Holding the Center: Sanctuary in a Time of Confusion [Paperback]

Richard Strozzi-Heckler (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 17, 1997

As in all his books, Heckler draws from personal experience: training his horse, cultivating presence in aikido dojos, consulting with business executives, raising children. A masterful and encompassing book, Holding the Center develops from the fulcrum of the self in the natural world. Many of Heckler’s lessons arise from his life as a householder and father. Community is a larger family—we make alliances to “take care of what matters to us.” But, as Heckler teaches, that takes listening to others with an open heart, and learning what the needs of others are.The world can be a sanctuary, if we find a balance between instinct and choice. Richard Strozzi Heckler sounds an important call about the interplay between power and generosity in these subtle and luminous essays.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"What a story this is! Heckler’s chronicle of the army’s daring experiment in awareness training for twenty-five Green Berets is a must read for anyone interested in the role of the warrior in a technological age. But more than that, it is an illumination of courage and vulnerability and what it means to be a man. I couldn’t put it down."-George Leonard, author of Mastery and The Ultimate Athlete

About the Author

Richard Strozzi Heckler co-founded Lomi School, a major school of bodywork, and Tamalpais Aikido. He has pioneered the use of aikido, meditation, and bodywork with disturbed children, inner-city gangs, several branches of the military, and corporate executives. His books are The Anatomy of Change, Aikido and the New Warrior, and In Search of the Warrior Spirit. He directs Rancho Strozzi Institute in Petaluma, California.

Product Details

• Paperback: 152 pages
• Publisher: Frog Books (March 17, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1883319544
• ISBN-13: 978-1883319540
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.5 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #423,948 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful, timeless, and nice intro to somatics too!, July 17, 2004

By 

Cindy Marteney "Executive Leadership Coach" (Salt Lake City, UT United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Holding the Center: Sanctuary in a Time of Confusion (Paperback)

Richard Strozzi-Heckler's book is a collection of essays, each standing on its own, but weaving a theme that Richard teaches in all of his programs -- a place of "center."

I am studying somatics with Richard through his Strozzi Institute, and I keep returning to "Holding the Center," re-reading his stories and distinctions around what creates center in our lives (connection to self, place, others, etc.).

Later in this slim collection, you'll find rich descriptions of somatic length (connection to what we care about), somatic width (how we connect on the social dimension), and somatic depth (how we connect our inner and outer worlds).

Richard describes many ways in which our bodies tell stories, such as the fallen, caved-in stance of "capitulation," which has lost connection to vision and a meaningful "for sake of what" in life. He talks about the balance between "containment" and "contact" in the social dimension. And, he talks about the different shapes of the "emerging self" compared to the current physical form in a person's body. The sections on somatics are really quite rich.

Study of the body is a gift, since the body can only live in the present, "never lies," and is how we put our inspiration and ideas into action in the world.

Spend time with this book. It is poetic at times and always thought-provoking.

23 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent makes-you-think book, March 27, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Holding the Center: Sanctuary in a Time of Confusion (Paperback)

I don't know what words I can use to adequately describe Dr. Heckler's work. Enlightening, thought provoking and comforting are among the few. As a former serviceman and martial artist this book provided me with a wonderful insight into the world around me. Dr. Heckler has put a wonderful mix of real life experiences and combined them with a incredible insight. I was particularily moved with the section on 'Community' when he attended an international health converence and met an Ojibway Native American named Russell. I have read this book many times when things in my life get complicated and I would recommend it highly to anyone who seeks a balance in their life, or just a relaxing feel-good book for rainy days.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 'Holding The Center' is a great read., May 1, 2009

By 

Ken Sari (Raleigh, NC) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Holding the Center: Sanctuary in a Time of Confusion (Paperback)

This is a very intimate story of the author growing up and 'becoming'. He excellent writing style made me not want to put the book down, and the message and inspiration were priceless. That alone is well worth the price of the book, and the time spent reading it.

Add to that some real quality information that is helping me calm my mind while at the same time achieve my goals in life. I'm learning that real power and fulfillment can be a very relaxing endeavor.