A Favorite of 4,
Read by 10,
Owned by 9,
Reviewed by
1,
Quotes
3
Put the telescope away; the North Star mentioned here is a human body, not a heavenly one. And like Polaris, which has guided sailors for centuries, the human body's gut feelings and emotions can help guide a wayward soul back
...(more) to his or her "essential self." In this absorbing combination of detailed self-awareness exercises and true stories from her own counseling experience (equal parts sobering and hysterically entertaining), Harvard-trained sociologist Martha Beck invites readers to explore their heart's desires and the vast social webs that keep such desires in check. The goal is not to forsake the "social self" and indulge every emotional impulse of the "essential self." Rather, Beck gives readers the tools and the encouragement to achieve maximum happiness by harmonizing these typically divergent voices. Beck (author of Expecting Adam) admits that repairing a damaged emotional compass and setting out on such a vital journey--which often involves painful realizations and changes--"has all the combined attractions of suicide and childbirth." But the payoff, she concludes, is a love affair with real life. To that end, she walks readers through a lengthy exercise to evaluate their current lifestyle's pleasures and pains, teaches the process of listening to the body for directional cues, describes how to extract "soul shrapnel" (healing all those nasty, self-defeating emotional wounds), and provides an intriguing "Map of Change" to achieve an authentic life. Beck's impressive knowledge, her engaging (if somewhat irreverent) voice, and her ability to parse this scary process into achievable steps make her a new champion in the self-help arena. --Liane Thomas(less)
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It is true that Martha’s amazing writing talent and her magic can turn people into their true selves. She offers all the tools and the navigation system for a shift from a social self existence to an essential self discovery and ‘doing without doing’.
Her unique style and sense of humor will help you leave the predictable social self behind and tap into the power, joy and love of your creative essential self while finding what you love best, trying what you want most and living your life purpose to the fullest.
A lot of books promise to take you on the path to fulfilling your dreams, but this one really delivers and in a marvelous way!