Customer Reviews

The Trance of Scarcity: Stop Holding Your Breath and Start Living Your Life

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Victoria Castle's book is an elegant and educated exposition of the Universal Law of Flow, but she's too grounded to call it that!.It is extremely readable,filled with robust contagious optimism and wisdom- from her own life and 20 years of coaching others. Whilst none of these ideas are new, she puts into a working framework the over-hyped messages of The Secret, and The Law of Attraction, and shows us the somatic ('in-the-body') practices that allow us to connect to our own real lives and play our part in the dance. Such a relief from all the 'magical thinking' that abounds out there - you know the kind of stuff - write your wish list and affirm it daily, and if it doesnt show up it must be your unconscious beliefs holding you back...sorry to be cynical,but it takes more insight than that! Victoria's book brings that insight. It is practical and inspiring, and gave me a great framework to understand where I get blocked, and how to shift my own body and thinking, to unblock and return to my natural generative state - a state of curiosity and connection that we can all experience, a state in which we feel naturally abundant and connected to life and our fellow beings. I urge you to go out and get this book - it will get you out of the trance and into the dance!
PS I was lucky enough to get to one of her workshops, just one week after finishing the book, and she is as wise and approachable in person as she is in the book - nice to see people who walk their talk...

This book is a life-changer. After working on it as an editor, I have recommended The Trance of Scarcity to a number of people, all of whom later made a point of thanking me personally for the rich wisdom they found here. Victoria Castle's Somatics-based guide to breaking out of the trance of "Not Enough" by adopting a greater attitude, both mentally and physically, is embodied brilliance. Her sassy wit, together with hilarious illustrations by Obadinah, make the book a real joy to read. Read The Trance of Scarcity and you'll surely experience greater ease and wisdom around the big money, prosperity and generosity questions. Oh yes, and joy is allowed. Buy this book for everyone you know!

An inspiring yet practical book. The author has a humorous self-deprecating style as she shares her own journey of moving from scarcity to abundance. This book made me aware - again - that I am surrounded by abundance but, in my busyness, am so often blind to it. The book flows beautifully making the ideas easy to comprehend and to apply immediately. I am buying a copy for each of my five children.
David McNally - Author - Even Eagles Need A Push

I used to think of myself as an optimistic person with belief in myself, but I wasn't getting the results I wanted. Eventually I discovered an undercurrent sense of scarcity running below the surface that I wasn't aware of until a counselor helped me discover it. This book is a real antidote. When I review key passages in this book regularly, I get back into the frame of mind of believing that I really can get what I want out of life. Napoleon Hill was right: you have to believe before you can achieve. And this book definitely helps you believe.

Lee Liebner, author/singer of As You Go, an inspirational gift book/song-on-CD/scrapbook-journal for young people about to enter the world.

"Is the universe friendly?" The answer to this question, once posed by Albert Einstein, is the basis of the book "The Trance of Scarcity" by Victoria Castle.

If your answer to this question is "no", Castle writes, "we feel alone, ashamed, permanently insufficient. We move through the world like dejected spectators; strained, isolated, telling ourselves story after story of our unworthiness and life's unfairness. Feeding on a continual diet of despair and rejection, courtesy of the Trance of Scarcity, we desperately seek ways to go numb. Our life force is diminished to a whisper."

If, on the other hand, your answer is "yes", Castle says, "we show up at the party ready to greet old friends and meet new ones. We add our signature dish to the potluck and prepare to feast. We understand that partaking of the flow takes nothing away from anyone else. We freely partake of and freely contribute to the constant stream of resources and possibilities. Our belonging is undisputed ... We create a life of meaning and fulfillment, absorbed in making the unique contribution to the human community that is ours to make."

This prime message of The Trance of Scarcity really struck a chord with me. I could see that for much of my life I did see the universe as an unfriendly place, and that was reflected in my cautious approach to living. I still see the World that way at times. But I am gradually making a transformation to seeing the Universe as a friendly place, with signs of support all around (Castle defines this as life in "the Circle"). For anyone else making a similar transition, The Trance of Scarcity is an invaluable aide.

One way I live in "scarcity" is to replay in my mind painful incidents of the past, thinking how I could have acted differently or how unfair a particular situation was. "These (stories) keep replaying themselves as if they're the Truth," Castle writes, "unless we remember that they're only Stories - a few of the many thousands we might have chosen to tell ourselves." I am reminded of these words now each time my attention focuses to a regret of the past. What if my interpretation of events isn't true? What if it really just is a "story" I am telling myself? I found Castle's words freeing.

The Trance of Scarcity is full of valuable tips for living in the joy of the moment. Good actions, for example, flow naturally out of being connected to Life. This is a different orientation than "being good" because you are supposed to - motivated more by the fear of what others will think of you. "Society has put generosity on its righteous To Do list. Giving from a sense of obligation takes all the fun out of it," Castle writes. "Being Generous because you "should" give takes it out of the realm of flow and into the realm of rules, regulation, and judgment."

The Trance of Scarcity is one of the best books I have read this year. A book I will refer to often when my thoughts drift towards fear and lack. "You have extraordinary gifts to bring the world, and the world is counting on you to bring them," Castle says. "The world needs you to release contraction a million times a day so that aliveness can flow freely in you, to not hold back who you are but give it freely."

I doubt if anyone lives in "The Circle" 100% of the time, Victoria Castle included. But I believe reading her book will increase for you those moments of joy and connectedness to the wonderful life that is around each of us, as it did for me.

The first chapter seemed a little simplistic, but as I read on, the book quickly became a powerful read for me. I like how Victoria Castle is self-revealing when she is illustrating a point. I do the practices. They have helped me experience greater happiness and ease in daily life. I definitely recommend Trance of Scarcity.

I really loved this book. It's funny, I just finished a couple of books about the body remembering trauma and I started to realize how much I hold my breath. This book has been a great help in releasing the trauma. The body remembers!

Freeing ourselves from our stories of scarcity is so important, Castle writes clearly and compellingly and gives great tools for embodying that practice.

This book is a easy read and you won't want to put it down. The subject matter may not may not be a revelation to everyone but valuable to all none the less.

Good book on changing one's perspective.
I especiallyl liked the reminder about expectations.