Based on ACT (Acceptance & Commitment Therapy)

Highly recommended to anyone interested in personal growth and mental health. Will be re-reading this one regularly. ( )

After sobbing about acceptance on fb some friends of mine suggested that I might benefit from reading this, so I did. I am pleased to learn that it is a proper method, not woo, and contains some very useful ideas. I have no doubt that I will benefit from following the exercises within. What it didn't do was answer the question that triggered the whole conversation - how do you manage the unmanageable? How do you come to terms with things that shouldn't be? I have a lot of problem with philosophies that essentially require of victims to accept their victimhood, to change you because you can't change them. It might help, but its not right that it should be like this. Difficult stuff. When I have the money I will see an ACT practitioner and have the fight with them until I get a proper answer. ( )

I have to confess that I purchased this book simply on the cover alone! Whilst I'm not really into ‘self-help’ books the title and snappy tags drew me in and I must say it was a worthwhile read. Russ Harris conveys in an easy to follow approach the thinking and principles behind the Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT). Ostensibly ACT is a mindfulness based technique that encourages us to accept the many negative thoughts that hinder us, better define our personal values, and to act and live our lives in accordance to those values. I found many of the fundamental ideas and lessons closely mirrored those beliefs of Eastern religions - particularly Buddhism. Harris quite clearly states that we are never likely to reach the happiness nirvana purported by much of the self-help establishment but with a few adjustments we can learn to lead far more enlightened lives. ( )