AHP Perspective is a magazine published bi-monthly for members of the Association for Humanistic Psychology. It includes interviews, articles, essays, updates on member activities, conference announcements, and book reviews. Members receive the complete AHP Perspective as part of their membership.

AHP PERSPECTIVE April/May 2002 Table of Contents

WORKING OUT, WORKING
WITHIN: The Tao of Inner Fitness
Through Sports and Exercise
BY JERRY LYNCH & CHUNGLIANG AL HUANG
Jeremy Tarcher/Putnam, 1999, 262
pp., $29, ISBN: 0874779685.
Reviewed by Camille Pierce

This book centers around a Five- Stage Journey for Inner Fitness— Hurdling the Limits to Discover the Dance; Lighting the Fires of Physical Resurgence; Carrying the Torch of Unlimited Possibility; Seizing the Victories from the Battles Within; Swimming for Ideas in the Stream of Consciousness. Chapters end with meditation/ centering exercises, visualizations, affirmations, and ancient wisdom discussions. A visualization is in the authors words, “. . . a planned, conscious use of the ‘mind’s eye’ during a deep relaxed state to create desirable and fulfilling images of a similar future event.” Their visualization exercise on p. 119 is:

* Think of an event or task that causes you to be impatient.

* See yourself performing in a hurried-up manner, making mistakes and getting upset.

* Accept these setbacks as warnings for you to slow down.

* Relax, be at peace, and begin to take your time without limiting yourself.

* Feel yourself flow with the task as you perform more excellently and more efficiently.

The authors’ exercises can help readers develop feelings of inner peace and heightened self-confidence. As we better understand the deep and often sacred questions about life’s mysteries presented in an easy-to-read format, our attitude about self and society is strengthened.

An Application of Ancient Wisdom says, “I (Yee) is the classic Tao concept of the I Ching, meaning change and transformation. With the alternation of four seasons and five moving forces of nature (Fire, Water, Wood, Metal, Earth), everything is in flux. So is our energy level during workouts. Get in touch with the inner rhythm of your body and your spirit . . .” In the authors’ words, “The first technique or skill for cultivating inner talent is breath watching, a simple yet effective method of meditation, creating what we call the Tao Mind.” As we slowly inhale and exhale air, we are getting more in touch with our Tao Mind. A deeper sense of serenity is our reward. A must read for those of us caught in the hectic day-to-day traffic we sometimes call life!

CAMILLE PIERCE is an Internet/ Communication researcher/writer. Email: scholar@cruzio.com. “Each of us is a bridge between heaven and earth.” — J. Boresenko

AHP PERSPECTIVE April/May 2002 Table of Contents

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