Broken Open: How Difficult Times Can Help Us Grow

by Elizabeth Lesser

Paperback, 2005

Status

Available

Call number

204.42

Genres

Mind and Body

Religion & Spirituality

General Nonfiction

Nonfiction

All Topics

Publication

Villard (2005), Edition: Reprint, 368 pages

Description

Self-Improvement. Nonfiction. HTML:NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER �?� This inspiring guide to healing and growth illuminates the richness and potential of every life, even in the face of loss and adversity. In the more than twenty-five years since she co-founded Omega Institute�??now the world�??s largest center for spiritual retreat and personal growth�??Elizabeth Lesser has been an intimate witness to the ways in which people weather change and transition. In a beautifully crafted blend of moving stories, humorous insights, practical guidance, and personal memoir, she offers tools to help us make the choice we all face in times of challenge: Will we be broken down and defeated, or broken open and transformed? Lesser shares tales of ordinary people who have risen from the ashes of illness, divorce, loss of a job or a loved one�??stronger, wiser, and more in touch with their purpose and passion. And she draws on the world�??s great spiritual and psychological traditions to support us as we too learn to break open and blossom into who we… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member Talbin

Broken Open: How Difficult Times Can Help Us Grow, by Elizabeth Lesser, is a collection of stories and observations about coming through what Lesser calls a Phoenix Process - rebirth after going down in flames, as it were. This is not the type of book I normally read. However, I am in the process

of going through my own personal life-changing event, and when I saw this book in the grocery store I impulsively decided to buy it. Lesser tells many stories about change and transition - divorce, death, illness - and shows that through life's crises we can choose to grow. She draws on many different traditions and teachings, from Christianity and Buddhism, psychology and poetry. This is most definitely NOT a how-to book. Lesser offers no specific guidance or answers. What she wants her reader to do is to open themselves up to the process of change, defeat and grief so that they can emerge with insights into their own soul. Although this is not the type of book I typically read, I did take away a few important personal insights. The most important insight for me right now is that I need to stop resisting the river of change. I am a great resister, and find that I will fight far beyond what is necessary - or good. I need to learn to go with the flow and to let the currents take me into unexpected waters.

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LibraryThing member Cecilturtle

In this wonderfully well-written book, Lesser takes us through the waves of life to show us how our trials and tribulations are opportunities to learn and to grow into better, more compassionate and more caring people. We all have our talents and our path, and these will be illuminated through our

capacity to make sense of obstacles thrown our way and rise like a Phoenix from the ashes. A compelling and enlightening read.

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LibraryThing member Eye_Gee

I bought this book to give to a friend who is going through hard times. I didn't expect to sit down and read it cover to cover, but I did. Elizabeth Lesser has a fluid way of writing, and a wonderful way of sharing her experiences with some big name new-age heavyweights without every sounding like

she is talking down to her readers. She mixes her own life experiences with those of others and offers up a philosophy that encourages us to stay open to learning from life, rather than fighting against change.

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LibraryThing member JerseyGirl21

Not what I was expecting.

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