How to Heal Toxic Thoughts: Simple Tools for Personal Transformation [Hardcover]

Sandra Ingerman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2007

Many people think that the old alchemists were trying to turn lead into gold. But in actuality, as Sandra Ingerman - a practicing shaman and psychologist - reveals, they were metaphorically working on transforming heavy leaded consciousness into gold light consciousness. Using their theories, Ingerman offers strategies for processing the harmful thoughts and emotions that hit us throughout our day. Instead of sending and receiving lethal energy, you will learn, through meditations, visualizations, and other exercises, how to radiate positive thoughts and shield yourself from those that are destructive.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Readers with an open mind will find much to reflect on in the latest psycho-spiritual self-help guide from Ingerman (Soul Retrieval), who provides ways to "manifest positive energy and power in your life" with simple, straightforward writing touched by occasional poetic flourishes. Ingerman pulls ideas from a number of disciplines-including meditation, psychotherapy, shamanism and quantum physics-to formulate methods for combating fear and frustration, which may initially confuse readers; it's this broad reach, however, that keeps the book firmly grounded in a number of different belief systems, allowing for a flexible approach. Sprinkled with short assignments ("take at least a fifteen-minute walk a day; it will clear your head and move the oxygen in your blood") and fable-like stories, Ingerman's creative, multi-pronged plan for healing is gentle, practical and encouraging, making it a fine resource for the overstressed.
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Product Details

• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: Sterling (April 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402742606
• ISBN-13: 978-1402742606
• Product Dimensions: 0.6 x 5.2 x 7.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #409,810 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Sandra Ingerman is devoted to teaching people how we can work together as a global community to bring about positive change. The spiritual work we do together does make a difference and is where we have to the power to be conscious positive changemakers!

She is the author of eight books and five audio programs that are all sold on Amazon.

Sandra Ingerman is one of the most highly regarded teachers of shamanism today. She teaches workshops internationally on shamanic journeying, healing, and reversing environmental pollution using spiritual methods. She has trained and founded an international alliance of Medicine for the Earth teachers and shamanic teachers. Sandra is recognized for bridging ancient cross cultural healing methods into our modern culture addressing the needs of our times.

Sandra is a licensed Marriage and Family therapist and Professional Mental Health Counselor. She is also a board certified expert on traumatic stress as well as certified in acute traumatic stress management.

To read articles written by Sandra, to listen to interviews, and to read her monthly column The Transmutation News please visit www.sandraingerman.com. Her training schedule is also posted on this site.

To find a local shamanic practitioner or teacher in your area who trained with Sandra please visit www.shamanicteachers com.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

130 of 132 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Practical strategies for improving well-being October 29, 2007

By Beth Cholette #1 HALL OF FAMETOP 50 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

Author Sandra Ingerman is a therapist and self-described shaman practitioner. In her introduction to this book, she explains that shamanism is an ancient form of spiritual healing, and she talks about how shamans help address what is going on "beyond the skin," or at the unseen level of the spirit. More simply put, Ingerman suggests that instead of appropriately expressing our negative energy (eg, making a statement such as "I am frustrated"), we frequently and harmfully project our negative energy out into the world. Therefore, her book strives to teach readers to change their patterns of reaction and to transform their negative energy into something more positive.

Although the above might sound overly mystical or new-agey, in reality, Ingerman's book is quite practical. It is filled with helpful exercises, many of which are similar to techniques I use in my work as a psychologist. The very first exercise involves simply breathing deeply into the abdomen (aka diaphragmatic breathing) and reflecting; other breathing exercises utilize conscious breathing to attain calm or balance. Many of the exercises also employ various visualization techniques, but again, these are presented in a fairly concrete, straightforward manner (eg, imagining a place in nature that you love). Ingerman incorporates additional modalities as well, from those that are more verbally-oriented (words of energy, decree statements, and journal writing) to those that are a bit more abstract (various protective techniques used to shield yourself from negativism in a toxic world).

One of the things I liked best about this book was Ingerman's emphasis on choice--ie, although things happen to us that we cannot control, we can ALWAYS choose how we respond to the events around us. This is something I frequently discuss with my clients, as acknowledging choice can go a long way towards reducing depression, anxiety, and hopelessness. Although some people might shy away from the somewhat spiritual nature of this book, it is a well-done self-help guide offering clear, simple guidelines for moving towards greater positive well-being in your life, and it is likely to appeal to a wide audience.

96 of 98 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars "Find the Light in You and Let it Shine" October 25, 2007

By Alejandra Vernon HALL OF FAMETOP 500 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

Sandra Ingerman lays before us a banquet of methods to renew, enlarge, and explore the boundaries of our potential in body, mind and spirit in "How to Heal Toxic Thoughts." It is so filled with ideas for change that work, and is so imbued with a positive vitality, that no matter what your state of mind is when you start this splendid book, you will find it transforming. Ingerman gives you exercises to implement her methods that are valuable, and I especially appreciate the plant experiment on page 28, which makes people "...become more conscious of the energy behind their thoughts and emotions throughout the day." The words we use, our intentions, and our reactions, all have an enormous impact not only for us, but those we interact with and think about, and Ingerman gives us step by step instructions to make the necessary changes within and without.

How do I know Ingerman's ideas for change work? Because I have used similar processes over many years to heal my mind and soul, and here they all are, in one superb little book. And no matter how far one has come in achieving inner peace and surrounding oneself with positive energies, there is always higher ground to go to, and more growth and improvement to be made. I am sure that wherever you are in your spiritual journey, you will find at least one life-changing jewel in this book. For me it was in Chapter 3, where I learned to "breathe through my heart." Another beautiful visualization for me was on page 93, where it is told how the Native American Chumash tribe "surround their energy in a blue protective egg."

This small but mighty book has a lovely layout, nice readable print, and good quality paper. Sandra Ingerman is a marriage and family therapist living in New Mexico, and has written several other books which I look forward to reading. May she always walk in beauty!
"It is who we become, not what we do, that changes the world" (page 107).

78 of 79 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Elise Cummiskey O.M. April 27, 2007

By Elise Cummiskey

Format:Hardcover

What I love about Sandra Ingerman's books is that she always gives us ways to go about making the changes we need. We are not left hanging with a problem with no solution . Her sugestions are so clear and make so much sense. All her suggestions are doable and sustainable . This is what the world needs now solutions that clear out the negative sludge and replace it with positive action. I loved this book and I am passing it on .