What do you think?
Rate this book
Fully Human: A New Way of Using Your Mind
A mother of small children trusts her 'gut feeling' and it saves her life.
A young dad is able to grieve for his lost baby - using a song.
What if there were parts of our minds that we never use, but if awakened, could make us so much happier, connected and alive? What if awakening those parts could bring peace to the conflicts and struggles we all go through?
From the cutting edge, where therapy meets neuroscience, Steve Biddulph explores the new concept of 'supersense' - the feelings beneath our feelings - which can guide us to a more awake and free way of living every minute of our lives. And the Four Storey Mansion, a way of using your mind that can be taught to a five-year-old, but can also help the most damaged adult.
In Fully Human, Steve Biddulph draws on deeply personal stories from his own life, as well as those of his clients, and from the frontiers of thinking about how the brain works with the body and the wisdom of the 'wild creature' inside all of us.
At the peak of a lifetime's work, one of the world's best-known psychotherapists and educators shows how you can be more alive, more connected. More Fully Human.
'An essential guide to what makes us human ... Steve's writing is clear and beautiful, his descriptions accurate, our interior world gently laid bare.' Dr Michael Carr-Gregg, Child and Adolescent Psychologist
From the bestselling Australian author of Raising Boys.
Praise for Fully Human
'I loved this book and found it enormously helpful.' - Rosie Batty AO
'Steve is back, to help us do better at being in this world.' - Rachel Ward AM
A young dad is able to grieve for his lost baby - using a song.
What if there were parts of our minds that we never use, but if awakened, could make us so much happier, connected and alive? What if awakening those parts could bring peace to the conflicts and struggles we all go through?
From the cutting edge, where therapy meets neuroscience, Steve Biddulph explores the new concept of 'supersense' - the feelings beneath our feelings - which can guide us to a more awake and free way of living every minute of our lives. And the Four Storey Mansion, a way of using your mind that can be taught to a five-year-old, but can also help the most damaged adult.
In Fully Human, Steve Biddulph draws on deeply personal stories from his own life, as well as those of his clients, and from the frontiers of thinking about how the brain works with the body and the wisdom of the 'wild creature' inside all of us.
At the peak of a lifetime's work, one of the world's best-known psychotherapists and educators shows how you can be more alive, more connected. More Fully Human.
'An essential guide to what makes us human ... Steve's writing is clear and beautiful, his descriptions accurate, our interior world gently laid bare.' Dr Michael Carr-Gregg, Child and Adolescent Psychologist
From the bestselling Australian author of Raising Boys.
Praise for Fully Human
'I loved this book and found it enormously helpful.' - Rosie Batty AO
'Steve is back, to help us do better at being in this world.' - Rachel Ward AM
280 pages, Paperback
Published May 25, 2021
80 people are currently reading
578 people want to read
About the author
Steve Biddulph
110 books175 followersStephen John Biddulph AM is an Australian author, activist and psychologist who has written a number of influential bestselling books; and lectures worldwide on parenting, and boys' education. He is married and has two children and grandchildren.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
September 30, 2021
Steve Biddolf has written the outstanding Manhood, New Manhood, Raising Sons and Raising Daughters. This is not up to their level, mostly rehashed self help mantras that don't particularly resonate. It all felt very white and middle class to me and there was little that was new or particularly useful. The real life examples were too few and far between for me. Not his best I'm afraid.
May 27, 2021
Fully Human extends a warm invitation to join in celebrating the feeling of happiness and joy. The Australian family psychologist Steve Biddulph ruminates on the hidden wisdom of our body and how we can use this wisdom to lead a happy and fulfilling life. In this non-fiction book, Steve Biddulph presents the sum of his rich experience from forty years of work as a family psychologist. Our life and health are endangered in many ways today (political and economic crises, environmental crises, epidemics, violence), and it is anything but easy to lead a good, peaceful and humane life. But that's no reason to bury your head in the sand.
Steve Biddulph knows how to use the interplay of body, mind and soul for such a creative life. The secret of happy people, according to the bestselling author, is the rediscovery of the wisdom and cleverness of our body, the information of which helps us to be completely human, that is, to meet ourselves and the world with empathy and our own abilities and talents for to use the luck of as many as possible. An accessible, informative and interesting book with plenty of wisdom and advice for getting the most out of life regardless of who you are or where you hail from. Recommended.
Steve Biddulph knows how to use the interplay of body, mind and soul for such a creative life. The secret of happy people, according to the bestselling author, is the rediscovery of the wisdom and cleverness of our body, the information of which helps us to be completely human, that is, to meet ourselves and the world with empathy and our own abilities and talents for to use the luck of as many as possible. An accessible, informative and interesting book with plenty of wisdom and advice for getting the most out of life regardless of who you are or where you hail from. Recommended.
June 20, 2021
‘... if you are struggling in any area of your life, that is something that can change. You can reawaken your supersense and begin to know who you are and what matters to you, and bring wholeness back into your life again. Your life can be so much more.’
I was aware of Steve Biddulph’s writing from his books on ‘Raising Boys’. So I was keen to read about his more encompassing, ‘Fully Human’. I was not disappointed - what a fabulous read.
‘Because one day it stops, and then it’s too late. And the realization of that is the saddest thing in the whole of life. We chased the wrong things, and while we did, the ordinary but wonderful joys of our life - sunshine, flowers, animals, loving partners, children, friends, beaches - were all ignored or relegated to the gaps and small glimpses, to one day, when there’s time. And we wasted our lives.’
This book is all about tuning into your intuition or ‘supersense’ as Steve likes to call it. He also breaks down and adopts a Maslow style hierarchy of needs model in what he calls our mansion - wonderful tips about how to really tune into self and all in an effort to create our best self. The mansion has four floors - the first floor represents the body, the second our emotions, the third our thoughts and the fourth a roof terrace open to the stars and our incredible spirituality and wisdom.
‘... this is your natural state, this is you with the stress taken away. It’s simply that, in modern life, we are over-revved nearly all the time, and have come to think that’s how it must be. Meditation is getting back to how our bodies and brains are supposed to work.’
I went crazy with my highlighter in this book - so many gems and key concepts to really remind and assist us on this journey of life. It truly is packed with so many words of wisdom, a wonderful book to have and hold, especially when you need some gentle reminders.
‘A part of you is needing attention, it’s been neglected, and might even be dying. But its perfume is suddenly there, and you must follow it down.’
Something I learnt (obvious when you come to think of it) is how much of an impact the events of the 20th century have had on our emotional evolution. Why do we struggle so much today? Well maybe it is because of the huge trauma our great grandparents, grandparents, parents endured - world wars, depressions, refugee crisis - and that is just the tip of the iceberg. How could they cope with all that? Shut down emotionally.
‘You can arrive at a life full of meaning by consciously deciding to care. Thinking at its best can ease your suffering, give you a perspective and instil meaning in the tough corners of life.’
Fully Human is somewhat like a roadmap and Steve your guide on how to navigate the ups and downs of life. He wants this book to teach us how to engage with the natural guidance system that is within each of us. It is such an excellent resource perfect for those of us already on this journey of discovery to make the most of this gift of life and would be a wonderful treasure for anyone wondering where to begin.
‘The skill that will grow in you from reading this book is that, little by little, you’ll find yourself being a calm observer, someone who moves easily through the rooms of your mansion, never getting stuck in any of them ..... Perhaps we can become, at last, fully human.’
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.
I was aware of Steve Biddulph’s writing from his books on ‘Raising Boys’. So I was keen to read about his more encompassing, ‘Fully Human’. I was not disappointed - what a fabulous read.
‘Because one day it stops, and then it’s too late. And the realization of that is the saddest thing in the whole of life. We chased the wrong things, and while we did, the ordinary but wonderful joys of our life - sunshine, flowers, animals, loving partners, children, friends, beaches - were all ignored or relegated to the gaps and small glimpses, to one day, when there’s time. And we wasted our lives.’
This book is all about tuning into your intuition or ‘supersense’ as Steve likes to call it. He also breaks down and adopts a Maslow style hierarchy of needs model in what he calls our mansion - wonderful tips about how to really tune into self and all in an effort to create our best self. The mansion has four floors - the first floor represents the body, the second our emotions, the third our thoughts and the fourth a roof terrace open to the stars and our incredible spirituality and wisdom.
‘... this is your natural state, this is you with the stress taken away. It’s simply that, in modern life, we are over-revved nearly all the time, and have come to think that’s how it must be. Meditation is getting back to how our bodies and brains are supposed to work.’
I went crazy with my highlighter in this book - so many gems and key concepts to really remind and assist us on this journey of life. It truly is packed with so many words of wisdom, a wonderful book to have and hold, especially when you need some gentle reminders.
‘A part of you is needing attention, it’s been neglected, and might even be dying. But its perfume is suddenly there, and you must follow it down.’
Something I learnt (obvious when you come to think of it) is how much of an impact the events of the 20th century have had on our emotional evolution. Why do we struggle so much today? Well maybe it is because of the huge trauma our great grandparents, grandparents, parents endured - world wars, depressions, refugee crisis - and that is just the tip of the iceberg. How could they cope with all that? Shut down emotionally.
‘You can arrive at a life full of meaning by consciously deciding to care. Thinking at its best can ease your suffering, give you a perspective and instil meaning in the tough corners of life.’
Fully Human is somewhat like a roadmap and Steve your guide on how to navigate the ups and downs of life. He wants this book to teach us how to engage with the natural guidance system that is within each of us. It is such an excellent resource perfect for those of us already on this journey of discovery to make the most of this gift of life and would be a wonderful treasure for anyone wondering where to begin.
‘The skill that will grow in you from reading this book is that, little by little, you’ll find yourself being a calm observer, someone who moves easily through the rooms of your mansion, never getting stuck in any of them ..... Perhaps we can become, at last, fully human.’
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.
August 28, 2021
A good reminder to not only use your thinking mind to go through life but all of you: your body, emotions, brain and spirituality.
January 14, 2022
An amazing book! I recommend it everyone, especially people who are struggling and people who live on the "one day I will be happy" basis.
Read
July 19, 2021Review to come. In the meantime...
You're not likely to sit back from reading this book and go "wow, my whole world-view is changed!" but there are little bits that will seep into your mind over the course of your reading, and if you do take the words on board and do sincerely engage in the exercises, you will likely learn a little more about yourself, why you operate the way that you do, and how you might change this for the better.
This is not a book to hand you the answers for what you need to do. We as an audience are many and varied, and my childhood trauma responses will likely vary from your own. My triggers and anxieties won't likely be your triggers and anxieties.
And yet.
In this 280 page book, Biddulph provides some really valuable insight on ways to work on being in touch with what's going on, being aware of how our body reacts to the events around us (or even our own emotions), and work to stop ourselves from being overwhelmed in this technological age that demands we do everything faster, smarter, better.
This is a book that dials back to our roots, looks at the conditions that help us to thrive, and encourages us to look at what's really important.
Happiness should be the journey, not the end-game we spend our whole lives working towards.
You're not likely to sit back from reading this book and go "wow, my whole world-view is changed!" but there are little bits that will seep into your mind over the course of your reading, and if you do take the words on board and do sincerely engage in the exercises, you will likely learn a little more about yourself, why you operate the way that you do, and how you might change this for the better.
This is not a book to hand you the answers for what you need to do. We as an audience are many and varied, and my childhood trauma responses will likely vary from your own. My triggers and anxieties won't likely be your triggers and anxieties.
And yet.
In this 280 page book, Biddulph provides some really valuable insight on ways to work on being in touch with what's going on, being aware of how our body reacts to the events around us (or even our own emotions), and work to stop ourselves from being overwhelmed in this technological age that demands we do everything faster, smarter, better.
This is a book that dials back to our roots, looks at the conditions that help us to thrive, and encourages us to look at what's really important.
Happiness should be the journey, not the end-game we spend our whole lives working towards.
March 2, 2024
Thanks to Bluebird Books and Steve Biddulph for the ARC provided via NetGalley; this is my unbiased review.
Fully Human by Steve Biddulph
Bluebird Books, 27th May 2021
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Description:
What if there were parts of our minds which we never use, but if awakened, could make us so much happier, connected and alive? What if awakening those parts could finally solve the conflicts and sufferings we all go through?
From the cutting edge, where therapy meets neuroscience, world-renowned author, psychotherapist and educator Steve Biddulph shows us how to reach into the deep feelings beneath our feelings, and how doing so can guide us to a more awake and free way of living every minute of our lives.
In Fully Human, Steve Biddulph guides us through the four-storey mansion of our unexplored mind, with tips on how to open each level up to the sunlight, allowing us to live equally in all its beautiful rooms.
Drawing on deeply personal stories from his own life, as well as those of his clients, and from the frontiers of thinking about how the brain works with the body, this culmination of a life's work uncovers how we can all be more alive, more connected.
Review:
Ah man, this was another book I found incredibly hard to review, and I am still struggling with my star rating. The theory, drawn from the author's incredible four decades of learning and experience, is on point.
I've had this book for a very long time since being given the review copy and returned to it many times. What I'm finding difficult is how practical its application is for each and every person, in every walk of life and situation. Having spent so long reading and rereading, I just don't think it's completely feasible.
To sum up: Fully Human may support you to feel more in touch with your feelings, but perhaps we're not all destined to reach the top floor.
#FullyHuman #SteveBiddulph #BluebirdBooks #NetGalley #BookReview
#Bookstagram
Fully Human by Steve Biddulph
Bluebird Books, 27th May 2021
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Description:
What if there were parts of our minds which we never use, but if awakened, could make us so much happier, connected and alive? What if awakening those parts could finally solve the conflicts and sufferings we all go through?
From the cutting edge, where therapy meets neuroscience, world-renowned author, psychotherapist and educator Steve Biddulph shows us how to reach into the deep feelings beneath our feelings, and how doing so can guide us to a more awake and free way of living every minute of our lives.
In Fully Human, Steve Biddulph guides us through the four-storey mansion of our unexplored mind, with tips on how to open each level up to the sunlight, allowing us to live equally in all its beautiful rooms.
Drawing on deeply personal stories from his own life, as well as those of his clients, and from the frontiers of thinking about how the brain works with the body, this culmination of a life's work uncovers how we can all be more alive, more connected.
Review:
Ah man, this was another book I found incredibly hard to review, and I am still struggling with my star rating. The theory, drawn from the author's incredible four decades of learning and experience, is on point.
I've had this book for a very long time since being given the review copy and returned to it many times. What I'm finding difficult is how practical its application is for each and every person, in every walk of life and situation. Having spent so long reading and rereading, I just don't think it's completely feasible.
To sum up: Fully Human may support you to feel more in touch with your feelings, but perhaps we're not all destined to reach the top floor.
#FullyHuman #SteveBiddulph #BluebirdBooks #NetGalley #BookReview
#Bookstagram
December 28, 2021
In this book Biddulph breaks down the human experience into 4 areas, body, emotions, thinking and spirituality. The book started well with some helpful somatic explorations and ways of managing feelings especially anxiety. I also liked the way that he talked about the intergenerational trauma that many people are living with, (although he completely fails to mention race, even when discussing refugees, which is quite the omission). Unfortunately the book then comes of the rails, the thinking chapter is not as good and is actually quite judgmental in places before totally falling apart when trying to separate spirituality from religion. There is an interesting chapter on men which shows his years of experience of working with men and how to best support them. An interesting contradictory book.
February 27, 2022
I have been a fan of Steve Biddulph for years. I love his candid and honest way of writing his parenting books and I have got a lot out of them in the past. He’s also a great speaker, very authentic, funny and to the point.
‘Fully Human’ is an extraordinary book. I enjoyed reading every page of it and I had quite a few lightbulb moments.
The book provides profound insight into the 4 different levels of our mind, or as he calls it - the 4 levels of our ‘mansion’.
He discusses our supersense and how to be more aware of it. He questions what happiness is and to stop waiting to be happy one day. The aim is inner balance to navigate the levels of our mind and stay open to become an integrated person.
5 stars from me!
‘Fully Human’ is an extraordinary book. I enjoyed reading every page of it and I had quite a few lightbulb moments.
The book provides profound insight into the 4 different levels of our mind, or as he calls it - the 4 levels of our ‘mansion’.
He discusses our supersense and how to be more aware of it. He questions what happiness is and to stop waiting to be happy one day. The aim is inner balance to navigate the levels of our mind and stay open to become an integrated person.
5 stars from me!
April 28, 2023
This author is not in the same league as someone like Peterson. I learnt nothing from the book. He decides to get political halfway through, which further dampens any enthusiasm down for the read, and at that point, I started speed reading.
Read
November 5, 2024Couldn't persist reading this. Almost evangelical.
May 19, 2022
I already knew a lot of this stuff, but it’s a great place to start for those who haven’t read many self-help books
July 2, 2021
When our kids were growing up, I remember hearing Steve Biddulph talking about raising kids at a public event. I was impressed with him. Now he has authored a book on what it means, and how we can work towards, being fully human. It's an informative book that is broad in scope. Biddulph indicates in his Welcome chapter at the beginning, the two key ideas he explores are 1) Supersense and 2) the Four-Storey Mountain. Biddulph sees humans as having multiple levels of the mind and his whole book is devoted to exploring this metaphor and how we can navigate the levels using '... recent findings from neuroscience, matched with cutting-edge psychotherapy, and my lifetime’s work helping people in the worst imaginable situations to be able to heal and grow.'
FULLY HUMAN is life-affirming, encouraging, and practical.
FULLY HUMAN is life-affirming, encouraging, and practical.
July 22, 2021
Like many of my generation, I was guided and encouraged in my parenting by Steve Biddulph. “Raising Boys” and “Manhood” profoundly changed me as a father and as a man. It did more: it liberated me from a stereotypical role my birth in the 1950’s would have chained me too. “Fully Human”, thirty years later, has again moved me off an axis that was spinning me to destruction and given me one of the two greatest treasures of our lifetime. Time is one and the gift I will hold dear from this, Hope. It’s a startlingly personal book, with the authors insights generously shared and another toolbox for all the tomorrows hence safely transferred to my ownership. A book for all those who yearn for a better you in a better future.
August 4, 2021
Apt. Just what I needed.
During this season of overwhelming grief, the closing page had the words “The More you love, the more you will grieve. The question is - can you live with an open heart, even though you know that?”
This is sitting in my heart as I close this book.
During this season of overwhelming grief, the closing page had the words “The More you love, the more you will grieve. The question is - can you live with an open heart, even though you know that?”
This is sitting in my heart as I close this book.
December 17, 2022
"Fully Human: A New Way of Using your Mind"
by Steve Biddulph
Reviewed on 16 December 2022
I have been on a quest to read anything I can get my hands on about emotions and how we can use our emotions to live a happier, healthier and more fulfilling life. This book caught my eyes and I am not disappointed.
Last night, I read about the suicide of Ellen Degeneres' DJ and executive producer Stephen "tWitch" Boss who had committed suicide. Suicide is a disease of the desperately lonely. It is very sad to lose our loved ones and now I want those around me to know they are not alone. Mental awareness (especially in men) is crucial. I say "in men" because men are the gender that usually feel less connectivity with others and their suicide rates are higher compared to that of women.
Feelings are extremely important and I wish we taught our boys and girls how to connect with their emotions better so our children can learn to connect with others, too.
This book mentions about the "supersenses" and also about the four floors of the mansion. One thing that resonated with me is that we can encourage men and women to be more vulnerable, however, we also need to teach people to be receptive of other people's vulnerabilities. If we open up to our loved ones and they shame us or do not receive well what we tell them, then it can make us dive deeper into our shells and make us feel worse for opening up to them in the first place. I can see why people can be afraid to be vulnerable to others now.
One thing that I will take from this book is to ask my parents how it was like for them when they raised their children. I know they were doing their best. We need to think about others and how they may have felt in the situations they find themselves in. We need to be open and not judge others, yet we need to not let other people's feelings effect us, too.
It's interesting that we do say that we "play" music or "dance" around, as though it's not work at all. Life should be a journey, too, and it should appreciate the journey. Not simply only be happy if we can get to something "even better" that will make us "even happier".
I would highly recommend this book to anyone wanting to become better versions of themselves and those wanting to connect with others.
by Steve Biddulph
Reviewed on 16 December 2022
I have been on a quest to read anything I can get my hands on about emotions and how we can use our emotions to live a happier, healthier and more fulfilling life. This book caught my eyes and I am not disappointed.
Last night, I read about the suicide of Ellen Degeneres' DJ and executive producer Stephen "tWitch" Boss who had committed suicide. Suicide is a disease of the desperately lonely. It is very sad to lose our loved ones and now I want those around me to know they are not alone. Mental awareness (especially in men) is crucial. I say "in men" because men are the gender that usually feel less connectivity with others and their suicide rates are higher compared to that of women.
Feelings are extremely important and I wish we taught our boys and girls how to connect with their emotions better so our children can learn to connect with others, too.
This book mentions about the "supersenses" and also about the four floors of the mansion. One thing that resonated with me is that we can encourage men and women to be more vulnerable, however, we also need to teach people to be receptive of other people's vulnerabilities. If we open up to our loved ones and they shame us or do not receive well what we tell them, then it can make us dive deeper into our shells and make us feel worse for opening up to them in the first place. I can see why people can be afraid to be vulnerable to others now.
One thing that I will take from this book is to ask my parents how it was like for them when they raised their children. I know they were doing their best. We need to think about others and how they may have felt in the situations they find themselves in. We need to be open and not judge others, yet we need to not let other people's feelings effect us, too.
It's interesting that we do say that we "play" music or "dance" around, as though it's not work at all. Life should be a journey, too, and it should appreciate the journey. Not simply only be happy if we can get to something "even better" that will make us "even happier".
I would highly recommend this book to anyone wanting to become better versions of themselves and those wanting to connect with others.
October 26, 2023
Personally, I'll give this book a solid 5 star. I love how Steven Biddulph writes that humans contain things such as supersense and four layers of mind.
Supersense is what we call instinct. Supersense is how your body reacts in a split second toward anything. In this book, Biddulph said that this is how your body communicates toward anything in this world.
Four layers of mind is assumed like a four storey mansion in our mind. The first floor is our own body. He said in this book that our body has its own life and we should listen to it.
The second floor is our emotions. Emotions and bodies are related and they will tell you if something isn't correct through some movement inside our body.
The third floor is our brain. How we communicate ourselves toward other people with languages. Something that exclusively belongs to human beings.
Last is our spirituality. How to make ourselves feel good in the long term. Steven Biddulph says that spirituality is something to make us care about the whole world not just a small aspect in our world.
In summary, to make us as 'Fully Human' we should reach all of these points. A human that reaches the full state is someone who acts according to all of these aspects. When all of it (body, emotion, brain, spirituality) walk in together as the whole package, does not separate against each other.
I personally love this book as a journey to create myself as a better human being and I happily create a hand written summary about the point-point of this books.
Supersense is what we call instinct. Supersense is how your body reacts in a split second toward anything. In this book, Biddulph said that this is how your body communicates toward anything in this world.
Four layers of mind is assumed like a four storey mansion in our mind. The first floor is our own body. He said in this book that our body has its own life and we should listen to it.
The second floor is our emotions. Emotions and bodies are related and they will tell you if something isn't correct through some movement inside our body.
The third floor is our brain. How we communicate ourselves toward other people with languages. Something that exclusively belongs to human beings.
Last is our spirituality. How to make ourselves feel good in the long term. Steven Biddulph says that spirituality is something to make us care about the whole world not just a small aspect in our world.
In summary, to make us as 'Fully Human' we should reach all of these points. A human that reaches the full state is someone who acts according to all of these aspects. When all of it (body, emotion, brain, spirituality) walk in together as the whole package, does not separate against each other.
I personally love this book as a journey to create myself as a better human being and I happily create a hand written summary about the point-point of this books.
June 20, 2021
I really enjoyed this comprehensive guide of what it means to be a fully expressed and autonomous person. Through looking in detail at 4 major aspects of ourselves: our physicality, emotions, intellect and spirituality, the reader learns about how these aspects interact and can be accessed and nurtured.
This book leans a little more towards giving you a comprehensive understanding of these parts of us, rather than a very regimented step-by-step guide of how to develop them. However, I think that having this understanding is empowering and will help people make more sense of themselves and their lives, which can be much more impactful than generic steps, which might not suit your personality or lifestyle.
The warm and compassionate tone of the author is reassuring and his experience feels hard-won and important. I will recommend this book highly to both clients and friends, thank you Steve.
This book leans a little more towards giving you a comprehensive understanding of these parts of us, rather than a very regimented step-by-step guide of how to develop them. However, I think that having this understanding is empowering and will help people make more sense of themselves and their lives, which can be much more impactful than generic steps, which might not suit your personality or lifestyle.
The warm and compassionate tone of the author is reassuring and his experience feels hard-won and important. I will recommend this book highly to both clients and friends, thank you Steve.
April 23, 2024
New age furphy.
Lost me completely with:
The most upsetting fact to emerge was that what is called epigenetic change - alterations to the way DNA is expressed - could pass on this harm into many generations that follow.
From Wikipedia:
As epigenetics is in the early stages of development as a science and is surrounded by sensationalism in the public media, David Gorski and geneticist Adam Rutherford have advised caution against the proliferation of false and pseudoscientific conclusions by new age authors making unfounded suggestions that a person's genes and health can be manipulated by mind control. Misuse of the scientific term by quack authors has produced misinformation among the general public.
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epigene...
Lost me completely with:
The most upsetting fact to emerge was that what is called epigenetic change - alterations to the way DNA is expressed - could pass on this harm into many generations that follow.
From Wikipedia:
As epigenetics is in the early stages of development as a science and is surrounded by sensationalism in the public media, David Gorski and geneticist Adam Rutherford have advised caution against the proliferation of false and pseudoscientific conclusions by new age authors making unfounded suggestions that a person's genes and health can be manipulated by mind control. Misuse of the scientific term by quack authors has produced misinformation among the general public.
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epigene...
February 20, 2022
"We thought of life by analogy with a journey, with a pilgrimage, which had a serious purpose at the end and the thing was to get to that end. Success - or whatever it is, or maybe heaven - after you're dead. But we missed the point the whole way along. It was a musical thing and you were supposed to sing, or to dance, while the much was being played."
This broke me. It also helped me rebuild. Until a year ago I thought of my life and lived it as a pilgrimage waiting to reach an imagined treasure. Over the past few months, someone very close to me pushed me to rewire myself, to listen to my body, to feel more, and to live in the present. I had never felt this level of self-confidence and this book reaffirmed and validated my last few months.
This broke me. It also helped me rebuild. Until a year ago I thought of my life and lived it as a pilgrimage waiting to reach an imagined treasure. Over the past few months, someone very close to me pushed me to rewire myself, to listen to my body, to feel more, and to live in the present. I had never felt this level of self-confidence and this book reaffirmed and validated my last few months.
June 10, 2021
Good messages, but ultimately a bit disappointing
I started this with great hopes, having for a long time thought about the linkage between 'gut feeling', 'fate' (whatever that might be), health, happiness and the greater meaning of life, if indeed there is one.
And the components of, and totality of the 4 storey house started and continue to make sense.
But having considered and accepted that, I thought it lost its way.
Maybe it did, or maybe I did.
Whatever, the messages are good and work for me. I just think they could have been presented in a better (shorter?) way.
Totally selfish, I know...
I started this with great hopes, having for a long time thought about the linkage between 'gut feeling', 'fate' (whatever that might be), health, happiness and the greater meaning of life, if indeed there is one.
And the components of, and totality of the 4 storey house started and continue to make sense.
But having considered and accepted that, I thought it lost its way.
Maybe it did, or maybe I did.
Whatever, the messages are good and work for me. I just think they could have been presented in a better (shorter?) way.
Totally selfish, I know...
August 31, 2021
An important book. Biddulph's use of the Four Storey Mansion to describe the various realms of being human is very relatable and useful, and his descriptions of the importance of supersense are a challenge to the hyper-rationalisation that pervades much of the world. He takes us through many important aspects of how to live a full life, including touching on the ways that therapy works (and ways you can start to do this for yourself), the importance of feeling our emotion (rather than numbing it), and giving practical tips and exercises for personal growth. An easy read, and beautiful presentation.
February 4, 2022
Quite simply, this book is brilliant. I highly recommend the audiobook.
Big concepts delivered in an utterly attainable way, to allow connection with all parts of ourselves, and with others. There are areas for self reflection, not in a navel-gazing way, but both practical and soothing.
I've recommended this book already to a number of people. Though, as a therapist myself, I wonder if I'll be putting myself out of work if everyone reads and engages the learnings.
I'm going to re-read some of the early chapters straight away, to make sure I've fully taken them in, and as someone who's not one to generally re-read books, please take this as high praise.
Big concepts delivered in an utterly attainable way, to allow connection with all parts of ourselves, and with others. There are areas for self reflection, not in a navel-gazing way, but both practical and soothing.
I've recommended this book already to a number of people. Though, as a therapist myself, I wonder if I'll be putting myself out of work if everyone reads and engages the learnings.
I'm going to re-read some of the early chapters straight away, to make sure I've fully taken them in, and as someone who's not one to generally re-read books, please take this as high praise.
June 21, 2022
Another excellent book from our own Steve Biddulph. Our own because he lives in Tasmania. This is a comprehensive account of human experience. He says we live in a four story house: the ground floor is the body, the emotions are on the first floor , thinking on the 2nd and on the top floor is our spirituality. He defines spirituality very broadly and I liked that. I know that working in the garden connects me to something bigger than myself and that is spiritual. I need to have a balance of awareness of all the floors of my house. He calls it a mansion but I find that a bit alienating. I recommend this book.
June 9, 2021
Enjoyable but I felt it lacked the directness that I prefer. I would have liked more clear and concrete steps to develop the “supersense” the author discusses. The exercises are actually just questions, and while they are worthwhile and thought-provoking, sometimes you are left a bit unsure about how to move forward with developing the skills you are being quizzed on.
I definitely found a lot of wisdom in this book, but it’s more of an emotional manifesto than a how-to manual. Not a bad thing, just depends what you want to get out of this book.
I definitely found a lot of wisdom in this book, but it’s more of an emotional manifesto than a how-to manual. Not a bad thing, just depends what you want to get out of this book.
September 29, 2021
Steve, I first saw a small talk by you in Adelaide back in ‘93/94. You had us sitting in groups of three, knees touching and sharing stories of our lives. A real eye opener for me. It started a journey that lead to facilitating men’s groups and counselling. I feel this book is a summary, a resource of places to go and just damn good writing. I’ve ordered three more books. One for my son as a reference and hand in his passage to manhood, one for my step daughter who will be a therapist and one for my step son who will one day turn to it and help him on his travels. Christmas presents!
August 11, 2022
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, l have always liked Steve Biddulph books, and find his writing enjoyable. His warmth and honesty, his experience and lived life all have so much to offer. This is a book l shall enjoy reading down the track as thee was a lot to think about and put into practice. l have also read many of the Authors that he mentioned and have found there books invaluable as well. l have always enjoyed learning about our inner life and how that helps us to understand others.
December 19, 2021
Get in touch with your body, it's important to move :) nothing good in life ever happens without vulnerability, and we humans were built for trauma. The 3 stages of begin are awesome mental models. I should probably meditate more. This book is full of clichés, but that probably makes them true. Basically be more present, be here and now.
May 3, 2022
I was invested and keen to learn more a about the Four Storey Mansion model to adapt my way of thinking but Steve lost me as the book progressed. For me it was towards the middle when I was having trouble ignoring the personal opinions and prejudices that it lost it's way. I guess I was after more of a 'how to' from a professional than a collection of personal thoughts.
November 9, 2022
Easy to listen to, eloquently and succinctly weaves together how to pay attention to the combination of your body; emotions; mind and connection to humanity to make the best decisions for yourself and live life to the best you can in the present moment.
Think it’s one of those times where I was reading this book at a time I was receptive to the concepts/in the right frame of mind for it.
Think it’s one of those times where I was reading this book at a time I was receptive to the concepts/in the right frame of mind for it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews