Book Reviews & Giveaways: Fearless: The 7 Principles of Peace of Mind

Although "Fearless:  The 7 Principles of Peace of Mind" by Brenda Shoshanna proved interesting, I continuously felt as I read that I was sitting on Dr. Phil's lap and he was offering fatherly advice with a Zen twist.  1-2-3 you're fixed.  These are complex issues and require different approaches for different people.  (I don't like Dr. Phil either - he is simplistic and creates an aura of Just Get Over It-itis.  Works for some.  Not for me).  I found many of the resources, exercises and sayings in the book redundant.  A book creates a reading frenzy in me when it locks and loads originality and a look outside the box.  "Fearless" totally failed in that endeavor.

Let me just say that I like New Age.  Yoga - not so much.  I found "Fearless" a lot like yoga.  Flex, flex, flex, meditate, repeat, practice, breathe, empty your mind - and you will be happy.  Now, I realize that the wisdom presented is real.  However, if it was so easy to replace fear and substitute love, I think we would have a deluge of therapists, Zen practitioners, and 1-2-3 Get Over Its running around without jobs and going hungry.  Since I don't want to contribute to world hunger, I'll pass "Fearless" on to my readers and let them
decide for themselves!

(ON THE OTHER HAND (yeah, Broad Z yelled at me!):  if you like Zen and yoga, “Fearless” crafts itself well with many Zen anecdotes and stories.  Shoshanna knows her Zen and presents good ideas.  I fell into the  I’VE HEARD IT ALL BEFORE cave as a reader  – remember Melody Beattie with “Codependence No More”? BUT I’m wise enough to appreciate Zen even if it’s not presented in a venue that I agree with.) 

By the way:  (here she comes, Broad A with the Mouth!):  The 7 principles are listed below:

1. The Courage to Be Who You Are
2. Letting Go of Attachment and Grasping
3. Recognizing the Voices Within
4. Finding a Safe Harbor
5. Blessing Others:  Deeds of Love
6. Letting Go of Control and Domination
7. Discovering Your Perfect Nature:  Becoming a Friend

An aside.  I believe healing appears slowly; baby steps. I found "Fearless" lacking a topic that is essential to self awareness - the ability to have flexible boundaries.  If you don't know where you stop and someone else begins, you have no foundation and will slip into the quicksand of over-simplicity within the 7 Principles or whatever dogma that you are utilizing in your healing life.  I felt disappointment that Shoshanna touched ephemerally on this issue.

Feedback, readers?  Show us your comments! 

Dr. Brenda Shoshanna has been a practicing psychologist and therapist for over twenty-five years. She is also a relationship expert and has contributed to iVillage, and has appeared frequently on national television (ABC, CBS, NBC, and MSNBC) and print media (Cosmopolitan, Mademoiselle, and Allure). 

 Fearless: The 7 Principles of Peace of Mind is available for purchase at Amazon.com and local booksellers.


Ratings are based on a 5-star scale:
2.9

Review by Broad "A" - Ava

We received a copy of Fearless for this book review. We were not compensated and all opinions are strictly our own.




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