Customer Reviews

Beyond One's Own: Healing Humanity in the Wake of Personal Tragedy

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I have never read anything like this book before. It is full of real peoples amazing stories of unthinkable events. The stories are presented so personally and intimately I was first shocked that the author was able to meet these people for the first time and have them open up so freely. I was thankful that I was able to hear these stories as if I were the author sitting at these people's kitchen table as they divulged some of the most intense trauma's and losses that I have ever heard. The beauty and hope that comes out of these strong stories are a true gift to the reader especially since so many of us have felt such enormous grief throughout our own lives. Thank you and enjoy.

This book is extremely important and appropriate for our current times. It is a piece of hope. I hope that the courageus people in this book will be seen as role models on how to overcome and teach goodness, rather then destroy and get even after a personal tragedy.
I read this book in awe of these heroes who so openly discuss their intimate experiences for the good of humanity.

An in depth and masterful compilation that demonstrates how people have transformed their sorrow and grief with forgiveness and positive actions. " Beyond One's Own : Healing Humanity in the Wake of Personal Tragedy" displays again and again the strength and creativity of humans in crisis. This timely book presents intimate stories we can use as models and inspiration in this time of crisis.

This book is one of hope. These brave souls somehow have transcended their grief and turned it into something positive. In this time of tragedy we need a reminder such as this to prevent us from getting stuck in own saddness and becoming immobilized.
It is a book to be read over and over again. A sort of Bible to be kept by the nightstand so when we are feeling out of control and are in the throes of dispair, we have a friend to reach out to and be comforted by.

Gabriel Constana's " Beyond One's Own : Healing Humanity in the Wake of Personal Tragedy" is an excellent book. It is an extremely important book for our current times. Within this book are true stories from real people who have transformed hate into love, from tragedy to meaning and the bettering of humanity. We live in challenging times right now with terrorism and uncertainty. It is easy for us to go into our "reptillian mind" and want to strike out with revenge. Read the heartwrenching, heartwarming, and transformative stories from this book and be inspired to help all our brothers and sisiters so that we can live together in peace on this great wondrous planet.

BEYOND ONE'S OWN by Gabriel Constans, PhD is composed of l4 true interviews with individuals who have suffered great losses in their lives. These interviews, with a brief introduction by Dr. Constans, are told in the exact words of each of the survivors, some of whom are nationally and internationally known.Rather than being a repetitious reading of how these people have dealt with the death and grief of those whom they have loved, it is a fascinating, moving, and uplifting look at what tremendously positive things can come out of personal tragedy.

Gabriel Constans has illuminated models for rapid evolution. He has provided a dynamic portrait of lives in the crucible of tragedy, used as catalysts for soul evolution. Each portrait shares the intense moments of crisis and the process each individual uses, not only to survive, but to find true purpose and meaning. These models for a new way of being, teach us many ways of finding peace and fulfillment in these challenging times.

I'm not sure where that silly/cranky "Publishers Weekly" review was actually stolen from (or why Amazon.com saw fit to paste it here), as my librarian can't find the reference, but I have to disagree in any case.

I think it is a good thing that Constans kept each of the chapters brief. I've read this book a couple of times, and each visit is like a tour through the circles of Hell. I mean, imagine watching your family die off, one by one, because of chemical waste that "doesn't exist." Imagine having your young son shot dead as you're driving along.

But... these people pulled through. They aren't hiding from anything. Instead of wallowing in their grief & loss, or packing it down & pretending they could just leave it in the past, they brought it out, they lived in it, and they used their energy and imagination to sieze control of their own lives, and then to begin to have a positive effect on the world around them.

As someone once said in a movie, "If my son could be the last young man who has to die like this, then all my work, all my dedication is nothing more than the very least I could do." I remember that here because it's something that anyone Constans interviewed could have said.

Read it. If you have the least vein of human empathy within you, it'll take you weeks, and it'll hurt. After you put it down, you'll feel like hell for a while. Then you'll find little questions popping into your head, like, "What could I do to make this a better world?"

Gabriel Constana's " Beyond One's Own : Healing Humanity in the Wake of Personal Tragedy" is an excellent book. It is an extremely important book for our current times. Within this book are true stories from real people who have transformed hate into love, from tragedy to meaning and the bettering of humanity. We live in challenging times right now with terrorism and uncertainty. It is easy for us to go into our "reptillian mind" and want to strike out with revenge. Read the heartwrenching, heartwarming, and transformative stories from this book and be inspired to help all our brothers and sisters so that we can live together in peace on this great wondrous planet.

This book gave me strength and hope and reminded me that there are many ways to look at, react and live with tragedy and loss in our lives. I admired the depth and insight that was provided by each of those interviewed. It felt like I had met a diverse group of committed, compassionate people.

I would recommend this book to anyone at anytime. It's VERY real, honest and inspiring.