Book Review: Dancing on the Tightrope

We all face challenges in life, and more often than not, we feel they are unique to our lives and unlike other peoples’ challenges. However, according to Beth Kurland, PhD, the challenges of being human are more common than we might believe. She writes, “There are five core evolutionary challenges that we all face as human beings that can take us away from living our lives most fully.” In her new book, Dancing on the Tightrope: Transcending the Habits of Your Mind & Awakening to Your Fullest Life, Kurland shows us that it is in understanding these challenges, and the habits they are characterized by, that we can tap into our inner resources — which are the greatest tools we have to become more resilient, aware, and empowered. Some of our behaviors arise out of instinctual programs that made sense at the time, but no longer help us. Kurland writes, “While these more primitive systems of our brains have been integrated in complex ways with our more recently evolved brain systems, there are ways in which — metaphorically speaking — they haven’t been fully upgraded to meet the challenges of our modern lives.” Distraction, anxiety, fear, and self-criticism can send us spiraling downward while also shutting out the possibility of change. However, hardwired into our brains is the potential to experience growth, happiness, joy, and resilience. The first challenge is to not respond to false alarms. Kurland writes, “Our primitive brains developed an ...
Source: Psych Central - Category: Psychiatry Authors: Tags: Anxiety Book Reviews Disorders General Happiness Memory and Perception Mindfulness Motivation and Inspiration Personality Psychology Self-Help Stress Acceptance And Commitment Therapy beth kurland Dancing on the Tightrope Source Type: news