I Had It All the Time: When Self-Improvement Gives Way to Ecstasy (Paperback)

by Alan Cohen (Author) "What would you do if someone swore that you knew the secret of life and put you on stage to tell it?..." (more)
Key Phrases: spirit without hesitation, life without passion, fearful mind, Master Key, Bun Dance, Scare City (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Whether you are a newcomer or a veteran on the path of self-improvement, I Had it All the Time will awaken you to a life so magnificent that you will laugh at the notion of improving what love made whole. Quit fixing yourself and get on with the life you came to live.

Product Details

• Paperback: 318 pages
• Publisher: Alan Cohen Publications (December 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0910367531
• ISBN-13: 978-0910367530
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #48,870 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simple Wisdom for Self-Discovery, August 14, 2002

By	Lydia Clark, Life Strategist and Executive Coach (Sparta, NJ United States) - See all my reviews

Alan Cohen provides inspiring and practical information for creating possibilities in your life through simple tools, methods and stories. Alan has a wonderful way of writing in an easy-to-get-it style and each chapter gives you the opportunity for transformation through a self-discovery activity. After reading Alan's book Why Your Life Sucks and What You Can Do About It, I yearned to read more of his books, which lead me to this book. I recommend this book for the enjoyment of improving and leading an authentic life!

26 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 5 stars for the book 3 stars for the audios ...I have both, February 23, 2004

By A Customer

THE BOOK REVIEW:

The Good:
This book I highly reccommend. There isn't a book on the market in the self help genre that is better! I have been reading self help material for twelve years and if I had this book my journey would have ended a long time ago. I have been soul searching for what feels like an eternity, trying zen buddhism,christianity,islam, kabbalah,and religions and philosophies that you probably haven't heard of. This book rescued me from co-dependency on other books, techniques, and the like, (it immediately helped me find myself). Today I am who I always wanted to be without trying to squeeze in someone elses tiny shoes. For instance, if I did Zen meditation I would try to memorize, do the meditation ritual and follow the philosophies to the letter. Sometimes we know the truth but we are not confident enough to act on it, so, we wait until someone comes along and say what we knew, and we make them our GOD; or we die with the truth still in us. If you want to buy your last self help book then let this be it. Alan Cohen has given us an end all book. If you need money, a relationship,etc, this is your one stop shop.I promise you it will change your life for the better.

The Bad:
In a perfect world I would like this book to adhear to all religions. It favors christianity way too much(hence: references to a course in miracles throughout). However, I will admit it is the best self help book I have ever read. Christianity must be a "general accepted principle" amongst self help gurus.

Side Bar:
This book is the best kept secret (I didn't think there was a such thing) because (at the time of this writing)there are only ten reviews (it was published in 1994). It is a shame to have this book all to ourselves.

THE AUDIOS REVIEW:
I was fortunate enough to buy the audios on ebay for $2!!! Since I had already obtained the book for free I decided to get the audios, so, I would'nt have to read the book every time.

The Cons: The audios by themself have much left to be desired. Some of the stories from the book is not in the audios. The audios cut out my favorite story, (the one that is core to the book)!!! Another problem with these audios is Alan Cohen isn't who I thought he was. His voice is not someone I like to listen too (his voice is veeeery annoying). Also, when he speaks he talks on the audio as if he's reading a book to a classroom. If I had bought the audios without reading the book I would've returned or sold the tapes as soon as I had gotten them and would've been unimpressed with Mr. Cohen.

The Pro: I give the audio 3 stars only because the audio is a good compliment but, I repeat but, do not pay full price!!! Buy the audios from elsewhere only, only, as a compliment to the book,(that's if you feel you must have them that bad).

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I Had It All The Time, August 2, 2002

By A Customer

This is one of the books I go back again and again. Alan's teachings are so down to earth, applicable to the real life, empowering, and loving. My heart and soul always says, "Yes! Yes!" whenever I read the words of the Truth about life that Alan writes, and I regain or increase the power to live my life. As I read his words, I can feel how Alan is looking at human life with overflowing love and humor. Wherever the life stage one is in, this is the book that changes one's perspective of life and the universe into the Truth which is love. I highly recommend it.