Or, Who Do You Think You Are, Really?
by William Paff, M.A., M.F.T.
(order by emailing
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
)
It’s hard to resist a short, easy-to-read-in-one-sitting book that promises readers a whole new perspective on their life, environment, and relationships. But even for those who are drawn in by this claim, one can’t help but wonder: Can a book really accomplish all that in a scant 84 pages? William Paff comes close to delivering. At the very least, his book provides readers with the tools and insight to begin an exciting journey of self-discovery and personal growth. And for some, the exercises and teachings in the book may indeed be enough to radically change how they approach their lives.
The book’s basic premise is that all of our beliefs, fears, likes and dislikes, emotions, and drives are learned responses and reactions to our environment. We have to abandon our false identities that we learned as children or adopted as adults so that we can live in a free and open manner that reflects our true nature. Paff defines Transparent Mind as a clear awareness of who we really are. To help people experience Transparent Mind, Paff instructs the reader in the use of the Mandala Process, a technique based on the Mandala, a spiritual symbol of wholeness and interconnectedness. Paff ’s own visual representation of the Mandala is a wheel with an indigo core, gold spokes, and a fiery rim. He says that as we move into the indigo core, we are moving into our deepest essence. Then as we travel through the golden spokes, we are moving into a life full of energy and abundance. Whenever we have a feeling that elicits a drive or emotion, we can move outside the Mandala and experience the feeling without resistance or attachment. The feeling will quickly dissolve, at which point we can move back within the Mandala and choose how we want to act upon the fleeting feeling. This is markedly different than impulsively reacting to the feeling based on a conditioned response – an action that would be considered outside the Mandala. While all this may sound abstract, Paff peppers his book with plenty of examples and adeptly guides readers in the use of the Mandala Process. Paff, who is a licensed marriage and family therapist, said he developed these techniques to help his clients deal with life’s everyday issues. As such, the techniques are very practical and not just born out of some esoteric philosophy.
William Paff will be offering workshops and individual work in the Transparent Mind/Mandala Process this summer and fall. Stay tuned for announcements. To order the book or to contact the author, email
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
.
