77 of 81 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Consciousness and personal empowerment, May 17, 2007
This review is from: Choices and Illusions: How Did I Get Where I Am, and How Do I Get Where I Want to Be? (Paperback)
This illuminating book explores self-imposed boundaries in our thinking, the mechanics of perception, consciousness, subliminal communication and how real change is possible. Because of limited thinking, most people do not realize that they have a wider range of choices available. This is discussed in chapter 1 and explained by simple illustrations and exercises.
Chapter 3 deals with perception, illusions and the role of language in limiting our awareness, the mind's habit of making non-existent connections and of missing the obvious. The failures of the mind can be used against us by for example subliminal advertising. The next chapter briefly covers psychological defense mechanisms like denial, fantasy formation, introjection, isolation, projection, regression, repression and sublimation.
In chapter 5, the author discusses the brain hemispheres, the history of subliminal communication and its practical application. A model of mind and behaviour is provided in the next, plus a discussion of the power of forgiving and the benefits of giving, while chapter 7 deals with the famous Judas Priest trial of two teenagers who shot themselves after repeatedly listening to a track from the Stained Class album by that metal band.
Subsequent chapters investigate mind as a non-local event, the power of belief, and empathy and unconditional love as the way to build self-esteem. The chapter titled Change discusses character and how it is formed. This chapter includes an interview with neurologist Dr Christian Enescu plus many testimonials of people who have benefited from Dr Taylor's subliminal programs.
The book concludes with a discussion of the awesome power of the mind and revisits the ways of overcoming limitations in awareness. Our life purpose is about serving and giving, a proven way of achieving divine potential. The mind is the starting point for our lifelong journey of self-actualization and it is never too late to begin. The text is enhanced by many fascinating illustrations throughout
Appendix A: The Science Of Innertalk provides an overview of 17 scientific studies that confirm the benefits of subliminal programs and Appendix B is an abstract of findings from a study by Charles McCusker at Utah State Prison using the Thurstone Temperament Schedule. The book concludes with bibliographic notes and a recommended reading list.
I regard this book as an important contribution to the study of consciousness and a realistic guide to improving one's life and enriching those of others. I also recommend
Thinking Without Thinking: Who's in Control of Your Mind and
Subliminal Communication: Emperor's Clothes or Panacea? by the same author who is a pioneer in the field of subliminal communication and its practical application.
Little Black Book
Wellness: Just a State of Mind?
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108 of 122 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Buyer Beware, June 27, 2007
This review is from: Choices and Illusions: How Did I Get Where I Am, and How Do I Get Where I Want to Be? (Paperback)
8/1/07 See Edit at bottom of this review. This book should technically be 1 star, especially since it's essentially an advertisement for the author's InnerTalk CD's. By the way, never go by "famous author" endorsements...
"Holding onto blame is the same thing as being tied up. Until blame is released, there is nothing you can do about anything because, after all, it's not your fault. If it is not your faulty, then how can anyone, including you, expect you to take responsibility for the issue? If you are not responsible, then you are not empowered to make changes. In other words, the blame game disempowers--directly." - From the book
In his book Choices and Illusions, subliminal communication expert Eldon Taylor shares his personal journey plumbing the power of the mind and beliefs citing both case studies and personal experience.
Using compelling anecdotes and hard science, Taylor explains the workings of "the science of thinking", answering why humanity thinks and does what it doesn't wish to do. He shows readers the extent that others control our thoughts, whether via advertising imbeds, the power of suggestion, or imprinting in the "chicken yard" of family and culture.
Encouraging individuals to "soar like eagles", Choices and Illusions attempts to expose the myriad excuses for helplessness that we offer in the face of change. Inspirational and motivational, this book urges humanity towards greater heights of self-actualization and self-discovery--dispelling the mists of illusion so the light of our magnificence can shine.
Blending science and spirituality, the author encourages readers to re-frame reality, challenge "fill in the blanks" assumptions created by the mind, re-program self-talk scripts, act with compassion, and enjoy a miraculous life.
At 187-pages, the book Choices and Illusions presents some intriguing information, especially about Reverse Speech and illustrative imbeds in advertising. However, a good portion of it has been covered by other books, such as The Intention Experiment, The Biology of Belief, What the Bleep and so on.
Particularly off-putting is the constant reference to his previous books--I counted over TWENTY references--as well as his advertisements for his InnerTalk subliminal CDs. In fact, Chapter 12 is mostly testimonials of people who have used his CDs (over a dozen pages)!
The author shares optical illusions that have been around for ages (and are found on his site), and tells lengthy stories that are also old news (e.g. the person who tries to "help" a moth break out of the cocoon, which results in the moth's death and the Judas Priest back-masking case). Choices and Illusions regurgitates familiar psychological theories popularized in the last few decades (e.g. the ABC model of Albert Ellis). Indeed, he spends a great deal of time in Choices and Illusions quoting other authors, including extensive portions of their work!
It's obvious that Mr. Taylor is a kind, knowledgeable man that wants to help others. His research and testimonials are so compelling, that I, myself, just ordered a CD set from InnerTalk less than an hour ago! However, this book is marketed as groundbreaking--and, perhaps for some, it is. But for those of us who are familiar with Self-Help books, pop-psychology, consciousness literature and New Age practices--there's really not much new here.
However, if you are unfamiliar with subliminal communication, subconscious programming, the power of unexamined assumptions, and rampant victim consciousness--then you may very well benefit from Choices and Illusions. Granted, it serves as a powerful reminder that we need not be at the mercy of unchallenged beliefs--and that it is never too late to change a mind, or change a life.
(P.S. Having never heard the concept before reading this book, I am totally blown away by Reverse Speech! The author references ReverseSpeech.com--an utterly fascinating website. You can visit the author's website, ChoicesandIllusions.com to see an advertising imbed and some optical illusions and for more information about this book.)
EDIT: So far, I've been using the 2 CDs I've bought for several weeks now (for $50!). No changes at all. In fact, I often get a frontal headache when listening to the CDs...not a good feeling. And, it wouldn't play in my main CD player (it's as if the "eye" couldn't read the data for some reason.)
UPDATE: Eldon Taylor's wife, Ravinder, originally contacted *me* to review this book (but only if it was positive, she said). Well, I call 'em like I see 'em...and, apparently, she ain't happy.
I called to get a refund (since emails went unanswered), and she said my request for a refund was "predicted". Surprised, I asked how that could possibly be...? (I don't know her, and never spoken with her on the phone before then). She arrogantly said that my review was "full of contradictions" and that she could tell from my voice that I had resistance to the CDs...so the CDs weren't the problem...*I* was.
She proceeded to try to lecture me that I have obvious "issues", which was not welcomed, nor appreciated. All I asked for was a refund, not someone trying to do therapy on me or make me "wrong" or "defected".
I am disappointed that Hay House chose to publish something perceived by many as merely an advertisement, but am even more disappointed that the individuals behind the book are condescending and unprofessional to paying customers and professional reviewers. When asked how/why CDs work or don't work, you get answers that are doubletalk nonsense.
Janet Boyer, author of The Back in Time Tarot Book: Picture the Past, Experience the Cards, Understand the Present (coming Fall 2008 from Hampton Roads Publishing)
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