Extension Human Resources
Human Resources Library

Self-Help and Psychology

Aikido and The New Warrior.

Richard Strozzi Heckler. (1985).

Summary: The ancient Japanese art of self-defense and self-expression, Aikido, is a spiritual path that teaches people to join their spirit energy to the universal spirit energy. This anthology represents the expression of the "New Warrior" of Aikido. These warriors are men and women who take the principles of Aikido and apply them to their daily lives and professions as well. (pp.227).

Key Words: spirituality, inspiration, Aikido, personal development, professional development

Ancient Wisdom and Modern Science.

Stanislav Grof (ed.). (1984).

Summary: Modern Science has long viewed the universe as a complex system governed by laws of nature. In contrast, ancient wisdom has pushed a simple view of the universe which consist of consciousness and creative intelligence. Editor Grof here puts together a mix of both views , aiming for compatibility and a deeper understanding of the world around us. (pp.283).

Key Words: spirituality, science, personal development, consciousness, psychology, relationships, cosmic, energy

Beyond Ego: Transpersonal Dimensions in Psychology.

Roger N. Walsh and Frances Vaughan. (1980).

Summary: This book serves as an introduction to transpersonal psychology and all of its aspects that make it a valuable tool for the human condition in the future. Transpersonal psychology aims at expanding the field of psychological inquiry to include areas of human experience and behavior associated with extreme health and well-being. The potential for greatness in all humans through meditation, yoga and other conscious disciplines is also explored. (pp.269).

Key Words: consciousness, spirituality, reflective thinking, psychology, potential

Born for Love.

Leo Buscaglia. (1992).

Summary: This book offers separate and significant thoughts of love for the readers contemplation. Buscaglia suggests that loving is a choice that offers alternatives to frustration, loneliness, and fear. He encourages us to think, feel and move toward actions that will bring about growth in love. (pp.290).

Key Words: love, personal development, relationships, potential, feelings

Changing Human Systems.

Ronald G, Capelle. (1979).

Summary: This book explains how the human systems function and the different experiences that occur at the seven levels of interaction: intrapersonal, interpersonal, group, inter group, organization, inter organization and community. Capelle describes the role of the humans systems, similarities and differences in assessing and intervening at different levels, and which levels to intervene at. (pp.197).

Key Words: organizational development, interaction, relationships, change.

Compassion in Action (Setting out on the Path of Service)

Ram Dass and Mirabai Bush. (1992).

Summary: This book is written as a guide for those who feel called to reduce the suffering that surrounds us in the world. It tells the readers how to begin to act compassionately for change. It also outlines some first steps, thoughts and encouragement for entering world service, to the "path of action". (pp.299).

Key Words: compassion, service, inspiration, spirituality.

Dance of Disempowerment (The).

Berry Oshry. (1992).

Summary: In a moving lyrical ballad, Oshry tells of the problems that are facing organizations today. He tells of the bottoms, the middles and the tops and how they can have a positive affect on improving the work environment through a change in attitude. (pp.45).

Key Words: relationships, leadership, organizational development, self-discipline, attitude

Deep Self (The): Profound Relaxation and the Tank Isolation Technique.

John C. Lilly. (1978).

Summary: Lilly presents the isolation theory and techniques to show readers how to unfold and experience new self-awareness and harmony. He also presents conclusions: methods, means and results of isolation tank experience, with personal testimony by many who have tried it. (pp.330).

Key Words: reflective thinking, personal development, psychology, self-awareness, isolation, spirituality, consciousness

Enneagram (The): The Definitive Guide to the Ancient System for Understanding Yourself and the Others in Your Life.

Helen Palmer. (1988).

Summary: This is a guide to the Ancient System that reveals methods of understanding yourself and those with whom you live and work. (pp.391).

Key words: Enneagram, system, intuition, diagram, points, performer, boss, mediator, research.

Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences.

Howard Gardner.

Gifts From Eykis.

Wayne Dyer.

Heart Has Its Seasons (The).

Louis M. Savary and Thomas J. O'Connor (eds.)

Summary: The heart symbolizes the center of human feeling. It goes through different season in which it experiences, evaluation, love, unity, and hope. This collection brings together in poems and pictures some expressions of the human condition today.

Key Words: spirituality, heart, hope, feelings, behavior, inspiration, compassion, reality, commitment, vision

Hero With a Thousand Faces (The).

Joseph Campbell. (1973).

Summary: In this book Campbell present the composite hero. Apollo, the Frog King of fairy tales, Wotan, the Buddha, and numerous other protagonists of folklore and religion enact simultaneously the various phases of their common story. The relationship of their timeless symbols to those rediscovered in dream by contemporary depth psychology is taken as a staring point for interpretation. The psychological view is then compared with the words of such spiritual leaders as Moses, Jesus, Mohammed, Lao-tse and the "Old Men" of the Australian tribes. (pp.391).

Key Words: hero, psychology, religion, mythology, spirituality

How to Meditate.

Lawrence LeShan. (1975)

Summary: This book lets you explore the many programs paths to meditation, It provides tools for your to begin your own journey. It's recommended for the first steps. (pp.160).

Key words: Meditation, feels, psychological effects, types, mysticism, , teacher, psychotherapy, psychotherapists.

Hypnosis for Change.

Josie Hadley and Carol Staudacher. (1985).

Summary: This book is a handbook for self-improvement which can be used by anyone. It outlines the history of hypnosis and the power it has to change not only the physical being but also on the actions of its user. (pp.220).

Key Words: self-improvement, hypnosis, change, spirituality, mind, conscious

Imagineering: How to Profit From Your Creative Powers.

Michael LeBoeuf. (1980).

Summary: All of us greatly underutilize our creative potential. Human minds have a great capacity for producing ideas. The emphasis of this book is on systematically applying creative thinking to get results. There are specific techniques to stimulate your innate creativity and applications of them to problems. These include the two person technique, three types of group brainstorming, the checklist, attribute-listing, systematic questions, and the morphological approach. (pp.247).

Key Words: imagine, personal development, mind, creativity, consciousness, change

In the Mind's Eye.

Daniel Druckman and Robert A. Bjork (editors). (1991).

Summary: This book presents methods of performance enhancement. Popular self- improvement approaches are evaluated to determine the best methods to learn including the popular Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. Included is a detailed section on deceit and the detection of deception. The overall theme of the book is how people learn and how they use what they learn. (pp.281).

Key Words: performance, success, personal development, self-esteem, self-improvement, imagine, mind

Intelligence Came First.

E. Lester Smith. (1975).

Summary: Smith book is rebuttal of traditional thoughts about the evolution of man. Smith believes that in evolution, an organ developed in response to a need therefore, intelligence came first. He also explores questions about life intelligence, and consciousness and whether the physical being is an expression of these factors. (pp.188).

Key Words: consciousness, mind, psychology, evolution, intelligence

Jung and Eastern Thought.

Harold Coward. (1985).

Summary: This book is an assessment of the impact of eastern though and philosophies on psychologist Carl Jung. Coward explores both the philosophies he accepted and rejected and his great interest in yoga. Contributions are make form other prominent professors and psychologists. (pp.212).

Key Words: Jung, psychology, philosophy, yoga, consciousness

Lessons in Truth.

H. Emilie Cady. (date non available).

Summary: This book is a course in twelve lessons in practical Christianity. It covers aspects such as faith, affirmations, denial, unit and spirit. It also includes a section on helpful questions and answers. (pp.152).

Key Words: religion, faith, spirituality, reflective thinking, Christianity

Light of Consciousness (The).

Richard D. Mann. (1984).

Summary: Mann's personal narrative of his explorations in transpersonal psychology. He adds accounts of his teachers, Swami Muktanada, lessons and experiences, too. This book is a mixture of the power of the human mind and the effect of the human experience and attitude on the human outlook. (pp.173).

Key Words: transpersonal, psychology, consciousness, spirituality, relationships, inspiration, attitude

Managing Anger.

Rebecca R. Luhn, Ph.D. (1992).

Summary: This book is an individual assessment of the cause and effects of our anger with methods that will help you manage your emotions on a daily basis and deal with anger in a positive manner. (pp.111).

Key words: Anger, work, techniques, feel, angry, life, relationships, behaviors, child, health, energy, life

Mirrors of the Soul.

Kahlil Gibran.

Moral Development: A Guide to Piaget and Kohlberg.

Ronald Duska and Mariellen Whelan. (1975).

Summary: The work of psychologists Jean Piaget and Lawrence Kholberg are presented to explain the development in moral judgment. Parents, Educators, and adults can reevaluate their relationships with children and adolescents. The authors also add insight on the effect of Christian morality on education theory and practice. This book is meant to be practical helpful as well as intellectually informative and stimulating. (pp.126)

Key Words: psychology, adolescents, inspiration, values, personal development, relationships

Multimind: A New Way of Looking At Human Behavior.

Robert Ornstein. (1986).

Summary: This is a book on how the human mind works. Ornstein focuses on the multiple brain theory which argues that mind is a network of systems working to maintain homeostasis in the internal environment. Other subjects discussed in the book are dreams, illusions, psychosomatic effects on health, and causes of personality. (pp.205).

Key words: mind, hypnosis, behavior, psychology

Only Dance There Is (The).

Ram Dass. (1974).

Summary: Based on speeches of the author at the Menninger Foundation in 1970. This is a useful guide for understanding the nature of consciousness and it ability to heal a person. (pp.174).

Key Words: conscious, psychology, spirituality, personal development

Pedagogy of the Oppressed.

Paulo Freire. (1987).

Summary: Freire writes of the ability of every man to go through an educational experience and fully perceive his personal and social reality. In his philosophy of education, he attempts to unlock the powerful potential of the illiterate of the third world to change the oppressive world they live in. (pp.186).

Key Words: potential, education, sociology, illiterate, education, mind, oppression

People of the Lie: The Hope for Healing Human Evil.

M. Scott Peck. (1983).

Summary: Speck tries to explain the essence of human evil. He believes that people who are evil attack others instead of facing their own failure. He uses cases encountered in his psychiatric practice and stories to show the presence of evil in every-day life and its affect on people. (pp.269).

Key Words: evil, psychology, personal development, behavior, relationships, lies, healing

Reframing: Neuro-Linguistic Programming and the Transformation of Meaning.

Richard Bandler and John Grinder. (1982).

Summary: This book explores the concept of reframing, changing the frame in which a person perceives event in order to change the meaning. When the meaning changes, the person's responses and behaviors also change. There is an explicit description of the basic structure of reframing and the presentation of several additional model of reframing. This is an advance book that includes transcriptions from workshops and seminars. (pp.203).

Key Words: reframing, psychology, personal development, mind, attitude

Relaxation Response (The).

Herbert Benson. (1976).

Summary: This book teaches you the principles of controlled meditation. With this book you will be able to release your body's hidden defenses against stress and stress-triggered illnesses. (pp.212).

Key words: Relaxation, anxiety, stress, blood pressure, arteries, heart attack, sleep, energy, alert, fatigue, medicine

Second Touch (A).

Keith Miller. (1974).

Summary: Miller tries to involve the reader in vital and creative living. He separates the book into three parts: the dawning consciousness of Christian life, his new perceptions in the context of living, and finally a visit to the fundamental church in the hope for Renewal. (pp.156).

Key Words: renewal, personal development, spirituality, love

Self Hypnotism: The Technique and its Use in Daily Living.

Leslie M. LeCron. (1964).

Summary: The fantastic power of the subconscious mind influences nearly every aspect of human behavior. It can cause sickness, fear, guilt, and needless anxiety. Yet properly harnessed through self-hypnosis, this same power can open new doors to health and happiness. This book is a guide in helping readers find and solve their problems through hypnosis. (pp.205).

Key Words: self-hypnosis, hypnosis, potential, healing, personal development, mind

Self-Hypnosis.

Laurance Sparks. (1962).

Summary: With the availability of medicine and science the capacity of the mind to heal has been taken for granted. In this volume the general theory and techniques for use in learning or teaching the art of relaxation, concentration, and discipline of the voluntary mind. The method that is used in the book is the use of symbols to reach the state of hypnosis. Some rewards of this methods of hypnosis are improvement of intellectual potentials, bolstering personality resources, correction of habits and other conditions. (pp.252).

Key Words: self-hypnosis, healing, mind, personal development

Shamanism.

Nevill Drury. (1989).

Summary: Drury explores different aspects of shamanism, the ancient tradition of using the conscience to contact spirits. He encourages ordinary city-dwellers to tap the realities of imagery in the depths of the psyche. Shamanism is a relationship with nature, our human surroundings, and the power animal in all of us. (pp.114).

Key Words: spirituality, shamanism, psychology, relationships, consciousness, mind

Spiritual Roots of Human Relations.

Stephen Covey. (1978).

Summary Covey explains that the roots of the problems in the world today are moral and spiritual. Therefore, the solutions lie in morality spirituality. In a four-step guide of vision, commitment, understanding, communication, and self-discipline, he gives new insight to all on the potential for human greatness. (pp.344).

Key Words: spirituality, relationships, conflict, self-discipline, communication

Toward a Psychology of Being.

Abraham H. Maslow. (1968).

Summary: Maslow expresses the potential in human beings to be loving, noble, and creative. They are capable of pursuing the highest of values and aspirations. This is an optimistic thrust toward a future based on intrinsic values of humanity. (pp.240).

Key Words: inspiration, relationships, goals, values, spirituality

Toward a Science of Consciousness.

Kenneth R. Pelletier. (1978).

Summary: sciences. The result is an ultimately subjective model of the universe that is entirely dependent on the state of mind of its observers and helps in the understanding of the human experience from birth to death. (pp.304).

Key Words: spirituality, science, conscious, mind

Toward Actualizing Human Potential.

Robert R. Carkhuff. (1981).

Summary: The human potential that exists within each individual is enormous. But, there are only few who even began to unlock this power. With the formula: Energy = motivation * competencies, (E=mc2) Carkhuff sets out to actualize our human potential and goals. (pp.184).

Key Words: science, potential, energy, power, goals,

Trust Me.

William J. Morin. (1990).

Summary: This book is a self-help manual for manages who want to improve the level of trust in their organizations. It explores how an adjustment in relationships and goals can have an overall affect in the harmony of an organization. (pp.117).

Key Words: organizational development, relationships, leadership, goals, trust

Trust Yourself: You Have the Power.

Dr. Tony Larsen

What Jung Really Said.

E.A. Bennet. (1983).

Summary: Bennet provides a introduction to Jung's main ideas in language anyone can follow. Jung's notion of the mind as a self-regulating system accords with modern ideas in physiology and cybernetics. This book is a guide in a spiritual quest to accept oneself and become the person you were intended to be. (pp.180).

Key Words: spirituality, psychology, personal development, mind, healing

Whatever Became of Sin?

Karl Menninger. (1977)

Summary: This is an exploration of sin and its history. It describes and defines sin from an individual and collective perspective. It addresses the old Seven Deadly Sins and some new ones. The book explores sin from a psychological, sociological, and spiritual perspective. (pp.230).

Key Words: evil, sin, Christianity, religion, faith, self-improvement, spirituality

Last Updated: August 23, 2000
Contact: Kaela Postma at postma@iastate.edu