The Pleasure Prescription: To Love, to Work, to Play - Life in the Balance

by Paul Pearsall

Argues that the lack of joy in one's daily life is a more serious problem than stress, and suggests five steps for attaining a better and more rewarding balance in our lives

Genres: Self Help, Nonfiction, Spirituality

224 pages, Hardcover

First published August 26, 1996

About the author

Dr. Paul Pearsall was a licensed clinical neuropsychologist, clinical professor at the University of Hawai`i, and on the Board of Directors of the Hawai`i State Consortium for Integrative Health Care. He was a member of the heart transplant study team at the University of Arizona School of Medicine and Senior Research Advisor for the Human Energy Systems Laboratory at the University of Arizona.

Reviews

[Tristy · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were parts of this book that I LOVED and other sections I could barely get through. In the end, Paul Pearsall's message is one of delight and joy and pleasure and I love that. It's also really wonderful to find a very "Health at Every Size (HAES)" approach in a book that does not label itself officially as "fat-friendly." I did feel a bit oppressed by his many "questionnaires" that were designed to show us, the readers, how woefully empty of pleasure our lives are. The on-going message in the book is that if you are not of Polynesian-descent, you never really will "get it" but you can try harder by using the techniques shared in the book. This felt a little dated and a bit too much of the "Holy Native" paradigm. Polynesian people are just as complex and complicated as any other group of people. Can we learn from the spiritual tenets of their culture? Yes, absolutely. So this book is a bit of a mixed bag but worth a read if just for the reminder of how joyful our lives can be if we just get out of our own way and reach out and connect with our fellow human beings.

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

This framed oceanic philosophy as an underappreciated "third way", in contrast to the basic concepts from typical eastern and western traditions with regard to the body, mind, spirit, and self. I especially appreciated the focus on practicing the five concepts of Aloha in daily life. Yes, it's a bit hokey and cliched at times. I might appreciate a review or two from Polynesian sources, to better understand the degree to which what he offers is universal.

[Pamela · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bit preachy, and challenging to read due to all the polynesian nomenclature used. I enjoyed some sections of the book more than others. It seems a bit outdated, but it was published in 1996 -- so that's understandable. I just didn't resonate with this author. There are a lot of interesting books written lately about creating happiness, joy and pleasure in life -- I'd recommend reading a more current title.

[SFBlau · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a joyful man. I would have loved to participate in one of his workshops. Sadly, he passed on several years ago but he has left us many insights on how to live a happier life. His style is a bit cliche-driven, but his message is uniquely uplifting.

[Amy Wyckoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful Book!

[Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

from the library c1996
wrote many other books
uses Hawaiian concepts
positive psychology