Customer Reviews

Ten Zen Seconds

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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!

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.

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.

Another 'get rich quick' rehash of obvious commonplace stuff by a guy who has written more books about how to be creative than God. Ironically, for a 'creativity coach', you'd think he'd've 'created' himself another topic, or at least something original to say. In this 'offering', Maisel's big secret is one slow ten second breath while saying a positive affirmation. He lists 12 and goes into a chapter for each (which we like to call 'padding'.) Ironically, in the chapters about the affirmations (he calls them 'incantations' because calling them an affirmation is like, so 1990s, I think) his little case studies/guinea pigs often state that this affirma--sorry, incantation didn't work for them as worded. So, he coaches, come up with your own! So...if I have to come up with my own...why did I buy this book again?

So, reader, here's the deal--breathe one ten-second breath while saying a positive affirmation. I just saved you $12. Oh, and if you're looking for ANYTHING zen in this book beyond the cover art, good luck!

Unlike other self-help type books, this book really only has one main suggestion/idea and it is super simple to immediately implement. The purpose of the technique being to "center" and to become mindful. The author suggests 12 short phrases (or, "incantations" as they are referred to on the cover). The technique is to take a 10 second long breath--5 in, 5 out and to use the breath as a "container" for a specific thought. You think the first half of the phrase on the in breath and the second half on the out breath. An example:

(I am) (open to joy)

I started reading the book shortly after I got it last month and tried the technique that same day and have been using it in some form ever since. Really helpful and easy. I find all 12 phrases to be very useful and I can remember almost all of them at any one time.

As I read the book I thought, this book is giving me a skill that I will use for the rest of my life. It is essentially a tiny meditation technique that is MUCH more readily incorporated into one's daily life (especially a life that includes small children) than traditional, dedicated, more elaborate meditation practice.

This review is excerpted from my book blog, Molly Reads.

I have read many meditation books. Meditation sounds like a great idea, but with my hectic, stressful lifestyle and my ADD, I never do seem to get around to it. It just doesn't seem practical. This book offers a technique that is so practical. The technique can be used for any stressful situation, no matter how little time you have. Also it is something that I believe could be developed over time, a book to return to over and over. There are many wise little passages here. I have never written a review before, but I just had to share my enthusiasm for this little book!

Ten Zen Seconds could be ten pages long. After the meditations are listed and use suggestions made, the rest is fluff -- personal experiences about using the Zen Seconds. But that does not mean I condemn it -- oh contrary! In fact, I use them often. If simplicity is genius this is Einstein. A quiet moment in a frazzled world. What's not to love?

I've read several other of Eric's books and found them to be down to earth and practically helpful. So, when he said he had an instant method to create a calm centered self, I thought I'd give it a go. I don't think I would have believed this claim from many other authors. It really does seem too good to be true. A good sceptic tests and trials before completely discarding, so test and trial I did. It really does work. I can't quite believe how easy Eric's method is to learn and practise and in the short time I've been using it I've found it has a cumulative effect as well. I feel calm and centered and when I don't, I know how to fix it - in ten seconds.

The book itself is true to his style, easy and enjoyable to read and the information is easily accessed. Honestly, do yourself a favour and get this book.

This small book guides you through easy Zen breathing techniques and 'incantations.' Also, every step is followed by examples of how other people benefited which will help you decide how to apply these methods to your own unique life situation.

The premise of Ten Zen Seconds is almost too simple to feel worth reading, but that would miss the point entirely.

Every day we're bombarded with ideas and concepts about what to do or who to be, what to buy or where to go. Then, amidst the chaos, comes books like this. More ideas, more concepts, 12 more "easy steps," on, and on, and on...

Sometimes, we tend to forget, it's actually worth slowing down a bit. There's more beneath the surface. Something that can actually be of use to you, instead of something that keeps you feeling, stuck, or overwhelmed, or apathetic, or whatever. We all have the same basic needs. We want meaning, peace of mind and happiness. We can find it in our lives, pretty easily, and there are innumerable ways to do it; yoga helps, meditations, tai chi.. etc.. Maisel contends that, as helpful as those practices are, we don't always have time to stop what we're doing and start meditating, doing yoga, etc. Maisel suggests we just stop what we're doing, or about to do, and... breathe.

Breathe in for five seconds, and breathe out for five seconds.

Try it.

For the full experience, Maisel suggests twelve phrases to think to yourself while doing this. Why? Because the anecdotal (which the books is full of) and scientific research has proven time and time again that our breathes shorten and quicken as we become stressed and overwhelmed, and all wee need do to begin counteracting our anxiety is slow our breath. The 'incantations,' though, which meditation, cognitive therapy and several scientific studies have repeatedly shown to work, are the most important part. We are what we think. If we believe life is miserable and we're never 'good enough' or fully prepared or 'meant' to be what we want, then it is so. The incantations are intended as "thought replacements." As long as we're creating our reality, why not enjoy it?

The twelve incantations are: (inhale) (exhale)

1 . (I am completely) (stopping)
2. (I expect) (nothing)
3. (I am) (doing my work) - Rephrase for your specific situations
4. (I trust) (my resources)
5. (I feel) (supported)
6. (I embrace) (this moment)
7. (I am free) (of the past)
8. (I make) (my meaning)
9. (I am open) (to joy)
10. (I am equal) (to this challenge)
11. (I am) (taking action)
12. (I return) (with strength)

Try it out, feel free to make up your own, and if it feels right, check out the book. It's worth slowing down, taking the time and fully absorbing.