Alchemists sought to transform lead into gold. In the same way, says Tara Bennett-Goleman, we all have the natural ability to turn our moments of confusion and emotional pain into insightful clarity. Emotional Alchemy maps the mind and shows how, according to recent advances in cognitive therapy, most of what troubles us falls into ten basic emotional patterns, including fear of abandonment, social exclusion (the feeling we don't belong), and vulnerability (the feeling that some catastrophe will occur). Through this program we can free ourselves and others, and the freedom to be more creative and alive. This remarkable program also teaches the practice of mindfulness, an awareness that lets us see things as they truly are without distortion, or judgement, giving the most insightful explanation of how mindfulness can change not only our lives, but the very structure of our brains. Here is a beautifully rendered work full of Buddhist wisdom and stories of how people have used mindfulness to conquer their self-defeating habits. The result is a whole new way of approaching our relationships, work, and internal lives.
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"Initially I was concerned that this book might be more gentle reassurance than useful ideas, but I'm glad to say I was flat wrong. A serene and clear introduction to schema therapy, which can offer a lot of insight into our emotional habits, and mindfulness as applied to improving our daily lives. "
— Luc (4 out of 5 stars)
"[Tara Bennett-Goleman’s] distinct power flows from her sincerity. She is not given to neat formulations, yet her stories have the persuasiveness of experience, of transformation drop by drop... Many readers will trust the path that she forges here.
— Publishers WeeklyBennett-Goleman's melding of insights from cognitive psychology with ancient Buddhist knowledge of human emotions is masterful.
— Spirituality and Practice" Good content, but something seems terribly wrong with the typography. Hard reading. "
— Sofi, 12/28/2013" One of my all time favorites that has helped me through some difficult times. "
— Shae, 12/24/2013" one of my favourites. full of simple practices to free yourself from worry and suffering. i've bought and given away three copies of this book:) "
— Abby, 12/3/2013" This is a useful "self help" book. "
— Randy, 11/22/2013" An excellent synthesis of Buddhist practices and cognitive psychology. "
— Deb, 11/21/2013" This is a great self-help book for people who lean in the direction of Buddhist thought. "
— Jill, 10/29/2013" Fantastic book with practical exercises about how to transform your emotions through alchemy. "
— Laurie, 10/22/2013" A helpful book. Sometimes repetitive. I think the book would be sufficiently helpful if compressed, but well worth reading. "
— Faith, 9/16/2013" I thoroughly enjoyed this book and found it difficult to put down. I thought it was quite useful and made lots of sense. It was very inspirational. "
— Jamie, 8/30/2013" This book was given to me with the highest recommendation by my wonderful son Christopher. "
— Suzanne, 7/2/2013" A book which I would recommend to everyone. "
— Deborah, 6/16/2013" This books talks about schemas and how the ones we have dictates how we'll react to the world and in our relationships. Also very good if you have inner work to do. "
— Ella, 4/2/2013" A NY Times bestseller. a psychotherapist examines how to live our daily lives in peace. "
— Yuki, 3/21/2013" This was a re-read for me, but this is an excellent book about dealing with our emotional 'hot buttons', written from the perspective of Buddhist philosophy and using Mindfulness to know ourselves better "
— Hollis, 2/15/2013" I've read this book several times......I think that speaks for itself. Each time I read it, I learn more about how the more I change, the more the world changes around me. "
— Cindy, 10/29/2012" I actually read this book ages ago, and I'd almost forgotten about it until I was trying to explain recently where I'd gotten some of the techniques I use from. I've since recommended it to others with anxiety problems. It's a great book, and it helped me tremendously! "
— Ally, 10/29/2012" I'm not really into "self help" books but picked this one up because it uses Buddhist techniques to help conquer negative emotion... I personally get more out of Buddhist texts and did not get into the psychology work. But for someone else it may be the exact opposite experience. "
— Monjamckay, 8/31/2012" A helpful book in showing a way to deal with negative emotional habits. "
— Noreen, 8/15/2012" Initially I was concerned that this book might be more gentle reassurance than useful ideas, but I'm glad to say I was flat wrong. A serene and clear introduction to schema therapy, which can offer a lot of insight into our emotional habits, and mindfulness as applied to improving our daily lives. "
— Luc, 8/24/2011" One of my favorites. It's eye opening and I learned a lot about mindfulness, that I'm not alone and that - that big scary thing in the corner turns into a tiny little weak thing the closer you get to it. "
— Michelle, 4/28/2011" very helpful for those trying to break old patterns.<br/>uplifting, affirming and supportive.<br/>very comprehensible and satisfying read.<br/>lots of good practices to help the process along. "
— Debraqueserasera, 3/20/2011" This was a re-read for me, but this is an excellent book about dealing with our emotional 'hot buttons', written from the perspective of Buddhist philosophy and using Mindfulness to know ourselves better "
— Hollis, 9/28/2009" An excellent synthesis of Buddhist practices and cognitive psychology. "
— Deb, 7/22/2009" I thoroughly enjoyed this book and found it difficult to put down. I thought it was quite useful and made lots of sense. It was very inspirational. "
— Jamie, 1/25/2009" I'm not really into "self help" books but picked this one up because it uses Buddhist techniques to help conquer negative emotion... I personally get more out of Buddhist texts and did not get into the psychology work. But for someone else it may be the exact opposite experience. "
— Monjamckay, 7/18/2008" I've read this book several times......I think that speaks for itself. Each time I read it, I learn more about how the more I change, the more the world changes around me. "
— Cindy, 7/3/2008" A book which I would recommend to everyone. "
— Deborah, 6/19/2008" This is a useful "self help" book. "
— Randy, 6/17/2008" A book about meditation and patterns - "schemas" - from past traumas. Really interesting read looking at how different people react negatively to different stimulus. I found it helpful.<br/><br/>-s "
— Scott, 4/5/2008" I used this book to write both a graduate school and undergrad paper (both different papers!). So many good points to be made - and insights to learn. "
— Lauren, 3/10/2008" A helpful book in showing a way to deal with negative emotional habits. "
— Noreen, 3/9/2008Tara Bennett-Goleman, New York Times bestselling author of Emotional Alchemy, is a longtime psychotherapist and international work-shop leader who has offered seminars on the synthesis of mindfulness and cognitive therapy for many years with her husband, Daniel Goleman.