Constructive Living (Kolowalu Books) (Paperback)

by David K. Reynolds (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"A positive, disciplined, action-oriented strategy for personal living." -- Karen Blaker, WOR-AM Radio

"Very practical and sensible advice for daily living. I highly recommend it." -- Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, M.D., author of On Death and Dying

Product Description
Constructive Living combines two of the most popular forms of therapy in Japan into one profoundly effective approach that will not only enhance your productivity but bring a flexible, responsive mind – a Zen-like tranquility – to your personal and professional life. Discover the life-changing potential of Morita therapy (based on taking right action in the moment) and Naikan therapy (a way to cultivate your awareness of how the world supports you) in three information-packed sessions. You will learn:

• Three instant remedies for facing your negative

feelings

• Six steps for doing what needs to be done right

now, no matter how you feel

• The three most important fruits of your life

• The "Stairs of Enlightenment" – the way beyond

inner confusion and self-absorbed suffering to

increased awareness

• Over four hours of training with the leading

authority on Naikan and Morita therapies in the

Western world Join Dr. Reynolds and discover this sensible approach to better emotional health. Constructive Living can help you live more effectively – and see your life more clearly – no matter how you feel. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 120 pages
• Publisher: University of Hawaii Press (April 1, 1984)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0824808711
• ISBN-13: 978-0824808716
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #70,052 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

59 of 59 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An antidote for traditional psychotherapies, August 21, 2000

By	DR. MARTIN E LERNER (MIAMI, FLORIDA USA) - See all my reviews

As a clinician and director of a residential program for people with eating disorders and chemical dependencies, Constructive Living provides a challenge to patients (students) and clinicians (teachers) alike. CL is about common sense and taking responsibility for solving both the day to day and long term problems of living. It offers a gateway to those seeking the truth about changing their lives. Those who read this book with an open mind will be challanged to revisit their current notions about Western psychotherapy and, more importantly, prompted to "live" in the solutions rather than continue to rethink and overanalyize the problems. It has become required reading for all my patients and remains for more than a decade, one of three books I keep on my nightstand for constant reference.

36 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Short, simple, effective, February 19, 2002

By	calmly - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

I was lost. It seemed to me that Western psychological theories were largely speculation and confident assertion and not much help. Krishnamurti made some great sense but I'd been unable after years to put his teaching into practice. What a welcome relief to find David Reynolds and "Constructive Living".

The emphasis on doing what one can do may seem simple. However, I had become so complicated and Reynolds' teaching set me straight and has kept me that way for 14 years now. This book and another early book by Reynolds, "The Quiet Therapies", provide tools that don't depend on any guru, including Reynolds. Unlike other teachers, Reynolds teaches! and then gets out of your way.

Reynolds' teaching draws from Japanese sources that were influenced by Buddhism. There's no need to become a Buddhist, but it was a good start for me in learning about Buddhism. Reynolds big contribution has been helping me learn to stay grounded. A day doesn't go by that I don't apply what I learned from "Constructive Living". Reynolds is prolific but this one of his many books on Constructive Living has been my favorite.

Reynolds is an excellent speaker as well. The 3 audiotapes available for "Constructive Living" are a fresh presentation on the subject with many new anecdotes and not a reading of this book. The book and tapes have complemented each other well for me.

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Practical Help, July 23, 2000

By	[e-mail] (USA) - See all my reviews

I read this book several times several years ago. I found the information included to be insightful and practical. I loaned it to a friend in crisis and it was so helpful to him, he asked to keep it. I have another friend in crisis and think this book will be of help to him, so I am ordering two more; one for him and one for me too keep and read again.