Mindfulness and The Art of Choice: Transform Your Life (Paperback)

~ Karen H. Sherman (Author)
Key Phrases: Particular Blockages, The Personal Problem, The Doorway (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Do You Have the Life You Want?
Each person is entitled to have "the good life." Most don't experience this because of getting caught up in reacting, continually recycling old patterns that keep you stuck and emotionally frozen. By practicing the simple tools in Mindfulness and the Art of Choice, you'll learn how to live mindfully and create the great life you want.

The Art of Choice Will Make a Difference

Understand why you have not been able to achieve the life you desire

Become aware of the signals that indicate you are responding in an old "knee-jerk" reactive patterns

Notice and turn off old negative thought patterns

Learn ways to heal old leftover emotional wounds

Deal with specific everyday issues that get in the way of a satisfying, joyous life

What the Experts Say About Dr. Sherman's book:
"If you're carrying any hurt from your past, Dr. Sherman's book will give you the power you need to banish that hurt forever."
Robert Epstein, Ph.D., Host of "Psyched!" on Sirius Radio; former Editor-in-Chief, Psychology Today

"Karen Sherman presents to the reader simple, yet profound ways to help people get unstuck from many of life's daily issues."
Stephan Rechtschaffen, M.D., cofounder of OMEGA. Author of Timeshifting: Creating More Time to Enjoy Your Life and coauthor of Vitality and Wellness

Learn more at www.ChoiceRelationships.com

From the New Horizons in Therapy Series Series Editor, Robert Rich, Phd

Another great self-help book from Loving Healing Press www.LovingHealing.com

Product Details

• Paperback: 124 pages
• Publisher: Loving Healing Press (February 14, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1932690514
• ISBN-13: 978-1932690514
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #531,626 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Truly a Self-help book, March 6, 2008

By	Reader Views "www.readerviews.com" (Austin, Texas) - See all my reviews

Reviewed by Irene Watson for Reader Views (2/08)

Dr. Sherman, in practice as a relationship expert for over 20 years, has written a book to help readers create a better life for themselves. Taking excerpts of her own life and experience, she explains how to live mindfully. The book consists of two parts, the first part "How the Art of Choice Works" and the second part is "The Art of Choice Exercises." Both sections include a thorough explanation plus exercises.

Dr. Sherman stresses that experiences in the past encode our mental and physical memory. These are called core issues or "baggage." She believes the feeling attained during a negative experience remains in our being, and often the same feeling comes up in other similar situations. This in turn creates an emotional response. The experiences could be traumatic, yet on the other hand, something perceived to be very menial could also create an emotional reaction. For example, a child is walking with her father and reaches up to hold his hand. At that same moment the swing of the father's arm goes away from the child. The child, at that moment, could feel rejected by not realizing what caused the father's arm to move away. This feeling would become embedded in the child's memory as rejection. From then on, anytime something or someone is pulled away from her, the same feeling of rejection occurs. Often the feelings are replaced with distraction, such as alcohol, drugs, or adverse behaviors. In "How the Art of Choice Works" Dr. Sherman addresses how to embrace the feelings, yet react differently. She also addresses patterns caused by the situation and how to change them.

In a short two-paragraph section, Dr. Sherman explains awareness is the key response to making changes and gives a simple technique to generate it. Once we are aware of the reaction, she gives exercises to become conscious of the body, observe the behavior, note thoughts, address the thoughts/fears and ultimately break the old patterns, creating a new flow in life.

There are many books on the market that cover the same issues as Dr. Sherman, however, there isn't one that is as concise and to the point as "Mindfulness and the Art of Choice" is. In less than 100 pages she helps the reader become aware of personal issues/reactions embedded in the memory. Within a few simple exercises we can change the feelings associated with the situation. At the same time we can move away from recreating those same feelings in another situation. It may sound like a difficult task, and it could be. However, Dr. Sherman simplifies everything for us through her explanations and exercises - to a point where "Mindfulness and the Art of Choice" becomes truly a self-help book. This book is highly recommended for anyone that is considering choosing to have "the good life."

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A useful and 'user friendly' guide, September 6, 2008

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

Unhappiness doesn't have to be something someone is sentenced to. "Mindfulness and The Art of Choice: Transform Your Life" is a useful and 'user friendly' guide for anyone wanting to turn their life around and become content with things they are otherwise compelled to deal with every day of their ordinary existence. With advice on making good choices, portraying a positive attitude to those around you, healing and dealing with loss, and more, author Karen H. Sherman offers a unique set of suggestions for everyday life. A welcome addition to personal self-help, self-improvement reading lists, "Mindfulness and the Art of Choice" is especially recommended for its underlying and foundational message that everyone does have a choice.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It Works to Transform Your Life!, July 11, 2008

By	Dr. Annette Colby "Annette Colby" (Dallas, Texas USA) - See all my reviews

There is something brave in the voice of this book, something resounding, without embellishments. This is a most important book that goes beyond self-help and good advice. It brings an awakening to the heart - a true connection to, and trust, in self. This book addresses the most important questions of life: Where do we go from here, and how do we get there? You will find Dr. Sherman's approach very helpful - solid, practical, and filled with loving guidance.

This book is divided into two parts. Part 1 is "How the Art of Choice Works." Here Dr. Sherman describes in poignant detail how we live a life that is on autopilot. She then illustrates a simple, yet profound process to connect with the wisdom contained within the body, quiet the noisy mind, and move beyond fear. In addition, she touches our hearts as she describes her own painful childhood. Her account of suffering not only heals deep wounds within our own souls; it allows us to know that it is possible for us to create the great life we want.

Part 2 is dedicated to "The Art of Choice Exercises." Sherman states, "A self-help book is only helpful if there are suggestions in it that offer you specific ways to make changes." She follows through on her promise providing twenty-two proven, easy to implement exercises to connect with the body, quiet the mind, and feel a sense of readiness to create a life for yourself that is full and satisfying.

Dr. Sherman is a woman who knows healing inside and out. What a joy to find such an intelligent and creative approach for happiness and emotional well-being! Her exercises lead us on journey that allows us to discover new solutions to old problems. "Mindfulness And The Art of Choice" is both a powerful contribution to the field of personal transformation and a gift to those who are taking their satisfaction and joy into their own hands.

Annette Colby: Author of "Your Highest Potential"