Awards

• Commended for Independent Publisher Book Awards (Sexuality/Relationships) 2014

Overview

Winner of the 2014 Silver Independent Publisher Book Award in the relationship category and winner of the Spirituality and Practice Award as one of the best spiritual books of 2013! The search for inner peace is often met with what seems like a conflicting path- the irresistible pull of love and connection with others to which we are drawn. Reconciling these opposites, John Amodeo shows how spirituality and vibrant relationships are identical. He says that Buddha's concept of the root of suffering is misunderstood. It is not desire that causes suffering; desire is the fire that springs from the basic life force. Drawing upon the science of attachment theory, Amodeo illuminates how the root of our suffering is disconnection from ourselves and others, which is fueled by clinging to what doesn't serve us In a conversational tone, Amodeo presents relationship as sacred experience. He teaches how to welcome desire mindfully rather than suppress it and how to overcome fear of failure in relating. He also discusses meditation as self-intimacy and holding ourselves with loving-kindness. Lastly, he explores the role of community in spiritual awakening and the issue of whom to trust--our guru or ourselves?

Full Product Details

9780835609142

Table of Contents

Reviews

Endorsements <br> Dancing With Fire is wise, integrated, life affirming, and practical. John invites us and accompanies us to discover a fully human, loving, spiritual maturity. <br>-- Jack Kornfield, PhD, author A Path With Heart and The Wise Heart <p>A fresh and lucid voice in our emerging Western spirituality, John Amodeo offers a powerful synthesis of Buddhist teachings with attachment theory and the best of Western psychological understanding. Particularly compelling and promising is the weaving of Focusing--a body-oriented psychotherapy developed by Eugene Gendlin--with mindfulness meditation. Through this, and deep insights into the nature of relationships, Dancing with Fire gives us invaluable guidance in cultivating true intimacy with our lives.<br>-- Tara Brach, PhD, psychologist and popular teacher of Mindfulness meditation, author of Radical Acceptance <p> Dancing With Fire brilliantly bridges the chasm between the stillness of meditation and the fierce passion and challenge of intimate relationships. John Amodeo heals the apparent rift, showing us how these are ultimately one and the same path.<br>-- Peter A. Levine PhD, best-selling author of Waking the Tiger, Healing Trauma and In an Unspoken Voice, How the Body Releases Trauma and Restores Goodness <p>In this book John Amodeo opens a new door into great truths of Buddhism and what they mean for our western world. He links meditation, mindfulness, humanistic psychology and the science of human bonding into a coherent whole. This book is a great contribution and a must read for every intelligent person who aspires to live as an awake and vibrant human being.<br>-- Susan M. Johnson, PhD, author of Hold Me Tight, Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Ottawa, and developer of Emotional Focused Couple Therapy <p>With heartfelt kindness and down-to-earth usefulness, this book shows how to bring together lofty spiritual wisdom and juicy huma

A fresh and lucid voice in our emerging Western spirituality, John Amodeo offers a powerful synthesis of Buddhist teachings with attachment theory and the best of Western psychological understanding. Particularly compelling and promising is the weaving of Focusing--a body-oriented psychotherapy developed by Eugene Gendlin--with mindfulness meditation. Through this, and deep insights into the nature of relationships, Dancing with Fire gives us invaluable guidance in cultivating true intimacy with our lives. --Tara Brach, PhD, best-selling author of Radical Acceptance--Reviews Dancing with Fire by John Amodeo offers fresh takes on attachment, desire, longing, love, intimacy and spiritual meaning in relationships. --Frederic Brussat, Spirituality & Practice--Reviews Dancing With Fire is wise, integrated, life affirming, and practical. John invites us and accompanies us to discover a fully human, loving, spiritual maturity. --Jack Kornfield, PhD, best-selling author of A Path With Heart--Reviews DANCING WITH FIRE was an interesting read. It was about looking at past behaviors, explaining why we react to certain situations the way we do, and how to move forward. Recognizing the why was really important to me. I found myself reading certain sections and saying hey that is me. It also explains the difference between religion and spirituality, flight and fight response, etc. A lot of the information was based on Buddism and for me, this was distracting at times because I am not familiar with Buddism. Because of this, I found myself putting the book down frequently. Having said that, I did find it informative and I did learn how to recognize my behaviors. --MyBookAddictionReviews--Reviews John Amodeo combines a lifetime of professional psychotherapist work, a love of mindful meditation, and a wry sense of humor ( vertical spirituality! ) in his latest book, Dancing with Fire. Amodeo skillfully boils down the conflicting messages of Buddhism ( attachment causes suffering) and modern psychology/spiritual self-help (love/partnerships equals depth of human experience) to give readers his view of what it means to live in this world: How to end or, at least, become more aware of the need to cling to suffering. He applies this message to relationships, addressing issues of love, attachment, longing, intimacy, connection, and romance. Dancing with Fire is well written, down to earth, and very informative. It's an excellent guide for couples especially, but also for anyone searching to merge the detached mindfulness of Buddhism with loving spirituality into their modern, practical lives without compromising their feelings. --Allyson Gracie, Retailing Insight, June 2013--Reviews

A fresh and lucid voice in our emerging Western spirituality, John Amodeo offers a powerful synthesis of Buddhist teachings with attachment theory and the best of Western psychological understanding. Particularly compelling and promising is the weaving of Focusing--a body-oriented psychotherapy developed by Eugene Gendlin--with mindfulness meditation. Through this, and deep insights into the nature of relationships, Dancing with Fire gives us invaluable guidance in cultivating true intimacy with our lives.<br>-- Tara Brach, psychologist and popular teacher of Mindfulness meditation, author of Radical Acceptance: Embracing Your Life with the Heart of a Buddha <p>In this book John Amodeo opens a new door into great truths of Buddhism and what they mean for our western world. He links meditation, mindfulness, humanistic psychology and the science of human bonding into a coherent whole. This book is a great contribution and a must read for every intelligent person who aspires to live as an awake and vibrant human being.<br>-- Susan M. Johnson, Ph.D., author of Hold Me Tight, Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Ottawa, and developer of Emotional Focused Couple Therapy <p>With heartfelt kindness and down-to-earth usefulness, this book shows how to bring together lofty spiritual wisdom and juicy human passions. Drawing on his deep experience as a therapist and meditator, Dr. Amodeo has given us one of those rare books that actually bridges left and right brain, west and east, flesh and spirit - and self and other.<br>-- Rick Hanson, Ph.D., author of Buddha's Brain: The Practical Neuroscience of Happiness, Love, and Wisdom <p>With masterful, lucid simplicity, Dancing with Fire gives us a vision of how to make a fervent quest for spiritual freedom dovetail with an equally ardent search for love and intimate connection. Amodeo has created a founding treatise for the new, embodied wholeness so many of us yearn to find today.i

Dancing With Fire is wise, integrated, life affirming, and practical. John invites us and accompanies us to discover a fully human, loving, spiritual maturity. <br>--Dr. Jack Kornfield, author, A Path With Heart <p>A fresh and lucid voice in our emerging Western spirituality, John Amodeo offers a powerful synthesis of Buddhist teachings with attachment theory and the best of Western psychological understanding. Particularly compelling and promising is the weaving of Focusing--a body-oriented psychotherapy developed by Eugene Gendlin--with mindfulness meditation. Through this, and deep insights into the nature of relationships, Dancing with Fire gives us invaluable guidance in cultivating true intimacy with our lives.<br>-- Tara Brach, psychologist and popular teacher of Mindfulness meditation, author of Radical Acceptance: Embracing Your Life with the Heart of a Buddha <p>In this book John Amodeo opens a new door into great truths of Buddhism and what they mean for our western world. He links meditation, mindfulness, humanistic psychology and the science of human bonding into a coherent whole. This book is a great contribution and a must read for every intelligent person who aspires to live as an awake and vibrant human being.<br>-- Susan M. Johnson, Ph.D., author of Hold Me Tight, Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Ottawa, and developer of Emotional Focused Couple Therapy <p>With heartfelt kindness and down-to-earth usefulness, this book shows how to bring together lofty spiritual wisdom and juicy human passions. Drawing on his deep experience as a therapist and meditator, Dr. Amodeo has given us one of those rare books that actually bridges left and right brain, west and east, flesh and spirit - and self and other.<br>-- Rick Hanson, Ph.D., author of Buddha's Brain: The Practical Neuroscience of Happiness, Love, and Wisdom <p>With masterful, lucid simplicity, Dancing with Fire gives us a vision of ho

Author Information

John Amodeo, PhD, a licensed marriage and family therapist for over 30 years, has been engaged in Buddhism and spiritual practice for 40 years. He is author of The Authentic Heart and Love and Betrayal, and he was a writer and contributing editor for Yoga Journal. He is also a Focusing Trainer and has trained in Somatic Experiencing for trauma. He lectures internationally on love and relationships, and has been a featured guest on CNN, CNBC, Donahue, and New Dimensions Radio. He has been interviewed or written articles for publications that include the Chicago Tribune, The Dallas Morning News, and The Rocky Mountain News. He lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.

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