I had been meaning to delve into Peter Levine's work for some time now, and yet, as often happens, now believe I read exactly the right book of his atI had been meaning to delve into Peter Levine's work for some time now, and yet, as often happens, now believe I read exactly the right book of his at exactly the right time for me, to make it most impactful. With a foundation in understanding the basics of polyvagal theory and the neurophysiology of trauma, I found I was able to appreciate this book on so many levels, to see how Levine's own theories and methodology have continued to incorporate and expand on cutting edge research in the field, which just keeps growing. This isn't a self-help book, a clinical guide, or a clinician's memoir, but has elements of all three, and I devoured all of it, highlighting and underlining like mad. ...more
I was mainly interested in the neurophysiology ("the science" portion of the subtitle) of mindful compassion practices, and this book did not disappoiI was mainly interested in the neurophysiology ("the science" portion of the subtitle) of mindful compassion practices, and this book did not disappoint. There are plenty of self-help books on compassion and mindfulness practices out there, but I am most excited about the resources that go deeper into the why and how of it all, breaking down some of the cutting edge brain science behind our animal natures. This book additionally delved into related Buddhist philosophies, not in a dogmatic way, but from more of an anthropological, philosophical approach that added additional depth and breadth to the subject. ...more
I love a well-written, meandering, insightful and surprising literary essay as a window into a curious mind turning over intricate details of an examiI love a well-written, meandering, insightful and surprising literary essay as a window into a curious mind turning over intricate details of an examined life on multiple levels. This is not a book to plow through but to savor, and I thoroughly enjoyed the journey. As Ferris explains in her introduction, “...the point is not to make a point but to gather and concentrate one’s attention until the thing blooms in the mind… .” These meditations gathered and bloomed in me, and keep on blooming after having finished the book.
Ferris is a deep thinker and skillful writer who helped me see differently, feel differently, and wonder differently for a time, all without leaving my armchair. This book is a gift. ...more
This could be a wonderful book for someone who's never worked with mindfulness, self-compassion, or other self-reflective practices before. I might haThis could be a wonderful book for someone who's never worked with mindfulness, self-compassion, or other self-reflective practices before. I might have loved it if I'd read it twenty years ago. At this point, though, it felt too simplistic—not nearly enough to help those going through bigger upheavals and deeper traumas—, too repetitive, and didn't go into any of the somatic or neurophysiological effects of mindful self-compassion that I've found helpful in other books....more
I am not diabetic. I had originally purchased this book to support a friend, figuring I’d skim it and then pass it on. However, within the first few pI am not diabetic. I had originally purchased this book to support a friend, figuring I’d skim it and then pass it on. However, within the first few pages I was hooked by Haskins’ down-to-earth, compassionate, self-deprecating, and insightful writing, the sort I enjoy in memoirs, and I read it cover to cover. Though at first I didn’t expect this book to apply to me, I did thoroughly enjoy reading it. I was then further pleasantly surprised to find much that did apply to me—to anyone, I would argue—as we all make important choices for the health of our bodies, often navigating confusing and even conflicting information about what health even means, especially with regard to individual differences.
This isn’t yet another authoritative, directive self-help book from some MD expert in the field. It is a beautifully written exploration from a writer who has done her homework, first for herself, and now, for the rest of us. Rather than evoking guilt or shame for my own often disordered eating habits, Haskins’ informed yet gentle humility inspired me to want to review my own diet and make improvements out of self-compassion. To learn to attend to my own body and learn to thrive as a human who needs to eat to live, something I believe we could all benefit from ...more
In Dear Park Ranger I discovered a fellow wanderer, wonderer, and kindred spirit who asks many of the same questions I’ve explored in my own writing—qIn Dear Park Ranger I discovered a fellow wanderer, wonderer, and kindred spirit who asks many of the same questions I’ve explored in my own writing—questions of belonging, of what makes a home, of living intentionally, and of deep and complicated human relationships with the natural world and each other. As with the best essay collections, this feels like a window directly into the workings of another mind, as Muse makes sense of key experiences, explores some of his deepest traumas and greatest joys, and shares his truths with a quiet strength it’s an honor to witness. Skillfully composed without being distractingly literary, the essays flow with a subtle grace that make them a perfect and grounding read after a hectic day, when I’m ready to get out of my own head and connect with another curious, questioning, striving, and restless human making sense of his world. “This myth making, this restlessness, this primordial itch lies inside you, and you don't know if it awakens with a book, a felled suburban woods, or your first hard look in the mirror as part of a broken family, and you can only scratch that itch—itchy as all get-out—on the go.”...more
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