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Wise Mind Open Mind by Ronald Alexander, Ph. D. -- A Review


Ronald A. Alexander, Ph.D.

ISBN  978-1-57224-643-0

Change is one of the constants in life.  Most often, the changes are thrust upon us without our permission, causing us to hold tight to what we are familiar with in hopes it will pass and we can remain "safe".  At other times, our souls yearn for change, but something holds us back--fear of the unknown, concern about it being the right thing, and numerous other reasons. Wise Mind Open Mind is about these changes.

Ronald Alexander has spent numerous years as a licensed psychotherapist helping his clients deal with the changes in their lives.  At last, he shares his three-step method for coping with the world, allowing readers to benefit from the healing, fear and other barriers holding them back.  His method is simple:  Let Go, Tune In, Move Forward.  The author leads readers to a place where they can access their core creativity and arrive on the other end of the transformation path renewed, stronger and ready to move forward.

The first thought that entered my mind when I started reading about meditation being part of this process, was that I hoped this book wasn't just another in a long list that told me meditation was all I needed to bring about some magical transformation.  It wasn't long before I found out this book is different.  Meditation becomes a tool to help the reader brush away distractions so their minds can be open to the creative part of their soul.  Dr. Alexander does not promise an easy journey nor miracles, only well-tested methods that have worked for him and his clients throughout the years. 
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Broken down into bite-sized steps, the journey seems possible.  It is obvious the author has spent many hours perfecting his training skills in order to convey concepts such as mindfulness to his readers. My only regret is that a CD of the included meditations were not part of the book, I feel the reader could have further benefited had they been.  Yet, the lack of a CD does not lessen the benefit. The self-evaluation questions scattered throughout the pages are cause for deep exploration--and many "a-ha" moments.  I'd strongly suggest reading this book with pen and paper (perhaps a journal) nearby. 

As he speaks of the things that hold us back, he does so without judgment. His words don't reach you with a bang, firing up your enthusiasm full-flame; they reach you with a gentle warmth, igniting an ember that glows brighter as it grows. Unlike the instant inferno, that fires up quickly and fizzles out the same way, the ember ignited by Dr. Alexander's words is meant to grow stronger with time, slowly warming the reader from within long after the book covers have closed.

For anyone facing a life change, be it self-initiated or enforced, this book will be a great comfort,  It empowers the reader to take hold of the change and guide it, rather than allowing the change to lead.  This is one book I can see being read many times over.

Wise Mind Open Mind earns six colors on the Rainbow Scale.

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In his groundbreaking book, Wise Mind, Open Mind pioneering psychotherapist, Dr. Ronald Alexander shares his innovative program for using mindfulness meditation, creative thinking, and positive psychology to transform times of crisis or change into opportunities for greater personal awareness, clarity, and creativity. His original three-step plan includes, learning to let go of resistance to change, learning to tune in to your soul’s deep wisdom or core creativity; and then learning how to move forward based on your newly acquired insight.


Ronald Alexander, Ph.D. is the author of the widely acclaimed book, Wise Mind, Open Mind: Finding Purpose and Meaning in Times of Crisis, Loss, and Change. He is the Executive Director of the OpenMind Training® Institute, practices mindfulness-based mind-body psychotherapy and leadership coaching in Santa Monica, CA for individuals and corporate clients (http://www.openmindtraining.com/ ).

For full details about the Wise Mind, Open Mind virtual blog tour, visit http://bookpromotionservices.com/2010/09/08/wise-mind-open-mind-ronald-alexander/



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