Bushey Therapy Centre - Recommended Reading

WHY IS GOD LAUGHING by Deepak Chopra

In this refreshing new take on spirituality, bestselling author Deepak Chopra uses a fictional tale of a comedian, Mickey, and his unlikely mentor to show us a path back to hope, joy, and even enlightenment—with a lot of laughter along the way.

After taking the reader on a journey with Mickey, Chopra then spells out the lessons that Mickey’s story imparts to us: ten reasons to be optimistic, even in our challenging world. Chopra believes that the healthiest response to life is laughter from the heart, and even in the face of global turmoil, we can cultivate an internal sense of optimism. Rich with humor and practical advice, Why Is God Laughing? shows us without a doubt that there is always a reason to be grateful, that every possibility holds the promise of abundance, and that obstacles are simply opportunities in disguise. In the end, we really don’t need a reason to be happy. The power of happiness lies within each of us, just waiting to be unleashed.

Therapists Comment: Brilliant book for those who experience depression, anxiety, stress or general sense of unhappiness. An easy and very engaging read.

THE ART OF HAPPINESS by The Dalai Lama

This will be the first book by the Dalai Lama written to appeal to a general audience and focusing on the practical application of his spiritual values. The Dalai Lama's commentary is amplified and augmented from a contemporary western perspective by psychiatrist Howard Cutler to make this a genuinely accessible self-help guide. Addressing every kind of daily problem, the subjects covered include: the sources of happiness; desire and greed; marriage and romance; resolving conflict; facing our suffering; overcoming fear and anxiety; anger and hatred; honesty and self-confidence; finding balance.

Therapists Comment: Love this book. Very thought provoking book about the ingredients of happiness & whether we can change how happy we are.

THE ENLIGHTENED GARDENER by Sydney Banks

Therapists Comment: This book is, on one level, extremely simple to read, and at another, profoundly deep. In short it makes us realise how our thoughts control our feelings, and if we can just let go of the idea that what we think is true, and see it from another perspective, our feelings can dramatically change, for the better. It also gives us room to think about how and where our thoughts arise

THE BUDDHA, GEOFF and ME by Edward Canfor-dumas

Ed is having a hard time - at work, in his love life and, well, generally. Then he meets an unlikely Buddhist - who drinks and smokes and talks his kind of language. Bit by bit, things begin to change...Ed doesn't always take Geoff's advice. Or, when he does he lapses at the crucial moment. His path to understanding is not a straight one, especially as life keeps throwing more and more 'stuff' at him. Often he fails - like most of us, in fact. But sometimes he manages to get it right. And when he does, surprising things begin to happen ...In The Buddha, Geoff and Me Edward Canfor-Dumas brings all his skills to bear in an absorbing story of everyday city life, where the characters stand out with all their human strengths and weaknesses, and the ending brings Ed - and perhaps all of us? - a hope we didn't necessarily expect. The Buddha, Geoff and Me - for anyone who's ever begun to wonder what the whole damn thing is all about .

Therapists Comment: Funny book and well worth the read.

WOMAN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN by Lorna Martin

Lorna Martin's life is in chaos and she needs to make some big changes. After all, there must be a reason she keeps chasing after the wrong men, making toe-curling blunders at work and generally failing to keep her life on track. Egged on by her friends, she signs up for the talking cure: a year of therapy with the frosty Dr J.

Therapists Comment: A valuable insight into what psychotherapy looks like. Brilliantly written and at times, very funny