Love, Healing and Happiness: Spiritual Wisdom for Secular Times - Softcover

Culliford, Larry

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1905047916 ISBN 13: 9781905047918

Publisher: O-Books, 2007

Synopsis

In the style of The Road Less Travelled, Larry Culliford tells stories of his work as a psychiatrist. Through these, he shows us how to face adversity, protect ourselves and others from self-destructive acts and temptations, and grow in maturity. We have more than our own resources to draw on. Bringing together East and West, ancient and contemporary traditions, he sees his patients using their wisdom mind to reach wholeness. This intuitive faculty connects us again with the universe, which science and materialism have rendered remote and uncaring. This is the route to a new sense of belonging and a meaningful life. It is our path to emotional health, happiness and maturity.

About this title

About the Author

Dr Larry Culliford works as a psychiatrist in Sussex. He has written several hugely successful self-help books using the pen-name Patrick Whiteside (see: www.happinesssite.com). He was a co-founder of the Royal College of Psychiatrists 'Spirituality and Psychiatry' Special Interest Group (www.rcpsych.ac.uk/spirit). He is a member of the Thomas Merton Society of Great Britain and Ireland (www.thomasmertonsociety.org), the International Thomas Merton Society (www.merton.org) and the Scientific and Medical Network (www.scimednet.org). Larry refers to himself as a 'universalist' Christian. A churchgoing Anglican, he is open to the teachings and practices of many world faith traditions. He has studied with Buddhist teachers and has meditated regularly for over 20 years. Larry often gives lectures and workshops, for example on 'Spiritual Values in Healthcare'.

Review

This will become a classic book on spirituality. It is immensely practical and grounded. We can learn from other people's experiences, dip into philosophy and psychiatry and, above all, feed our own 'wisdom mind'. It's a nourishing book that mirrors the author's compassion and lays the foundation for a higher understanding of human suffering and hope. Reinhard Kowalski Consultant Clinical Psychologist and Registered Psychotherapist, author of The Only Way Out Is In. This is a wonderful book for those who are searching for 'life in all its fullness'. It draws on secular and religious wisdom to speak to men and women who are looking for a spirituality that meets them where they are. Rt Rev Dominic Walker, Bishop of Monmouth. Larry Culliford is a born story-teller, and the stories told in this book capture the essence of what it is to be human; to be mentally and physically vulnerable and yet through the pain of adversity, to grow in wisdom and stature. This is a book of practical spirituality and one not to be missed. Dr Andrew Powell Founding Chair of the "Spirituality and Psychiatry" Special Interest Group of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, London Dr. Larry Culliford's book is an unputdownable read. He is a marvellous writer, a born story-teller. His book is saying vitally important things about our need for a deep, spiritual life. In the tradition of Robert Coles' work of marrying psychology and story, this is a wisely "wholeminded" book, and readers will be spiritually refreshed if not transformed. Robert Waldron English Literature and Language at Boston Latin School, and prize-winning author of books including "Thomas Merton in Search of His Soul" Larry Culliford's "Love, Healing and Happiness" will be a real boon to a world of health and social care. We have largely forgotten how to manifest love in 'human' services. Dr Culliford reminds of its importance and how to make it real, in a work of remarkable insights through narrative and reflection. Professor Peter Gilbert, Staffordshire University It makes a considerable contribution to our understanding of the human condition, and the many and varied ways in which people make sense of their everyday lives. Professor Peter Nolan Staffordshire University This is a book of modern wisdom. Not that wisdom has a sell-by-date, but it does have to be refreshed and brought into modern situations. This is exactly what Larry Culliford does. He tells us stories about healing, from his practice as a psychiatrist. Like all good teachers, he encourages us to find meanings in the stories but does not leave us alone with disconnected thoughts, but offers a structure within which we can build our own understandings. In the final chapters he encourages us to develop further. Professor Dr David Aldridge A remarkably comprehensive and intriguing guide to psychological and spiritual development, always clear, often moving and most relevant to our current cultural predicament. Along the way, Larry illustrates the practice of modern psychiatry at its best, inspired as it should be by spiritual as well as psychological and biological awareness. Dr. Julian Candy Retired psychiatrist, Hampshire, UK In this renaissance of spirituality, Larry Culliford's personal and scholarly contribution - representing East and West, ancient and contemporary - is readable, reassuring, and reinvigorating. He offers an explanation of how to grow beyond our everyday mind to our wisdom mind, which brings wholeness. Sister Monica Weis SSJ, Professor of English, Nazareth College, Rochester NY, USA, and past vice president of the International Thomas Merton Society Larry Culliford has drawn together insights from his professional training and pastoral care interactions plus his own personal explorations and journey, and has woven the different threads together beautifully. It holds together most effectively and, as a result, has the possibility of touching on the thoughts, emotions and spiritual yearnings of those who read it. Rev. Dr. Stuart Johnson Anglican Priest and senior NHS Chaplain. This is a book about spiritual and emotional well being - challenging and accessible for all who search for life's meaning. Larry Culliford's storytelling is steeped in a wisdom inspired by psychological insight and spiritual traditions, yet grounded in real life and everyday experience. Fiona Gardner Psychotherapist and author; currently Chair of The Thomas Merton Society of Great Britain and Ireland. There are many self-help books which will teach you techniques to make yourself happy. Dr. Larry Culliford, on the other hand, takes the trouble to explain the roots of happiness, opening up the possibility that we can be happy. It is partly about getting to grips with our place in the universe, and here Larry is not afraid to use the kind of spiritual language that is appropriate for what he calls a "post-secular" age. Above all, he knows what he is talking about. Kenneth Wilson Priest and Director of Soul of India Tours Very beautifully written, weaving together personal stories with both theory and practice. It is definitely a book to challenge and support people who are able to acknowledge and value the spiritual life on their spiritual journey. Rev Peter Wells Senior Chaplain, Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust, UK This will be a very useful and inspiring sourcebook for anyone seeking pointers on the way in their journey on the spiritual path, whether from within one of the major religions or outside the mainstream. Tony Pannett. Anglican priest, meditation teacher and Christian/Buddhist retreat leader This is a rare book. It teaches us about the art of living a fulfilling life through the emotional maturity that we can allow to unfold if we listen deeply enough to the events and experiences in both our inner and outer lives. The author is genuinely involved with the people he treats, seeing himself as essentially on the same journey. Today there are many books claiming to teach the art of 'happiness'. This inspiring and encouraging book does much more than that. I would recommend it not only to patients who were exploring what it may mean to live a truly meaningful life, but also to everyone I love. Dr Anna Mandeville, Consultant Clinical Health Psychologist, specialising in Physical Health and Illness at University College London Hospitals This book is like a treasure chest - brimming with rich and beautiful insights on every page. Dr Robert Holden Director of The Happiness Project and author of 'Success Intelligence'

Edition details

• Publisher: O-Books
• Publication date: 2007
• ISBN 10: 1905047916
• ISBN 13: 9781905047918
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 304