Reflections of Being [Paperback]

Peter Ralston (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1993

Personal, reflective, and gently investigative, these early essays have a raw, fresh quality which predates the more formal theory and practice of Peter Ralston's two best-selling books, Cheng Hsin: The Principles of Effortless Power and Cheng Hsin T'ui Shou: The Art of Effortless Power. Many of the questions for which the martial arts work of Cheng Hsin is a vehicle of discovery—identity in relation to others, authenticity in the face of belief systems, the draw we have to pursue ineffective self-serving urges, and our tendency to conceptualize rather than experience things—are described here in simple, almost conversational language. Attempting to grasp what authentic knowledge is, Ralston's queries become a quest for how humans can develop a deeper sense of themselves as participants in the world.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"With gentleness and humor, Ralston leads us to see new dimensions of ourselves in the present and possibilities for further growth."
-Ole Larson, Founder, Institute for Self Actualization

"Peter Ralston has found a clear way to communicate how we deal with confrontation: he confronts you with your personality and shows you very directly what is going on."
-Guido Sleddens, martial arts teacher, Holland

About the Author

Since winning the 1978 World Championship Full-Contact Martial Arts Tournament, Peter Ralston has become a leading practitioner of martial arts, investigating and teaching applications of psychological and spiritual growth. He directs training programs and workshops at Cheng Hsin, The Center for Ontological Research and Internal Martial Arts, in Oakland, California, and conducts staff training workshops for Lifespring, the Institute of Self Actualization, Robbins Research Institute (NLP) and other human potential organizations.

Product Details

• Paperback: 88 pages
• Publisher: North Atlantic Books (January 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1556431198
• ISBN-13: 978-1556431197
• Product Dimensions: 5.6 x 0.3 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #827,815 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A short refreshing swim through the depth of "being.", June 6, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Reflections of Being (Paperback)

Peter Ralston goes into what it is to simply "be." In doing that, there is some explanation of how it is that we forget to appreciate our own "being." A really wonderful book to lay the groundwork for understanding who we are and what we aren't.

Although this might be a book about the "groundwork," I wouldn't pass it up at any cost. For me, this book filled in a bunch of holes in my understanding of "being."

Also, if you are into NLP, there is a great bit in there on how to make use of "state control" in exploring the depth of your own existance. It is a refinement to managing your emotions, rather than trying to just feel good all of the time.

If you are into the exploration of your own infinite depth, read this book (especially if you are just getting into this work.) It is like talking casualy with one of your friends who also happens to be a mystic.