Review: The Passionate Mind Revisited by Joel Kramer & Diana Alstad
Reviewed by Lauren Cannavino
The Passionate Mind Revisited is an interesting and fresh way for one to look at what drives each and every one of us. The interesting part about the book lies in the fact that most of the messages speak of heightening not only a new personal awareness, but also strengthening an awareness that encompasses a much larger social scale. In a world where importance often lies on only helping ourselves, The Passionate Mind Revisited is a vital read for anyone who is interested in branching out a bit.
The basic message that Kramer and Alstad are trying to relay to the reader is essentially summarized in one brief passage near the beginning of the book: “What we believe determines much of what we think and do: the way we move, the way we respond to people, how we think of ourselves, how we see the world in general” (28). Everything is connected and much of that connection stems from thought. And through the belief in the individual, people collectively need to believe in much more.
One interesting perspective that the book presents is the idea that while thought is the basis for so many energies and outcomes in the individual and the world, one must be cautious to not spend too much time trapped in thought. It is clearly very easy to be lost in one’s own mind, but Kramer and Alstad make a point that one must live in the “energy of the moment” and not spend too much time or energy on automatic thinking and routine.
The Passionate Mind Revisited is an in depth look at the structure of the individual, the mind, and how both can raise a new level of social consciousness. There is no clear or predetermined path for anyone to take, it must be found. The book is long and at times a bit wordy, but the ultimate message to take a step back and look at the world with a new perspective is clear. It does not read like a self-help book, but instead almost as a scientific manual for an enlightened or novice reader to follow. However, one may want to first read the first book in the Passionate Mind set, The Passionate Mind: A Manual for Living Creatively with One’s Self by Joel Kramer, before they tackle this book.
Rating: 3/5
Lauren Kirk is a graduate student, freelance writer, wine lover, and avid reader. Random musings can be found over at www.goldiesays.com.
Review copy was provided free of any obligation by North Atlantic Books. No monetary or any other form of compensation was received.
provides a great deal of case studies to illustrate how this method works. Despite the disclaimer at the end of the book stating that “no method can resolve all problems,” Dr. Manné’s book provides details on how the constellation method can be used to help a client deal with death, divorce, war, incest, adoption, as well as other incidents. The Foreword, written by Bert Hellinger, claims that this book was “long-awaited” and that “it is such easy and beautiful reading.” Hellinger goes on to say that this book provides many “hints on how to make our lives and are relationships richer and more fulfilling.” It certainly is very detailed and easy to understand, even to those whose background is not in psychotherapy.
