Bouncing Forward Lib/E: Transforming Bad Breaks Into Breakthroughs

by Michaela Haas, Carrington MacDuffie (Reading)

The first book of its kind in the new science of posttraumatic growth: a cutting-edge look at how trauma survivors find healing and new resilienceThe uplifting science of posttraumatic growth presents groundbreaking research and proven methods to survive and thrive in the face of challenges. Twelve inspiring role models share their profound insights on how they emerged from hardship stronger, wiser, and more compassionate-from civil rights icon Maya Angelou, who healed deep childhood trauma; flight surgeon Rhonda Cornum, who found a new purpose after being captured in Iraq; renowned autistic pioneer Temple Grandin, who overcame crippling panic attacks; and famed jazz guitarist Coco Schumann, who played for his life in Auschwitz. In Bouncing Forward, Michaela Haas draws upon powerful storytelling, psychology, history, and twenty years of Buddhist practice to reshape the way we think of crisis.Unlike books from the medical community, Bouncing Forward is a user-friendly source of techniques that actual trauma survivors have used to benefit from pain and adversity. Haas draws on common coping threads to beautifully combine inspirational stories of growth through trauma with science and spirituality. Perfect for people from all walks of life who are recovering from loss, pain, illness, or violence-as well as their friends and family. Bouncing Forward offers examples and inspiration for growth and a mindful approach to finding a deeper meaning in life.

Genres: Psychology, Health, Self Help, Nonfiction, Mental Health

Audio CD

First published October 6, 2015

About the author

Michaela Haas, PhD, is a reporter, resilience researcher, and consultant. She is the author of Bouncing Forward: The Art and Science of Cultivating Resilience (Atria/Enliven, 2015), the first mainstream book about posttraumatic growth from a survivor's perspective, Dakini Power: Twelve Extraordinary Women Shaping the Transmission of Tibetan Buddhism in the West (www.dakinipower.com, Shambhala, 2013), Crazy America (Goldmann, 2017), co-author of Coco Schumann: The Ghetto-Swinger, and more. An experienced speaker and consultant (www.michaelahaas.com), she skilfully weaves together storytelling, scientific research and spiritual wisdom. With a PhD in Asian Studies, she has taught at the University of California Santa Barbara, the University of the West, and various study centers in America and Europe. She is the owner of HAAS live!, an international coaching company which combines her experience in media with mindfulness training. She has been studying and practicing Buddhist meditation for 20 years. Her articles have appeared in the Washington Post, the Huffington Post, Psychology Today, CBS, DailyBeast, and many international publications. Since the age of sixteen, she has worked as a writer and interviewer for major nationwide German newspapers, magazines and TV stations including hosting her own successful nationwide talk show.

Reviews

[Peter Bedard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE THIS BOOK! Ms. Haas is an amazing writer who shares her research and obvious passion clearly and lovingly. "Bouncing Forward" is a call to anyone that is in need of healing. It is a testament that PTSD can actually be transformed into post traumatic growth and that the darkest of times have buried within them abundant gifts for creating change, fulfillment, and even happiness.

[Tanya McGinnity · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you know that feeling when the right message comes along at the right time?

Whenever I’ve gone through tough times, or been asked by a friend how I’ve coped with difficulties, my tried and true, go-to recommendation has been to read Pema Chödrön’s When Things Fall Apart. It has been a great comfort during many an upset – large or small. I pulled it out a few weeks ago after a friend who I had suggested it to spoke send me a thank you note for doing so. She expressed that my recommendation for her to read it helped comfort her during the extreme grief she encountered after her father’s passing. It was a sign for me to pick it up again as a support to help me through my current situation and work through the confusion, pain and suffering that I’ve been encountering.

I recently received a review copy of Michaela Haas’ latest book Bouncing Forward: Transforming Bad Breaks Into Breakthroughs. After reading the description, I thought “Oh heck yes. This is a book I NEED in my life. Right now! Let me at it.” The concept of transforming suffering into something good, something of value has been knocking around in my head and heart for a bit and the central themes of posttraumatic growth and developing resilience sounded absolutely, well, life affirming. As someone who has been in therapy to cope with some hard spots in life (death, depression, loss, anxiety, fear, suffering, the yips), this book was yet another message well received, loud and clear.

The latest proliferation of life coaches who are all blathering on about “manifesting the perfect life,” shooting hazy, pixel perfect images of smoothie bowls and speaking to the “10 Easy Steps to Creating 365 Days of Joy, Magic and Smiles” aren’t the tribe I’m looking for when it comes to helping me through suffering. Who knows better about suffering than someone has experienced it right? Someone who has looked it square in the eyes and not run from it. Well maybe they cowered from it a bit, or cursed it out for a while – but they decided to not let the pain overshadow or overtake them completely.

Michaela’s personal story of chronic illness mixed with heartache, blended with loss, shaken and stirred with well – our old friend all pervasive suffering was what spurred her on to write this book.

She was on a mission to find out why some people were able to make it through the hard times, while others crumbled. Her investigation was grounded in the concept of resilience and how people from all walks of life were able to “bounce forward” and listen to their experience of trauma in order to experience posttraumatic growth.

Michaela interviewed a diverse group of people who have all learned and grown from the pain they’ve encountered. Each had developed immense strength in the face of adversity and flipped the switch on the habitual ways that they experienced fear, trauma and pain. The book delves into the personal stories of these individuals, distills the wisdom from their way of transforming their pain into something meaningful and offers the reader a detailed look at how they too can apply this insight into their lives.

The stories of survival in the book are gripping and vivid. Some names are ones we’re all familiar with – Temple Grandin, Bernie Glassman and Maya Angelou. Others are names of everyday people who have taken extraordinary pain and channeled it into meaningful action such as creating organizations like Mothers Against Drunk Drivers, or have neutralized the suffering into joy and used it to fuel their artistic endeavors. From the jazz musician’s story of how he survived and grew from the atrocities of the Holocaust to the young pro surfer who lost the use of his lower body in a freak accident and was able to continue to work to create an organization that shares the love of surfing with everyone. The individuals noted in this book have all gone through incredible pain, survived and come out the other side improved, empathetic and aware of the unique gift that their suffering has offered them.

Each chapter offers an example of the lessons that can be gained from the absolute worst of life’s circumstances. Advice and information from leading experts in psychology and trauma are peppered throughout and help back up the subject matter to keep it from veering into the “too good to be true” zone. It’s not a “flighty, woo-woo, let’s all feel good self help book whatsoever.” It’s a “dig deep, here’s the shit, dig in and get real/find some perspective/look at things a different way/you got this” book. It’s a guide to how to face pain and grow from it.

It’s an empowering read that speaks to how while we may not have control over much, we have control over our minds. We can train in this “resilience mindset” aka “growth mindset” in order to survive and then thrive from what causes us pain. Something good has to come from it right?

Bouncing Forward: Transforming Bad Breaks Into Breakthroughs isn’t a book of ‘suffering porn’ and won’t leave you feeling like you’ve just steeped yourself in a big broth of traumatic stories. It’s uplifting and offers real world advice for recovery. The list of five exercises to cultivate courage in the face of adversity at the close of the book is essential reading, as are the recommendations highlighted throughout each of the chapters.

There’s a great amount of compassion and gentleness that’s apparent in this book. While the bitter pill of pain and suffering is present in reading about the personal setbacks and tragedies of those featured within its pages, the sweetness of discovering a life that has meaning makes the medicine go down easier.

With the author’s background being strongly rooted in Buddhism, you may be asking if this is a book solely for Buddhists. While there are some mentions to Dharma teachings, Michaela’s experiences in India and several quotes from some Buddhist notables, it’s not a book for this one group alone. If you have suffered, are suffering or are looking to build resilience against future suffering – well, this book is for you.

While reading Bouncing Forward, I was struck many times with remembrance of learnings or ‘ah ha moments’ from past therapy sessions. In some ways this book is a compendium of much of the work that I’ve been doing on my own journey – self-compassion, gentleness, empathy, letting go, self-reflection and a search for meaning and purpose. It’s all in there and so much more.

To have this book to rely on as a support during these difficult times has been an absolute blessing. I highly encourage you to pick it up for yourself, friends and family who are looking to cultivate a new way of relating to trauma and suffering. I only hope this post does it justice for how remarkable and helpful it has been to read this book as I work towards healing

Bouncing Forward: Transforming Bad Breaks Into Breakthroughs takes its place on the recommended list of books that I suggest to friends who are going through hardships and will be placed next to my well-worn copy of When Things Fall Apart. They are perfect compliments for one another. When Things Fall Apart you can always Bounce Forward. The choice is yours.

[Brandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michaela Haas's "Bouncing Forward: Transforming Bad Breaks into Breakthroughs" deals with the new science of posttraumatic growth. Dr. Haas explores techniques trauma survivors have used in an attempt to benefit from hardships. Some people seem to grow after experiencing trauma while others do not. The author explores some possible reasons for this and explains the techniques those who experienced growth used more fully so that readers can incorporate some of these methods into their own lives.

One of my favorite sections of the book is the "Guide" AKA "Five effective exercises for cultivating courage in the face of adversity". These include meditate, appreciate, love, love others, and connect. The author covers a lot of the principles and techniques taught in many psychology courses, but she does it in a more user-friendly format.

I would recommend this book to anyone, as almost everyone will experience some sort of trauma in their lives. The book is well-written and easy to understand. I obtained my copy from the Goodreads.com website and I appreciate the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Lynette Monteiro · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Michaela Haas’ new book, Bouncing Forward: Transforming bad breaks into breakthroughs, we have a hopeful message. It’s important to say at the outset that this is not a feel-good or pie-in-the-sky promise that good times are coming. Haas, a journalist and well-known author, has done deep research to pull together researchers passionate about the topic and the personal stories of recovery from trauma making the book delicious flow of intertwining narratives.

Full review here.

[Craig Bergland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written with interesting stories. For me, and this is my own stuff showing through, I would have preferred a more in depth look at the transition between the trauma phase and moving forward. Especially the first person examined seemed more a story of denial than recovery to me. Also, the title of the book seems an ill fit to me. my 4 star rating isn't based on what I wish the book had provided but rather on what it did provide - well written, encouraging stories of people who overcame trauma to live productive lives.

[Book · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘Bouncing Forward’ written by Michaela Haas, PhD is account of several brave women and men who instead of giving up have chosen to become more stronger and happier regardless of some difficult situations they found themselves in their lives.

Therefore her 400 pages long book that is read with ease and interest until the very last of its pages is not just another book that describes how to deal with pain, but offers some actual inspiring tough life stories of people who show how to transform their pain into a journey to wisdom, love and purpose.

In her book, Michaela Haas decided to present twelve touching stories that all have suffering as central motive – either by those who survived terminal illness, the Holocaust, lost a partner or been a victim during their childhood. Based on the recent scientific findings, Hass presents numerous (over sixty) methods, almost all of them universal that would help you transform pain into the strength required to overcome all the bad.

Additionally, on the last pages of her book, the author provided five effective exercises for cultivating courage in the face of adversity – which, because of their simplicity, would be easy to apply in our everyday life, helping us to go through the tough times.

The author nicely said “…One of the best things we can do is to connect with other people who have been through something tough… Here we meet people who are not afraid to talk honestly about their struggles along with their insights. The book is to help people see the possibilities of growth.” – and using this book one could certainly realize the possibilities how to grow as person even in the most demanding times of our lives. And this characteristic of ‘Bouncing Forward’ written by Michaela Haas could be seen as the best recommendation I could give to both author and her book.

I was given a copy of this book by the author for the purpose of unbiased review, while all the presented information is based on my impressions.

[Dr. Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

While most of us are familiar with PTSD; posttraumatic growth may be a new concept altogether. The idea of post traumatic growth suggests that we’ll grow after a trauma...all you have to do is experience one for that to be questionable at least while it’s occuring. The fact is that research is proving that there is growth especially and even after trauma. And, trauma comes in many iterations...in other words...we have probably all experienced trauma in one form or another: from losing a loved one to being in a car crash. Dr. Michaela Haas, has not only researched post traumatic growth...she has also experienced it first hand. She has consolidated twelve stories of resilience, growth and inspiration in her recently released book, "Bouncing Forward," and proposes a different way to look at crisis; that while there is undoubtedly immense pain, there is also potential breakthrough and a silver lining. Dr. Haas has written a book filled with wisdom. If you know anyone or have experience trauma firsthand this is a "must read." If you would like to listen to her free interview discussing "Bouncing Forward" you can find it at drlindatucker.com or on iTunes by searching: "Challenge Your Thinking."

[Nancy Madlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book definitely helped me, inspired me. It also annoyed me quite a bit -- most of the book is a series of extended interviews with people who have "bounced forward."

Certainly, it IS interesting to read, and it IS helpful to see the amazing things that human beings are capable of, the resilience, the growth. AND reading one AMAZING story after another of how REALLY BAD STUFF happened to a person, and they ROSE ABOVE and NEVER LOST HOPE etc. can just make it seem like SOME people are really amazing, and, to be honest, I'm not.

I never had my daughter murdered and I"M CHEERFUL ALL THE FREAKING TIME ANYWAY as I started a humongous national organization about the issue. I was never taken hostage in the Middle East and NEVER LOST HOPE FOR A MINUTE and came back home to found a program that is transforming the Army. etc. It's a little hard to relate. And it's a little hard not to feel small and inadequate for just being a normal-sized person.

The author, I think, WANTED to portray tools and ideas that could help others, but that thread is mainly lost in the hype-y stories. This is an interesting book, but not a great one.

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book changed my life. The idea that we can grow from adversity is not new to me, but what I found inspiring is to see that there is actual research and proven methods HOW we can grow from setbacks. I love that the author tells us about her own life, and that she mixes the science with the life stories of these different people, from soldiers to surfers. I am actually trying out the exercises at the back of the book and find them enormously helpful. Personally, I identified most with Cindi Lamb, the co-founder of MADD who lost her daughter and struggled for 20 years to find forgiveness. This is a really great book that I will gift to many of my friends who have been through a rough patch.

[Harry Allagree · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who better to speak about post traumatic growth, something which isn't often acknowledged, than an author who has had firsthand experience! I first became acquainted with the writing of Michaela Haas in her excellent book on women Buddhist leaders, Dakini Power. In this book she recounts, in addition to her own story of "bouncing forward" from adversity & suffering, the remarkable accounts of 13 other people of all ages & walks of life, including Temple Grandin & Maya Angelou. She intersperses the stories with well-documented current research by experts in the field of post traumatic syndrome illness. This is a book which can offer hope of resilience to all of us.

[Cindi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb! Why?

Becuz.... I'm Chapter 13 in this book: "I Will Be Happy Dammit!" - Why Cindi Lamb isn't MADD Anymore.

Lots of perspectives in my spiritual life have changed, but my love of the love that Jesus proclaims has not changed. My spiritual walk and introspection is a ceaseless brain-scratcher and heart-filler.

The author of this book traveled across the country for this interview. She stayed with me for almost a week. She is an astounding woman.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. I have recommended this to many therapists. A different point of view on Bouncing Back. Valuable input from many experts. I now use it as a reference in my groups for traumatic brain injured survivors.

[Ruth Baidya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Individuals have a choice over their response to trauma or loss

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quality introduction to the study of post-traumatic growth, including stories about a diverse mix of survivors. And well-cited.

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is quite a good lay person's guide to post-traumatic growth and resilience research. Through compelling stories and self-help exercises and tips, she covers a lot of ground in a very readable way. Extensive notes in the back support her summaries.