23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Serenity (Almost) Now--a brief technique that actually works, April 26, 2007
This review is from: Ten Zen Seconds (Paperback)
One of the most interesting people I have read, and continue to read, is the therapist and creativity expert Eric Maisel, whose own writing seems to embrace both the difficulty of getting ready to make art, and the dizzy sexy pleasure of actually making it. I even took an on-line creativity coach class from him, and learned, among other things, that I am REALLY bad at doing on line coaching of people I have never met face to face. That is a good lesson to learn.
Now Eric has written a new book called TEN ZEN SECONDS, and it is a splendid one. TEN ZEN SECONDS refers to a series of "incantations," as Eric calls them, short phrases that you repeat to yourself as you breathe deeply in and then out. Unlike a lot of meditation techniques, you don't need a cushion, a mat, a room, a candle. You can, in fact, be running for the damned subway while you are doing them: in fact, Eric encourages you to do just that.
The 12 phrases include:
* "I expect nothing,"
* "I return with strength," and
* "I am doing my work."
You can repeat one, or string them together like beads. Despite their brevity, they are the very opposite of quick fixes. While generally people--including me--find relief in the very first 10 second incantation, the point is to keep doing them, and notice how you shift when you interrupt your big old patten of stress with a generous thought, and a deep in and out breath. Very portable, and you don't have to carry around a sticky, possibly bacteria-laden mat to do it!
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16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Must Have Book!, May 1, 2007
This review is from: Ten Zen Seconds (Paperback)
High kudos for Ten Zen Seconds! It is a succinct, handy little reference book written to help you stay calm and centered in all circumstances. While the target audience is aimed for people in creative endeavors, it can also be applied to business, sports, the classroom, and parenting, to name a few.
Eric Maisel uses simple, practical language to explain how to take a ten second breath while doing an incantation to fit a specific circumstance. For example if it's a gloomy day either externally, or inside yourself, you can breathe in and say "I am open", then breathe out and say "to joy." Each chapter also has people talking specifically how the breathing and incantations helped them. That has added inspiration to Eric's expertise, which shines throughout.
The book is also beautifully designed. It is the size of a small journal, so it can be kept in a briefcase, purse, or desk or bedside drawer for convenient reference. The fonts are pleasing and vary according to voice and emphasis.
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Time well spent, April 8, 2007
This review is from: Ten Zen Seconds (Paperback)
Ten Zen Seconds is a direct and passionate call to action for people who value making the most of their time and their lives. I found the method to be a simple and practical way to keep my mind, emotions, and actions in synch throughout the day. Maisel's examples and quotes from people who have used the techniques are motivating and sensible. The small-format paperback is easy to carry around and to read when I have a few spare minutes. I've been surprised at how quickly I can get myself focused and relaxed - for my creative projects and for stressful situations in the rest of my life. You don't have to have read Eric Maisel's creativity books to benefit from this one - but if you have read the others, you will probably find yourself going back to them with renewed interest and energy to do your creative work. I have.
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