Complementary-Therapy Books

Love from Both Sides: A True Story of Soul Survival and Sacred Sexuality Willaim Hewitt's "Self Hypnosis," is filled with healing and love. His well written scripts might seem deceptively simple, but because I'm a professional hypnotherapist, and I've used almost all his scripts to help clients heal, I know how powerfully they work! Whether you are a hypnotherapist, or just a seeker-soul looking for a way to heal, you'll find lots of "brain exercises" that will create love circuits in your brain. And ultimately, it's the love that heals us all, yes?

I was very impressed with the scripts provided in this book. The author definitely knows his way around the subconscious mind.

This book contains many useful scripts, and is free of personal bias or any other type of preachy stuff. If you read a lot of hypnosis material, you know that is a rare combination.

Easy to use, it's a great start for a beginner!

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Ya I can say that.You will never find this kind of book on self hypnosis.

There is a very brief introduction about Self-Hypnosis.Then 23 Scripts are given on different situation of life to work on.

Each script ends in about 30 minutes.Author suggests us to record these scripts in our own voice & listen to them according to our need.

I think this is a best idea for Self Hypnosis.Each Script starts with relaxation then Visualisation & then suggestion.

This is Great,like using the power of your own voice for your better life.I was wondering Why I didnt got this idea before?

In this book, you are provided with several self hypnosis "scripts" to record onto a tape, in your own voice. I recorded the weight loss script a little over a week ago, and I, an avid chocoholic, have not had a bite of chocolate since! I'm no longer snacking between meals, I'm not tempted by sweets, and I couldn't be happier. There is at least one script in this book for everyone. The wording is wonderful, very positive, and extremely effective.

Perhaps one of the most profound books on spirituality and mental health.
A learning in life of what it means to "be" while striking down the delusional, crazy system we often live with.

Gerald May is brilliant. Full of soul and wisdom. Simply written, and yet, deeply profound and uplifting.

Most of us are "addicted to perfection". Always trying to become whom we imagine others want us to become. This leads to much anxiety, depression and loneliness.

"To thy own self be true", we have to care and be gentle with our inner being if we want to go out into the world and love and be loved.

Dr. May gives us direction on how to "let go and let be", to get out of our ego, our own way and become the person we were meant to become. At times this might be seen as "selfish" but one has to understand that you can't give to others what you are denying to give yourself, so "charity begins at home".

Simply Sane was a required book for a pastoral integration class. I found its ideas very relevant to my own life and future practice and would recommend it to others in the field.

Health and healing are so closely related, yet with so many differences. This book has a well rounded view of both. It is rare to find such educated and diverse views brought together in a symphony of sense as in this book.

This book is the primary text for a course in Spirituality and Healing at the Univ. of Maine. So far it looks very good. Covers a lot of material but is not too hard reading.

This book is excellent. It can be used as a reference text for your class, place of employment or simply own it for your own education and peace of mind. It is a must read for anyone who has had or has an ill relative or companion or works in a healthcare related field. Get this book!... and begin your journey to better health.

Young and Koopsen have caught the essence of the diversity of the many cultural approaches to health and healing. As a physician trained in the Western Tradition of medicine, this book offerd to me a more perceptive approach to the understanding of my patient's views of their own health. I learned for the first time the difference between "healing" and "curing". Although this outstanding book is primarily a teaching text, I highly recommend it to anyone interested in the unique perspective that this book offers. R. O'Neil MD

This text has many easy to understand techniques that can be quickly incorporated into any body worker's practice.

With a plethora of books available on "how to do" techniques for all types of everyday manual therapy, it's not every day you come across a "where to apply" manual.

This book of structural bodywork is easy to read and apply. It runs through all of the latest fascial concepts and theory and gives details of different ways to view posture from a structural integrators point of view. It also includes a very useful chapter on manual techniques with some movement exploration, as used by the author who happens to be a Rolfer among many other things. All of the information is well presented and contains plenty of illustrations for us who like to look and learn.

Another quality is that it contains quite a few of the so called "secrets" of structural integration that can't be learned from your local college or university. The information contained is easily applied, very useful, and of course "cutting edge" with the author including some of the latest findings in fascial research.

I highly recommend this book if you are a student Rolfer, practitioner of Physiotherapy, Osteopathy, Remedial Massage or other manual therapist. Quite simply, there is nothing else around like it!

This has to be one of the best books on bodywork yet! It has made a significant difference in my work & my clients are experiencing much longer lasting results. Thank you, John Smith!

Most books on bodywork theory are really interesting to me. I am fascinated by the body so I love reading them. Usually, I am thrilled if I learn one or two techniques that make their way into my practice. This book did WAY more than that.
This book gives practical, immediately usable techniques that any bodyworker can use. My rate of success with clients has improved dramatically. This book has even inspired me to start Rolfing school next year.
The only other books that I have read that even come close to the usefulness of this book are Job's Body and Anatomy Trains. If either of those were helpful to you, this book shows lots of hands on techniques that you can use today.
Seth McLaughlin, LMT CNC CPhT

this is a beautiful rendition of the tao for healing. it is incredibly rich. i couldn't recommend it more highly.

I have owned this book for 7 years and it still continues to offer solace in times of sorrow or frustration. It is written in poetic form and each page offers beautiful insights as to how to percieve the pain of life in a way that provides growth and acceptance and love. Very deep and beautiful.

I found this small volumne at my local bookstore when they were going out of business. I spent several hours browsing through the volumnes and this was the one that spoke to me. At first glance I did not realize that it was yet another translation of the Tao Te Ching. When reading the introduction while waiting in line I thought, oh silly me! I have several other versions but none seems so sweetly honest. Perhaps it is because the author wrote this book during the last stages of a terminal illness. Perhaps it resonates because my father recently completed his journey here on earth. Enough simple yet profound wisdom to last a lifetime. Highly recommend.

The Tao Of Healing: Meditations For Body And Spirit, Second Edition, is a beautiful book, both in its content and its presentation. Haven Trevino says it is his "adaption of the Tao Te Ching, or 'Way of Life,' which first appeared around 600 B.C." Lao Tzu is believed to be the author of Tao Te Ching, which has been translated innumerable times. Trevino, a lifelong student of the Tao Te Ching, chose to use Lao Tzu's wisdom on the art of healing. Seriously ill himself, Trevino says his translation taught him that "beneath our shells of pain and darkness lives a light that transcends description, and all it takes to reunite us is our intention to do so. This light, or love, is who we truly are, and true healing is remembering this simple truth." Love and ancient wisdom permeates Trevino's verses. Each verse is meant to be quietly savored and reflected upon as it gently brings insight and inspiration to the student. Lao Tzu and Trevino both clearly understand human frailties. Gerald Jampolsky, M.D., well-known for his own writing on spiritual healing, wrote the preface to Trevino's book. He says that "reading this book is like listening to the heart of the universe sing an ancient melody of truth and wisdom." He adds it is "about giving and receiving, loving and forgiving, and simply being." Readers, whether healers or in need of healing, will find in The Tao Of Healing the enlightenment they need for their journey.

Sandra Smith, Reviewer

This book is truly and evidently a classic. Clifford presents the methods of Diamond Healing - only by means of letting go of ego-grasping and ignorance might we begin to merge mind, body and spirit with truth.
Tibetan Ayurveda consists of the medicine of the tantric vehicle, the dharma, shamanistic practice, and an extensive pharmacopoeia. It includes a comprehensive chart of the beneficial herbs of Tibetan psychiatry. However, most medicines should be bought rather than prepared, for there is an extensive preparation ritual performed by the enlightened healer. Generally, the method of the Tibetan doctor is to treat on all levels by way of profound compassion to reduce negativity.
As the most psychological religion, the view of illness seems to be essentially psychosomatic - the repercussion of karma, the poisons of the mind. Other theories which are conveyed include an imbalance of life energy (prana), disorders of the humors - these are wind, phlegm, and bile - toxins, and the demons of the mind. The three humors correspond with various states of internal and bodily suffering. Left open to individual interpretation, however the author concludes that they are interpretations of the inner psyche, or presentations of a psychological state.

Phlegm disorders suggest a tendency toward catatonia.

Disorders of wind cause anxiety, sorrow and discomfort. They are treated with warming herbs.

Disorders of bile - treated with bitter and cooling herbs - cause frustration and rage.

Amongst therapies are mandala meditations, the practice of mindfulness so one may come to know that he or she is not the only being afflicted with suffering and imbalance, and powdered formulas, oils and incense. Fascinating the breakthrough which leads to the first major tranquilizer was found within the chemical structure of rawolfia serpentina, a plant used for centuries to treat madness in the east. There are invocations such as mantras and meditation on the Medicine Buddha. These are among the most powerful visualizations for self-healing.
There is explicit material on the religion itself, the profound psychology implicated, and the Tibetan Book of Living and Dying. When one first finds these concepts may seem esoteric. But as Clifford examines they become profoundly sensical.
My fiancé - who is a Christian - and I suffer from madness. We are presently taking necessary western medicines, and using pre-prepared items such as incense, oil, and dietary intervention thus far. However, we are considering taking reiki, which is a spiritual discipline one of any faith can pursue.

I am a Native American and I have found many spiritual similarities between my own Hidatsa-Mandan traditions and the Tibetan tradition. The section on causes of Psychiatric disorders is the most interesting and relevant section in my opinion.

If nothing else, this book will open the hard nosed "scientific" community's eyes. The mere survival of its people and traditions is a testament to the validity of the views of Tibetan culture.

fantastic book! a great way for westerners to learn about tibetan medicine... Clifford enables the reader to connect an eastern tradition to our western minds... if you're interested in Tibetan medicine, this book is a great on to begin with...

True story of psychiatric nurse, Terry Clifford,who left her job working in a NYC psychiatric hospital to travel to Tibet, Nepal and Northern India to research traditional Tibetan medical methods of working with mental illness.

The traditional Tibetan doctors really opened up due to Ms. Clifford's sincerity, knowledge of physchiatric illness, and amiable personality. They translated esoteric Tibetan medical concepts, related expereinces from their medical practices and even gave her traditional Tibetan herbal formulas for pyschiatric illnesses.

The author's description and explanation of "demons" in Tibetan Medicine, including one that causes the patient to believe that their religion is the one and only true religion, shows a great deal of the insight,humour and intelligence that permeates the entire book.

Tragically, Ms. Clifford died shortly after this book was published and her work was cut short.

Everyone working with traditional Tibetan medicine owes a debt to Ms. Clifford's groundbreaking work.

The material in Vocal Toning of the Chakras is excellent and I have used it to increase calm, wellbeing, and body awarness together with a pronounced sense of accomplishing increased health in general! The techniques in this CD have practical use in improving health and wellbeing and are easy to learn!

Another fabulous Creation by Jonathan! What an amazing creator he is! Love this CD and use it often.

If you buy this cd, it is because you understand the subject. I recommend this recording. The only flaw that I find is that in the middle of the most blissful "tunin out" Goldman comes in with a booming voice to say "Now... Tune into your..." It is startling and it takes some getting used to. Other than that, I have found it very useful and informative.

I've just started using this CD and I can definitely feel the sounds reverberate through my body as I sing (or chant) each tone. You do each sound a number of times for each chakra and visualise the colour for each. I have cards painted in each color or I look at something of that color as I intone each sound. It is easy to do and takes around 30 minutes for the basic exercise. (There is a shorter version too). I can feel which chakras are heavier and need work. I haven't had the CD long enougn to say what long-term effects it has, but I just need to use it more often!

My Father, Dr. Michael Tierra is trully inspiring to me. I have watched him over the course of my life wholeheartedly embrace herbalism. I can remember going with him to many different herbal healers all over the country, and listen to him try to get as much information from them as he could, even though sometimes it was hard to understand their english, and they seemed hesitant to teach their ancient knowlege to white people. This sort of thing never seemed to stop him . I've seen him quickly pull off the side of the road and pick a bunch of fresh herbs that seemed to call out to him, and go home and make them into many different healing rememdies for his friends, patients, and family. I've studied with him in his clinic for many years and watched him make individual formulas for his patients, and it reminded me of watching a great musician play his instrument. I am in awe of his genuine love and connection with all of the herbs - Chinese, Ayurvedic, Western, etc. For all of us who have had the honor to be with and study from someone who is trully connected with the herbs, intuitively, mentally, scientifically, clinically, etc. it is a real privilege to have a compilation of his experience in a book so all can reap the rewards.

My husband and I have many books on Chinese Medicine, but always return to this one. It is the best in providing the names for Chinese medicines by ailment -- something most helpful when searching in Chinatown for the medicine. What is especially useful is the names of the Chinese formulas in pill form. Gan mao ling has been a life saver in fighting off colds and flu, and that is only one of the herbs we have found! The Chinese clerks/herbalists have been impressed with our knowledge, asking where we have been able to get the information and names of the right medicine.

Being a Herbalist myself I really do love "The Way of Chinese Herbs" along with other books I keep them as references to help me help my clinets overcome challenges. The author has very useful information and his own insites that are very important to me. It is one thing to know the herbs themselves but knowing from personal experience how to use them means a lot more to me and Michael Tierra does a great job!

Paul Haider

For many years I have held an interest in TCM, especially Chinese herbology. With my desire to study and enter the profession as a Chinese herbologist I was so pleased to have found this book. DR. Tierra gives an excellent, easy to understand explanation of the wonderful healing system of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) from Yin Yang theory to the eight principles and diagnosis. Many Chinese herbs are here which includes the organ mederians affected, indications, contraindications, energy and flavor, common name as well as the dosage. Many Western herbs are also explained. So, if you have an interest in Chinese herbology, TCM, or interested in natural healing, this book is the place to start.

I don't know if Dr. Tierra reads these reviews but just in case I want to say THANK YOU for this excellent work. It has really helped me as I begin my studies in Chinese herbology!

What a wonderful compilation of Hypnosis, Imagery, and language (Metaphors and NLP)! My clients are responding very positively and continue to make tremendous strides forward. I use it not only for weight mgt clients, but have success incorporating the information into stress reduction and self-worth suggestions. Thanks to the author for a marvelous tool. The CD workbook is a great addition.

Finally, a turnkey hypnosis program for practitioners that's just what I would want--based on solid research and the author's own admitted trial-and-error. It's like a gift to hypnotherapists, which in turn, is a gift to our clients of the most effective program anyone can come up with, given our current state of knowledge. I've seen and purchased programs before, but they seemed incomplete to me. Judith Pearson has saved me an inordinate amount of time making my own mistakes and having to research on my own to develop an effective program. Her mastery of NLP adds to the effectiveness for those of us who aren't certified masters of it.

I am so amazed at how much thought went into this program for weight loss. The author has a way to deal with why a person over eats, exercising, when a client isn't progressing, eating disorders and how to teach the client self hypnosis. The program is meant to enhance the work of other professionals who work together as a team, to help the client who wants to loss weight make lasting changes. The author as the layouts for brochures, different ways to marketing the program, handouts, recording CD's, a workbook for the client's on a CD and case studies about how hypnosis helps with weight loss.
There is also information on what you need to know and understand about weight loss to help the client. I have been looking for a program for the last six years and this is the best program yet. The author has made my job easy by including all of the information I need to get started. I am so appreciative to the author for putting this together so practitioners and their client's can benefit from it.

Certified clinical hypnotherapist Judith E. Pearson, Ph.D. presents The Weight, Hypnotherapy and You Weight Reduction Program: An NLP and Hypnotherapy Practitioner's Manual, a guide written to help hypnotherapy practitioners seeking give their clients a fully-scripted, ready-to-use weight reduction program. Chapters cover the eight sessions of the Weight, Hypnotherapy, and You program from stopping emotional eating with stress reduction to making sensible food choices, boosting motivation to exercise and more, how to enhance success by coaching stuck clients and recommendations for follow-up sessions, and a wealth of tips, tricks and techniques. Though intended for hypnotherapists, the sound principles behind adopting a healthier lifestyle are quite universal. An accompanying CD includes copies of useful handouts such as a Client Workbook with take-home readings and assignments. Highly recommended for professional hypnotherapists.

"These remarkable volumes, edited thoughtfully and vividly by Ilene Serlin, provide a comprehensive view of the full potential of healthcare in the 21st century. Many of the most important voices in alternative medicine, mental health and arts therapies are represented and all attest to the profound importance of treating human beings as fully human, in body and spirit, in mind and emotion, not only as patients, but as active and creative partners in their own healing. This is a must-read for all practitioners and students in the healing professions." Robert J. Landy, Ph.D., RDT/BCT, LCAT, Professor of Educational Theatre and Applied Psychology; Director, Drama Therapy Program, New York University

21st century healthcare will come to embrace these rich modalities of mind-body-spirit healing, too long overlooked by many in the mainstream of modern Western medicine. Speaking as an M.D., I deeply thank Dr. Ilene Serlin and her collaborators for bringing together this broad collection of resources from major figures in the field today. Many patients and clients will benefit as a result. Here is the future!

The three volumes that comprise Whole Person Healthcare are an excellent and important source of information about health and healthcare. From Volume I Humanizing Health Care with its emphasis on treatments for patient populations, to Volume II Psychology, Spirituality, and Health which shows the intimate connection between mind and body, to Volume III The Arts and Health which reveals the role of creativity in wellness, the essays are both original and thought provoking. Dr. Ilene Ava Serlin, the General Editor of these volumes has done outstanding work in bringing this often cutting-edge information to health professionals and the general public.

This very readable compilation of opinion and guidance from the most eminent practitioners and thinkers is an excellent one stop source for information and guidance for alternative approaches to healthcare.

Today in the US there is more out of pocket expenditure on alternative wellness and healing products, services and practices than on traditional medicine. This category is becoming increasingly important as baby-boomers seek to have greater control of their own health care and seek alternatives to the pharma-industrial complex.

The editor, Ilene Ava Serlin, has done a great service for the field in providing this very timely and comprehensive series. It is an excellent resource to health care providers as well as informed laypeople.

The only criticism is the price of the series and that all three volumes must be purchased together. This will inhibit its distribution, particularly to individual healthcare practitioners and laypeople. It would be preferable if individual chapters could be purchased as pdf files or podcasts; most people are interested in certain approaches and may not want all. Hopefully, the publisher will make this series more adaptable so many more people can access this wonderful work by so many dedicated professionals who contributed to the effort.