A Unified Theory of Happiness: An East-Meets-West Approach to Fully Loving Your Life

By Peter A. Levine

Book Overview

The Western world teaches us that happiness comes from achievement--from setting goals and actively pursuing them. Eastern wisdom teaches us that surrender is the key, that we must let go in order to experience the great flow of being that is only available in the present moment. How do we take the best wisdom from both of these approaches, and honor what Dr. Andrea Polard calls "the two wings of happiness" that allow us to truly soar?Discover Dr. Polard's groundbreaking synthesis of Western thinking and Eastern philosophy with A Unified Theory of Happiness, a warm and personalized guide for the transformation of consciousness that allows personal well-being and fulfillment to flourish. While our lives are full of ups and downs, Dr. Polard teaches us that we don't have to let these ups and downs control our experience of life. A Unified Theory of Happiness teaches you the skills to choose and accept happiness by illuminating: How to navigate the active "Basic Mode" and the non-active "Supreme Mode" of consciousness to respond to life's complexities with flexibilityTools to build ambition, competence, confidence, and connection--essential aspects of reconciling with life's fragility and building an engaging, authentic selfPaths to receptivity, tranquility, reliance, and lightheartedness--keys to accessing your natural connection with the whole of being, and realizing your non-dual selfThe Theory of Elastic Consciousness--a balanced place in perfect accord with an authentically lived life"Happiness," says Dr. Polard, "is a complex path that becomes easy only as we walk it." At last, here is a work that provides a comprehensive understanding of happiness that honors the full spectrum of life's offerings while broadening your experience of its inherent joy.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1604077883
• ISBN13: 9781604077889
• Release Date: May 2012
• Publisher: Sounds True, Incorporated
• Length: 384 Pages
• Weight: 1.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.3" x 1.5" x 6.5"

Customer Reviews

The book I received…

It arrived in a timely manner. The book was listed as good condition but it smells of mildew and the important CD that is used throughout book was missing.

Excellent and worthwhile

Bought this book and as an adult survivor of childhood abuse found this book extremely helpful. It was especially good in helping with body memories and re-establishing protective boundaries - both integral to the ongoing healing process. Highly recommended.

A must read for anyone in healing arts

This material is life-changing for anyone who has been traumatized. Dr. Levine has impressive credentials in the academic field and yet presents this material in an imaginative and impressive way. This should be required material for everyone in the capacity of parent, teacher, counselling, medicine, and alternative healthcare. The benefits of this work are beyond words.

Finally, something for vetwives struggling with Secondary Stress

Dr. Levine's book is the first and only answer that I've found in four years of searching to the problem of Secondary Stress in the wives of combat veterans suffering from PTSD. With his program, we can finally get real help with the problems we face every day in this tumultuous life of living with PTSD in veterans. If you are a vetwife, buy this book. It will change your life.

Healing Trauma

If you bring forth that which is within you, Then that which is within you Will be your salvation. If you do not bring forth that Which is within you, Then that which is within you Will destroy you. ~The Gnostic Gospels What a way to begin a book! While this "riddle" has been unlocked by scholars and they claim it means we should transform through love, unlocking the physiological roots of emotions can be somewhat trying. How do you heal what you have forgotten? When the trauma has been forgotten, the results can still remain and can slowly destroy you, causing overwhelming emotions that interfere with your daily life. Survivors of accidents, disasters and traumatic situations of all types can experience anxiety, depression, unexplained physical pains and seemingly unrelated illness. At times suffering can be a doorway to awakening and then it can also be a very dark place that brings debilitating symptoms. "When people have been traumatized, they are stuck in paralysis-the immobility reaction or abrupt explosions of rage." ~ Peter A. Levine Through guided somatic Experiencing Techniques, Peter A. Levine brings the reader from a place of disconnection and disharmony to a place of accepting an experience occurred and healing the trauma. This is a Twelve-Phase Program with an Integrated CD. This CD could be used by anyone who has: Survived a natural disaster or life-threatening event Experienced the loss of a loved one Undergone a recent medical procedure Witnessed Violence Endured emotional abuse Experienced a car accident If you start reading the book before playing the CD is works better and the feeling of the CD is like a psychologist leading a patient through guided imagery. While the process is supposed to take 7-14 days, you can listen to the CD all at once to find out what will work best for you. The book has lists of descriptions to help you analyze your emotions and there is information on how our bodies react to extremely stressful situations. Peter A. Levine explains how you can discharge and transform the negative energy and he gives techniques for bringing the nervous system back into balance. Even after just watching violence I think you can become somewhat numb from the shock, so this CD can even help anyone who has been shocked by the realities of our violent planet. ~The Rebecca Review