Come to Your Senses: Demystifying the Mind-Body Connection

by Stanley H.; Block Block

A revolutionary guide to harnessing our power to heal our body-mind.

Genres: Self Help, Psychology, Spirituality, Nonfiction

208 pages, Paperback

First published March 10, 2005

Reviews

[TaraLynn Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I discovered this book in an elective graduate course in my social work program. I was interested in the mind-body connection b/c of how emotional stress can affect the body. This book addresses that, but so much more. The best thing about coming to your senses is that anyone can do it and it truly can improve every aspect of your life. It is simple and effective. This book teaches the reader how to come to his/her senses and diffuse the "requirements" that make so many of us miserable, tired, stressed out, etc. It is not complicated and the book is a fairly easy read. The author uses plenty of examples from his practice that make it engaging and clarify the points being presented.

If you read this book, make sure it's the 2nd edition (it has a red cover.) The 1st edition does not have the 10 day plan.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a disciple of the John Sarno school of mind-body philosophies, I was interested in reading a different slant on the topic. While Sarno deals primarily with pain management, Stanley H. Block focuses more on anxiety and deficiencies in feelings of well being. His basic tenet is that our feelings of depression, angst, poor self-esteem, etc. are the result of an over-active Identity System as a result of a "damaged self". He attributes this condition to innate "fixer" and "depressor" tendencies which take us out of the present and either excessively rue the past or fear the future, definitely zen-like principles.

The highlight of the book is a very detailed and doable ten day plan for success utilizing what he calls "bridging" techniques to use our other senses of touch, sound, smell etc. to break the stranglehold our thoughts have on us. He avows that thoughts are only thoughts and we give them way too much power in controlling our sense of well being. Diverting our attention to the sounds and feelings of touch around us can interrupt negative thoughts, as well as learning how to label our thoughts to take away their draining power. Block also instructs the reader how to use a "mapping" concept to identify our perceptions around given topics to create an awareness that has been inhibited by our Identity System.

While much of the book is repetitive and sometimes hard to follow, I believe many of his concepts are quite valid and his solutions are down-to-earth and quite readily adaptable by the average person. I plan to use some of his principles and exercises with some of my coaching clients, particularly those who have been holding themselves back by distorted thoughts and unnecessary fears.

[Trisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book seriously will change your life. It doesn't take physical effort or time; it just helps you think of things in a new way, which takes a little mental effort. This book has helped me be more productive, happier with myself, happier in my relationship, and more at peace.

[Amy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Good premise, poor presentation.

It's built on the idea that you, that is, your true self, is unbreakable. Block posits that there is an Identity System working against your true self, consisting of depressor (I'm awful, broken, etc) and a fixer (I just need to do x, once I do y, etc) that hijacks your thoughts. The Identity System is an endless loop. Focusing on bodily sensations (bridging) relaxes the identity system and allows our bodies and brains to heal and access divine power (the Source).
However, past the first chapter, it's just over-simplified mindfulness rehashed in the same words repeated over and over again, with magical miracle cure verbage. There is no acknowledgement of other needed skills or considerations, like boundaries or real-world problem solving, just endless insistence that this one skill is the only thing you ever need and don't forget it's going to completely change everything like magic.

[Michaela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have quickly adopted mind-body bridging as my therapy modality of choice. What a powerful concept. This book is a great introduction and guide.

[Robin Gott · Rating 5 out of 5]

First read this 15 years ago. One of the best, most practical, self-help books I've read.

[Liaken · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a truly fabulous book. I finished it the other day after savoring it for a long while ... and I’m taking it with me on my Christmas vacation to read it again. I really enjoyed it. The mapping exercises are very insightful and helpful. A couple of them were amazingly illuminating. I've used the bridging exercise, and it’s good, but I need to practice it more to get it to come as a response.

Toward the end, there is this chapter about dreams and stuff that ... well, it doesn't work anywhere near as well as the rest of the book. It is badly explained and seems to hinge largely on Freud. However, the rest of the book is really very good. Highly recommended.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this technique--which is supposed to help with anxiety and depression--would work best in conjunction with the workshops the authors hold, because I had trouble making myself do the exercises. But I think the technique has promise and it has helped me with the spiral of anxiety that I sometimes get stuck in, although it's not a panacea.

[Tonya · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this for a class - it is a good introduction to mindfulness practice and mind-body bridging. I didn't expect to be so excited about these skills and ideas, but it is actually one of my favorite interventions with clients and is a great way to find and strengthen my own center. Very user-friendly...not written for clinicians!

[Cory · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book! It helped me gain a better understanding of the unrealistic expectations that I have of other people and (the best part) how to not let those expectations (or requirements as the book calls them) ruin my day and/or life!

[Debbie Hughes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really did enjoy this book more than I thought I would.
It was not like a textbook..it was written so it is more enjoyable..plus you learn how to handle stressful situations.
I am glad I read it and I did learn some techniques some for me and some to share with others.

[Myra · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a short little thing but when I practice what it says, I do feel much better about life. My daughter's P.E. teacher teaches this in her class and I wanted to read it. I'm glad I did.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just started...will let you know

[tomlinton · Rating 1 out of 5]

For some reason
this is listed in Amazon
as being by Joko Beck
and I bought it on that basis
There is no mention
of her in any part of the book
except perhaps in passing
in the introduction

[Chassie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really helped me to reconnect with my body. Probably the best, most universally applicable, 'self-help' book I've read.

[Diane · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ummm... don't bother.

[Zina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Angela suggested I read this. Helpful in coming to a calm place within.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book! learning to "bridge" and following the techniques in this book will completely transform your life!

[Bjorn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Review is
here