offers a way of seeing the world that takes don Juan's and applies it to the world.
I read all the Castaneda books when they came out nearly 40 years ago, and have practiced shamanism all my life. Some of the teachings of don Juan, I believe, were horribly distorted, and later books bear me out, especially regarding the use of psychotropic drugs. That's because, I believe, Castaneda was a literalist, or too left-brained, to understand the concepts and so don Juan and his fellow shamans dramatized and even traumatized Castaneda so that they could "get through" to him.
Anyone who actually practices shamanic journey (which my next book, "Healing Plants and Animals from a Distance: Curative Principles and Applications" will introduce to the trilogy) knows in Castaneda's books where don Juan was speaking, and were left-brained suppositions entered in.
What I like about Ken's books are that anyone, repeat anyone, can get a clear idea of the shaman's path from reading him - whether one practices or not - and be sure that they are getting "the straight skinny."
I don't agree with much of the Toltec way, as I believe it is too foreign for most average Americans to accept, that is, truly adopt; but the way of viewing the world in shamanic terms as outlined by Castaneda has become part of the cultural currency, so it's useful to employ. As a method, it's easy to point to the nagual and tonal and explain being and nonbeing in shamanic terms, for example. Whether we are all fodder for the Eagle, well, that's a philosophic point perhaps best left to left-brained individuals with lots of time on their hands. I believe, as Ken notes, that how we view our world is a product of "cuing," that is, connecting to select understandings that join to make a world view. Some of the concepts of the Toltec way, in my mind, are too harsh, they stem from a world in which "lack" is the order of the day, breeding a stoicism that teeters on nihilism. My world is a much more joyful world, filled with exciting possibilities. It's also a lot less lonely.
But much of what Ken writes about are actual practical applications that are useful and described in a way that can become powerful tools used as second nature. For example, stalking your weaknesses, or predilections, or being aware when your controlled folly comes forward. One tool I've been using a lot lately, reminded of it reading Ken's book, is recapitulation. Simply stated, and Ken does much better in the book, that's when you remember an event that is freighted with negative emotions and walk through it again, reexperiencing every emotion, every nuance of the event, and allowing it to be more fully imprinted from a larger point of view. This allows for tremendous inner growth and healing by taking the "charge" out of past negative events, and it frees energy for use now. I would recommend those who read my books, especially using inventory to allow themselves to become more present, aware and allowing who they really are to come forward (Finding Sanctuary in Nature: Simple Ceremonies in the Native American Tradition for Healing Yourself and Others, and Clearing: A Guide to Liberating Energies Trapped in Buildings and Lands) to practice recapitulation, as well.
If you are looking for a good book on shamanism, Ken Eagle Feather's "Dreaming" is a good one; also get a copy of his On the Toltec Path: A Practical Guide to the Teachings of don Juan Matus, Carlos Castaneda, and Other Toltec Seers. Both are excellent.

Many Blessings!
Wisatologi Nihi!

Jim PathFinder Ewing
(Nvnehi Awatisgi)
Healing The Earth/Ourselves
(www.blueskywaters.com)
Lena, Miss.

To say this book changed my life would be an understatement. I keep copies of it on hand to give people that are struggling in trying to find out who they are or how to just make it through the day.

It opened my eyes to a NEW me not the "religious" guilt riden girl I had turned out to be. It took my life from guilt control to God's true adventure into freedom from man made rules.

Alan cohen uses humor and examples from modern life and makes his points in a way that is easy to understand. The questions at the end of each chapter are wonderful for getting to know the REAL you and find out where in your life you may have went off track and this book also helps point you in the right direction to get back on track and start enjoying your life again.

Awesome and Amazing but above all LIFE CHANGING !!!!

Whatever we concentrate on, expands and increases. ~Alan Cohen

All of Alan's books are healing, beautiful gifts that allow you to see a reflection of your current self within the pages. Alan has the amazing ability (very rare as far as I can tell) to see deep spiritual lessons in even the most negative situations.

To Alan, life is a reflection of his inner world. This has become more apparent to me lately and there have been moments when I've spoken my intentions out loud or just thought them silently and my life changes or moves in positive directions. The same can happen when you think negatively as I have proved to myself time and time again.

Alan is a man before his time and his love of quotes and movies is a highlight in "Dare to Be Yourself." The truth is, Alan is comfortable being himself and as Ingrid Bergman once said: "Be Yourself. The world worships the original." He has divided his book into five main sections:

1. The Return of the Golden Buddha - How to chip away the mask and reveal more of your golden nature.

2. Dare to Love Yourself - Do you respect yourself and believe in yourself?

3. Dare to Live Now - How to turn scars into stars and let yourself experience life on the human level. It is fine to change your mind, be wrong or let go. Alan also discusses forgiveness and how to live in the moment.

4. Dare to Be Yourself - How can you take your power back? How to say NO!

5. Dare to Move Ahead - Taking risks, moving through fear, doing the impossible and living your vision.

Alan Cohen mingles practical advice with spiritual insight and weaves popular cultures into deep lessons. I always learn something new about life. There is a fascinating story about Monarch Butterflies on page 45. The original idea of the "Blessing Extractor" and "Wish-fulfillment machine" made complete sense to me and then I was very amused by the cute story of "The God in Chocolate."

His insightful observations about Marilyn Monroe shed light on her life and he also discusses how when you feel like you are dying, you are going through a spiritual birthing process. As your old self dies, the new self is born. This can happen over and over again. I have been through this a few times myself and now I finally understand what was happening to me. I loved his creative ideas for making space for joy and enjoyed quotes by Albert Einstein, Yogi Amrit Desai and Ramana Maharshi.

Reading Alan Cohen's books are truly a vacation for your soul and his writing is refreshing in that he looks at life from an uncommon perspective.

This book even has a workbook section with each chapter- to encourage you to apply the principles and open new doors in your life.

~The Rebecca Review

I read this book years ago, and it's still one of the firstbooks I recommend to people. It helps one realize that negative thinkingabout yourself is not only non-productive, it's harmful and keeps you from progressing in life as you want to; giving one the ideas and tools to become more positive-minded. Alan Cohen has written with a style that contains very powerful insight that is an easy read, and I like the one-liners at the beginning of every chapter; they help one focus on issues about to be covered.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who has had a "Dark Night of the Soul," feels despair, needs a new outlook on life, and could use helpful advice on new ways to think, thereby changing to a more positive life instead of always focusing on the negative.

A truly WONDERFUL book!

More spiritual than I would want. I am sensitive to spirituality in books since it is so dependant on the individual.

Stupendous, can't say enough about Alan Cohen and the way in which he clearly and concisely gets to the root of it. If you are doing some soul searching, this is the book to help you navigate your way to greener pastures.

I wasn't sure exactly what I was getting when I ordered this book, but as a lover of all things Latin American, I decided this book might bridge the gap between my interest in Latin America and in metaphysics. It turned out to be a spectacular read, a memoir of someone experiencing astral projection and dreamwork to receive warnings of the future of our planet if it continues on as it is, abused and raped of its resources. Since its publication I can see many of the warnings beginning to manifest. This books is on my shelf of "keepers."

Truth is absolute. Whether this truth is told from the perspective of a Tibetan Lama, Einstein, Tesla, a Sufi mystic or the Jaguar Shaman of Perkin's story it all leads to the same place. Applying the lessons of this book will get you there. This concise text cuts to the heart of the matter. Perkin's in his glimpses of enlightenment realizes that there is no time to waste; we must act as urgently: as if our hair were on fire. There is no past, no present; only here and now.

Required reading for any responsible and sophisticated citizen is Perkin's Economic Hit-man and the follow up Secret History of America.

I have read hundreds of books and many were not worth the time or money, but this book is so bad that I had to write this review to warn others. Don't get me wrong, if you enjoy reading the autobiography of people you don't know, this may be the book for you. If, on the other hand, you're like me and searching for books that will help you along the spiritual path, save your money. I was drawn to this book on Amazon based on several "5 star" reviews claiming the book was of great benefit. Most of the book chronicles the author's life as a Peace Corps volunteer. The only practical part of the book is a short chapter that is supposed to teach the technique of "psychonavigation". The gist of the chapter is "Learn how to meditate". If you already practice meditation, this book is of no help to you. If you want to learn how to meditate, this book is not for you either. There are far better books to check out if you want to start a practice of meditation. BUYER, DEFINITELY BEWARE.

I enjoyed hearing stories about psychonavigation which sounds a lot like astral traveling, to get information needed for real life situations.
I found his relaxation technique preparing for psychonavigation very relaxing and helpful. As part of the process, he asks you to imagine pleasant and relaxing energies/feelings running through the body.

'Psychonavigation' by John Perkins is a thin, but extremely potent book that you will read over and over again. Only 144 pages in length, it's a very quick read, just an hour or two and you're done. However don't confuse brevity in length with lack of depth and content. There is much insight and wisdom within.

Journey with John in his cross cultural travels as he shares tales about the old ways of knowing and how they can be applied in any kind of modern setting, urban or otherwise. His stories and experiences are the real jewel of this book and will leave the reader with an almost transcendental feeling of joy and wonderment about the marvelous and mystical world in which we live!

My Highest Recommendation!!

I acquired this set of CDs to listen to while on a long-distance drive. They are very interesting and enjoyable. Zukov teaches moral principles with a series of parables--a long established tool for teaching. The principles he teaches this way are pretty basic, but foundational for us all. For those who feel they're more "advanced", remember that we ALL benefit from review and reminder on the basics. When he got to the subject of men and women that, at times, he came from a more narrow, "traditional" position, which saddened me. This seems to be the one area where he hasn't put away at least some of old fashioned but not necessarily good or helpful attitudes. Otherwise, I must say, this is worth your time. Parents, it will certainly give you additional resources for helping your children understand as well.

Great read when your feeling down, The best explainations of love and life and easy to understand and read... Thank you Gary .. Nicole Author Rainy day poems and more 1 and 2

I read one of this author's earlier books and found his karmic theories both creative and interesting but not entirely convincing. I recently acquired his THE DANCING WU-LI MASTERS and will read it next.

Now as for SOUL STORIES, the first part was done very well I thought. It borrows very heavily from Buddhist cosmology which is a major interest of mine and there is nothing original by Zukav there, but it was good to read nonetheless because he synthesizes it in a very clear and readable manner.

Then the rest of the book becomes the usual trendy, politically correct, pop culture nonsense. Artificially reversing gender roles, categorizing all humans as individually 'special' but as 'the same' in value, rejecting 'earth suits' as having no inherent value whatever, etc. Each of us being so special and unique but of the same worth, it is similar to the trendy thing where everyone celebrates their birthday on the same day in order to force-feed equality and make everyone feel good - and thus eliminiate the REAL special-ness of the individual and REAL birthdays and their celebration. With this kind of touchy-feely formula, everyone who is 'special' and 'unique' winds up in a vast, gray, boring mass.

I personally much prefer the more noble Vedantic philosophy of a Nature inherently without any equality but in which individual humans are each given the opportunity to set themselves on a path towards the godhead/truth, their individual value and uniqueness predicated on how far they have moved themselves towards enlightenment and service to God. Most people are too materialist and selfish to get on the path at all and thus their value/uniqueness is low, others begin ascending but don't get very far. Yet a tiny few progress well and nobly and courageously upwards - THEY have great value and genuine uniqueness. THEY have risen above that boring gray mass of non-value.

I doubt if Zukav would really understand any of that. He is just too pee-cee, period. AND is isn't the sort of thing people like to read as it doesn't make them feel good.

This author has an interesting background but how he wound up immersed in all this New Age silliness is beyond me. Perhaps he is just cynically cashing in, as it is the sort of popular stuff people want to buy nowadays. Authors like this are a dime a dozen. As in, stick with the herd, feed the herd, and fatten on their stupidity.

As an avid reader of Brian Weiss, I had thought that I would have another dose of past life stories because of the title "Soul Stories". I was surprised, instead, to find several short stories that brought home the fact that many concepts including those of intuition, harmony, forgiveness etc. express themselves in our day-to-day ordinary lives, each and every day. We simply need to look within ourselves in order to find our own stories. A touching book that makes one think!

Soul Stories is a medley of reflections, stories, anecdotes, confessions, and poetic vision. It is deep and touching. The author, Gary Zukav, appears vulnerable and willing to share the fears and emotions he experienced and moved through to become the person that he is today. He also makes it clear that spiritual growth and self-awareness are a way of life, not an ideal place to attain once and for all. He is of the opinion that the longing for growth, awareness and self-realization is now happening in many different places around the earth and will result in a transformation of consciousness for humanity. A shift is taking place where people are operating through their heart, reaching for their intuition to guide them, seeking harmony, cooperation and partnership in their relationships and exhibiting reverence for life. His message is that this shift of consciousness is within our reach and may be the next step for humanity.

In that sense, Soul Stories, reminds me of the work of authors Ariel and Shya Kane who are also pioneers of the Transformation of Consciousness and have developed the concept of Instantaneous Transformation, a radical shift in consciousness which happens in an instant and brings about transformation in all areas of your life. Two of their books relate particularly to Gary's book: How To Create a Magical Relationship, which explores the basis of true partnership; and Being Here: Modern Day Tales of Enlightenment which explores the art of being present and discovering the extraordinary in the ordinary. If self-realization is on your list of aspirations, I urge you to check the work of the Kanes also.

(1) If you still don't understand the difference between war and business [or war and anything else], read this book.
(2) If you have a boss who doesn't understand that "a" strategy must always be revised and the test of a great employee is one who always has a Plan B, send him/her a copy.
(3) That book learning isn't the same thing as experience - "Yet this is nothing but wretched book learning." p. 91.
(4)FRICTION! "Friction is what makes the seemingly easy so difficult.", p. 89, a concept before it's time, one you should know well. p. 89 "Rather, the general [and the rest of us trying to do anything] must have knowledge of friction in order to overcome it, where possible, and in order not to expect a level of precision in his operations that simply cannot be achieved owing to this very friction." p.87
(5) the great love affair between Clausewitz and his wife
(6) Negativity capacity - "being at ease when in bafflement or doubt and not seeking escapes at any cost." p. 86 (don't panic when it starts falling apart)
(7) The many times von C mentions "heart" as well as "mind."
(8) and that this great soldier started fighting at 13, died of cholera.

Strategy is one of my top stengths on the StrengthsFinder(r), so to me it is innate. However, that does not mean my FIRST strategy is my only one, or the one that eventually works. In war, love, coaching, or trying to motivate a recalcitrant teenager.

And how's this for an interesting point: "The weaker the defender's morale, the more brazen the attack must be." p. 121

I ordered this book by mistake - well, as von Clausewitz says, if you wish to enter that theater of strategy you "must abandon all hope of finding the certainties and control to which they are accustomed in other pursuits and consider the surrender of such hopes as a rite of passage in strategy."

Many good things happen to the intelligent, experienced, philosophical and seasoned strategist by accident.

Good read.

I had read many business strategy books based on the writings of Sun Tzu, Clausewitz, Machiavelli, Miyamoto Musashi etc. So bad that this is the worst I had picked. Clausewitz is great, but the authors are real bad in that they try too hard to impress by using superficial, vague, clumsy, English literature type of writing that complicates or even deteriorates Clausewitz's teachings instead of making them into something analytical and well structured, with relevant examples of real business world applications, even if it cant be as useful as the famous BCG Model (Stars, Question Marks, Cash Cows & Dogs). For those really interested in Clausewitz, please read his originals instead of wasting your valuable time on this disorganised and incoherent work of some.....

It probably requires having some experience with business strategy before any of Clausewitz's advice can resonant with you. However, for those who have been involved in executive decision processes, Clausewitz's messages are remarkably fresh and insightful (almost two hundred years later). His advice is particularly fascinating in context with the current "Information Age."

Clausewitz's message is simple, but you have to be ready for it to appreciate it. Information will never be complete. Some information will be totally wrong. If you wait for perfect information/intelligence, you will lose (and your competitor will win). In the fog of war, you must find that "faint light" and have the courage to go toward it. Don't wait for the fog to clear, and don't wait for the light to get brighter. It will be too late if you do.

Too often in the Information Age, companies and their executives mistakenly believe that it is possible to get complete and accurate information before making a decision. However, despite vaste improvements in technology, information will never be complete, perfect, or even 100% accurate. Clausewitz understood this almost two centuries ago. He points to what true leaders must have. They must have the ability to detect the most relevant patterns among incomplete and sometimes erroneous information. They must be able to identify the goal (the faint beacon of light). Finally, they must have the courage to focus and align an organization's limited resources to accomplishing this goal. In business speak, business leaders must have a vision and must be willing to take risks to achieve that vision.

This message is hard for some people to take. I guess many are looking for a "how to" book that anyone can use. Clausewitz talks about "genius," and his concept of genius implies that not everyone is up to the challenges of leadship. It's a tough pill to swallow, but it is true. More than anything, this book affirmed beliefs I formed after years of observation, trial, and error.

Some may mistakenly believe that perfect information may not have been possible in Clausewitz's time, but it certainly is today. As a business analysis professional, I can attest that "complete" information is still not a reality. No amount of data mining, neural networks, or statistics can replace the qualities of leadership Clausewitz so clearly and eloquently expresses.

Information certainly has the potential to help make better business decisions, but faith is still required to act. Many of the information tools available today are not used, because our business leaders lack the faith to implement them (they're still waiting for complete information). A great companion to this book (in relation to information and decision making) is Against the Gods by Peter Bernstein.

If you have interest in Clausewitz or business strategy, you can do much better buying other books. This is a very poorly written outing, practically incoherent. Embarassingly bad and jumbled. Do not be afraid to read Clausewitz directly: as this book illustrates, there are no easy shortcuts.

Avoid.

5 Stars for Clausewitz
0 Stars for the authors

Impression on Clausewitz:
Strategy has been defined as 'the employment of the battle as the means towards the attainment of the object of the war'. Properly speaking it has to do with nothing but the battle, but its theory must include in this consideration the instrument of this real activity -- the armed force -- in itself and in its principal relations, for the battle is fought by it, and shows its effects upon it in turn. It must be well acquainted with the battle itself as far as relates to its possible results, and those mental and moral powers which are the most important in the use of the same.

Strategy is the employment of the battle to gain the end of the war; it must therefore give an aim to the whole military action, which must be in accordance with the object of the war; in other words, strategy forms the plan of the war; and to this end it links together the series of acts which are to lead to the final decision, that is to say, it makes the plans for the separate campaigns and regulates the combats to be fought in each. As these are all things which to a great extent can only be determined on conjectures some of which turn out incorrect, while a number of other arrangements pertaining to details cannot be made at all beforehand, it follows, as a matter of course, that strategy must go with the army to the field in order to arrange particulars on the spot, and to make the modifications in the general plan which incessantly become necessary in war. Strategy can therefore never take its hand from the work for a moment.

That this, however, has not always been the view taken is evident from the former custom of keeping strategy in the cabinet and not with the army, a thing only allowable if the cabinet is so near to the army that it can be taken for the chief headquarters of the army.

Theory will therefore attend on strategy in the determination of its plans, or, as we may more properly say, it will throw a light on things in themselves, and on their relations to each other, and bring out prominently the little that there is of principle or rule.

If we recall to mind from the first chapter how many things of the highest importance war touches upon, we may conceive that a consideration of all requires a rare grasp of mind.

A prince or general who knows exactly how to organize his war according to his object and means, which does neither too little nor too much, gives by that the greatest proof of his genius. But the effects of this talent are exhibited not so much by the invention of new modes of action, which might strike the eye immediately, as in the successful final result of the whole. It is the exact fulfillment of silent suppositions, it is the noiseless harmony of the whole action which we should admire, and which only makes itself known in the total result.

The inquirer who, tracing back from the final result, does not perceive the signs of that harmony is one who is apt to seek for genius where it is not, and where it cannot be found.

The means and forms which strategy uses are in fact so extremely simple, so well known by their constant repetition that it only appears ridiculous to sound common sense when it hears critics so frequently speaking of them with high-flown emphasis. Turning a flank, which has been done a thousand times, is regarded here as a proof of the most brilliant genius, there as a proof of the most profound penetration, indeed even of the most comprehensive knowledge. Can there be in the book-world more absurd productions?

It is still more ridiculous if, in addition to this, we reflect that the same critic, in accordance with prevalent opinion, excludes all moral forces from theory, and will not allow it to be concerned with anything but the material forces, so that all must be confined to a few mathematical relations of equilibrium and preponderance, of time and space, and a few lines and angles. If it were nothing more than this, then out of such a miserable business there would not be a scientific problem for even a schoolboy.

But let us admit: there is no question here about scientific formulas and problems; the relations of material things are all very simple; the right comprehension of the moral forces which come into play is more difficult. Still, even in respect to them, it is only in the highest branches of strategy that moral complications and a great diversity of quantities and relations are to be looked for, only at that point where strategy

Impressions on the Authors:
The authors should be banned from all literary circles and their works be renounced as a shameful endeavor in easy profits. In this text they have voided Clausewitz rich text; by presenting the matter in a haphazard; confusing lacking form style and sense.

A very inspiring book, you just have to randomly choose a page and the message resonates with you, Doreen Virtue is a very inspirational writer

I bring the book with me wherever I go to give me a message I need to know for the day.

When I ask a question, e.g. "What do I need to know?" I open to the book on a random page and it gives me some guidance.

It works every time to receive some quick advice from angels!!

It is very inspiring to open this book randomely and read the healing words from the angels. It's very positive and lifting the spirits.

Not a bad selection, haven't used the images yet but I'm sure I will at some stage.

The images are interesting and high quality, and come in a variety of designs, but if you want a whole set of antique playing cards, this is not the place to go. There isn't even a full set of face cards.

The instructional material is literally the state of the art. It solves the major problem with self-hypnosis tapes or CD's, in that any procedure will induce trance in about 80% of the clients/listeners, but they are not the same 80%. In hypnotherapy, if the therapist sees that one procedure isn't working he switches to another technique until he finds what does work well. I have never known a client to notice as this will only take a minute or two.

Gurgevich encourages the listener to ignore what he is saying if the listener likes another induction better, by this time you will be familiar with a wide variety and know what works best for you. This does several things at once and, as I don't want to be accused of showing a magician stuffing a rabbit up his sleeve, I will only comment that this effortlessly moves the listener over the obstacle he might have had trying to "ride two horses at once" when they work on their own. (The author really moves the listener into doing their own tapes which keeps them from becoming "tied to the tape.")

I would recommend going back and listening to the instruction CD's several times as there is more there than you will notice the first time. Gurgevich is a real sneaky son of a gun which is the highest complement a hypnotherapist can receive.

If you are already experienced in hypnosis, you will love this material. Even when you are familiar with what he is doing, his aesthetic choices are delightful. I have 35 years experience and found this to be a real treat. There is a lot here that most people won't notice but you will love.

If you are interested in learning hypnosis, this would be an excellent place to start.

Others have written long comments explaining what the course has to offer. I will just say I was nervous about spending the money. I have been disappointed by others. However, I was pleasantly surprised at the depth, quality and variety this course offers. Dr.Gurgevich's kind voice and delivery style invites a gentle acceptance of the methods and examples used. The course is rich in information and full of examples.

I highly recommend this work. If you are truly interested in learning Self-Hypnosis, the money you spend for this course is a bargain.

I was very hopeful that this course would be as good as Dr. Gurgevich's other books and CD's. But I think it falls FAR short. The lecture series of CD's is good and informative so I was really looking forward to starting on the CD's that would address specific problems, but they are nothing more than re-hashed lectures that he has already given in the first 6 CD's. He does lead you into going into trance and then deepening the trance state but that's it. I was hoping for some visualizations or suggestions or scenarios specific to the problem that he is supposed to be addressing for a particular problem but that doesn't happen. If it was his idea that you are on your own to develop your own visualizations, his constant lecturing makes it nearly impossible for the listener to do this. It is almost like he took one basic script and inserted each ailment that he was addressing into the same script which happens to be just a composite of his earlier lectures. My recommendation is to save your money and keep looking for a good self hypnosis guide. There is bound to be one out there!

This is an excellent product for the beginner in hypnosis. If you haven't had any previous experience or education with hypnosis, I would highly recommend this. I, however, did not actually want all the education. I just wanted the hypnosis CD's, which are actually very good. You can even use this information to make your own personal recording.

Before investing in this course I checked out Dr. Gurgevich. As a former investigative journalist who used to work on his hometown newspaper in Tucson it wasn't difficult to find out that here is a man who knows and is not out to just make a fast buck. He also shares his knowledge in such a way that you learn it too. He really does "teach" in this course rather than "preach."

I have never met a person who would not benefit from some counseling, therapy, or introspection. Dr. Gurgevich does just that, he guides you to learn more about yourself and to make beneficial changes, sometimes dramatic changes, in your "self."

His association with the University of Arizona School of Medicine, Dr. Andrew Weil, and the UA School of Integrative Medicine with Dr. Weil speak highly of Dr. Gurgevich. To read his CV (resume) it is easy to see this is not some johnny-come-lately out for your money. If you decide to own his course, and I hope you will, please do not consider it an expense - it is an investment and you will see dividends for a long, long time.