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Through A Still Imperfect Lens: A True Story of Personal Growth and Relationship from a Psychospiritual Perspective
In 1990, noted author and psychiatrist M. Scott Peck and attorney Elliot Talenfeld began a decade-long correspondence about the implications of Peck’s famous dictum, in The Road Less Traveled, that “any truly loving relationship is one of mutual psychotherapy.” Talenfeld and his therapist-wife had spent three years in an intentional, self-help community that practiced its own form of mutual therapy … with a spiritual twist. Calling his insights on the subject “extremely rich,” Peck encouraged the author to “continue to the end with writing this book, to which you quite obviously seem called.” The result, presented here, is a 2012 Indie Book Awards Finalist in both the RELATIONSHIP and NEW AGE categories.
A former law professor and partner at a prominent firm, Talenfeld also holds a master of counseling degree and serves as a Jewish Cantor. Drawing on such diverse training and experience, his passion for self-examination and courageous self-disclosure now yield an unexpected wealth of worldly, psychological and spiritual insight.
Dedicated “to every heart so foolish as to have no doubt, and every mind so arrogant as to have no faith,” this remarkable work offers a new, psychospiritual perspective--one that speaks to and through mind and heart, left brain and right, simultaneously. Those who have longed for such a synthesis won’t be able to put this down.
A former law professor and partner at a prominent firm, Talenfeld also holds a master of counseling degree and serves as a Jewish Cantor. Drawing on such diverse training and experience, his passion for self-examination and courageous self-disclosure now yield an unexpected wealth of worldly, psychological and spiritual insight.
Dedicated “to every heart so foolish as to have no doubt, and every mind so arrogant as to have no faith,” this remarkable work offers a new, psychospiritual perspective--one that speaks to and through mind and heart, left brain and right, simultaneously. Those who have longed for such a synthesis won’t be able to put this down.
253 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 2, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
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November 14, 2019I remember having finished reading the masterpiece of famed author Somerset Maugham, “Of Human Bondage,” and had I been challenged to write a review of that book I would have begun with the refrain whose author is unknown, “life is just one damned thing after another.” This is how I feel after reading Elliot Talenfled’s book, “Through a Still Imperfect Lens.” I feel breathless in the wake of reading it.
The sheer eloquence of expression and the quality and quantity of Elliot’s experiences makes reading this book a thrill ride that will have you tied up in knots, smiling uncontrollably, sad, happy, dismayed, judgmental and ultimately inspired. Elliot is a gifted storyteller who is deeply honest, analytical, and critical of himself when assessing “psycho-spiritual” pursuits and regardless of his conclusions you can’t help but be drawn to him as an advocate, judge, cheerleader, etc., as well as to everyone he characterizes in his book. It’s just great storytelling!
This book is far too good to spoon out even the slightest tantalizing morsels to tease you into reading it. Suffice to say that, and again I quote Somerset Maugham, "the simplest pattern – that in which a man was born, worked, married, had children, and died – was likewise the most perfect." It seems, Elliot has found that perfection!
Carl Bozeman
Author of the Amazon bestselling book: “On Being God – Beyond Your Life’s Purpose
Are you Listening – Addressing the Divine within
On Human Being – Loving and Living without Purpose
Shaman
The sheer eloquence of expression and the quality and quantity of Elliot’s experiences makes reading this book a thrill ride that will have you tied up in knots, smiling uncontrollably, sad, happy, dismayed, judgmental and ultimately inspired. Elliot is a gifted storyteller who is deeply honest, analytical, and critical of himself when assessing “psycho-spiritual” pursuits and regardless of his conclusions you can’t help but be drawn to him as an advocate, judge, cheerleader, etc., as well as to everyone he characterizes in his book. It’s just great storytelling!
This book is far too good to spoon out even the slightest tantalizing morsels to tease you into reading it. Suffice to say that, and again I quote Somerset Maugham, "the simplest pattern – that in which a man was born, worked, married, had children, and died – was likewise the most perfect." It seems, Elliot has found that perfection!
Carl Bozeman
Author of the Amazon bestselling book: “On Being God – Beyond Your Life’s Purpose
Are you Listening – Addressing the Divine within
On Human Being – Loving and Living without Purpose
Shaman
August 16, 2019
What I like best in this book I can sum up in one word: authentic. The author is not posturing, preening or pretending. Nor does he hold back, trying to look good on paper. His real experience is there on the page, failures and insights and accomplishments. But it's not the factual truth that matters so much as the reliability of the insights along the way: the author himself is dedicated to authenticity as a way of being, and it shows on every page, and every page will shine a light on your own experience in a way that stays with you as you savor this book and let the events and observations percolate and sort your own story of personal growth and your own relationships by this standard of honest witness.
November 18, 2020
When I purchase a book like this, it is because I am looking for something to help me with my own life. Very honestly, I found this within the pages of this book.
I believe that you will find an abundance of inspiration and guidance within these pages too – even if your own life circumstances (like mine) are very different from Elliot’s. I nevertheless found myself relating to many of his FEELINGS; and admiring the combination of bravery and common sense with which he both felt AND reasoned his way through many poignant challenges. Thank you, Elliot, for sharing your deeply personal tale.
Carmel Bell
I believe that you will find an abundance of inspiration and guidance within these pages too – even if your own life circumstances (like mine) are very different from Elliot’s. I nevertheless found myself relating to many of his FEELINGS; and admiring the combination of bravery and common sense with which he both felt AND reasoned his way through many poignant challenges. Thank you, Elliot, for sharing your deeply personal tale.
Carmel Bell
July 12, 2020
A poignant love story
A very introspective love story and very real. Elliot Tallenfield is very open about his interaction with the new age and his feelings as a Jewish man dealing with them.
A very introspective love story and very real. Elliot Tallenfield is very open about his interaction with the new age and his feelings as a Jewish man dealing with them.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews