Changing Ourselves, Changing the World [Paperback]

Gary Reiss (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 15, 2000

Most people feel disturbed by the political and social problems we see every day yet, at the same time, feel helpless to solve them. We feel even more disturbed as we and others give up our personal power in futile attempts to solve these problems. We have given our power away to politicians and others who accomplish little or nothing as they serve their own narrow interests. People have become apathetic because the world situation is just too overwhelming. This book will help you to view the world situation in a way that is not overwhelming. It provides ways for you to take back your power for personal growth and social change.

Editorial Reviews

Review

...Drawing from many sources, [this book] contains a wealth of information to empower you to be an effective world changer. -- Arnold Mindell, Ph.D., author of Working on Yourself Alone

Gary has rediscovered one of the deepest and most important teachings of universal human spiritual wisdom of the ancients... -- Rabbi Hanan Sills, Ph.D. Ad-Olam Synagogue Without Walls

About the Author

Gary Reiss is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has his diploma in process-oriented psychology. He has been in private practice for twenty-seven years. Gary teaches process-oriented psychology worldwide and is on the faculty of the Process Work Center of Portland. He has offices in Eugene, Cottage Grove and Portland, Oregon, and is director of a counseling clinic in rural Oregon.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: New Falcon Publications (September 15, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1561841439
• ISBN-13: 978-1561841431
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #147,917 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 'Changing Ourselves, Changing the World' by Gary Reiss, October 26, 2000

By 

Mark O'Connell (Essex, UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Changing Ourselves, Changing the World (Paperback)

If you are deeply concerned with global issues, maybe feeling powerless or hopeless in face of them, and despite this you are looking for a way to contribute to changing the world 'Changing Ourselves, Changing the World' may interest you. Gary Reiss is a natural story teller who weaves together his own life experiences together with the theory and skills of Process Oriented Psychology as developed by Dr Arnold Mindell and his colleagues, giving us a book which offers practical solutions in a troubled world. The book rides upon the premise that world issues is reflected in our own psychology and in the dynamics and experiences of small towns and communities in which many of us live. The reader is given valuable insights into how it may be possible to work with an array of problems which afflict most small communities, such as; suicide, drug and alcohol abuse, relationship problems, feeling issues of anger and violence; and racism. Gary pays homage to the discovery of meaning behind even the most complex or difficult conflicts, and complements the theory with frequent examples of his own work in his own home town. The idea is that the small town is a microcosm of the wider world, and change effected at the local level will naturally contribute it's effect to world as a whole. 'Changing Ourselves' also implicitly addresses another important level of changing the world, our ability to work on ourselves and develop our awareness personally and in relationships. Many books on sustainability leave out this most important aspect, that facilitators of change need to model and reflect the changes they wish to see in the world at large. This book has something for everybody. Most readers will find large portions of the book speaking to their own life experience. But in particular I would recommend this book to; Therapists; Group Facilitators; Political Activists; Social Workers and other Professionals; and people in small towns and communities interested in how they can work locally for global effect. Students of Process Oriented Psychology will also find this book has plentiful examples, less available elsewhere, of the broad application of process work skills and theory in both private practice and small town meetings, although this is not a book for in depth Process Work theory. A great introduction to and overview of Process Work in practice 'Changing Ourselves' engenders hope when hopelessness abounds.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars There is hope for the weary, March 6, 2002

By 

"roxx33" (Boise, ID United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Changing Ourselves, Changing the World (Paperback)

We've all seen it, especially in the last 6 months. It sometimes seems like the world is crashing down around us. How can we strive to be good people in such a hostile environment? Changing Ourselves, Changing the World is a guide to remaining spiritual while surrounded by chaos. Why is there accelerated violence, drug and sexual abuse? Our children are angry, our marriages are challenging, and we are all looking for a way to achieve balance in life. This book will help you through the tensions we face every day, and help you learn to establish freedom at least in your internal world. Gary Reiss is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and has written this great book to help us understand the stress we feel in our lives, jobs, homes, and in ourselves. Changing Ourselves, Changing the World is a release from New Falcon Publications.