Psychology: states of consciousness Books

Book SynopsisWe feel therefore we are. Conscious sensations ground our sense of self. They are essential to our idea of ourselves as psychic beings: present, existent, and mattering. But is it only humans who feel this way? Do other animals? Will future machines? To answer these questions we need a scientific understanding of consciousness: what it is and why it has evolved. Nicholas Humphrey has been researching these issues for fifty years. In this extraordinary book, weaving together intellectual adventure, cutting-edge science, and his own breakthrough experiences, he tells the story of his quest to uncover the evolutionary history of consciousness: from his discovery of blindsight after brain damage in monkeys, to hanging out with mountain gorillas in Rwanda, to becoming a leading philosopher of mind. Out of this, he has come up with an explanation of conscious feeling - ''phenomenal consciousness'' - that he presents here in full for the first time. Building on this theory of how phenomenal cTrade ReviewSentience is full of provocative ideas, as well as lively anecdotes from decades of pondering these issues. Humphreys thesis offers a great deal to think about. * Philip Ball, New Scientist *4* Review: "bold, brilliant, honest" * Charles Foster, Fortean Times *Humphrey's arguments are both plausible and lucid, the product of exhaustive research and decades spent weighing the possibilities...a stimulating exercise in experiment and speculation. * , Kirkus Reviews *an intriguing journey...that stimulates questioning * Jonathan Cowie, Concatenation *A compelling treatise on the evolution of consciousness from one our finest psychologists. Humphrey combines a fascinating, often surprising, and occasionally hilarious scientific autobiography with a raft of well justified ideas about what it takes for an organism to be sentient. His excellent book will challenge you to think about nature's deepest and most personal mystery in a new and thoroughly enlightening way. * Anil Seth, author of Being You *It takes a special kind of person to write illuminatingly about consciousness -- a person who is not only steeped in cognitive science, biology, and philosophy, but also has a fertile imagination, an openness to new ideas, and a sensitivity to the richness and variety of experience in humans and other animals. Nicholas Humphrey is such a person, and in his new book he cements his claim to be one of the most insightful writers on this notoriously difficult topic. Sentience is a beautifully written book, full of engaging vignettes, original ideas, and intriguing suggestions. It will fascinate general readers and inspire academic researchers. * Keith Frankish, author of Mind and Supermind *Nobody has thought more deeply, originally or poetically about animal sentience and the notion of consciousness. In this bold and persuasive book he lays out how he came to his conclusions in a lifetime of studying animals and human minds. * Matt Ridley *Nick Humphrey has been a hugely influential figure across the fields of experimental psychology, neuroscience, and philosophy for half a century, and, for my money, is the most inventive psychological thinker of his generation. Taking a long view of his entire scientific career and peppered with brilliant anecdotes, Sentience crystallizes Humphreys latest thinking on the evolution of consciousness. There are many dazzling insights on offer but, for me, the most eye-catching development is the formulation of a framework for determining which other animal species are sentient or even in possession of a sense of self. How staggeringly bold! Imagine what a shock wave such a test would generate, scientifically and philosophically, of course, but also out into the political sphere. * Paul Broks, author of Into the Silent Land: Travels in Neuropsychology and The Darker the Night, the Brighter the Stars: A Neuropsychologists Odyssey Through Consciousness *Wonderfully approachable... with a writing style somewhere between a deep conversation and a thought process... Reading this book was a real pleasure. * Brian Clegg, Popular Science (UK) *This book serves as an illuminating starting point for those intrigued by the question of whether machines can attain sentience. * Jurgita LapienytÄ, Cybernews *Nicholas Humphrey's beautiful theory of mind... [how] consciousness evolved to make us feel that life is worth living. * Nick Romeo, The New Yorker *bold, brilliant, honest... [Humphreys'] directness and philosophical sophistication are unusual in the crowded and noisy neuroscientific marketplace... [An] important contribution to the debate. All future writers on consciousness will need to take Humphrey's speculations seriously. It is no less significant because it's written breezily and accessibly. I know of no better survey of the big questions in discussions about consciousness. * Charles Foster, Fortean Times *The kind of book to keep and read more than once. * Riadh Abed and Paul St John-Smith, British Journal of Psychiatry *Table of ContentsPrologue 1: Sentience and Consciousness 2: Foothills 3: Phosphenes: The Touch of Light 4: Blythe Spirits 5: What the Frog's Eye Tells the Monkey's Brain 6: Blindsight 7: Sight Unseen 8: Red Sky at Night 9: Nature's Psychologists 10: On the Track of Sensations 11: Evolving Sentience 12: The Road Taken 13: The Phenomenal Self 14: Theoretical Misprisions 15: Coming to Be 16: Devising a Test 17: Panpsychism 18: Sentience All the Way Down? 19: Mapping the Landscape 20: Getting Warmer 21: Testing, Testing 22: Qualiaphilia 23: The Self in Action 24: Taking Stock 25: Machina ex Deo 26: Closer to the Truth Acknowledgements References and Notes

Read more less

Book SynopsisIt has never been more important to sleep well. Stop sabotaging your own sleep and finally wake up energised and refreshed How to Sleep Well is a guidebook that can change your sleep and help you live your life more fully. Whether you struggle to fall asleep, sleep too lightly, wake too often or simply cannot wake up, this book can help you get on track to sleeping well and living better. It all starts with the science of sleep: how much you really need, what your body does during sleep and the causes behind many common sleep problems. Next, you'll identify the things in your life that are disrupting your sleep cycle and learn how to mitigate the impact; whether the pressure of workplace or you simply cannot quiet your own mind, these expert tips and tricks will help you get the sleep you need. Finally, you'll learn how to support healthy sleep during the waking hours what works with or against your sleep and you'll learn when the problem might be best dealt with by your GP. Don't spend another restless night waiting for a bleary, groggy morning and sleepy day. Take control of your sleep tonight! Learn how sleep or a lack thereof affects every aspect of your lifeIdentify the root causes of your sleep issues and cut them off at the sourceDiscover the sleep advice that works, and the tips that are just plain daft. Create a healthy, calming bedtime routine that will help you get the rest you need Sleep affects everything. Work and school performance, relationships, emotional outlook, your appearance and even your health. Sleeping poorly or not sleeping enough can dramatically impact your quality of life, but most sleep problems can be solved with a bit of self-adjustment. How to Sleep Well puts a sleep expert with over 36 years' experience at your disposal to help you finally get the restful, restorative sleep you need to live better and be productive.Table of ContentsAbout the Author ix Introduction xiii Prologue xvii 1.What is Sleep? 1 An Introduction to Sleep 2 Why do we Sleep? 2 What is Sleep? 3 Circadian Rhythms 6 How Much Sleep do I Need? 7 The Eight-Hour Myth 8 Are you a lark or an owl? 10 Sleepy or Tired? 11 An Hour before Midnight 12 Is Daylight Saving Time Incredibly Disruptive? 13 Dreams and Dreaming 14 Children and Sleep 19 Why do Teenagers Sleep so Much? 22 Sleep as we Age 26 Women and Sleep 28 Why Men Fall Asleep After Sex 30 Napping30 2.Why is Sleep Important?35 Sleep and Health 36 Sleep and Relationships 37 Sleep and Business/Leadership 39 Economic Cost of Insomnia 42 Sleep and Academic Performanc43 Sleep and Athletic Performance 44 Sleep and Healthy Eating 46 Sleep and Weight 48 Sleep and Exercise 50 Sleep and Driving 50 Beauty Sleep 53 3. Why we are not Sleeping 55 Fads 56 How Business Impacts Sleep 58 The 24-Hour Society 66 Worry/Stress 68 Children 69 Bed Partners 72 4. Sleep Disorders 75 Insomnia 76 Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD) 82 Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) 82 Nocturia 83 Snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnoea 84 Teeth Grinding or Clenching (Bruxism) 85 Circadian Rhythm Disorders 86 Night Cramps 87 Narcolepsy 87 Parasomnias (or Things That Go Bump in the Night) 88 Jet lag 92 5. Treatments for Sleep Problems 95 When to Consider Sleeping Pills 96 Over-the-Counter Sleep Aids 97 Prescription Sleeping Pills 97 Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) 102 Sleep Technology is the Future! 107 6. How to Sleep Well 111 Tips and Techniques That May Help You Get Better Sleep 113 The Bedroom 118 The Bed 122 Sleep Foods and Supplements 130 How to Sleep in the Heat 132 7. How to Get Your Child to Sleep 135 How to Get Your Child to Sleep 137 Is Co-sleeping With my Child Wrong? 138 8. Businesses and Sleep 141 How to Make Shift Work Tolerable 146 9. Why You Should Actually be Able to Sleep in Hotels 153 How to Sleep in a Hotel 156 10. 36 Things You Don’t Need to Do to Sleep Better 159 Do I Need ‘Professional’ Help? 160 Do I Have to Buy the Latest Sleep Book? 162 Do I Have to Eat a Banana Before Bed? 163 Do I Really Need to Stop Drinking Coffee at Noon? 163 What About a Nice Cup of Tea? 164 Don’t Take my Chocolate Away From Me 164 Must I Avoid Spicy Foods 4–6 Hours Before Bedtime? 165 Am I a Bear, Lion, Wolf or Dolphin? 165 Should I Buy a ‘Bed in a Box’166 Should I Take Melatonin? 167 Does it Matter What Position I Sleep in? 168 I’ll Sleep When I am Dead 169 Early Nights Don’t Work 169 You Cannot Catch up on Sleep 170 Morning People are Better 170 Do I Need to ‘Ground’ or ‘Earth’ Myself or my Bed? 171 I Have a Bad Back so I Need a Firm Mattress 172 Stanley087683_ftoc.indd vii Should I Paint my Bedroom a Particular Colour? 172 It’s Hot, do I Need to Sleep Like an Egyptian? 173 Is it Natural to Sleep in Two Segments? 173 ‘I am Superman’: Polyphasic Napping 175 Do I Need to Sleep in 90-minute Cycles? 175 Do I Have to Avoid Alcohol to get Good Sleep? 176 I Hear Voices in my Head: Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) 177 The Rhythm of the Night: Binaural Beats 177 Do I Need to Sleep Like a ‘Caveman’? – Palaeo Sleep 178 Get to Sleep in Under 60 Seconds: 4-7-8 Breathing 179 You’ll Sleep Better Naked 180 Do I Need to Avoid Blue Light? 181 Do I Need an Alarm to Remind me to go to Sleep? 182 Do I Have to Ban my Pets from the Bedroom? They are so Cute! 182 Counting Sheep, Surely that Works? 183 Do I Need to go to a Sleep ‘Spa’? 183 Help! My Room is Cluttered 184 Must I Eat Breakfast Within 30 Minutes of Waking Up? 184 Mindfulness and Sleep 185 Conclusion 187 Appendix 1 189 Appendix 2 193 Index 215

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis book masterfully clarifies the nature of tantric practice. In contrast to the approaches of conventional religion, tantra does not attempt to soothe the turmoil of existence with consoling promises of heaven and salvation. The tantric practitioner chooses to confront the bewildering and chaotic forces of fear, aggression, desire, and pride, and to work with them in such a way that they are channeled into creative expression, loving relationships, and wisely engaged forms of life. In order to make the processes of tantra psychologically intelligible for a contemporary reader, Rob Preece makes judicious use of the work of modern psychotherapy, forging a compelling link between a Western tradition that hearkens back to the alchemical traditions of our own past and the comparably alchemical strategies of Tibetan Buddhist tantric practices. In keeping with the pragmatic and therapeutic aims of both psychotherapy and Buddhist meditation, The Psychology of Buddhist Tantra never loses sight of the central importance of applying these ideas to the concrete realities of day-to-day life. By illuminating the richly symbolic language of tantra through the intermediate language of psychology, The Psychology of Buddhist Tantra points to the transformative nature of tantric practices.

Read more less

Book SynopsisA lively collection of literature, science and art delving into the mysteries of human consciousness, with a new introduction by Mark Haddon, published to coincide with a major exhibition at Wellcome Collection in 2016 "The boundaries which divide Life from Death are at best shadowy and vague. Who shall say where the one ends and where the other begins?" Edgar Allan Poe Understanding the nature of consciousness continues to challenge even our leading scientists and psychologists. Yet we all experience some form of consciousness and make daily journeys between different conscious states as we sleep and wake. Through the eyes of writers, artists, scientists and philoso­phers, States of Mind explores the meaning of consciousness and, in particular, the nature of interrupted or liminal conscious experiences, such as somnambulism, synaesthesia and disorders of memory. These diverse - even conflicting - perspectives pose fundamental questions about what it means to be alive, aware and human. This engaging collection draws on five centuries of thinking, probing science and the soul, language and memory, being and not being. It includes works by Jane Austen, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Arthur Conan Doyle, Francis Crick, René Descartes, Emily Dickinson, H L Gold, Franz Kafka, H P Lovecraft, Marcel Proust, Mary Shelley, Henry David Thoreau, Alan Turing, H G Wells and Emile Zola. WELLCOME COLLECTION Wellcome Collection is a free museum and library that aims to challenge how we think and feel about health. Inspired by the medical objects and curiosities collected by Henry Wellcome, it connects science, medicine, life and art. Wellcome Collection exhibitions, events and books explore a diverse range of subjects, including consciousness, forensic medicine, emotions, sexology, identity and death. Wellcome Collection is part of Wellcome, a global charitable foundation that exists to improve health for everyone by helping great ideas to thrive, funding over 14,000 researchers and projects in more than 70 countries. wellcomecollection.org

Read more less

Book SynopsisHypnotherapist and experienced doula Sophie Fletcher shares with you the secrets to having a safe and positive birth experience. Using a powerful combination of mindfulness, hypnosis and relaxation techniques, Sophie will ensure you feel genuinely excited and completely prepared for birth.With stories from women who have successfully used the tools in this book, and downloadable hypnosis and relaxation tracks, discover how to:- use your mind and body together to stay focused and in control- draw on visualisation and breathing techniques to help birth progress- feel positive and empowered, before, during and after you give birthReassuring, practical and based entirely on what works, Mindful Hypnobirthing is your essential guide to having a calm and confident birth experience.

Read more less

Book SynopsisDiscover how to use your dreams to find guidance, security and success, and reveal insightful answers to your questions with the easy five-step process.Everyone dreams, both literally and metaphorically. But most people don’t know that their dreams can be used for personal development. Enter dream incubation, an ancient practice that has been used by many cultures throughout history. Dream incubation is a simple concept – in its most basic application, it’s learning how to ask your dream a question before you go to sleep with the goal of eliciting a practical response. The dreamworld wants to provide answers to your most meaningful questions. It can help you tear down your own limiting beliefs so that you can experience a richer life, and it can provide you with tailor-made ways to deal with your health, vocation and relationships. Through five easy-to-follow steps, you can build and nurture the life you have been dreaming of!

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhat does it mean to get a good night''s sleep?It''s not just about quantity. It''s about getting the right type and quality of sleep. To sleep deeply we need to live deeply. This means that we need to reconnect with ourselves and our inner stillness. It''s not surprising that in the Western world practices such as yoga and mindfulness have become popular as more people seek inner peace and grounding to counterbalance the frenetic pace of life.The kind of sleep where we wake up feeling refreshed, filled with vitality and looking forward to the day ahead will not only heal us but also heal those around us.Sleep expert Dr Nerina Ramlakhan explains why a good night''s sleep is essential in today''s demanding, 24/7, technology-driven world, introduces us to the science of sleep and teaches us that the secret of good sleep is to get out of our heads and back into our bodies.Featuring beautiful illustrations and simple exercises, this is the perfect little book to help you:- Wake up with energy and vitality- Fully engage in your relationships with courage and open-heartedness- Strengthen your immune system- Feel creative and focused- Live life with meaning, passion and inspiration

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn this carefully crafted exploration of classic hypnotherapy, Hugh Gunnison has articulated the connection between the ideas and practices of Milton H. Erickson and Carl R. Rogers. This volume gently guides the reader to new understandings in a significant contribution to the work of the experienced counselor, social worker, psychologist or marriage and family therapist. Whatever their setting, practitioners are sure to find stimulating material.Trade ReviewHugh Gunnison is a master at integrating theories and techniques and putting them into practice. His engaging writing style and practical examples make Hypnocounseling a valuable resource for counseling students and professionals. I shall be using this book in my classes. Jay Cerio, Associate Professor and Director, Child and Family Services Center, Alfred University NY.Table of ContentsChapter 1: Rogers and Erickson Impact on Counseling; Origin and Development of Values Person-Centeredness; The Self as a Tool; The Importance of Caring and Respect for the Client (Positive Regard); The Importance of Empathy; Genuineness, Communication, and Self-Hypnosis; The Use of Metaphors; On Growth, Self-Actualization and the Unconscious (Nonconscious); Rambles at Random and Implications Chapter 2: Theory Carl R. Rogers and Theory; The Propositions; Milton H. Erickson: Tentative Assumptions; A Short Course in Epistemologies Chapter 3: Mysteries from Physics; A New Oxymoron: Ordered Chaos - Complexity on the Edge of Chaos: The Story of Nonlinear Emerging Systems; Quantum Chaos: A Footnote; Quantum Mechanics: aka QM; aka Quantum Theory; aka The Copenhagen Interpretation; aka The Newer Physics; The Principle of Complementarity; The Uncertainty Principle; Choice - Free Will Chapter 4: Hypnosis and Hypnocounseling Hypnosis; Definitions - Hypnosis; Hypnotic Phenomena; Definitions - Hypnocounseling; Implied Directive Language (IDL): The Core of Hypnocounseling Hypno-Suggestive Language Patterns of Hypnocounseling (IDL) Chapter 5: Eclecticism Definitions and Discussions; R.R. Carkhuff, et al; The Core Conditions (A Certain Type of Relationship); The Three Phase Counseling Process Chapter 6: Strategies; Surrogate Self - SS; Fantasy Relaxation Technique - FRT; Fantasy Door Approach - FDA Dials, Meters and Gauges - DMG Chapter 7: Hypnocounseling and Brief Therapy Brief Therapy - BT; BT Assumptions; Examples of BT Questions; Creed of a Counselor; Hypnocounseling and A Surrogate Self (SS) as a Scaffolding for Brief Therapy: An Example of Mix and Match Non Conclusion Appendices A. A Script for FRT; B. A Script for FDA; C. 'Reaction to Gunnisons's article on the similarities and differences between Erickson and Rogers' - by Carl R. Rogers

Read more less

Book SynopsisA thought-provoking argument that consciousness—more widespread than previously assumed—is the feeling of being alive, not a type of computation or a clever hack   In The Feeling of Life Itself, Christof Koch offers a straightforward definition of consciousness as any subjective experience, from the most mundane to the most exalted—the feeling of being alive. Psychologists study which cognitive operations underpin a given conscious perception. Neuroscientists track the neural correlates of consciousness in the brain, the organ of the mind. But why the brain and not, say, the liver? How can the brain—three pounds of highly excitable matter, a piece of furniture in the universe, subject to the same laws of physics as any other piece—give rise to subjective experience? Koch argues that what is needed to answer these questions is a quantitative theory that starts with experience and proceeds to the brain. In The Feeling of

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhy are sleep disorders more common in individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), and how can parents recognise the signs and symptoms? Which treatments are most effective, how easy are they to implement and how successful can they be? Full of helpful information and practical advice, this comprehensive guide introduces the most common sleep issues in children with ASDs, describing both mainstream and complementary options for treatment, what is involved and the outcomes that can be expected. The author describes common underlying conditions that might lead to sleep difficulties, including genetic conditions, diet and physical factors, explaining how parents can identify these. Various issues that can affect sleep are explored, including night terrors, teeth grinding, bedwetting and sleepwalking, and practical solutions are given. This is essential reading for parents of children and teenagers on the autism spectrum who have difficulties associated with sleeping, and will also be of great help to all individuals with ASDs who experience sleep problems.Trade ReviewA marvellous book...Filled with practical knowledge and comprehensive in coverage, this book addresses an important and little discussed topic and will be of value to parents and practitioners alike. -- Fred R Volkmar, M.D., Director, Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine and Editor in Chief, Journal of Autism and Developmental DisordersDifficulties in sleeping are a major concern for parents of children on the autism spectrum and significantly affect their behaviour and performance. Strategies for addressing these are very important to enhance the quality of life for both the children and their parents. This book by Ken Aitken fills an important gap in the literature and will enable parents and others to understand why this population experience more problems and help them to find ways to improve their quality and length of sleep. -- Dr Glenys Jones, Autism Centre for Education and Research, University of Birmingham, UKThis book is absolutely packed with useful current information that reflects research into sleep disorders. Although it is an excellent resource for professionals, the flow charts are well-designed and represent good practice to keep the focus for parents. The rating system for different interventions is particularly good. This will definitely become a resource frequently employed in Scottish Autism's sleep counselling services. -- Alan Somerville, Chief Executive, Scottish AutismAitken discusses the types of sleep problems and what is most likely to work. He talks about the need to gather evidence about the problem... You are provided with helpful checklists and are guided through the process. This book is very comprehensive and provides the reader with an explanation of a number of sleep problems from narcolepsy to sleep apnea. This book is a helpful guide to anyone who is struggling with sleep problems which provides sensible advice and support. -- Sylvia Lowery * Alex Lowery speaks about autism blog *The author not only identifies that many problems experience but families of children who do not sleep but also gives many different and practical solutions...Sleep Well on the Autism Spectrum is not only a resource for parents with autistic children, by could be applied to any family who has a child with sleeping difficulties... This is a seriously good book, everything you could possibly want to know about common sleep difficulties and assessments of the treatments available for them... All this delivered in an easy, unpretentious style, along with pertinent quotations, illustrative case studies, charts, lists, graphs, pictures and diagrams makes it a pleasure to read. -- Amazon - IHC in your community, New Zealand, Parent of an 11 old autistic boyTable of ContentsIntroduction. Section A: You Think There is a Problem, so What Can You Do About It? 1. Sleep Problems. 2. What Sorts of Sleep Problems Are There? 3. How Common Are They? 4. How You Can Work Out What Might Help. Being 'a bit of a Sherlock Holmes' - the art and science of problem solving. So, what is the problem you need to try and sort? Looking through your evidence. What sorts of things might make sleep problems more common in ASD? 5. Finding Out About Your Problem. Getting a baseline. If you think: 'This feels too much like schoolwork, maybe I'll just skip it'. Looking through your Evidence. Trying to understand the problem. i) Finding out what else is going on. ii) Describing the sleep problem. Finding a Pattern. Why it can be so difficult to do what would work. What if there is a problem but you are still strugging to see a pattern? In a nutshell. 6. Ways to Sort Out Sleep Problems. Doing a basic sleep clean-up. Basic 'sleep hygiene' - getting a good nighttime routine. What you should aim for: In children. In adolescents. Using Social Stories to encourage a good nighttime routine. Deciding on a plan. In a nutshell. 7. Why Are Sleep Problems More Common in ASDs? How common are sleep problems in ASD? Do you really need to do anything about them? Sleep problems are more common in ASDs - do we know why? Section B: Specific Sleep Difficulties - The Different Sleep Problems, What They Are, and What Can Help. The most common sleep difficulties in ASDs. How sleep problems are classified. 5.1-5.4. Difficulty Getting to Sleep, Staying Asleep and Problems with Excessive Tiredness. 5.1 Insomnia. Peter can't seem to get to sleep - we hear him up at all hours.' What is it? How common is it? Does insomnia tend to get better with time? What can be done to treat it? How likely is Insomnia to respond to treatment? In a nutshell. 5.2 Difficulties with Settling to Sleep and Frequent Night-Waking. 'He never goes down to bed and he's up and down like a yo-yo all night long.' What is 'difficulty settling to sleep'? What is 'frequent night-waking'? Do these two problems tend to go together? How common are they? Do settling and night-waking tend to get better anyway? So what can be done to treat them? How well do they to respond to treatment? In a nutshell. 5.3. Restless Sleepers. 5.3.i. Restless Legs Syndrome. 'Fidgity Philip - he never seems to stop' What is it? How common is it? Does it tend to get better over time anyway? What can be done to treat it? How likely is it to respond to treatment? In a nutshell. 5.3.ii. Nocturnal Seizures. 'He gets hot and sweaty, shakes in his sleep and usually wets his bed. We can always tell when one is coming.' What are they? How common are they? Do they tend to get better anyway? What can be done to treat them? How likely are they to respond to treatment? In a nutshell. 5.3.iii. Sleep-Related Rhythmic Movement Disorder / Periodic Limb. Movements in Sleep. 'Why on earth does he keep doing that?' What is it? How common is it? Does it tend to get better in any event? What can be done to treat it? How likely is it to respond to treatment? In a nutshell. 5.3.iv. REM Sleep Behaviour Disorder. 'The boy who fought with his dreams.' What is it? How common is it? Does it tend to get better anyway? What can be done to treat it? How likely is it to respond to treatment? In a nutshell. 5.4. Short Nighttime Sleep ('Hyposomnia'). 'Why doesn't she sleep?' What is it? How common is it? Does it tend to get better anyway? What can be done to treat it? How likely is hyposomnia to respond to treatment? In a nutshell. 5.5-5.9. Problems During Sleep: The "common PARASOMNIAS of ASD". 5.5. Nightmares. 'Exit, pursued by a bear.' What are nightmares? How common are they? Do they tend to get better anyway? What can be done to treat nightmares? How likely are nightmares to respond to treatment? In a nutshell. 5.6. 'Night Terrors'. 'He just seems to wakes up and scream and scream- nobody knows why.' What are night terrors? How common are they? Do they tend to get better anyway? What can be done to treat them? How likely are they to respond to treatment? In a nutshell. 5.7. Bedwetting (Nighttime enuresis). 'His bed is always saturated and he refuses to wear anything at night. We're sure he does it just to annoy us.' What is it? How common is it? Does it tend to get better in any event? What can be done to treat nighttime eneuresis? i) Behavioural Interventions. ii) Medications. iii) Alternative and Complementary Treatments. How likely is nighttime enuresis to respond to treatment? In a nutshell. 5.8. Sleepwalking (Somnambulism)/ Sleeptalking (Somnliloquy) / Sleep groaning (Catathrenia). 'We often pass him in the hall on our way to bed, walking around the house but fas asleep and oblivious to anything we say.' What are sleepwalking, sleep talking and sleep groaning? How common are they? Do they tend to improve without treatment? What can be done to treat them? How likely are they to respond to treatment? In a nutshell. 5.9. Excessive Daytime Sleepiness/Tiredness (EDS/'Hypersomnia'). 'He seems to be tired all the time no matter what we do.' What is it? How common is EDS? Does it tend to get better anyway? What can be done to treat it? How likely is EDS to respond to treatment? In a nutshell. 5.10-5.14. Other, less common sleep issues seen in ASDs. 5.10. Excessive Nighttime Sleep. 'Sometimes we start to think he'll never wake up.' What is it? How common is Excessive Sleep? Does it tend to get better anyway? What can be done to treat it? How likely is it to respond to treatment? 5.11. Night-time Eating Disorders. 'It's as if he can't stop eating and he just ignores us when we ask him why.' What are Night-time Eating Disorders? How common are they? Do they tend to get better anyway? What can be done to treat them? How likely are they to respond to treatment? 5.12. Sleep Bruxism (Tooth-grinding while asleep). 'We can hear her through the whole house, it feels like someone is using a drill in the house next door.' What is it? How common is it? Does bruxism tend to get better anyway? What can be done to treat bruxism? How likely is bruxism to respond to treatment? In a nutshell. 5.13. Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). 'He could snore for us in the Olympics.' What is OSA? How common is OSA? Does it tend to get better in any event? What can be done to treat OSA? How likely is OSA to respond to treatment? In a nutshell. 5.14. Narcolepsy. 'Everything is going along fine, then sometyhing happens like a balloon popping or a car backfiring and we find him collapsed in a heap on the floor.' What is it? How common is it? Does it tend to get better in any event? What can be done to treat it? How likely is it to respond to treatment? In a nutshell. How to decide if all your hard work has been worthwhile. Maintaining improvements. Section CL Sleep: What Is It and What Do We Know About It? What is sleep? Why do we sleep? Do we know why we dream? What happens to us while we sleep. Electrical brain activity. Changes in body chemistry that happen while we sleep. Why good sleep is important for you and your brain. How our sleep-wake patterns change as we get older. The Brain at Rest. Sleep and diet. Alcohol consumption. Diet, Genetics and Brain Development. Social Interaction and Sleep. Why mum's laughter is probably one of the best medicines for the growing baby. Mother-Infant Co-sleeping. How babies calm themselves. Other factors that can affect sleep. How much sleep is normal? Do we need to sleep at all? What is a normal sleep pattern for a child? What is typical night's sleep? Section D: Some of the Reasons Sleep Problems Can Happen. Sleep and mum's mood. The biology of sleep. Differences in the chemical that triggers tiredness. Visual impairments and their link to poor sleep. Oxytocin. Why you yawn. Diet, Sleep and ASD. Physical factors that can affect sleep. Other Factors that can Influence Sleep. Sleep deprivation and brain growth. Brain injuries. Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Physical growth and sleep. Obesity. Genetic Conditions with high rates of sleep problems. 'Clock Genes'. Conclusion. Glossary of Terms. References. Further Suggestions for Reading. Appendix 1: Enuresis alarms and Epilepsy Sensors. Appendix 2: The Main Medications used in sleep disorders. Appendix 3: Complementary and Alternative Treatments. Appendix 4: Western Herbs used in sleep disorders. Appendix 5: Chinese Herbs used in sleep disorders. Appendix 6: Assessment Tools for Sleep Problems. Appendix 7: Preparing for Medical Procedures. Appendix 8: Troubleshooting. Appendix 9: Further Suggestions for Reading.

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhat is dreaming and what causes it? Why are dreams so strange and often hard to remember? Modern science has given us a new and increasingly clear picture of how dreaming is created by the brain. This book introduces sleep laboratory science, the cellular and molecular mechanisms of sleep, and explores how the science of dreaming impacts our understanding of psychoanalysis and mental illness.Trade ReviewFascinating. * Caroline Green, BBC Focus *Table of Contents1. What is dreaming? ; 2. Why dream content analysis failed to become a science ; 3. How is the brain activated in sleep? ; 4. Cells and molecules of the dreaming brain ; 5. Why dream? The functions of brain activation in sleep ; 6. Disorders of dreaming ; 7. Dreaming as delirium: sleep and mental illness ; 8. The new neuropsychology of dreaming ; 9. Dreaming, learning and memory ; 10. Dream consciousness ; 11. The interpretation of dreams ; Conclusion

Read more less

Book SynopsisEnjoy hypnobirthing techniques at every stage of your pregnancy, creating a safe space for you and your baby to return to time and again. Find out how to use deep relaxation, meditation, visualization, and breathwork exercises designed to integrate body and mind throughout your pregnancy and birth.Anthonissa Moger, aka The Hypnobirthing Midwife, takes a holistic approach, opening out the benefits to embrace aromatherapy, yoga, partner work, mindset exercises, and more.Using hypnobirthing techniques as a path to a calm, connected pregnancy, you''ll be fully prepared to respond intuitively to birthing your baby, feeling centred and in control.

Read more less

Book SynopsisUmberto Eco (19322016) wrote fiction, literary criticism and philosophy. His first novel, The Name of the Rose, was a major international bestseller. His other works include Foucault's Pendulum, The Island of the Day Before, Baudolino, The Mysterious Flame of Queen Loana, The Prague Cemetery and Numero Zero along with many brilliant collections of essays.Trade ReviewIn the age of innumerable populist polymaths, Eco is the exception, a commentator who makes sense of what so often seems senseless. All the more reason to read him * Time Out *That he can write with equal agility on such subjects as the World Cup, St Thomas Aquinas, and how the wearing of tight blue jeans constricts the interior life as well as the body...in a a style that is both serious and diverting, is an achievement unparalleled in British journalism * New Statesman *There is enough liveliness here, and enough imaginative suggestiveness, to keep the reader furiously entertained * Sunday Times *A scintillating collection of writings by one of the most influential thinkers of our time * Los Angeles Times *Eco is...a highly entertaining and perceptive "decoder" of the world * Times Literary Supplement *

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe word liminal comes from the Latin word 'limen', meaning threshold. In its literal sense, a threshold is a doorway. 'Liminal' is often used to describe the gateway between two stages.A liminal space can be a metaphysical state – the place between sleep and wakefulness, between life and death where consciousness is altered, the transition period between one life event and the next; or it can be a physical space – the coastline between sea and shore, an empty art gallery, or the moment just before it rains.In an age where so much importance is placed on facts and explanations, the feelings we derive from liminal 'unknown' spaces can disrupt our equilibrium. Yet these 'spaces in between' are often where insight, creativity and inspiration are found.Here, life-long liminal explorer and journalist Claire Gillman helps us learn and grow through our experiences of liminality. Featuring contributions from leading luminaries including Bruce Parry, Caroline Myss, Dr Eben Alexander, Neale Donald Walsch, Phyllis Curott, Yasmin Boland, Dr Robert Holden, Satish Kumar, Dr Mike Dow and Felicity Warner, Claire shows us how we can navigate and embrace liminal experiences to enhance our wellbeing and understanding of the world.

Read more less

Book SynopsisUsed alone or with a partner, The Dreamwork Handbook offers a radical programme of practical exercises to cut through the muddles of our waking thoughts and reveal the wealth of insight and revolutionary power that dreams can have. This interactive book helps you harness the power of waking and sleeping dreams to navigate through the emotional labyrinth towards clarity and fulfilment: Thought-provoking exercises and specially devised dream scenarios offer dozens of step-by-step ways to use dreams to enhance our love lives, as well as our relationships with family and friends. Discover new ways to benefit from your dream life, based on visualizations, role play, storytelling, and other techniques for solo or mutual dreamwork. Go beyond dream symbolism and get to grips with the detailed language of dreams, allowing you to explore your deep subconscious spirituality, health, self-esteem and desires. Dream together with others and discover the dream path of love. The Guided Daydreaming Toolkit offers a practical series of exercises to gently conduct any relationship back into alignment.Trade Review"Highly Recommended." - Phenomena Magazine

Read more less

Book SynopsisOur growing understanding of embodied awareness is one of the less known and most extraordinary areas of contemporary research and practice. On one side (the left brain, as it were), neuroscience in all its forms is constantly shedding new light on subjects like embodied cognition, the distributed brain (brain-in-the-gut, brain-in the-heart), the workings of the left and right hemisphere of the brain (McGilchrist and others) and the processing of sensory and emotional data. On the other side (the right hemisphere, as it were) our study and awareness of the experience of being in our bodies, moving, feeling pain, dreaming, meditating, growing, becoming ill and healing, is becoming increasingly nuanced. Academic research is approaching the experience of consciousness and awareness 'from the inside' and making remarkable discoveries. The emerging field of 'body and awareness' is transdisciplinary and multifaceted - it has no subject listing in libraries and academia or in booksellers' metadata. But it is of central importance to those interested in understanding art, dance, the psychology of health, child learning and development, trauma, the psycho-ecology of extinction, loss and climate change, proprioception and enteroception, ecological awareness, meditation, and the need for societal transformation in an age of multiple convergent crises.Table of ContentsThe Actively Imagining Body ~ Helen Edwards The Alchemical Body ~ Hilary Kneale The Awakening Body ~ Anna Murray-Preece The Changing Body ~ Paula Kramer The Choreoauratic Body ~ Becca Wood The Dreamweaving Body ~ Sarah Hyde The Enfolding Body ~ Kim Sargent-Wishart The Imaginary Body ~ Alex Crowe The Instrumental Body ~ Olga Masleinnikova The Integrative Body ~ Elaine Hendry Westwick The Intuitive Body ~ Margaret Kerr The Moving Body ~ Sandra Reeve The Pain Body ~ Jamila Rodrigues The Poetic Body ~ Carran Waterfield The Proprioceptive Body ~ Laura Haughey The Psychodynamic Body ~ Sandra Kay Lauffenburger The Signing Body ~ Sheila Ryan The Transformative Body ~ Ditty Dokter The Unveiled Body ~ Celine Butte The Vegetal Body ~ Ali East

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhat is this strange mental world that seems so essential to being human? The conscious mind brings together sensations, perceptions, thoughts and memories to generate the seamless movie of a person's life. It makes us aware of the world around us and our own self. How all this emerges from a kilogram of brain cells is one of the greatest unanswered questions. In Your Conscious Mind leading brain scientists and New Scientist take you on a journey through the mind to discover what consciousness really is, and what we can learn when it goes awry. Find out if we will ever build conscious machines, what animal consciousness can tell us about being human and explore the enigma of free will. ABOUT THE SERIESNew Scientist Instant Expert books are definitive and accessible entry points to the most important subjects in science; subjects that challenge, attract debate, invite controversy and engage the most enquiring minds. Designed for curious readers who want to know how things work and why, the Instant Expert series explores the topics that really matter and their impact on individuals, society, and the planet, translating the scientific complexities around us into language that's open to everyone, and putting new ideas and discoveries into perspective and context.

Read more less

Book SynopsisLearn all the basics of psychedelics and why all this research is great news for public health in this century.After a very long and strange journey, psychedelics may finally be back for good. Rick Doblin, PhD, Founder & Executive Director, MAPS. In the guide you will learn all the essentials about the history, neuroscience, legality, therapeutic applications and harm reduction of the most promising psychedelic drugs for science. After decades of international prohibition these molecules are returning to laboratories and clinics, hand in hand with the most rigorous science, to revolutionize the way we understand and treat mental health (depression, anxiety, PTSD and addictions). Discover the world of psilocybin, MDMA, DMT, ketamine and LSD, before society immerses in this revolution, which will forever change the perception we have of psychedelics. This guide will be of interest to both therapists and other mental health professionals interested in the clinical applications, parents and educators seeking to understand the impact and safety of psychedelics and other drugs, as well as any adult curious to learn about and explore this new world of the psychedelic renaissance.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisSET YOURSELF UP FOR BETTER SLEEP with 50 tips you can put into practice around the clockPRACTICAL, SCIENCE-BACKED ADVICE from Professor Alice Gregory, author of Nodding OffDREAMY ILLUSTRATIONS by celebrated artist María Medem bring each tip to lifeTHE PERFECT GIFT for new parents, stressed students or anyone who would benefit from better sleep Discover the secrets of a good night's sleep. This boxed set of fifty cards and accompanying booklet provides accurate and up-to-date scientific advice to help improve the sleep experience. Following a 24-hour structure, it features practical tips to benefit your sleep health from the moment of waking through to bedtime, and even things you can do if you're up in the middle of the night. Discover how alcohol, caffeine, your life stage, screen time, exercise, light and many other factors can impact your sleep, and what you can do about it. Complete wi

Read more less

Book SynopsisRecent clinical trials show that psychedelics such as LSD and psilocybin can be given safely in controlled conditions, and can cause lasting psychological benefits with one or two administrations. Supervised psychedelic sessions can reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and addiction, and improve well-being in healthy volunteers, for months or even years. But these benefits seem to be mediated by mystical experiences of cosmic consciousness, which prompts a philosophical concern: do psychedelics cause psychological benefits by inducing false or implausible beliefs about the metaphysical nature of reality?This book is the first scholarly monograph in English devoted to the philosophical analysis of psychedelic drugs. Its central focus is the apparent conflict between the growing use of psychedelics in psychiatry and the philosophical worldview of naturalism.Within the book, Letheby integrates empirical evidence and philosophical considerations in the service of a simple conclusion: this Comforting Delusion Objection to psychedelic therapy fails. While exotic metaphysical ideas do sometimes come up, they are not, on closer inspection, the central driver of change in psychedelic therapy. Psychedelics lead to lasting benefits by altering the sense of self, and changing how people relate to their own minds and lives-not by changing their beliefs about the ultimate nature of reality. The upshot is that a traditional conception of psychedelics as agents of insight and spirituality can be reconciled with naturalism (the philosophical position that the natural world is all there is). Controlled psychedelic use can lead to genuine forms of knowledge gain and spiritual growth-even if no Cosmic Consciousness or transcendent divine Reality exists.Philosophy of Psychedelics is an indispensable guide to the literature for researchers already engaged in the field of psychedelic psychiatry, and for researchers-especially philosophers-who want to become acquainted with this increasingly topical field.Trade ReviewClearly written, with an accessible overview of a wealth of recent studies, and while it explicitly undertakes to naturalise the "mystical" elements of psychedelic usage, it is nevertheless refreshing to see the phenomenological data taken seriously. There is much thought provoking material here for those interested in taking a more conventional journey through the doors of perception. * Paul Dicken, Fortean Times *Letheby's clearly written and well-referenced text ends by offering a set of experiments designed to help readers evaluate the unique challenges presented by psychedelic therapy. * S. Krippner, California Institute of Integral Studies, Choice Connect *Chris Letheby's Philosophy of Psychedelics is not the first philosophical engagement with psychedelics but the most impressive in this budding subfield of the philosophy of mind. * Nicolas Langlitz, The Polyphony *...we can only hope that there will be a follow up to this interesting book... * Gunnel Minett, The Science of Psychotherapy *This excellent, well-argued, book is required reading for anyone with interests in philosophy of mind, philosophy of psychology, and philosophy of psychiatry. It presents the first book-length argument for the effectiveness of psychedelic therapy and provides an account of how this effectiveness may be understood from within cognitive neuroscience. Everyone should read this book!" * Richard Brown, Humanities Department, LaGuardia Community College, CUNY & M.S. program in Cognitive Neuroscience at the Graduate Center, CUNY *Philosophy of Psychedelics is really two books in one. It provides an easily understood, scholarly and detailed review of psychedelic science, spanning phenomenology, psychology, neuroscience, and medical therapeutics. But setting this book apart from other recent books in this rapidly emerging field of inquiry, Chris Letheby takes his philosopher's scalpel to addressing intriguing philosophical implications of psychedelic research including the unsettling question of whether the claimed benefits from psychedelic experiences require the induction of delusional beliefs. This very readable volume should be of interest to scientists, philosophers, as well as those simply curious about the recent renaissance in psychedelic science and therapeutics. * Roland R. Griffiths, Ph.D. Director, Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research, Professor, Departments of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine *Philosophy of Psychedelics is a terrific, intellectually meticulous study of the nature, meaning, and effects of psychedelic experiences. The discussion ranges over the mind-brain relation, transformative experiences, the ethics of psychedelic therapy, and whether psychedelics help us to see the nature of things as they really are or just produce uplifting and therapeutically positive hallucinations. Chris Letheby is a wise and careful guide to the current state of psychedelic therapy and sets very high standards for philosophers who want to follow him in thinking responsibly about this intriguing area of research. * Owen Flanagan, James B. Duke Professor of Philosophy at Duke University, and the author of How to Do Things with Emotions Princeton 2021 *Table of ContentsIntroduction Introduction On the need for a natural philosophy of psychedelics Introduction The psychedelic renaissance Evidence for safety and efficacy An existential medicine? The Comforting Delusion Objection Naturalizing the entheogenic conception The phenomenology of psychedelic therapy Introduction Perception The sense of self The transformative process Conclusion The mechanisms of psychedelic therapy Introduction Neuroplasticity theories The Metaphysical Belief Theory The Metaphysical Alief Theory Conclusion The role of self-representation Introduction Psychological factors Neural correlates Neurocognitive explanation Conclusion Resetting the brain Introduction The Reset Theory Predictive processing Relaxed beliefs under psychedelics Resetting beliefs under psychedelics Unbinding the self Introduction Predictive self-binding Selfhood embodied and (temporally) extended A centre of representational gravity The self unbound Opacity and mystical epiphanies Psychedelic therapy: a two-factor theory Self and self-consciousness Conclusion Epistemology Introduction Psychopharmacology and epistemology Knowledge that Knowledge how Knowledge by acquaintance New knowledge of old facts Indirect epistemic benefits Epistemic innocence Spirituality Introduction Naturalizing spirituality Spirituality as unselfing Conclusion Testable predictions Future directions Naturalistic entheogenics

Read more less

Book SynopsisOpen your eyes to the meaning of your dreams and take advantage of their incredible power for self-improvement.Find out how to decode and interpret your dreams to reveal how the images, stories and emotions you experience in sleep are deeply connected to your waking life. Learn dream skills that will enable you to train your mind to access your unconscious and open the gateway to self-discovery. Explore hundreds of dream meanings, shine a light on the unique associations you bring to your dream world, and follow expert psychotherapeutic advice to act on the messages your unconscious mind is sending you. Use your dreams to identify and overcome obstacles, realise latent talent, get to the root of how you really feel about the people in your life, and much more.

Read more less

Book SynopsisA noted author and Jungian analyst teaches how to use dreams and inner exercises to achieve personal wholeness and a more satisfying life.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe ultimate guide to understanding your dreams. This accessible and comprehensive guide has been a bestseller for almost twenty years.Do you want to know the secrets of your dreams?You remember them, talk about them, worry about them, but how much do you actually know about them? Dreams are an important part of your life, and now this handy dictionary can help lead you through the maze of your psyche. Organized from AZ, this accessible guide will let you know whether you are due a run of luck or whether it would be better to just stay in bed!Distinguish the four types of prophetic dreams. Discover the meaning of recurring dreams. Identify dreams that heal and dreams that warn of danger. Look up the meaning of your dreams in the comprehensive AZ guide.Trade Review‘An ideal bedside book’THE SUNDAY TIMES ‘A practical, comprehensive guide’COSMOPOLITAN ‘Marvellously comprehensive’DAILY EXPRESS

Read more less

Book SynopsisConversations on Consciousness is just that - a series of twenty lively and challenging conversations between Sue Blackmore and some of the world''s leading philosophers and scientists. Written in a colloquial and engaging style the book records the conversations Sue had when she met these influential thinkers, whether at conferences in Arizona or Antwerp, or in their labs or homes in Oxford or San Diego. The conversations bring out their very different personalities and styles and reveal a wealth of fascinating detail about their theories and beliefs. Why is consciousness such a special and difficult issue for twenty-first century science? Sue, herself a researcher into this controversial and difficult topic, begins by asking each of her colleagues this simple question and is immediately plunged into the depths of the debate: How do the subjective experiences we call consciousness arise from the physical brain? Is this even the right question to ask? Can zombies - people who behave ouTrade Reviewa fascinating insight * Guardian *Table of Contents1. Introduction ; 2. Bernard Baars ; 3. Ned Block ; 4. David Chalmers ; 5. Patricia and Paul Churchland ; 6. Francis Crick ; 7. Daniel Dennett ; 8. Susan Greenfield ; 9. Richard Gregory ; 10. Stuart Hameroff ; 11. Christof Koch ; 12. Stephen LaBerge ; 13. Thomas Metzinger ; 14. Roger Penrose ; 15. Kevin O'Regan ; 16. Vilayanur Ramachandran ; 17. John Searle ; 18. Petra Stoerig ; 19. Francisco Varela ; 20. Max Velmans ; 21. Daniel Wegner ; Glossary ; Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis book is for professionals and general readers looking for ways to harness and focus their natural abilities to relax, ease pain, prepare for and recover from surgery, heal, overcome depression, and change themselves. The book includes inductions for sleep, anxiety and panic, weight loss, nonsmoking, recovering from illness, self-esteem, motivation, enhancing creativity, improving learning, healing the adult survivor of child abuse, natural childbirth, and loss and separation.

Read more less

Book SynopsisIs my experience real?Or just a movie in my head?Am I no more than a super computer? You are your brain, neuroscientists tell us. Everything happens in there. Yet even the most sophisticated brain scan cannot tell us who we are. Nothing in our neurons remotely suggests the rich nature of our experience, the colours, sounds and smells that make up our lives. When Tim Parks came across a radical new theory of consciousness, he set on a quest that moves through one sparkling encounter after another to arrive at the deepest of questions: what stuff exactly is consciousness made of? And where is it? Inside or out? ‘An exceptionally witty and compelling look at the nature of consciousness… Parks is a delight to read’ Iain McGilchrist‘[It has] wit, humanity and insight… Parks is an entertaining companion throughout’ Mail on SundayTrade ReviewWith wit, humanity and insight… [Parks] tackles a question that the greatest philosophical and scientific minds have struggled with for centuries: what is consciousness?... Parks is an entertaining companion throughout * Mail on Sunday *Consciousness is weighty philosophical and scientific ground, yet Parks plots a chatty, accessible path through impenetrable academic papers and conferences on his quest to understand more about being human. So chatty, in fact, he often has conversations with himself, making Parks an even more likable guide to these lofty concepts. He’s not afraid to question some of Manzotti’s more ridiculous ideas, and muses on everything from the meaning of a midlife crisis to the much-loved Pixar film Inside Out, in which five cartoon emotions battle for control of the heroine’s psyche... A thoughtful quest to understand consciousness. * Observer *Parks, who is best-known for his Toujours Provence-like memoirs of life in Italy, succeeds admirably in bringing difficult ideas down a level. Eleanora Gallitelli, his Italian partner, who accompanies him to a psychiatric hospital in Heidelberg for research purposes, also helps. Gallitelli recently told me that she is deaf in one ear. The story of her sudden irreparable deafness — how her brain began to develop a mind of its own, playing tricks with spatial awareness and balance — is quite brilliantly told here. Parks writes well enough to appeal to the layman and the mind boffin alike. Out of My Head is pleasurably nutty, self-regarding and at times quite hilarious. * Evening Standard *[A] fantastic journey into the human brain...Parks makes an excellent point about what he calls the "internalist" position (that our picture of reality is just that: a subjective one, concocted by our brains), which is that it flatters our sense of our own importance, making of us creators of our own effectively unique worlds. -- Will Self * New Statesman *By describing his efforts to understand the phenomenon of consciousness in the form of a candid and entertaining journal-cum-memoir, Tim Parks has made a difficult subject interesting and accessible. He is an amateur in this crowded field but he presents professional neuroscientists with some challenging questions. -- David Lodge

Read more less

Book SynopsisStruggling with restless nights? Achieve better sleep with this scientifically verified, holistic approach to healing stress and trauma-affected slumber.Inspired by his work with military veterans, sleep expert Charlie Morley explores how to combat the harmful effects of stress and trauma in order to achieve restful sleep and healing dreams. This guide shares more than 20 body, breath, sleep and dreaming techniques, all proven to help reduce anxiety, improve sleep quality, integrate nightmares, increase your energy and transform your relationship with sleep.You'll discover:· a five-step plan that improves sleep quality in 87 per cent of participants· the science of how stress and trauma affect sleep · yoga nidra and mindfulness practices for deep relaxation· breathwork practices to regulate the nervous system· lucid dreaming methods to transform nightmaresWhether you're experiencing stressed-out sleep or not, these powerful practices will help you optimize the time you spend dreaming so that you can sleep better and wake up healthier.

Read more less

Book SynopsisCutting-edge sleep advice and a 10-day reset plan from a renowned functional medicine physician and co-founder of the popular sleep company Casper.If you are like most people, the odds are you aren''t getting enough sleep. Thanks to shifts in our culture, we are in the midst of an epidemic of sleeplessness, and unfortunately, sleep deprivation has bigger consequences than one might think, ranging from irritability, brain fog, and weight gain to serious conditions like hormone dysregulation, heart disease, memory impairment, diabetes, and Alzheimer''s disease.Better Sleep, Better Youoffers a one-stop resource to help you reap the benefits of sleeping well every night. Unlike the dozens of blogs and listicles offering a quick fix for insomnia, Lipman and Parikh understand that there''s no such thing as a one-sleep-fits-all solution. By clearly explaining the latest developments in sleep science and all the factors that affect your sleep including when and how you eat and exercise, how y

Read more less

Book SynopsisIan Wallace is a qualified psychologist who specialises in dreams and the dreaming process. He is a regular guest on the Steve Wright show, frequently appears in the press and on television and is the author of the bestselling Top 100 Dreams. For more information about Ian and his work visit ianwallacedreams.com or follow him on Twitter @ ianwallace.

Read more less

Book SynopsisJohn Bargh''s Before You Know It moves our understanding of the mysteries of human behaviour one giant step forward. A brilliant and convincing book.' Malcolm Gladwell, author of Blink and David and GoliathHow much of what we say, feel and do is under our conscious control? How much is not? And most crucial of all: if we understood how our unconscious worked if we knew why we do what we do could we finally, fundamentally, know ourselves?From checking a dating app to holding a cup of coffee or choosing who to vote for, our unconscious secretly governs everything we feel, think and do. In Before You Know It, Dr John Bargh the world's leading expert on the unconscious mind reveals the psychological forces that are at work behind the scenes as we go about our daily lives, and offers simple steps to improve your sleep, boost your memory and live better.Trade ReviewJohn Bargh's Before You Know It moves our understanding of the mysteries of human behaviour one giant step forward. A brilliant and convincing book. -- Malcolm Gladwell, author of 'Blink' and 'David and Goliath'Lucid, vivid, and entertaining; psychology reconceived through compelling and powerful storytelling. -- Gavin Francis, author of 'Adventures in Human Being' and 'Empire Antartica'This fascinating journey through the inner workings of the human mind reveals how our conscious thoughts and unconscious motives intertwine to shape who we are. An entertaining and intelligent book that will change the way you see yourself and the world around you. -- Jonah Berger, author of 'Contagious' and 'Invisible Influence'[A] sprightly book ... Daniel Kahneman referenced [Bargh] in the popular Thinking Fast and Slow ... A world-leading psychologist ... A useful textbook for anyone with a strong interest in the field. * Sunday Times *This book is a “must read” not only because it is about a fascinating topic – the nature of the unconscious mind – but because it is an engaging and accessible book by the scientist who did the groundbreaking research. Everyone should read it. -- Timothy D. Wilson

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe groundbreaking No. 1 bestseller is sure to turn nightly bedtime battles into a loving and special end-of-day ritual. This child-tested, parent-approved story uses an innovative technique that brings a calm end to any child''s day.Do you struggle with getting your child to fall asleep?Join parents all over the world who have embraced The Rabbit Who Wants to Fall Asleep as their new nightly routine.When Roger can''t fall asleep, Mummy Rabbit takes him to see Uncle Yawn, who knows just what to do. Children will join Roger on his journey and be lulled to sleep alongside their new friend.Carl-Johan Forssén Ehrlin''s simple story uses a unique and distinct language pattern that will help your child relax and fall asleep-at bedtime or naptime.This soothing audiobook edition contains a choice of male or female narrator.Reclaim bedtime today!Praise for The Rabbit Who Wants to Fall Asleep:Tired parents ofTrade ReviewTired parents of planet earth - this is what you've been waiting for... If you don't already have a copy, you need to order one quick sharp. * Metro *The most peaceful bedtime we have had in months. * Daily Mail *

Read more less

Book SynopsisAdd variety to your child''s bedtime routine with the latest book from the author of The Rabbit Who Wants to Fall Asleep, the global bestseller that parents have been raving about! Features all-new child-tested, parent-approved techniques to reclaim bedtime and provide a sweet and tender end to each day.Your child joins Ellen the Elephant on a journey through a magical forest that leads to sleep. Along the way, children meet different fantastical characters and have calming experiences that will help your child to relax and slip into slumber quickly. The story works perfectly for either naptime or bedtime.Children will love switching between stories about both Roger the Rabbit (The Rabbit Who Wants to Fall Asleep) and Ellen the Elephant (The Little Elephant Who Wants to Fall Asleep), and parents will appreciate the diverse ways each character will help their loved ones fall asleep quickly and easily. This soothing audiobook edition

Read more less

Book SynopsisIdeal for small hands, this board book edition of Max at Night is the perfect bedtime read.Meet Max - the mighty kitten and New York Times bestseller! Witty and heart-warming, stylish and beautifully illustrated, Max the Brave is now ready for a nighttime adventure.This is Max. Max is very sleepy. It''s way past Max''s bedtime. Max has drunk his milk. Max has brushed his teeth. Max has cleaned behind his ears. Now Max just needs to say goodnight. . .Max is tired and all ready for bed, but when he can''t find the moon to say goodnight to, he sets out to find it. But that''s not as easy as Max had hoped...

Read more less

Book SynopsisMake aromatherapy an indispensable part of your everyday self-care routine with this comprehensive holistic healing guide. If you''re in search of a more natural approach to health and wellbeing, expert Louise Robinson has created over 40 bespoke remedies, blends, and rituals to transform your body and mind - the perfect antidote to the stresses of everyday life.Science now supports what practitioners have long known: that oils derived from plants have powerful therapeutic properties, working holistically on mind, body, and spirit. From massage oils to boost immunity, to room diffusers to help you sleep - this book is your complete guide to essential oils and their healing properties. Harness the power of essential oils and discover:- What aromatherapy is and the benefits of the practice- How essential oils work - What ingredients and equipment you will need to get started- How to use essential oils safely with guidance to boTrade ReviewThis little book of self-care shares the perfect blend of essential oils to care for and heal yourself, combined with massage routines, yoga, meditation, and breathwork * Happiful *

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisWe all dream - and quite often we wonder if our dreams mean anything. As it turns out . . . they do! Your dreams contain wisdom and insight about your waking life - that''s why they are so important. Using The Dream Handbook you can discover the meaning of your dreams and nightmares, and then apply the dream alchemy practices to create positive life change.The Dream Handbook will help you:Stop uncomfortable recurring dreamsIdentify emotional obstacles and release themCreate more fulfilling relationshipsDiscover your talents and life purposeHeal the pastWork with the emotions and feelings in your dreamsTransform fearful dreams into loving visionsTap into your creative sourceIdentify your spiritual lessons and move forwardUse your dreams to strike personal and spiritual goldDesign your own dream alchemy practices

Read more less

Book SynopsisArt Therapy, Dreams, and Healing: Beyond the Looking Glass synthesizes methods to work with oneâs dreams through art therapy and introduces the reader to brief creative methods, Gestalt and Jungian experiential methods, and research on lucid dreaming and dream re-entry. The author provides a unique, clear and concise synthesis of 19 available dreamwork methods to find the message of your dreams, with examples from her own 35 years of psychotherapy practice. Along with a classification of types and functions of dreams, chapters include information such as how to keep a dream journal, how to remember oneâs dreams, how to identify 25 different dream types and how to follow your own dreamwork process.This book provides a succinct blend of available dreamwork methods for readers to find the existential message of their dreams and grow from them.Trade Review"Readers interested in dreaming and dream interpretation need a good book on using art therapy and time-honored techniques for dreamwork, and Johanne Hamel has the qualifications, experience and skills to make that a reality!"Robert Waggoner, author of Lucid Dreaming - Gateway to the Inner Self and co-author of Lucid Dreaming Plain and Simple."This book offers a unique, indispensable integration of art therapy, psychotherapy and dreamwork but is not limited to that; it also encompasses writing methods, lucid dreaming, and other aspects of creativity. As a long-time dream journalist, and a psychologist, I am intrigued by this book very much and I am sure that it would attract and inspire many other readers as well."Misa Tsuruta, PhD, psychologist/psychotherapist (Tokyo, Japan)Already published in French, the success, uniqueness and clear depiction of this book on Art Therapy and Dreams makes it a valuable contribution to the field. Johanne Hamel's many years of experience in the field as a mental health professional has given her the insight and the expertise required to write on this topic. Her many years of involvement in the art therapy field, her books and her research, have spread the knowledge of dream work to many parts of the world including Thailand, were she teaches on a regular basis. Lucille Proulx, MA, ATR, RCAT, Canadian International Institute of Art Therapy. "Readers interested in dreaming and dream interpretation need a good book on using art therapy and time-honored techniques for dreamwork, and Johanne Hamel has the qualifications, experience and skills to make that a reality!"Robert Waggoner, author of Lucid Dreaming - Gateway to the Inner Self and co-author of Lucid Dreaming Plain and Simple."This book offers a unique, indispensable integration of art therapy, psychotherapy and dreamwork but is not limited to that; it also encompasses writing methods, lucid dreaming, and other aspects of creativity. As a long-time dream journalist, and a psychologist, I am intrigued by this book very much and I am sure that it would attract and inspire many other readers as well."Misa Tsuruta, PhD, psychologist/psychotherapist (Tokyo, Japan)Already published in French, the success, uniqueness and clear depiction of this book on Art Therapy and Dreams makes it a valuable contribution to the field. Johanne Hamel's many years of experience in the field as a mental health professional has given her the insight and the expertise required to write on this topic. Her many years of involvement in the art therapy field, her books and her research, have spread the knowledge of dream work to many parts of the world including Thailand, were she teaches on a regular basis. Lucille Proulx, MA, ATR, RCAT, Canadian International Institute of Art Therapy. Table of ContentsChapter 1 - Dreams and Existential Messages; Chapter 2 - How to Keep a Dream Journal; Chapter 3 - Creative Writing Methods for Dreamwork; Chapter 4 - Experiential Dreamwork Methods; Chapter 5 - Art Therapy Dreamwork Methods; Chapter 6 - Lucid Dreaming and Awakening of Self; Chapter 7 - Process Dreamwork: A One-Month Intensive Dreamwork; Conclusion; Author’s Index; Words and Expressions’ Index.

Read more less

Book SynopsisA 98% effective baby sleep solution so you can get what every parent wants - a good night’s sleep!

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn this clear and concise volume, Susan Sugarman introduces the work of Sigmund Freud and keenly illustrates the impact his pioneering contributions have had on the way we think about ourselves and each other.Part of the Routledge Introductions to Contemporary Psychoanalysis series, this book sees Sugarman offer a comprehensive overview of Freud's major theories, their clinical application, and their empirical reach. She highlights the ways in which his work is commonly misinterpreted and expertly guides the reader through his key publications on not only his general theory but also neuroses, dreams, ordinary waking mental life, and civilization and society. Considering Freud's body of work as a whole, she explores the observations and reasoning that led him to the questions he raised and the conclusions he reached, showing the rich and nuanced approach in his writing.Sigmund Freud: A Contemporary Introduction is an essential read for psychoanalysts, both in praTrade Review'Introducing Freud as theoretician, clinician, and astute social observer, Sugarman retrieves the brilliance so often buried by misreading and simplification. She manages in this distinguished short book to both describe and embody the sweeping scope and meticulous detail of Freudian thought. Underlining Freud’s quest for primary principles, she captures their elegant combining in his analysis of human nature and civilization. Showing the startling contemporary relevance of Freudian thought and technique, the book is a condensed treasure.'Shlomit Yadlin-Gadot, Author of Truth Matters: Theory and Practice in Psychoanalysis and Lacanian Psychoanalysis 'Sigmund Freud – A Contemporary Introduction is a real tour de force. Clear, succinct and informative, Sugarman touches on all the essential bases. Part One summarizes the main concepts and methods that underly Freud’s theory of mind. Here Sugarman structures her account around Freud’s pleasure principle. She returns to the principle throughout the book showing how it plays a motivating role in all of Freud’s explanations of human activity. Part Two explores the significant empirical payoff Freud’s theory of mind has when applied to solving 4 core problems that lie at the heart of his picture of the human condition. In each case, Sugarman adopts the wise strategy of focusing on what Freud has to say in a single book on the topic. This allows her to delve more deeply into his arguments and the empirical data he uses to support his explanations. The book also breaks new ground in pointing out that a number of mis-readings of central Freudian ideas have ill served actual psychoanalytic practice. As with her previous publications on Freud, Sugarman brings an impressive scholarship and unique voice to the discussions.'Robert Schwartz, Distinguished Professor Emeritus, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, U.S. Table of ContentsIntroduction PART I: Freud's Theory of the Mind 1. The Pleasure Principle 2. Instincts as Stimuli to the Mind 3. The Interests That Vie Within Our Minds: Id, Ego, and Superego 4. Revisions and Consolidation of the Theory PART II: Empirical Inquiries 5. Freud on Neuroses: The Case of Fräulein Elisabeth von R. 6. Freud on Dreams 7. Freud on Ordinary Waking Mental Life 8. Freud on Civilization and Society Essential Freud

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis book provides a practise-based introductory guide for practitioners wishing to integrate hypnosystemic therapy into their services, examining its roots, principles, and methods.Hypnosystemic therapy combines aspects of Ericksonian hypnosis, Systemic Therapy, and parts/constellation therapy into a creative awake hypnotherapy approach. This is then further consolidated in therapy or counselling. It is applied for overcoming psychological, medical, and social problems by use of conversational hypnosis mostly without trance induction. This text discusses how the intervention can be used in a variety of group and individual settings, in the treatment of diagnoses such as ADD/ADHD, allergies, hypertension, anxiety, phobias, sleeping disorders, addiction and eating disorders, and autism spectrum disorders. Chapters provide therapeutic tools in a straightforward, practical manner with examples.Presenting therapeutic interventions in such a clear way that they can be integ

Read more less

Book SynopsisArchetypal Coaching offers a transformative approach to personal growth, blending ancient Greek astrological foundations and dream work with modern coaching techniques, somatic awareness, and Jungian active imagination.Astrological archetypes illuminate the roots of struggles and highlight potential resources, while dreams act as a focused lens, bringing attention to issues that require immediate exploration. The approach explored within this book emphasizes interactive dialogue with archetypes and symbols, using embodied imagination and somatic awareness to guide clients in creating a personal symbol that embodies their inner process and potential, echoing Jungâs concept of the transcendent function. Supported by six in-depth case studies and numerous examples, the author outlines a holistic framework for integrating astrology and dreamwork into coaching, emphasizing personal growth and treating archetypes as dynamic tools for creativity and self-discovery.This book will appeal to established coaches, counselors, and therapists interested in integrating archetypal work into their practice, as well as students of Jungian psychology, coaching, art therapy, astrology and related fields.

Read more less

Book SynopsisPeter Sjöstedt Hughes is Research Fellow and Associate Lecturer in Philosophy at the University of Exeter, UK. Christine Hauskeller is Professor of Moral and Political Philosophy at the University of Exeter, UK.Trade ReviewPhilosophy and Psychedelics is a fabulous book – it’s psychedelicious – a rich thoughtful collection which exceeds the samples I’ve considered here. It should be read slowly and sporadically rather than gorged, to avoid indigestion and prolong the pleasure. * Psychiatrie en Filosofie *This impressive multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary collection surveys the impacts of psychedelic research on philosophy, science and culture. Examinations of standard philosophical problems in light of psychedelic experience are complemented by studies of broader cultural and cross-cultural significance of psychedelia. Its inclusion of non-Western perspectives on psychedelics sets an important example. * Farzad Mahootian, Clinical Associate Prof., Global Liberal Studies, New York University, USA *Sacred plants and substances propitiate knowledge based on direct experience. Like a strong wind on fallen leaves, they disturbed previous orders, raise questions, propose new hypothesis, induce wondering at many levels. The authors of this timely book make an important contribution to a conversation that cannot be ignored any longer, one that has its deeper roots in the ancestral traditions of all continents, and which seems especially urgent in these times of extremes and uncertainty. * Luis Eduardo Luna, Director of the Wasiwaska Research Center, Brazil *Table of ContentsIntroduction – Peter Sjöstedt-Hughes and Christine Hauskeller(University of Exeter, UK) 1. Transpersonal Gratitude and Psychedelic Altered States of Consciousness, Taline Artinian (University of Exeter, UK) 2. What is Real(ity)?, John H. Buchanan (Centre for Process Studies, USA) 3. A Cultural History of Psychedelics in the US, Kyle Buller, Joe Moore, and Lenny Gibson (Dreamshadow Group, USA) 4. Power and the Sublime in Aldous Huxley's Drug Aesthetics, Robert Dickins (Psychedelic Press, UK) 5. Decolonizing the Philosophy of Psychedelics, Osiris Sinuhé González Romero (University of Saskatchewan, Canada) 6. Making Your Soul Visible, Michael Halewood (University of Essex, UK) 7. Individualization and Alienation: Paradoxes in Psychedelic Psychotherapy, Christine Hauskeller (University of Exeter, UK) 8. Walter Benjamin and Herbert Marcuse: Psychedelics and Revolution, Fernando Huesca Ramon (Meritorius Autonomous University of Puebla, Mexico) 9. Mary on Acid: Experiences of Unity and the Epistemic Gap, Jussi Jylkkä (Åbo Akademi University, Finland) 10. Are Psychedelic Drugs Distorting?, Ole Martin Moen (Oslo Metropolitan University, Norway) 11. The Unconscious in Zen and Psychedelic Experience, Steve Odin (University of Hawai?i, USA) 12. Altered Consciousness after Descartes: Whitehead's Philosophy of Organism as Psychedelic Realism, Matthew D. Segall (California Institute of Integral Studies, USA) 13. The White Sun of Substance: Spinozism and the Psychedelic Amor Dei Intellectualis, Peter Sjöstedt-Hughes (University of Exeter, UK) 14. Journeying in the Realm of the Unconscious: Jung's Liber Novus and Psychedelic Experience, Johanna Hilla Sopanen (University of Exeter, UK) 15. Arguments for the Psychedelic Cure of Western Philosophy, Michel Weber (University of Saskatchewan, Canada) Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisPeake''s explanation of your immortality is the most innovative and provocative argument I have seen - Bruce Greyson, Carlson Professor of Psychiatry, University of Virginia. Thought-provoking [....] A very valuable summary of importance to all of us - Fortean TImesThis is for readers ready to connect the dots of religion, modern science, and rational thought on life''s biggest question. - Library Journal Is there life after death? This age-old question has plagued humankind from the moment we became self-aware, but do we now have enough evidence to answer it?In this mind-expanding book, Anthony Peake reveals an extraordinary model of life after death - one that brings together ideas from ancient philosophy, neuroscience, quantum physics and consciousness studies, and manages to explain a number of seemingly mysterious experiences such as precognition, déjà vu, synchronicity, near-death exper

Read more less