Reflect: Awaken to the Wisdom of the Here and Now

by Donald Altman

If you feel like you've been stuck repeating the same problems over and over or lost in endless distraction, don't worry. That may just be a signal that it's time for you to embark on an exciting new path of self-evolution. Reflect taps into your unique human capacity for accessing meaning, presence and wisdom in 108 inspiring, affirming, and illuminating reflections. You'll journal, reflect, and practice, to discover the wonder and stillness of presence that exist for you, not tomorrow, but in this next awakening moment.

Genres: Nonfiction

252 pages, Paperback

First published June 14, 2019

About the author

Donald Altman, M.A., LPC, is a psychotherapist, former Buddhist monk, international mindfulness expert, and award-winning author of over 15 books on spirituality and mindfulness translated worldwide.

Donald currently writes the Practical Mindfulness Blog for Psychology Today.

His book The Mindfulness Toolbox was Gold Award winner of two national book publishing IBPA awards in the Body-Mind-Spirit and Psychology categories. Two other books, Clearing Emotional Clutter and The Mindfulness Code were chosen by Spirituality and Practice as "On of the Best Spiritual Books" of 2016 and 2010, respectively.

Profiled in the Living Spiritual Teachers Project and featured as an expert in The Mindfulness Movie, Donald has been an adjunct professor at Portland State University's Interpersonal Neurobiology Certificate Program, as well as the Lewis and Clark College Graduate School of Education and Counseling.

Donald's new novel "Travelers" is a gripping mystical journey of spiritual awakening and initiation that takes place in a psychiatric hospital. Inspired by Kesey's "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," Travelers is a story of overcoming loss to find hope, healing and renewal.

He lives in Portland, Oregon.

Reviews

[Jem · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/3.5

[Mark Sutton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful tome. This is not a self-help book, per se. It's far more accessible than that. It doesn't tell you what to think or how to think, isn't opinionated, or anything like that. It's a series of prompts, of concepts and ideas you are asked to reflect upon. Sort of a mental exercise. The true value is in where the reflections lead you, and the book itself is more like just a portal into that realm showing you where the doors are. The prompts are thoughtful and enjoyable, and each set of prompts is prefaced by words of wisdom to guide you as you explore the prompts and begin your reflections. The idea that I could put this book on the shelf and go back to it in the future and get a whole new experience is an intriguing one. In this way, it's quite a powerful little book.

The book itself is handsome, and it's consummately accessible. You can pick it up at any time and browse it at random, or go through it in linear fashion. This makes it a great gift for anyone who enjoys introspection, or who might benefit from learning to do so.

[Ginni · Rating 3 out of 5]

Admittedly, I read this more or less straight through, and it’s probably meant to be read in bite-sized chunks (it says “Reflect on this” at the end of each page). But I didn’t find anything revolutionary or mind-blowing here. Maybe that’s the point: strip things down to the essentials, notice things, just be. Most people probably could benefit from some time spent sitting with these very basic truths. But this particular collection is a little too basic (and sometimes too cutesy) for me. With the scores of mindfulness books available today, you can afford to be picky.

(I received this book for free through a Goodreads giveaway.)

[Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a little hit or miss for me. I gave it four stars because I really appreciated when I connected with it, when it helped me see something that was otherwise difficult for me to see. The format is two pages on a different theme. The first page contains some reflections (4 or so sentences) and the second some questions. Some are corny (“Every life challenge contains seeds of its own soul-ution”) and some resonated with me (“Invite your unwanted emotions inside for a cup of tea”). I think it’ll really depend on where you are in life and self-awareness and how open you are. I was somewhat open, so I got some helpful things from this book.

[Csimplot Simplot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book!!!

[Joseph Dubey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book.Like a lot of what it says. Some of my favorites are: Each yes is clearly defined by a no, everything in your life is already enough,and kindness hides in plain sight

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I gave this as a gift and she thought it was helpful.

[Susan Csoke · Rating 5 out of 5]

A remarkable book of daily inspirations. Sit back relax and immerse yourself into reading this 'Me time' book!!!!! Thankyou Goodreads for this free book.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book full of quick motivational inspiration quotes and a few things to make you really think about them.