By Daniel H. Caldwell.

451 Pages | First Quest Edition 2000 | Hardcover | Quest Books U.S.A. | ISBN: 0835607941.

‘A psychological enigma, a puzzle for future generations, a Sphinx!’

So reads the self-portrait of Helena P. Blavatsky (1831 – 1891), the leading esoteric author of the nineteenth century. Others called her ‘the lady with the magical eyes’. A world traveler and student of religions, Madame Blavatsky was among the first to bring Eastern Wisdom to the West. Her writing affected W.B. Yeats, James Joyce, D.H. Lawrence, L. Frank Baum (The Wizard of Oz), Wassily Kandinsky, Piet Mondrian, Gustav Mahler, Jean Sibelius, Alexander Scriabin, and many others.

These first-hand accounts lead us into the fascinating world of Madame Blavatsky’s soirées, sites of the astounding phenomena that made her a cause célèbre. Famous as magnets for freethinking intellectuals, these gatherings were a forum for her unconventional ideas that anticipated the spiritual and ecological movements of today. But the depth of this enigmatic Sphinx – as related here by family, friends, and even enemies – transcends the fads of time.

From Chapter 1 – ‘Russia 1831 – 1849’ (p. 1):

” Helena was an exceptional child, who at an early age was aware of being different from those around her. Her possession of certain  psychic powers puzzled her family and friends. At once impatient of all authority, yet deeply sensitive, she was gifted in many ways. A clever linguist, a talented pianist, and a fine artist, she was yet a fearless rider of half-broken horses, and always in close touch with nature. At a very early age she sensed that she was in some way dedicated to a life of service and was aware of a special guidance and protection. “

Edited by Christine Caldwell, Ph.D.

264 Pages | First Quest Edition 1997 |  Softcover | Quest Books, U.S.A. | ISBN: 0835607615.

More and more people are turning to new mind-body therapies to address physical and emotional ills. But which type of body-centered therapy is best for each type of problem? And how can we choose the right therapist to meet our particular needs? This comprehensive collection brings together for the first time the founders and current leaders in the emerging field of body-centered therapy to explain how they developed their methods, what happens during a session, and who can best benefit from the technique.

Learn how Hakomi can help you become mindful of the inner meaning of body sensations from founder Ron Kurtz. ‘Explore The Moving Cycle’ with Christine Caldwell, ‘Dreambody Work’ with Arnold Mindell, ‘The Body Process’ with Carolyn Braddock, ‘The Relationship Dance’ with Kathlyn Hendricks, and many more. Chapters on the ethics of touch in psychotherapy and on choosing a somatic therapist round out this fascinating and useful survey.

From Chapter 11 – ‘The Braddock Body Process’ by Carolyn  Braddock, MA, PC (p. 224):

” Awakening from trauma is sometimes fearful. A client may wonder, ‘What will it be like to be without my pain?’ or ‘Is it OK to be OK?’ So, I keep inquiring, getting to know those parts of the client that have experienced trauma as well as those that have not and integrating both. My work is about life, vital life, with movement, breath, and sound increasing as the trauma is released from the body. Clients learn to move so their spirits can be alive again. “