eemetos's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
gabehagstrom's review against another edition
1.0
Part I is great. A really interesting concept and exploration of a holistic view of health, including mental health and the interactions with physical health.
But unfortunately that part turns out to simply be tbe Trojan horse for a remaining 400 pages of unapologetic leftist ideology labeling everything from western culture as toxic.
if you're going to read this book, read part I and move on with your life.
But unfortunately that part turns out to simply be tbe Trojan horse for a remaining 400 pages of unapologetic leftist ideology labeling everything from western culture as toxic.
if you're going to read this book, read part I and move on with your life.
joshniesse's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
5.0
An absolutely epic synthesis of an emerging consensus on mind/body research and it’s implications for public health. Mate is already a well respected doctor specializing in addiction treatment (see his bestseller In The Realm of a Hungry Ghosts). The impacts of trauma (both major and minor), especially during childhood, cannot be overstated, and we are only beginning to become a “trauma literate”
society. A must read title for anyone interested in building a better, more humane world, and especially for anyone working in a heathcare or childhood education related field.
brennaweeks's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
5.0
One more I would add to the required life read! If you are a person who is constantly questioning the world around you, then this is just the book for you.
A major life lesson for me was to, ironically, learn how to unlearn. Especially when it comes to the Christian centered conditioning that America peddles. That was my personal cross to bear, which ignited further questions that Maté not only saw but illuminated. Rather gracefully, I might add.
Maté somehow feels like a whistleblower on how and why society became so toxic and how it was tailored to a few, not the masses. Yet how we unconsciously concede to it. He gently offers viewpoints on the patriarchy and how it affects both men & women. A delightful take I never considered.
I have read some of the more negative reviews of this to find them rather shocking. Stating that it’s pessimistic (a viewpoint I do not share) perhaps but then the overall lingering message was lost on those. For how we view the external world is a mirror for our internalized landscape. If you are looking for quick fixes, Maté constantly reiterates how the easiest “quick fixes” (on his chapters on addiction) don’t actually cause happiness but a temporary dopamine rush that is fleeting. A metaphor for this book, you can find answers everywhere. If you are open to them. I, personally, found answers to questions I didn’t know I had. And I hope they find their answers too.
For above all else, I feel very grateful to not only have found this book but take my time with it.
There are many quotes that I copied into my notes, but I shall leave this one here:
“One of Robin Williams's most beloved performances, for which he won an Academy Award, is in Good Will Hunting, where he appears in the role of a kindly psychologist tasked with helping an angry Boston janitor after the latter assaults a cop. Played by Matt Damon, this gifted man- he turns out to be an intellectual diamond in the rough - has stuffed his vulnerability underneath a layer of ossified rage and defiance. The most iconic scene from the movie features Williams's therapist getting right in Damon's face and repeating a simple but powerful statement, "It's not your fault," until the latter finally collapses, sobbing, into his embrace. That message, "It's not your fault," conveys not just undaunted compassion, for which Damon's character was starving inside, but wisdom, too. From behavioral problems to full-blown mental illness, it's not anyone's fault--nor, as we've seen, the fault of their brains or their genes. It is an expression of untended wounds, and it is meaningful.
The meaning extends beyond people's individual lives, their families of origin, and their childhoods. If we are going to address the myriad afflictions to which this book has devotedisar tention so far, we need to look through a wider lens at the bigger Story. IfI could distill my message and insert itinto that beautied cinematic moment, I would have Robin Williams look allois in the eye- including himself--and say with assurance"lt is not your fault.. and it's not personal." Its abou our hurting walk manifesting the illusions and myths of a culture alienated to
our essence.”
lory_enterenchanted's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Reviews and more on my blog: Entering the Enchanted Castle
I read this rather quickly, thinking I would buy a copy and read it again and take notes. It started out really strong, but I was disappointed with the last section on healing - it could have gathered much of what has been discovered about healing from trauma in recent years, synthesizing the work of many authors that Mate cites in the rest of the book (van der Kolk, Perry, Schwartz, etc). Instead it kind of fizzled out with some vague strategies, and a chapter on psychedelics, of which I am quite suspicious although they're so popular nowadays.
Still, the earlier part makes the case for what I think is a very true observation, that our society is organized in a way utterly counter to human nature and human health, and that this must be addressed rather than just shifting the blame around in superficial ways. How to address it is a big question, but one that must be asked. To me, all the fuss still circulating about the virus that shook the world should take a back seat to this, the actual problem behind all other health issues, but of course it's easier to "fight germs" than to change ourselves and our whole way of interacting with one another.
I do still intend to read again, but I'm not sure when I'll get around to it.
I read this rather quickly, thinking I would buy a copy and read it again and take notes. It started out really strong, but I was disappointed with the last section on healing - it could have gathered much of what has been discovered about healing from trauma in recent years, synthesizing the work of many authors that Mate cites in the rest of the book (van der Kolk, Perry, Schwartz, etc). Instead it kind of fizzled out with some vague strategies, and a chapter on psychedelics, of which I am quite suspicious although they're so popular nowadays.
Still, the earlier part makes the case for what I think is a very true observation, that our society is organized in a way utterly counter to human nature and human health, and that this must be addressed rather than just shifting the blame around in superficial ways. How to address it is a big question, but one that must be asked. To me, all the fuss still circulating about the virus that shook the world should take a back seat to this, the actual problem behind all other health issues, but of course it's easier to "fight germs" than to change ourselves and our whole way of interacting with one another.
I do still intend to read again, but I'm not sure when I'll get around to it.
lindsaybennett's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
One of the best books i have ever read. There were a couple chapters in the beginning that were slow, but other than that, it was perfect. This book covers such a broad range of topics, while also being cohesive and sticking to a theme. Highly recommend if you're a deep thinker!