Quiet Mind, Fearless Heart: The Taoist Path through Stress and Spirituality [Paperback]

Brian Luke Seaward (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 25, 2004

"Reading Quiet Mind, Fearless Heart is like eavesdropping on a conversation between Lao Tzu and Joseph Campbell--a pure pleasure to read!"
--Deepak Chopra, M.D., coauthor of The Seven Spiritual Laws of Yoga and author of The Spontaneous Fulfillment of Desire

"Quiet Mind, Fearless Heart is an enchanting piece of wisdom that combines ancient insights with practical solutions to the stress epidemic that permeates our culture. Brian Luke Seaward is a master teacher, skillful guide, and true healer."
--Larry Dossey, M.D., author of Healing Words and Reinventing Medicine

"The perfect antidote for these acceleratingly stressful post-9/11 times with fearmongers accosting us everywhere, Quiet Mind, Fearless Heart artfully and wisely blends stress relief with spirituality. Keeping us constantly uplifted and engaged, this book is filled with witty sayings, practical, powerful exercises, and personal stories that ring with heartfelt authenticity."
--Candace B. Pert, Ph.D., author of Molecules of Emotion

With graceful wisdom and gentle humor, Dr. Brian Luke Seaward helps you see past the limitations of the ego to the highest potential of the human spirit at the core of your very being. Through a unique alchemy of the ancient Chinese philosophy of Taoism and the timeless insights of the visionary Joseph Campbell, Seaward shows you how to harness this potential so that you may find the courage to be a victor, not a victim of life's problems. Through the realization of this alchemy you will become the hero at the center of your own mythical life journey.

Using simple but powerful exercises, meditations, and self-exploration techniques, you will learn to reconnect and harmonize with the universal spirit energy, or Tao, that flows through you to achieve inner balance, the joy of life, and optimal health. This book gives you the tools and skills to overcome adversity, resolve the emotional and psychological obstacles keeping you from realizing your potential, and vanquish stress, bringing peace to your heart and soul. Featuring the insights of renowned spiritual luminaries and philosophers from around the world and throughout the ages as well as many inspirational stories from women and men just like you, this powerful motivational guide shows you how to cope with everyday stress, embrace your divinity, and find true harmony in your life.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Seaward (Stressed Is Desserts Spelled Backward) offers a book to help the reader "overcome personal adversity" and bring "peace to the heart and soul." The book's four parts in turn discuss the nature and reality of stress; the relationship between stress and spirituality; practical strategies for finding equilibrium and letting go of stress; and some success stories. Throughout, Seaward intersperses brief meditation and journaling exercises. Yet the book feels hollow. While Seaward touches on some profound Taoist principles—as one might expect, given the book's title—he fails to investigate these teachings in any depth. Instead, he uses them as a broad, a priori template for an "ageless wisdom" held by generic "wisdom keepers." He then cites examples of this wisdom from a wide range of other sources and traditions, including Native American spirituality, Joseph Campbell's writings, and DNA research. This lack of focus is exacerbated by the text's habit of substituting unsatisfying anecdotes for a probing exploration of a given point. The result is a superficial amalgam of sweeping generalizations, inspirational clichés ("even the darkest night has bright stars!"), sentimental stories of triumph over adversity and quotes from the likes of Mother Teresa, Einstein and Lance Armstrong. Some of Seaward's spirituality-based ideas for navigating stress may have dimension and weight, but his treatment leaves them feeling trivial.
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Review

personal adversity" and bring "peace to the heart and soul." The book’s four parts in turn discuss the nature and reality of stress; the relationship between stress and spirituality; practical strategies for finding equilibrium and letting go of stress; and some success stories. Throughout, Seaward intersperses brief meditation and journaling exercises. Yet the book feels hollow. While Seaward touches on some profound Taoist principles--as one might expect, given the book’s title--he fails to investigate these teachings in any depth. Instead, he uses them as a broad, a priori template for an "ageless wisdom" held by generic "wisdom keepers." He then cites examples of this wisdom from a wide range of other sources and traditions, including Native American spirituality, Joseph Campbell’s writings, and DNA research. This lack of focus is exacerbated by the text’s habit of substituting unsatisfying anecdotes for a probing exploration of a given point. The result is a superficial amalgam of sweeping generalizations, inspirational clichés ("even the darkest night has bright stars!"), sentimental stories of triumph over adversity and quotes from the likes of Mother Teresa, Einstein and Lance Armstrong. Some of Seaward’s spirituality-based ideas for navigating stress may have dimension and weight, but his treatment leaves them feeling trivial. (Nov.) (Publishers Weekly, October 11, 2004)

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Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (October 25, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471679992
• ISBN-13: 978-0471679998
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #948,845 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Reason for hope, November 10, 2004

By 

Joanne Hillwest (North Carolina) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Quiet Mind, Fearless Heart: The Taoist Path through Stress and Spirituality (Paperback)

It was in the early '90's that I was experiencing emotional burnout equivalent to an extended 'dark night of the soul'. It was then that I first began reading this author's work while in search of tools to bring light back into my days. Reading Dr. Seaward's books, and even hearing him speak at our Unity Church, I learned even more! I felt I had 'past the course' and could, in some ways teach it myself. Then this year I got 'sent back' a few years when problems with major surgery left me in great pain and some what homebound. Then I discovered his new book, 'Quiet Mind, Fearless Heart.' With it, I was able to take a deep breath and begin to explore hope again. I found exercises in this book that stretched and strengthen the 'muscles' of my soul. Am I 'all well'? Not yet! Have I found a path back? Most certainly! His first book, 'Stand Like Mountain' was my textbook on life that I've treasured for many years. Now, just when I most needed it, as I go though major 'winds of change' his sequel, Quiet Mind has come to give me 'winds of grace.' With humble gratitude, I encourage everyone to give themselves this reason for hope, 'A Quiet Mind, Fearless Heart.'

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Treasure Trove of Wisdom Awaits You, December 9, 2004

By 

S. Williams "A Singing Spirit" (Western Slope of Colorado) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Quiet Mind, Fearless Heart: The Taoist Path through Stress and Spirituality (Paperback)

If you are like me, you have spent many years exploring the vast array of self-help, spiritual, and psychological "fix-it" books available. Although I definitely gleaned lots of interesting information from my countless readings, I somehow had not yet been able to fully understand the innermost workings of my own mind/heart/spirit. I had begun a journey of my own, many times over, but just kept going in circles because I couldn't find the best way to begin. Which school of thought to study in? I had begun to see similarities and overlapping messages, but I still couldn't pull everthing together and make sense of it.

I owe tremendous gratitude to Brian Luke Seaward for helping me to see farther inside myself than I'd ever been able (or dared) to before. I was first introduced to his work in late 2002. Since that time I have learned valuable lessons that have helped me to cope with extraordinarily stressful situations, deal more effectively with the unknowns in life, and to, ultimately, be more than ever someone who can still retain some sense of peace, joy and hope even living in this world as it now sits in the midst of tremendous turmoil. Mr. Seaward has graciously gathered so much priceless information here and made it understandable in theory, yet completely applicable to one's own life. This book could really be your only text for a class called "Self, Stress, and Spirituality 101".

With true sage wisdom, a smile, and a twinkling eye, he has collected the most precious jewels: teachings handed down through the ages, wonderful anecdotes, and specific exercises to help you map your course. Brian Luke provides you with a compass to bravely navigate the depths of the waters of your very own soul. If you follow the simple steps herein, you will learn to still your mind, strenghten your heart and stand tall in your divine spirit, sailing into the headwind toward a welcoming horizon of peace.

If you've got stress, a sagging spirit, or just want self-awareness, go Seaward!

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Integral Embrace, March 17, 2005

By 

Mary L. Landauer "Mary Linda Landauer" (Columbus, Ohio) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Quiet Mind, Fearless Heart: The Taoist Path through Stress and Spirituality (Paperback)

Being an avid fan of Dr. Seaward's books, when Quiet Mind, Fearless Heart hit the book stand I was excited. His book, Stand Like Mountain, Flow Like Water, has been by my bedside for years; a constant source of Spiritual light to still my often troubled soul.

When his new book came out my first thought was, "How will this compare, or how can I give up what is already infusing me with Divine Wisdom.

"Wow" can only describe the excitment reading this wonderful book....Dr. Seaward's own transformed radiance flows into the words,simply bursting into my own mind and heart. The synthesis of light pouring from Quiet Mind, Fearless heart, fused light within me to truly quiet my inner turbulent waters,leaving me with a calm and peaceful clarity.

Both books now grace my bedside table, and when needing to be inspired, my heart simply chooses one or both to take me back into the light of my quiet and fearless Soul.

Thank you Dr. Seaward for your endearing gift of Spirit through wise and graceful writing.

Mary Linda Landauer
Columbus, Ohio