Book Review

Paulus, Mariamne  (2006) The House of Self          Scottsdale, AZ: Teleos Imprint

The House of Self  by its subtitle, “A description of the structure and function of the individual’s energy field” sets out to provide the reader a frame of reference on a topic the English language lacks vocabulary to describe. This a tall order and there are numerous books that have tried in the past. Those efforts have generally been polarized towards either too ethereal to have substance in daily life, or so confounded by the simplification of this complex topic to have missed the essence of describing an individual’s energy field. Not so with Paulus’s work.

 The author begins by clearly laying out her intention and the use of a tangible metaphor around which she builds her description. Her use of multiple reference points (i.e., psychological/energy language, astrological terms, chakra anatomy, etc.) which are appropriately introduced in visibly distinct subsections or shaded sidebars throughout allows the reader to choose which descriptors build on their understanding. Such a technique allowed me to move and scan through the text for new perspectives without having to wade through unbroken prose. I would imagine the more novice reader would benefit by discovering the intersections and overlap with their previous understandings.

 The use of practical, accessible exercises for immediate application at the close of each chapter further set this book apart. The reader has the ability to immediately move from conceptual understanding to personal experiential references. The exercises are clearly described and follow logically the preceding text. By the completion of the book the reader has both a language for their energetic self and a tangible program of experience with which to move forward in their individual evolution of consciousness.

 Reviewer:

 Matthew J. Taylor, PT, PhD, RYT  An experienced physical therapist, yoga therapist and doctor of transformational learning and change who writes in medical journals, teaches nationally to medical professionals, and leads public retreats and workshops.  www.myrehab.com .