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Rating: 
Summary: Extraordinary book
Review: A wonderfully-written, powerful approach to self-realization. Two main resources have been helping me transform my consciousness and habits into a life of fullness and joy: this book and Pema Chodron's audiotape series, "Awakening Compassion." I recommend both unhesitatingly.
Rating: 
Summary: Great for Beginners
Review: Despite all of the respect I have for Leonard and Murphy with their theoretical work in various fields and their other books, I found "The Life We are Given" to be two things: a simple, and somewhat effective practice, and prematurely self-congratulatory.
Before reading on, if you are someone who is looking for a way to transform your life and to create new and healthy habits--if you don't already have a practice of your own--I DO recommend this book. The program is simple, logical and very encouraging. Not to mention it's simply a great place to start.
The book is basically a concoction of meditation, Yoga, fitness, affirmations, and a healthy diet. Obviously these are things you can practice on your own, seperately, but I suppose the ITP is a convenient way to combine these if you're unfamiliar with them otherwise.
Now for my problems with the book.
1) Despite having an acute interest in transpersonal practice, meditation, yoga, and other "spiritual" disciplines, my "New Age" radar goes off a few times during this book. Even though things like visualization and affirmations can be effective, they're just as effective in different mental forms...i.e., not so sugar-coated. I may be splitting hairs here, but I prefer my practice to be described to me in terms that will make sense beyond "your hand cares for your heart."
2) The other qualm is the self-congratulatory tone of the book. Murphy and Leonard are amazing men, who have contributed a lot, but they seem to stand on a pedestal here as if they've stumbled across something groundbreaking, when its not. The ITP is simply a recipe of practices that already exist on their own and that CAN be practiced on their own. And at the risk of sounding a bit pompous, it doesn't take a genius to decide they want to engage in healthy growth in mind, body and soul on their own.
So I reiterate, if you are looking for a positive change in your life (body, mind, and soul), and are not currently practicing anything and know very little about these practices, then this is a relevant book. Otherwise, the book says nothing that hasn't been said before. On top of that, the authors sound like they think it's never been said before, which is obnoxious.
Rating:
Summary: For beginners - yay, for advanced - nay
Review: First off I'm really sorry to rain on this parade of 5-star reviews only. As with any book, I say: "buy it if you want to, you can always send it back" - don't let my review put you off getting this book if you feel you want it.I however, will be sending this book back. Why? Because it's full of stuff I, and most likely everyone who has done some reading in the self-help and self-improvement section, already know(s). Let me explain: This is what "Integral Transformative Practice" (ITP) consists of: 1 - A simple routine (called "ITP Kata") of Tai Chi or Chi-kung like exercises and stretches, to be done 5 times a week or more. 2 - Affirmations 3 - Exercise (cardiovascular and strength) 4 - Healthy diet (low fat in this book :-) ) and 5 - Meditation Now, as you can see you can most likely create your own little routine with books you already own. There's a bit about the importance of doing this work within a group of dedicated ITP practitioners (nay for a loner like myself), and some info about energy work (ch'i if you prefer) and such. It was a bit dissapointing because there are no grand promises, no new and exciting revelations. It's simply "Do this stuff and you'll be healthy and happy." So, in conclusion: Good for beginners, bad (or at least boring) for your average hardcore self-help nut.
Rating:
Summary: For beginners - yay, for advanced - nay
Review: I really liked this book. I am an avid reader and would recommend adding this book to your must read list. Another book that really impressed me is Psychic Gifts in the Christian Life - Tools to Connect, by Tiffany Snow, pub. 2003. In this time of increasing awareness for the need to help our relationships, workplace, family, self and environment, these two books are at the forefront of giving us the tools to do so - not only by positive reinforcements, but in the case of "Psychic Gifts," showing we have a Divine birthright to access the supernatural in our lives, and how to tap into that. I encourage you to Keep Reading, apply what you learn, and be a force for good in your part of the world.
Rating:
Summary: For People Who Truly Want to Change Themselves
Review: If you really want a method that will lhelp you make changes to yourself and in your life, this book will point the way. After reading this book, and following the ITP as set forth in it, at the age of 60 I began running and 6 months later completed a marathon as my first road race (in the middle of my age group). I'm now 65 and have consistently followed the Integral Transformative Practice outlined in the book to work at making myself a healthier, more creative, loving, and wiser person. Be aware, however, that the ITP is WORK--but the method is highly effective.
Rating:
Summary: If you are ready for a real transformation!
Review: People have been writing manuals for transformation for millenia. One only needs to pick up a copy of the Dhammapada or the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali to find instructions for self-transformation that go back as far as civilized man. A trip to the bookstore can show you that this certainly hasn't changed- self-help books on the shelves today range from the practical ("Achieve Optimal Health in Eight Weeks!") to the unlikely ("Pick Winning Lotto Numbers Every Time!") to the downright wacky ("Awaken your Gerbil's Psychic Powers!"). Many of these books promise change and transformation in a short period of time... a few days or weeks. Instant enlightenment. Michael Murphy and George Leonard have been watching and inspiring the human potential movement (the fountainhead for the "instant enlightenment" approach) for decades- in fact, they gave the movement it's name. And, in the four decades that have passed since Murphy founded his world-famous Esalen Institute, they've learned an important lesson: there is no quick fix. No instant moksha, no express nirvana, no overnight transformation. Real change takes years or decades of intensive work. To this end, they have founded a new kind of practice for a real new age: Integral Transformational Practice, or ITP- which is introduced in "The Life We Are Given". ITP is not a seminar, it's not a weekend retreat. You have to be willing to give up, evolve, and let the chips fall where they may. Moreover, you have to be willing to engage in intensive practice over long periods of time- years, at least. Combining a set of physical exercises based upon akaido, tai chi, and yoga, an aerobic and weightlifting regimen, a simple vegetarian diet, meditation, affirmations, visualization, philosophical and spiritual study, and community work, ITP practitioners can make changes in their lives that they never thought possible. Physical changes, improvements in health and fitness, reversing diseases and age-related ailments, improving emotional health and learning ability, and attaining spiritual states of mind are all possible for a practitioner who is willing to work dilligently and intelligently at the practice. Whole new worlds of opportunity are availiable by living the balanced yet aggressively evolutionary lifestyle proposed in "The Life We Are Given". Recommended as companion volumes to tLwaG are Ken Wilber's "Sex, Ecology, Spirituality" (an important text on evolutionary psychology and philosophy with a focus on transformation), George Leonard's "Mastery", and Michael Murphy's "The Future of the Body". They are all excellent guides to the integral paradigm. Good luck, and good journeys!
Rating:
Summary: An Essential Guide to Personal Growth and fullfillment
Review: The techniques and philosphy found in the Life We Are Given are simple, challenging and profound. After reading the book I was priviliged to join in the practice described in detail in the book with one of the authors, George Leonard at the Aikido Dojo he cofounded in Mill Valley. If you are serious about integrating spirit,mind and body while you are at work in our hyped up society, you will find this book to be invaluable.It is all about being purposeful in your personal growth. Leonard has created a video tape that makes the practice ( a combination of aikido, yoga, meditation, guided imagery)easy to learn and make your own. Now in his 70s, Leonard and his co author Murphy continue to be pioneers and leaders in helping people realize their full human potential.
Rating:
Summary: proof is in the pudding
Review: There are lots of books out there that offer hope for genuine transformation. This is one that actually works, because it doesn't pretend that transformation is instantaneous, easy, or without some physical and mental work. However, by applying some discipline, the changes that are possible by following the methods described in "The Life We Are Given" are truly astounding. One way to confirm this without reading anything is simply by being in Leonard's presence. He radiates an extraordinary, palpable vitality that just can't be faked.
Rating:
Summary: If you are ready for a real transformation!
Review: This book is one of the most enlightening books I have ever read! It is a tremendous help for people who are ready and willing to make the painful but exhilarating transformation from a caterpillar travelling on two-dimensional land to a butterfly travelling in three-dimensional space. The type of growth discussed in this book involves a transformation of consciousness (perhaps we can call it spiritual growth). It explains what it truly means to grow and describes how the process works and what we can do to involve ourselves in the process. It is no quick fix and it may not make much sense to those of us who are not ready for it but it is a true gift for those of us who are. Another excellent book on this topic is, "The Ever-Transcending Spirit" by Toru Sato. It speaks to a wider audience and explains these things so clearly that it is pure joy to read. I am sure that all readers will enjoy these books when the time is right.
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