Beth Kurland - Dancing on the Tightrope: Transcending the Habits of Your Mind & Awakening to Your Fullest Life

Praisefor

We can all lead more joy-filled andmeaningful lives. True joy is lurking around the corner. You candiscover it, feel it and spread it. Kudos to Beth Kurland forpenning an illuminating book. Read it, follow the sage advice. Itwill open and expand your heart and help you embrace this preciouslife to its fullest.

Sanjiv Chopra, Best Selling Author,Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School

* * *

Dr. Kurland provides a penetrating analysisof our Stone Age brain and its challenges in the twenty-firstcentury. Then with great clarity and heart, she explains how todeal with these and be more mindful, resilient, and happy right inthe middle of everyday life. Her voice is warm and friendly, likechatting with a good friend who happens to be a wonderfultherapist. A useful, beautiful book.

Rick Hanson, Ph.D., authorof Resilient: How to Grow an Unshakable Core of Calm,Strength, and Happiness

* * *

This book will help you develop your innerresources, and the confidence that you can find balance and joyamidst all seasons of life. Highly recommended!

Tara Brach, author ofRadical Acceptance and True Refuge

* * *

An honest, accessible and compassionatemanual for relaxing the grip of our brain-based reactivity in dailylife. With a gentle touch and practical clarity, Beth Kurlandilluminates the self-protective habits that make us unhappy, andguides readers in cultivating kinder practices as antidotes tothese reactive patterns our brains bring our wayDr. Kurlandspractices and insight support the gradual, skillful process ofopening our hearts to the truth of our experience.

Mitch Abblett, Ph.D., author ofThe Five Hurdles to Happiness...and the Mindful Pathfor Overcoming Them

* * *

POWERFUL AND TIMELY! This is a must read foranyone interested in mindfulness, personal development, orconscious evolution! In her book, Beth Kurland brings mindfulnessto a new level. Didnt think there was another level? Guess again.Kurland discusses the neuroscience behind what she calls ourevolutionary challenges. Full of real life scenarios to illustratethe ways in which mindfulness can help us overcome theseevolutionary challenges, Kurland points the reader toward a moreevolved way of being in the world. An informative, easy read thatcould just as easily find its way onto a required reading list atcollege level classes as it could onto the bedside table ofpersonal growth enthusiasts.

Kathleen Mackenzie, Ed.D., LICSW SeniorLecturer Behavioral Science Program Northeastern University

* * *

In her latest book, Beth Kurland offers awonderful resource that normalizes the inevitable adversity andlife challenges we all face, elucidates the habits of our mindsthat detract from our ability to live our best lives, and outlinessteps we can take to address them productively and in ways thatlead to inner peace. Her years of experience as a clinicalpsychologist fortify every page. The personal stories from her ownlife make the text relatable, and embedded throughout areopportunities to write and reflect, allowing the reader to chart aplan that puts them on a path toward greater well-being. Resilienceand psychological strength are skills that can be learned, and BethKurlands book is an excellent place to start.

Tim Bono, Ph.D. Assistant Dean andLecturer in Psychology at Washington University in St. Louis AuthorofWhen Likes Arent Enough: A Crash Course inthe Science of Happiness

* * *

Dancing on the Tightrope is ultimately abook about hope. Kurland masterfully weaves together practicalexercises, personal narrative, brain science, and concrete examplesfrom her work as a therapist to show us that we have the power tochange the way we show up in the world. She explains fiveevolutionary challenges that keep us trapped in unhelpful, reactivepatterns of thought and behavior, and then provides theantidotefive practical tools that illuminate and illustrate thepath into a wide-awake life of intentional, healthy, non-reactiveliving, full of connection to others and ultimately to ourselves.This is a must-read for those seeking to begin or deepen a practiceof mindful, conscious living.

David Ronka, Presenter, Kripalu Centerfor Yoga and Health Author ofThe Flipside ofFear

* * *

Dancing on the Tightrope shines a brightlight on making life simpler and more enjoyable through thepractice of mindfulness. Dr. Kurland presents a practical andunique plan for developing our resilience and awareness whileguiding ourselves through everyday challenges.

Mark Bertin, M.D., DevelopmentalPediatrics Author,Mindful Parenting for ADHD andHow Children Thrive(www.developmentaldoctor.com)

Dancing onthe Tightrope:

Transcending the Habits of Your Mind & Awakeningto Your Fullest Life

Copyright (c) 2018 by Beth Kurland.

Published in the USA by WellBridge Books

an Imprint of Six Degrees Publishing Group

at Smashwords

All rights reserved. No part of this book may bereproduced, stored into a retrieval system or transmitted in anyform, including photocopying and recording or by any means withoutprior written consent of the copyright holder and the publisher,excepting brief quotes used in reviews.

For information or permissions please email thepublisher:

Permissions@WellBridgeBooks.com

Ebook ISBN: 978-1-942497-44-8

ISBN: 978-1-942497-43-1 Print Edition

Library of Congress Control Number: 2018957966

Cover Design and Art: Kathleen Lynch, BlackKatDesign

Interior Layout: Denise C. Williams

Ebook Formatting: Alyssa M. Lind

Disclaimer: This publication is designed as a sourceof information only and is not intended as a substitute forpsychological treatment or professional services of any kind. Theauthor and the publisher expressly disclaim responsibility for anyadverse effects arising from the use or application of theinformation contained herein. If mental health treatment isrequired, readers should seek individual help and services from alicensed mental health professional.

Authors Note: The people in this book weredrawn from a composite of patients I have known over the years, aswell as from some of my own personal experiences. Resemblance toany one person is purely coincidental. All identities have beendisguised, and real names and identifying information is notused.

To Dad

for your resilience that is an inspiration to us all,and for encouraging me to be my best self.

To Alan, Rachel and Noah

You are my happiest place on this shared journey oflife. You are all nothing less than amazing.

_____________________________

OTHER BOOKS BY THIS AUTHOR:

The Transformative Power of Ten Minutes: An EightWeek Guide to Reducing Stress and Cultivating Well-Being

Gifts of the Rain Puddle: Poems, Meditations andReflections for the Mindful Soul

Contents

Acknowledgments

The idea for writing this book grew out of theworkshops and public speaking that I have done in recent years, asI have sought to find ways of teaching larger audiences the tools Iam most passionate about. It also grew out of my deepest wish tohelp others discover how to navigate lifes challenges with greaterease and find wholeness and joy in their day-to-day lives. It is,in part, an accumulation and synthesis of what I have learned frommany great teachers over the years from within and outside of thefield of psychology, and from my many mentors and therapists andcolleagues along my journey. One of the many benefits of working onthis book is that it has been a daily reminder for me to use thetools that I teach, to help me with my own reactive patterns andhabits of my mind that I get stuck in. I want to acknowledge thiscommon humanity that we all share, and I hope that reading thisbook will help others not feel so alone in their struggles.