Books: Power of Presence Lesson 1

The Art of Being a Healing Presence 

– James E Miller & Susan Cutshall

“The Art of Being a Healing Presence” shows how a difference can be made in the lives of others by learning to be present in a way that is healing, nurturing, and potentially even transforming. Seven steps to being a healing present are explained, including opening onself, making the intention, preparing a space, honoring the other, offering what you have to give, receiving the gifts that come, and living a life of wholeness and balance.

Guided Imagery: Psychotherapy and Healing Through the Mind-Body Connection 

– Rubin Battino

This book focuses on Guided Imagery, a healing technique that fully exploits the connection between mind and body. It also extends its analysis to other techniques, including psychotherapy-based methods and alternative therapies, thereby encouraging a multimodal approach to healing. An essentially practical and accessible healing manual.

The Art of Listening in a Healing Way 

– James E. Miller

“The Art of Listening in a Healing Way” is Jim Miller’s sequel to his popular book, “The Art of Being a Healing Presence.” He describes what healing listening is and how it differs from other kinds of listening. Then 27 short chapters provide helpful insights in how to do this special kind of listening. Examples: “A healing listener listens with the eyes.” “A healing listener cleaves to silence.” Interspersed throughout are intriguing quotations from the ages, as well as the author’s floral photography.

Therapeutic Presence: A Mindful Approach to Effective Therapy

– Shari M. Geller  & Leslie S. Greenberg

The therapeutic relationship is essential to positive outcomes of psychotherapy. In this book, Shari M. Geller and Leslie S. Greenberg argue that therapeutic presence is the fundamental underlying quality of the therapeutic relationship and, hence, effective therapy.

Therapeutic presence is the state of having one s whole self in the encounter with a client by being completely in the moment on a multiplicity of levels physically, emotionally, cognitively, and spiritually. Present therapists become aware of both their own experience and that of their client through bodily sensations and emotions, and this awareness helps them to connect deeply with the client. Therapeutic presence is not a replacement for technique, but rather a foundational therapeutic stance that supports deep listening and understanding of the client in the moment.

Geller and Greenberg present their empirically based model of therapeutic presence that integrates three aspects of the concept: how present therapists prepare for presence both pre-session and in general life, what activities therapists engage in when being therapeutically present, and what in-session presence feels like. The authors also provide a therapeutic presence theory of relationship based on research and clinical wisdom. Importantly, because presence is a learnable state that can be cultivated with practice and commitment, the authors infuse the book with practical, experiential exercises for cultivating presence.

Creative Visualization: Use the Power of Your Imagination to Create What You Want in Your Life 

–Shakti Gawain

Creative Visualization has been successfully used in the fields of health, education, business, sports, and the arts for many years. Gawain explains how to use mental imagery and affirmations to produce positive changes in one’s life. The book contains meditations and exercises that are aimed at helping the practitioner channel energies in positive directions, strengthen self-esteem, improve overall health, and experience deep relaxation. This is the book that launched a movement. “Creative visualization works.” — Oprah Winfrey

Dancing With the Ten Thousand Things: Ways to Become a Powerful Healing Presence 

–Tom Balles

Each day calls us to tend life beyond ourselves. Dancing with the Ten Thousand Things helps you answer that call and become a more powerful healing presence. You have the innate ability to be a healing presence. Imagine amplifying your gifts and applying them in your family life, friendships, work, organizations, and community. Transforming care and compassion into effective action will become your way of life. This book outlines the journey of waking up through being of service. You will observe two changes taking place: less unnecessary suffering and greater possibilities in the life you share with others. You will learn to consciously tend to life one moment at a time.Tom Balles has gathered his years of study in a variety of traditions and offers them as a gift. He succeeds in blending the richness of the deep wisdom traditions with daily practices to enhance your learning. This is very rich food for the body, mind, and soul. Take the time to digest this feast slowly over the days, weeks, and months ahead.-Robert M. Duggan, M.A., M.Ac., (UK) author of Common Sense for the Healing Arts, Co-Founder and President of the Tai Sophia Institute for the Healing Arts.

 

Transformative Imagery: Cultivating the Imagination for Healing, Change and Growth

– Leslie Davenport

Guided imagery is a transformative practice for reducing stress, healing mind and body, and improving performance. This definitive collection brings together leading pioneers in the field of guided imagery to share its theory, practice and history.

Readers are introduced to the extensive uses of imagery, from its medical application for pain relief, cancer care and other physical healing, through its significant contribution to mental health and depth psychology, to its application within the arts and as a vehicle for social change. An exploration of the place of imagery within spiritual and religious traditions includes a never before published guide to the internal alchemy of Daoist imagery.

Transformative Imagery will enable professionals to tailor guided imagery to their individual practice, demonstrating how to use it with people of all ages, from chronic pain patients to athletes to combat veterans and for both mental and physical health.

Becoming a Healing Presence: A Guide for Those Who Offer Care

–Tom Balles

“Becoming a Healing Presence is simply elegant. Tom Balles calls all those who offer care to a high standard – to be present, with senses wide open. He offers uncomplicated practices for exploration; inviting us to sharpen our attention and deepen our awareness . . . . The book serves head and heart and will transform the caring experience for both giver and receiver.”

BARBARA CATLIN, Founder and Director, Bigger Conversations, Columbia, Maryland

Over the last thirty years the delivery of healthcare has gone through enormous changes. The insurance industry, managed-care, the use of pharmaceuticals, and high-tech medicine have all grown exponentially. In the midst of these changes have we developed a bit of amnesia?

In offering our care, have we forgotten the capacity of human beings to help heal other human beings? Have we overlooked the need to cultivate ourselves as instruments of healing? Are we in danger of losing the healing power of the relationship between those giving and receiving care?

The tribe of caregivers is in need of some potent medicine. Whether you’re at home caring for an aging or ailing family member, trained to be a volunteer, or working as a health-care professional, you’ll find powerful elixirs in these essays. They’ll remind you of the many healing capacities you possess as a caregiver, and of the great strength to be found in the healing relationship.

Becoming a healing presence requires practice. Each essay is accompanied by practices that will transform your care and compassion into effective action and help you focus on what truly matters when offering care.