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Type of bind: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 615.5
EAN num: 9781880336687
ISBN number: 1880336685
Label: Turtle Press
Manufacturer: Turtle Press
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 216
Printing Date: February 01, 2002
Publishing house: Turtle Press
Sale Popularity Level: 853917
Studio: Turtle Press
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Can we achieve perfection? While true perfection is fleeting, we often achieve a moment of perfection: a state of mind that is just right, a time when we are fully attuned to the needs of our body, mind and spirit. It is the potential for achieving this type of integration that Perfecting Ourselves: Coordinating Body, Mind and Spirit seeks to tap into. Author Aaron Hoopes explores the basic threads of the self-body, mind and spirit-and demonstrates simple methods of integrating the three through breathing exercises, meditation, focused quietism and conscious living. He considers the body and how we can become more fully aware of it by examining detrimental behaviors, exploring the effect they have and suggesting ways to counter them. In particular, he shows how deep breathing exercises and conscious awareness of the breath constitute a major pathway to physical health and well-being. He then looks the mind and how we can gain more control over our thoughts and feelings. In particular, he focuses on 'Quietism' an approach that includes exercises for calming the mind and gaining clarity of thought. Finally, he discusses the spirit, which manifests itself when we have integrated a healthy, connected body with a calm, clear mind. When integration occurs, every moment of life becomes 'perfect.' We can live in balance with our self and the world around us. Through breathing and quietism, the quality of life improves. We get sick less often and recover faster. Things that bothered us before become insignificant. Feelings of well-being invade us, and we feel ready to tackle any task or obstacle in our path. Follow along as Aaron leads you through simple exercises that will help you: - Develop healthy habits one step at a time - Holistically heal and strengthen your body - Reduce tension and stress through mindful breathing - Increase your connection between mind and body - Get in touch with your 'Universal Mind' - Discover the joys of quietism - Achieve internal balance
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Rated by buyers -
Perfecting Ourselves: Coordinating Body, Mind and SpiritWhen I picked up this book, I couldn't put it down! Such common sense and wisdom! Following the guidance in this book has really helped me become a more calm and aware person. I highly recommend this book to all who seek more peacefulness in their lives
Rated by buyers -
What a wonderful common sense book! The title alone intrigued me. To a self help junkie, it sounded different from many others. As someone who works with integrating body, mind and spirit in the work I do with my clients, I am always looking for another approach to offer.
It isn't that this book is radically new, in fact, it deals with eastern wisdom traditions but in such a simple, clear way that it is a delight to read. Also, common sense is not common but this book makes it accessible and enjoyable. Best yet, the suggestions offered by the author realy work. I highly recommend it!
Rated by buyers -
This book is great! I love it and I would recommend it to anyone. The author Aaron Hoopes, has presented his ideas in a most simple way so that any reader can benefit greatly from the concepts covered in this book. If you are looking for an easy way to begin improving your life, buy this book and read it.
Rated by buyers -
Aaron Hoopes offers a framework for understanding the coordination of body, mind and spirit based on his own practical experience of teaching Martial arts, Shanti Yoga and meditation. I enjoyed the straightforward and uncomplicated writing style, and the good quality paper and printing layout made reading it a pleasure. Having read many books on the art of living, I realise that this one contains the essence of them without frills or personal anecdotes. Someone coming to the subject completely fresh will receive a great deal of sensible advice and can start the journey towards self understanding with comfortable reassurance that the author knows what he is writing about.
Part One, the Body, introduces readers to their own physical body and the basic requirements for it to function well. There will be those who have no idea of what they should ideally eat and drink, while for others it will be a reminder of why it is a good idea to give up certain habits completely or at least adopt a policy of moderation in them all. "The body in which we exist is our present reality and that is the only place from which we can begin a quest for perfection" the author says, and gives in detail well known ways to keep it healthy. Avoid, of course, drugs, drink, and over eating, and don't forget your aerobic exercise.
The section introducing Conscious Breathing explains why it is a good idea to increase the lung capacity through increased diaphragm movement. Many people have only a vague idea that they should breathe properly, but do not know how. The author describes what he calls Attention breathing and Abdominal breathing. He includes a few Dynamic breathing exercises with photos to illustrate the postures necessary for their practice. His own strong convictions and belief in the power of developing breathing to bring about harmony and a relaxed approach to life should inspire readers to start breathing deeply and smoothly as they read on.
Next, three concepts are introduced: the Ordinary Mind, the Universal Mind, and Quietism. The Ordinary mind is the world of the Ego and unconsciousness and the one we function from most of the time We are a mass of moving moods with the Ego controlling these.. For someone in a state of confusion and wanting to learn to become focused, just sitting still for five minutes is a starting point. The subsequent step is learning to accept all thoughts, without judging any of them negatively.. From there you advance to realising your real nature, which connects to the Universal Mind, a way of thinking where you see "the essential unity behind the changing experiences and phenomena of life" and after practice you will have calmed the Ordinary Mind and accessed this place of peace and tranquillity.
"Quietism is the state of pure calmness unfazed by the rapid pace of the world around and within us..." The author advocates developing this beautiful state of mind through the practice of focusing, or just watching and noticing, a natural scene, such as the sky, trees, the sea, mountains or fire. Concentrating on the qualities of the scene, such as fluidity, or solidity, you become identified with the subject itself. Then the focus is narrowed to a part of the body itself, aided by different breath counting methods. The idea is to gain control over the mind through these concentration exercises and attain a deep state of Quietism within yourself. The author's tone is encouraging and it is all made to sound attainable to anyone prepared to practice regularly. You are then ready to develop spiritual consciousness.
The author links the elusive idea of spirit to the balance of opposites, of yin and yang, with yoga exercises one way of achieving this in the body. From his training in the practice of yoga, Shiatsu, Chi Gung and other martial arts, he offers a variety of exercises to coordinate the body and mind, energise the body so that feelings of well being and spiritual awakening can be felt. Finding your spirit may prove overwhelming, so he provides a chapter on integrating the new developments and enjoying your life much more. Meditation and breathing practices are seen as keys to all the progress you make.
This is a gentle and wise guide to perfecting yourself, or in other words, creating yourself as you would like to be, reaching your potential, and living peacefully. You certainly need to have a certain determination and focus to be able to follow the instructions to get results, and to be motivated to do so. The book will be appreciated by those seeking a practical Buddhist based approach to developing inner strength.
Rated by buyers -
Really enjoyed this little book. Aaron Hoopes has put together a remarkable thesis: that people in peak moments experience "perfection" and can, by following some very specific and relatively simple guidelines, significantly expand them in number and quality. It involves what Hoopes calls coordinating your body and mind - which in most people are somewhat if not seriously out of sync - into an integrated or unified whole. The result liberates or manifests your "spirit" and opens you to perfect experiences. Wow! Don't worry, it's not as heavy as it sounds. Hoopes writes simply and clearly and includes exercises and basic directions to guide you step-by-step through the process.
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