Here's my latest review, the star rating didn't change - five stars. What did change? I like to think that I got more out of the book, the second time around. This isn't a book you read and put aside but rather a reference to improve your life. To reflect that, the wording of my review changed from the original, after all I like to think that I've grown and changed since that first post.
"Choices and Illusions" provides an excellent base to begin the exploration of the unseen but very real conditioning within society that shapes the basis of our beliefs and ultimately our personalities. The story of a hawk who is raised by chickens and therefore believes that is what he is, is a jumping off point to enlighten us as to how powerful our beliefs can be. It provides the tools necessary to begin harnessing the powers of your mind instead of letting it run unfettered and potentially controlled by the power of hidden beliefs foisted on us by others. And more importantly, it provides telling evidence that the mind is the one thing that can be changed and by doing so can change everything from health to personality and even IQ.
How many things do we believe because of conditioning and life experience? How true are these beliefs and how do they create who we become? How can others use these beliefs to their advantage?
It is questions like these that might make you pause and consider some of the beliefs you'd held without thought. Eldon takes us on an unforgettable journey into the power of the mind.
Occasional quotes from some of the great thinkers of our times, along with an easy style of prose and a reader with a smooth voice make the audio version of "Choices and Illusions" an engaging version of this insightful book.
Q and A with Eldon
You came from a fascinating background. How did you get inspired to write your books?
As a practicing criminalist, nearly every day I saw someone, who had a world of potential, blow it over some silly stupid notion. Perhaps they stole from their employer and rationalized it away since in their minds the employer was a bum who treated and paid them unfairly. The fact is, every perpetrator of a criminal act can tell you why they did it and when you stand back, their answers are justifications more than reasons.
It became clear to me that many people were making choices that were simply self-sabotaging. Not just those who committed crimes, but the average person on the street. at a certain point in my career, I became acutely aware of just how persistent this characteristic was with so many folks and the question became, "Why?" Answering that question changed my life, as well as my vocation and led to the research and books that I publish today.
In your book, Choices and Illusions, you say that our choices are not our own. What do you mean by
Research clearly shows that there is activity in the subconscious before a conscious thought occurs. In other words, our so-called conscious thoughts are given to us by our subconscious. My work has shown that it is this subconscious information that dictates the kind of life we will experience. Change truly must happen from the inside out. We must choose to take control of everything we put into our minds.
How can we uncover our true potential? Is mastering our mind the key to our happiness?
The Buddha is credited with saying, "We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think." Science supports this assertion today whole-heartedly. Indeed, not long ago I attended a CEU for health care professionals dealing with the latest in neurological research. There were some powerful concluding remarks, but the bottom line take away is one that is particularly relevant here. Let me digress just a bit first. When I attended University, the prevailing thinking asserted rather axiomatically that personality became fixed early in life, ages 4 to 6, IQ was fixed, brain cells begin to die and do not replace themselves somewhere beginning in our thirties, and so forth. All of this is patently untrue! Today the research shows us that among the best things we can do to improve our lives is change our personalities. We know IQ is not fixed and indeed, the brain is amazing! Voila, today we become excited about the possibilities inherent to euro plasticity. So now fast forward to those concluding remarks and the big take away. YOU ABSOLUTELY CAN CHANGE BUT YOU CAN ONLY CHANGE WHAT YOU BELIEVE YOU CAN CHANGE!
Eldon Taylor's Bio
Eldon has made a lifelong study of the human mind and has earned doctoral degrees in psychology and metaphysics. He is president of Progressive Awareness Research, an organization dedicated to researching techniques for accessing the immense powers of the mind. For more than 20 years, he has approached personal empowerment from the cornerstone perspective of forgiveness, gratitude, service and respect for life."Choice is an illusion. Do I do this--do I do that--all of this arises out of confusion. I can only choose when I'm confused. When I know clearly, there is no choice." Eldon Taylor
This is a thought-provoking book that has the potential to change your life. I'd recommend reading this or any of Eldon's other works. If you'd like to know more about Eldon Taylor or any of his publications you can find him at his website: www.eldontaylor.com. His books are all available at most bookstores and online. He also hosts a two hour radio show each week called Provocative Enlightenment. There's more about that on his website at: www.provocativeenlightenment.com
Ryshia
No comments:
Post a Comment