Customer Reviews

The Open Mind: Exploring the 6 Patterns of Natural Intelligence

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

From professional colleagues to the family members who drive me crazy to my spouse, this book has truly changed the way I relate to people. Through gaining an understanding of how people communicate--how we all have our own unique mind--I now understand how I can most effectively listen to others, speak my heart and connect with people on their terms. Most importantly, I understand my own particular quirks and needs (and realize they're not "quirks" but simply how my mind processes, etc.) and I cherish those qualities in myself--and work with them--instead of trying to change them to fit another way of thinking. This book has been instrumental in helping me take charge of the interactions I have in my life, and it has been one of the most profound influences of my adult relationship life.

Dr. Markova's learning process ideas have vastly altered the way I view, work with, and relate to others. While acknowledging that people's minds work differently (and beautifully in their respective ways), she has made it clear that no two people are fated to lock horns! This book provides practical tips on building and maintaining a relationship with someone whose learning pattern is different from one's own.

I appreciate her brevity, also. It's a simple theory, though an exceptional one. But Markova doesn't embellish her ideas, slapping wordy technical terms on everything. These concepts speak for themselves. She gives further insight where it's needed, but mostly the reader is allowed to make his/her own interpretations. This is not heavy reading, (easily digestible for a college freshman such as myself!) but enlightening nonetheless.

Based on her work as a hypnotherapist, Markova has extended the idea of three channels of communication -- auditory, visual, and kinesthetic -- by matching them to the conscious, subconscious, and unconscious mind, producing six personality types: A in the conscious, V in the sub, and K in the un, with permutations of those. Well-written, with many examples and anecdotes. Stimulating theory. This book is a rewrite of "The Art of the Possible."

"Dawna Markova, Ph.D., is internationally known for her ground-breaking research in perception and learning.
Currently a senior affiliate of the Organizational Learning Center at MIT, she has established learning communities around the country and founded the Institute of Human Ecology.
Her previous books include How Your Child is Smart, No Enemies Within, and, with her husband and business partner, Andy Bryner, An Unused Intelligence.
She is one of the co-editors of Random Acts of Kindness and Kids' Random Acts of Kindness."

"Dr. Markova teaches that each of us uses one of six learning patterns, all based on the way we process auditory, visual, and kinesthetic information.
If your conscious mind is most stimulated by movement, for instance, it will be hard for you to learn while sitting still.
If, on the other hand, movement stimulates your unconscious mind, you may find competitive sports frustrating.
In The Open Mind, Dr. Markova guides you through detailed descriptions of each thinking pattern and teaches how to recognize them in yourself and other."

"Very helpful...powerful exercises.
I RECOMMEND IT TO PROFESSIONALS AND NON-PROFESSIONAL ALIKE."
--- Sidney Rosen,
Founding president,
New York Erikson Society for Psychology and Hypnosis
[from the book of the back cover]

I first read Dawna Markova's book, The Open Mind, ten years ago. It has improved every relationship in my life and, coupled with the Enneagram, has changed my life. I use it every day. This book was a gift to a friend. I have recommended it to everyone I know who is willing to listen.

One of my favorite and most often returned to books. Goes beyond one's so-called "learning style" to include the strengths of the sensory modalities beyond the one preferred for conscious understanding. What helps some concentrate, for example, will space out others. Fascinating, very useful, and part of a growing trend which recognizes individual differences as strengths, not as problems to be fixed. Instead of forcing people apart, this kind of understanding can bring people closer together. Highly recommended.

Also by Dawna Markova and Anne Powell, "How Your Child Is Smart" is helpful for parents, or anyone who wants to give their children the gift of a self-validating start in life. This could make a world of difference in a child's experience of school, not to mention life in general. A must for any teacher.

I have had many friends tell me about this book. I ordered it and have started reading and find it very interesting. The book came quickly and was as described.

The book is superb as a foundation to understand we all learn learn differently any why that is. In my opinion it's a must read for educators, parents and anyone who is in a position to support others to excel.

This seems to be mostly a rehash of Art of the Possible, by the same author. I am hopeing that some other books of the author are not so.

Still, if I bothered to read it more closely perhaps I would discern more golden nuggets than I have so far , that weren't in Art of the Possible. See my review of that book for more information.

This book takes a deeper look at what makes us glaze over when someone talks to us at length, why we zone out while watching TV or listening to music and what makes our minds drift away while driving. It helps us understand why we just can't get through to some people - despite having explained it 20 times.

It takes a look at patterns of understanding that we've all seen in life, but maybe never really understood.