Have you ever done a lot of research in a field of which you are not an expert, you are simply an enthusiast? You begin searching for an answer, gathering information, and in your effort to try to piece together the various resources so that it can make sense to you, your original question gets lost. You have gone down so many side trails, dug way deeper than you ever intended, and found more resources than you actually needed.
Then, as if by miracle, when you are overwhelmed and ready to dismiss all that you have done, there is one author, who is an expert in the field, that puts all the main points together and sums up exactly what you have just recently figured out on your own.
Ester Sternberg’s book “The Balance Within – The Science Connecting Health and Emotions” did that for me. She sums up the history that precedes contemporary research and sets up the context of neuroimmunology science for the reader. I find the history of this science fascinating as Sternberg puts the evolution of the mind-body medical research onto a spectrum spanning centuries.
Her writing style is easy to read, accessible for the person who has a working knowledge of the technical jargon. Sternberg’s book was published in 2001, and there are 20+ years of research since this book, with science for the non-scientist available in any Self Help section of the bookstore – if I had to choose one to start with, I’d recommend Sternberg’s.
The first chapter takes the reader back to ancient beliefs about disease, and the next chapters fast forward the reader to the 1920s and summarizes what was known about emotions and disease a century ago. This is both a good review of history and sets the context of how far neurosciences have come within this past generation. She maps out how stress and disease are related, how our immune systems are impacted and assisted by our beliefs and moods. This perhaps isn’t a new concept these days, and I recommend another book by Robert Sapolsky to compliment Sternberg’s.
Since my first yoga teacher training ten years ago, I have collected many books on the mind-body sciences . Modern western medical research is scientifically proving what ancient eastern yoga sages have always known. My curiosity was piqued, and one book led to another. This year, as I review my favorite books and ponder where I was a decade ago when these books felt important, I notice that my yoga practice is more about being in body-spirit these days. My western mind has satisfied its curiosity.
This post ends my series on books that shaped my yoga and meditation practice. It’s been an interesting year of review. I truly had forgotten where so many of my ideas and beliefs had originated. It’s a comforting sign that I have integrated a lot of this knowledge, and a good practice to refresh myself on the original resources.
Thanks Jacquie. I am reading this book for last year, but only half way through . A reminder to pick it up again. Great to have your list of ypur influential books.
Sounds like a great deal of knowledge built up over the years. Wondering what's coming next.