Body Over Mind
by Jill Spiewak Eng
Body Over Mind is compatible with works by Eckhart Tolle, Byron Katie, Stephen Levine, and Robert Rabbin in its attempt to highlight the differences between thought and reality, and to foster an acceptance of what is. Backed by principles developed by F.M. Alexander, including the wholeness of the individual, the harmonious integration of the body, and a retraining of our reactions to mental and physical stress, Eng grounds us in our "physical reality," which she defines as the existence of an individual in his or her activity in space and time. In her words, our physical reality gives us "an unmovable truth to pit against our skeptical thought process that unremittingly tries to talk us out of our personal status." Relieving symptoms of anxiety, depression, and emotional pain stemming from worry, guilt, self-doubt, self-blame and a preoccupation with "should" thoughts, Eng offers a unique approach to mindfulness that disempowers self-judgment and negative self-talk. Designed to be used as a tool for combating the pressures of everyday life, or to simply enjoy as an insightful read, this book assimilates aspects of Buddhism, Hinduism, and modern-day practices that address the self-critical component of the human mind that victimizes so many of us on a moment to moment basis. Eng calls this practice, Mindful Reality.
Paperback
English
Brand New
Author Biography
Currently living in Portland, Maine, Jill Spiewak Eng has been a certified teacher of the Alexander Technique since 1998, is experienced in meditation, Buddhism and Hinduism, and is the founder of the mindfulness practice she calls Mindful Reality. Her two books: "Body Over Mind" and "The Myth of Doing" reflect this work. This is a self-inquiry practice that combats anxiety, depression and stressful thoughts that stem from worry, self-blame and the belief that we must do something to fix our lives. Grounded in what she calls our "physical reality," we learn to counter inner judgment and "should" thoughts with an awareness that we must always be doing whatever we are doing. Negative thoughts that make us feel like we are not living our lives correctly are put up against the knowledge that we can each only do the things we are doing in each moment, as anything else is physically impossible. After completing "Body Over Mind," Eng was propelled into research around the findings of neurophysiologist Benjamin Libet, who in 1983 discovered that a volitional signal for action shows up in the brain before a person is conscious of the intention to act. As this implies an automaticity to human behavior that her first book addressed, Eng was moved to explore the neuroscientific and philosophical studies that have evolved since Libet's discovery, which carried her into the dialogue regarding free will. Her writings have thus expanded into a synthesis of mindfulness, eastern and western philosophy, and science, and she is currently working on a third book. Additionally, Eng was a professional modern dance performer, teacher and choreographer from 1989-2009, holds a combined Master's degree in International Relations and Communications, and has worked in the field of International Development.
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