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Rating: 
Summary: This Map really helped!
Review: Every day, or so it seems, another 20 or so "Self-Help" books hit the shelves, reminding us that we are quite a bit less perfect than we would like to be, or at least think we should be. What fuels this river of words, pictures and techniques for making us more acceptable is nothing less than that voice from somewhere inside us telling us we're still not 'good enough', 'smart enough', 'thin enough', 'rich enough' or 'loved enough'. We have no clear notion of whose voice this is, how it came to occupy a place of such prominence within us, why it is so easy to hear and hard to ignore, and worst of all, what might actually constitute "enough" of anything. The simple truth, according to one of the author's insightful models, is that: "In relation to emotional history, the mind predicts and projects that if you behave a certain way...people are going to respond to you in a predicted manner...If you violate a "known" rule, behave non-habitually, allow yourself to be seen or your feelings to be known, a previously felt "negative" will be repeated." (p. 71 The Body's Map of Consciousness.) We all know the variety of ways our own caregivers defined and expressed their "negative" messages to us, and learned that the easier way to not have to feel them again was to anticipate their judgments and apply them inwardly, before they did. Our perception of judgments from without, coupled with the emotional pain we self-inflict when distancing ourselves from the nurturing we so desperately needed from our caregivers, translates unintentionally ands reflexively to physical patterns of defensive posturing. These postures (like cringing, ducking or hunching the shoulders) can quickly become habitual and unconscious defenses that insure that we don't allocate more energy or attention to potential hurts than is absolutely necessary. Consciousness IS an efficient, if occasionally short-sighted ally. Integrated Awareness® is a gentle, non-invasive method for helping us to become more neutral and objective observers of our own non-conscious, defensive habits so that we may opt to drop some of them, or at least make adjustments to them that more appropriately reflect current, adult circumstances. "The Body's Map of Consciousness, Vol. 1" distinguishes itself from most other mind/body/emotion self-help books by clearly and coherently describing both how the various interwoven Physical, Mental, Emotional and Energetic systems constituting Consciousness interface and influence each other, and how we can help 'ourselves' by making better choices about how those systems might work more effectively for us in the days ahead. The authors have taken great care to make the information in this book easily approachable to a wide audience. The movement sequences are extremely user-friendly and clear and all requirements for practicing some disciplined set of exercises "correctly" (like yoga or tai-chi for example) in order to succeed are thankfully absent here. This is an exceptional introduction to 'mapping' Consciousness, compassionately prepared and coherently presented, in a tone that encourages us to see ourselves more positively and to "be" who we are, instead of that person we thought we were "supposed" to be. This is a large order for a small (100 pp.) book, but it more than accomplishes its mission and whets our appetities for the next two projected volumes.
Rating:
Summary: This Map really helped!
Review: Every day, or so it seems, another 20 or so "Self-Help" books hit the shelves, reminding us that we are quite a bit less perfect than we would like to be, or at least think we should be. What fuels this river of words, pictures and techniques for making us more acceptable is nothing less than that voice from somewhere inside us telling us we're still not 'good enough', 'smart enough', 'thin enough', 'rich enough' or 'loved enough'. We have no clear notion of whose voice this is, how it came to occupy a place of such prominence within us, why it is so easy to hear and hard to ignore, and worst of all, what might actually constitute "enough" of anything. The simple truth, according to one of the author's insightful models, is that: "In relation to emotional history, the mind predicts and projects that if you behave a certain way...people are going to respond to you in a predicted manner...If you violate a "known" rule, behave non-habitually, allow yourself to be seen or your feelings to be known, a previously felt "negative" will be repeated." (p. 71 The Body's Map of Consciousness.) We all know the variety of ways our own caregivers defined and expressed their "negative" messages to us, and learned that the easier way to not have to feel them again was to anticipate their judgments and apply them inwardly, before they did. Our perception of judgments from without, coupled with the emotional pain we self-inflict when distancing ourselves from the nurturing we so desperately needed from our caregivers, translates unintentionally ands reflexively to physical patterns of defensive posturing. These postures (like cringing, ducking or hunching the shoulders) can quickly become habitual and unconscious defenses that insure that we don't allocate more energy or attention to potential hurts than is absolutely necessary. Consciousness IS an efficient, if occasionally short-sighted ally. Integrated Awareness® is a gentle, non-invasive method for helping us to become more neutral and objective observers of our own non-conscious, defensive habits so that we may opt to drop some of them, or at least make adjustments to them that more appropriately reflect current, adult circumstances. "The Body's Map of Consciousness, Vol. 1" distinguishes itself from most other mind/body/emotion self-help books by clearly and coherently describing both how the various interwoven Physical, Mental, Emotional and Energetic systems constituting Consciousness interface and influence each other, and how we can help 'ourselves' by making better choices about how those systems might work more effectively for us in the days ahead. The authors have taken great care to make the information in this book easily approachable to a wide audience. The movement sequences are extremely user-friendly and clear and all requirements for practicing some disciplined set of exercises "correctly" (like yoga or tai-chi for example) in order to succeed are thankfully absent here. This is an exceptional introduction to 'mapping' Consciousness, compassionately prepared and coherently presented, in a tone that encourages us to see ourselves more positively and to "be" who we are, instead of that person we thought we were "supposed" to be. This is a large order for a small (100 pp.) book, but it more than accomplishes its mission and whets our appetities for the next two projected volumes.
Rating:
Summary: Do the Exercises!
Review: The Body's Map of Consciousness, Book I is the story of Integrated Awareness, a healing modality that is based on discovering for oneself that we can take responsiblity for our own health. The book guides one through certain movements that helped me discover feelings, beliefs and attitudes I was not conscous of holding. I have re-experienced body memories of my childhood that helped me remember what I really felt as a kid about my family, about the death of my grandmother and about the decisons I made as a kid. This helped me reassess beliefs I had about my childhood. Maybe my childhood wasn't as bad as I thought it was! Anyway, I really liked the book and I hope you will too. - Mary Caldwell
Rating:
Summary: Do the Exercises!
Review: The Body's Map of Consciousness, Book I is the story of Integrated Awareness, a healing modality that is based on discovering for oneself that we can take responsiblity for our own health. The book guides one through certain movements that helped me discover feelings, beliefs and attitudes I was not conscous of holding. I have re-experienced body memories of my childhood that helped me remember what I really felt as a kid about my family, about the death of my grandmother and about the decisons I made as a kid. This helped me reassess beliefs I had about my childhood. Maybe my childhood wasn't as bad as I thought it was! Anyway, I really liked the book and I hope you will too. - Mary Caldwell
Rating:
Summary: The Body's Map: A Guide to a Healing Experience
Review: This book has served me well as a way to further my healing experience, and as a way to share information about Integrated Awareness with others. Lansing and Julie have done an outstanding job capturing the compassion and grace inherent in Integrated Awareness, and providing further opportunities for me for change, growth, harmony and healing in my life. I love this work, and I love this book.
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