Book Review: The Conscious Heart: Seven Soul-Choices That Create Your Relationship Destiny

This book review is part of a series that covers the topic of Marriage. A marriage is an interpersonal relationship with governmental, social, or religious recognition, usually intimate, and often created as a contract. Margaret Paul is the Official Guide to Marriage. Margaret Paul, Ph.D. is an expert on marriage and relationships, and the co-creator of Inner Bonding, a transformational six-step spiritual healing process.nnThe Conscious Heart: Seven Soul-Choices That Create Your Relationship Destiny, by Gay Hendricks and Kathlyn Hendricks, is a valuable resource for people interested in Marriage, and it is available through Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble.nnAmazon.comnThe authors call it "practical magic"--the enchantment that occurs when couples act upon their highest intentions and deepest love. Suddenly creativity and humor spill upon every page of life; intimacy is a given instead of a task; accountability and responsibility are freedoms rather than burdens. But getting to this magical state of being is the problem. This book has all the right spells. Practical issues such as sex, aging, money, fights, and infidelity are all examined through the lens of a conscious heart. Without once faltering into surface solutions or cosmetic improvements, these world-renowned couples' therapists explore the seven choices that transform relationships from the inside out. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. nnReviewn"If you want to take your relationship to the deepest level of joy and intimacy, read this book." n--John Graynn"A remarkable road map to the heart."n--NAPRA ReViewnn"Superb--Worth two readings, minimum."n--The Phoenixnn"An exhilarating guide to transforming your closest relationships. After twenty-three years of marriage, it was just what the doctor ordered for both my husband and me."n--Christiane Northrup, M.D. author of Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom nnReviewn"If you want to take your relationship to the deepest level of joy and intimacy, read this book." n--John Graynn"A remarkable road map to the heart."n--NAPRA ReViewnn"Superb--Worth two readings, minimum."n--The Phoenixnn"An exhilarating guide to transforming your closest relationships. After twenty-three years of marriage, it was just what the doctor ordered for both my husband and me."n--Christiane Northrup, M.D. author of Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom nnProduct DescriptionnKathlyn and Gay Hendricks are two of today's foremost relationship experts. Their bestselling book Conscious Loving has already become essential reading for tens of thousands of couples. Now, in The Conscious Heart, they identify the seven commitments that can transform from the inside out. These seven simple--but powerful--choices enable couples to: Use conflict to create greater understandingnOvercome the fears and defenses that block intimacynResolve struggles for control nIncrease generosity and appreciationnDeepen passion, commitment, and alivenessnRelease the creativity of each partnernnFilled with numerous true-life stories--including how the authors survived and grew from their own midlife marital crisis--The Conscious Heart is an inspiring and instructive affirmation of the ultimate power of love. nnFrom the PublishernOne of the most celebrated books on relationships in the past decade, Conscious Loving has been incorporated into wedding ceremonies and taught in college courses, as well as becoming an intimate guidebook for thousands of couples. Now, building on the psychological insights of their earlier work, Kathlyn and Gay Hendricks bring a new level of spiritual knowledge to the point-blank world of relationship life. At the core of their new book are seven soul-commitments that change relationships from the inside out--basic shifts of attitude and intention that can transform everything from a couple's fundamental trust in one another to the petty details of day-to-day life. These soul commitments enable us to use conflict to illuminate the fears that keep us stuck and hidden from our true nature. They also work to enhance authenticity, equality and appreciation in every aspect of our partnership. The Hendrickses outline these spiritual principles with eloquent clarity, and they also show them in action in numerous illuminating examples--including their own mid-life marital crisis and in dealing with the very material world of money. No other relationship book is at once so on-target practical and so large in its claims for the ultimate power of the conscious heart. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. nnInside Flap CopynKathlyn and Gay Hendricks are two of today's foremost relationship experts. Their bestselling book Conscious Loving has already become essential reading for tens of thousands of couples. Now, in The Conscious Heart, they identify the seven commitments that can transform from the inside out. These seven simple--but powerful--choices enable couples to: Use conflict to create greater understandingnOvercome the fears and defenses that block intimacynResolve struggles for control nIncrease generosity and appreciationnDeepen passion, commitment, and alivenessnRelease the creativity of each partnernnFilled with numerous true-life stories--including how the authors survived and grew from their own midlife marital crisis--The Conscious Heart is an inspiring and instructive affirmation of the ultimate power of love. nnAbout the AuthornKathlyn Hendricks, Ph.D., and Gay Hendricks, Ph.D., are nationally known psychotherapists, teachers and workshop leaders. They have been partners in life and work for twenty years, and direct the Hendricks Institute in Santa Barbara, California.