This is the best motivational "self-help" book ever written

[mtnsnake]

It's "The Magic of Believing" by Claude Bristol. Ever hear of it?

It's not religious as the title might lead you to believe. If anything, quite the opposite. The book proves right near the beginning of it with a "mind-stuff" experiment that there are actual physical forces around you that you can harness if you concentrate hard enough. I think it was written over 50 years ago, and it's gotta be the godfather of all self-help books. I first read it a long time ago and it really works. If there's something you want to get better at, just read this book.

Wanna lose weight? Wanna get better at a certain sport so you can throttle your friends when you play them? Wanna meet the person of your dreams? Wanna land a better job? Wanna work for yourself? Then read this book. Once the forces get into your subconscious, you're on your way.

[Catch22Dem]

1. Jim Stoval

"You Don't Have to be Blind to See": http://www.jimstovall.com/index.htm?/bio.htm

[nuxvomica]

2. This is so weird!!!

I saw your subject line and thought "Whatever book is suggested, I'm gonna mention The Magic of Believing." I read it decades ago and it really helped me through a rough patch in my life. I've recommended to people at various times but it's been a long time since I've looked at it myself. I was just thinking yesterday that I should dig up my copy (I think it's at my folks') and reread it in light of seeing What the Bleep Do We Know?
I's a really nice read and not full of slogans or religion, as you said, unlike many in that genre. Hooray for Claude Bristol!

[mtnsnake]

5. That IS Weird! Here's a unique example of how the book helped me

A long time ago I got introduced to the game of fooseball and sucked at it. I really liked the game and wanted to get good at it, but it just didn't quite click with me. It was shortly after this time that I just happened to pick up a copy of The Magic of Believing for the first time. After reading it, these subconscious forces all started taking over, making my eyes, hands, and arms react to things in the game of fooseball that I couldn't even see. I was soon kicking everyone's ass, even the best players! The book really works. I've always had confidence in my goals, but this book took it to a new level. It's almost like you have an invisible partner helping you, whatever your goal in life might be. Not only has it helped me in the example I just gave, but in many other more important aspects of my life, too. Like you, I'm going to "look up" the book again. Time for a refresher. Nope, it's not about religion, but it sure has a lot to do with faith, doesn't it. :)

[nuxvomica]

6. I have an idea

Remembering that book now, I recall it may have saved my life. I was deeply depressed at the time I read it and it pulled me up. I was done with religion -- religion didn't help me. I was wary of self-help books but picked it up out of desperation. The message is simple and clear: that we can turn thought into reality and we can do it without any mumbo-jumbo. I wonder sometimes if the election last year was won by people who simply believed in something even though it was a lie.
So here's my idea: we'll reread the book and maybe others will too and we'll start a discussion about using this faith in ourselves to defeat the believers in lies. Let's see what happens. :thumbsup:

[mtnsnake]

9. That's some heavy stuff; glad you came out of it....and I like your idea

You might be onto something with that. The more people that have a strong inner faith in the fact that we're going to defeat the repukes, the easier it'll be to do so. There is nothing more powerful than the message in this book. I think many of the modern inspirational books, especially the ones that talk a lot about the power of visualization, got their ideas from Claude Bristol....who learned much of his wisdom from the Far East I believe.

The thing that really convinced me right off the bat about that book was the "mind-stuff" experiment he advises you to do in the beginning. When I cupped my hands around that little home-made pointer, and it started rotating and stopping, pretty much upon willing it to do so, I was hooked. I couldn't get it to rotate in the opposite direction, but I did get it to stop and then start moving again several times. It was one way that proved that there are really dynamic forces that come from within us and intertwine with the forces around us, which we can get to work for us in positive ways.

For anyone who doesn't necessarily believe in a supreme being, but would like to believe in a "supreme force", and would like to have the power of faith work for them, I would think that this book is a definite must, wouldn't you say?

[nuxvomica]

10. I remember that exercise

I could get it spinning fast either way but I had trouble making it stop though making it change direction was a rather stunning experience. I figured it had to do with changes in palm temperature and made a real effort to prevent my respiration from affecting it. I don't know why it works but it is convincing of the power of thought.
I agree with you that the book is a fine guide to the positive exercise of belief without the ornamentation of religion. It may be very useful to us as liberals in closing the "belief gap" if there is such a thing. I'll PM you when I've reread it. Eventually, I'd like to post a graphic of the pointing device so others can try it, too.

[maveric]

3. I read "Psycho-Cybernetics" during the 70's. It changed the way I

thought about myself and helped boost my almost non-existent self esteem.

[BrklynLiberal]

4. Thanks for the recommendations. I will defintiley look into it.

[mtnsnake]

13. No problem. Let me know how you like it n/t

[qnr]

7. self-delete

[jpgray]

8. Meditations (nt)

[Melynn]

11. Thanks for the mention

This books sounds interesting. I am going to see if I can find a copy of it at Amazon or Barnes and Noble.

[mtnsnake]

14. You shouldn't have much trouble finding it

I've usually been able to find it on the shelves of any major bookstores when I've purchased copies for my kids or friends.

[Melynn]

15. Great, I will look for it

Thanks a bunch!

[Rhiannon12866]

17. I checked. It's available on Barnes & Noble for $6.99, less if you're

A member. And if you purchase anything there, through The Animal Rescue Site, they donate a bowl of food for a homeless animal for every dollar you spend. Barnes & Noble is a sponsor. One of my favorite on-line charities. I click on their site, to provide free food, everyday. Click on Merchants Who Help to find Barnes & Noble, on the left. They're on the top of the list, under Books. Thanks.:-)

http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/CTDSites.woa/wa/gotoSite?destSite=AnimalRescueSite&origin=reminderSA

[nuxvomica]

22. I payed $10 for it at a brick&mortar Barnes&Noble

Yesterday. I had tried Borders first but they had sold their last copy the day before. Oh bother. :-)

[bridgit]

12. cool, i had three fav's...

jung: man & his symbols

maltz: physco cybernetics

&

the book of miracles, but i haven't been able to find a link back to it since it was suggested to me in the 80's

:shrug:

it dealt with setting up the parameters within which 'all goods things occur', so of course it starts with your head.

:thumbsup:

[Maddy McCall]

16. Codependent No More

Helped me let go of a troubling relationship, yet still love the person. An EXCELLENT self-help book.

[jdj]

18. do they make it in pill form?

can I just swallow a couple of beliefs twice a day? i'm really busy with school right now.

[serryjw]

19. Shall I buy the book or CD?

n/t

[mtnsnake]

20. Buy the book

You're going to want to highlight or underline lots of passages. 'Course you could always copy/paste them into a wordpad file, too, I suppose :)

[serryjw]

21. Thanks for the recommendation

will keep you posted