The Lotus Effect: Shedding Suffering and Rediscovering Your Essential Self [Paperback]

Pavel Somov (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2010

Discover the Lotus Effect

The lotus plant has a unique ability to survive in muddy, humid swamps, producing beautiful flowers that bloom just above the water's surface. By repelling dirt and parasites from their leaves, lotuses are able to thrive and access as much sunlight and water as possible. What if we, like the lotus, could let the trials and tribulations of everyday life slip away and emerge unscathed and whole?

Suffering results when we lose sight of our true sense of self and absorb everyday frustrations instead of letting these feelings fall away. Inspired by Buddhist and Vedic psychology, The Lotus Effect will help you rediscover who you are by clarifying what you are not. Through the contemplative "identity detox" exercises and meditations in this book, you'll learn to let go of stress, worry, anger, suffering, and need for approval as naturally as the lotus sheds mud from its leaves. As you practice detaching yourself from life's disappointments, frustrations, and fears, you'll take the first steps toward strengthening your core "lotus self" so that you, too, will possess the resilience to blossom, no matter the circumstances.

Editorial Reviews

Review

In The Lotus Effect, Pavel Somov teaches us to work our way through the complexities of pain, suffering, and impermanence and learn to let go and accept the teachings of our afflictions of body, mind and soul. With the lotus effect, we shift from pain and suffering toward growth, rebirth, and transformation of the self. Great for clinicians to use with clients and for all others seeking to grow a new lotus within themselves.
—Ronald A. Alexander, Ph.D., executive director of the Open Mind Training Institute and author of Wise Mind, Open Mind

From the Publisher

The Lotus Effect offers readers a variety of Buddhist meditative techniques, both ancient and modern, for shedding the worry, rumination, obsessive thinking, and overthinking that causes suffering and prevents people from fully absorbing positive situations and experiences.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 216 pages
• Publisher: New Harbinger Publications; 1 edition (October 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1572249196
• ISBN-13: 978-1572249196
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.5 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #633,578 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Pavel G. Somov, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist in private practice.

Publications:

Somov, P. G. (2008)
A Psychodrama Group for Substance Use Relapse Prevention Training. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 38, 151-161.

Somov, P.G. (2007).
Meaning of Life Group: Group Application of Logotherapy for Substance Use Treatment.
Journal for Specialists in Group Work, 32 (4), 316 - 345.

Somov, P.G. (2000)
Time Perception as a Measure of Pain Intensity and Pain Type. Journal of Back & Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, 14 (3), 111-121.

Education:

State University of New York at Buffalo: Ph.D., Counseling Psychology

Professional Affiliations:

Member of the American Psychological Association (APA)
Member of the Greater Pittsburgh Psychological Association (GPPA)
Member of the Pennsylvania Psychological Association (PPA)

Military Service:

Independent Special Purpose Motorized Rifle Brigade (OMSBON) of the Ministry of Interior of the Soviet Union (1987-1989)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Dis-identify from what you are not, re-identify with what you are October 20, 2010

By Andrew Peterson

Format:Paperback

The Lotus Effect is a remarkable book which guides readers on rich exploration of their relationship to their own identity. Somov's voice is lithe, often playful, but his intent is dead serious. The ideas and techniques in the book are designed to do nothing less than transform the way we think about our own identity. We being with a process of "identity detox" - which is a wonderful way of describing the process of detaching from the information about ourselves which is not our true self. After working through a series of short exercises designed to help us enact the experience of dis-identifying from what we are not, we are then led on an exploration of what is left after we have discarded all of these unhelpful attachments. Somov has a gift for capturing issues of great complexity in simple concise metaphors and enactments, allowing us find our way almost effortlessly into an experience of deep self-exploration.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Profound and Transformative Book December 8, 2010

By Donald Altman

Format:Paperback

I read (and write) self-help mindfulness books. This one by Pavel Somov hooked me in first pages with its compelling blend of fascinating history and a very down-to-earth, novel and inventive way of bringing to life and describing age-old Buddhist and Hindu concepts. It was clearly written and also provocative--in the sense that it challenges the reader in a positive way to practice and bring these concepts of detoxifying the mind and mental processes into everyday life. He also helps to explain teachings on emptiness with wonderful clarity and insight, and makes the paradoxes that exist in this area more understandable from an experiential level.

This is a highly beneficial book that can help overcome entrenched negative emotions and thought patterns--even addictive behavior. The writing, too, was seamless and highly engaging. I actually started reading this book at night when I was tired, and I have to say that I happily lost some sleep that night because I couldn't put it down. Thank you Pavel Somov for sharing with us such a unique and healing book. Donald Altman, M.A., LPC, author The Mindfulness Code[[ASIN:1577318935 The Mindfulness Code: Keys for Overcoming Stress, Anxiety, Fear, and Unhappiness]

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Neti it out/ Disidentify with information detox March 31, 2011

By LolaGirl78

Format:Paperback

This book is enlightening. The exercises whether done literally or in your head will shed light on your essential being and remove the unwanted weight of negativity from your life if you allow it to. It's easy to read and does not assume that the reader is of any specific religious base. I highly recommend it.