Embracing Change
by David Malin
Published by Beaufort Books
Click on book
cover to order
at Amazon.com
Reviewed by Celia Renteria Szelwach, DBA (ABD)
Subtitled: Transforming Life's Challenges with Courage and Grace
Written by David Malin, a skilled medical intuitive and self-proclaimed "pioneer in the field of holistic and alternative medicine," Embracing Change offers a provocative look at the spiritual processes for accepting change and initiating personal healing spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically.
In 12 chapters, Malin discusses:
* Cultivating self-awareness as the first step in change
* The principles of polarity (Yin and Yang) within all people
* Going with the flow and letting go
* Setting healthy boundaries
* Honoring our gifts, and
* Standing tall in our truth
I was initially excited when I first received this book since I have read extensively on the topic of change at individual, group, and organizational levels by experts like Steven Covey, Wayne Dyer, William Bridges, and John Kotter for my consulting work. I thought Embracing Change might offer some additional insight for me to apply in my personal and work life. My excitement was short-lived as I discovered this book is more theoretical in nature than practitioner-focused.
While the themes Malin describes such as self-awareness, going with the flow, establishing healthy boundaries, and standing tall in our truth are extremely important, I'm not sure Malin clearly and completely conveys his message through the flowery language and excessive metaphors he uses in his writing. At times, the message was lost on me as I waded through his persistent comments about "stinky stuff," "buried treasure," and "That Which Is Greater Than Ourself."
In spite of his confusing writing style, Malin does make some important comments in his last few chapters about our need for change as a world community. His comment, "For ultimately we must all work together to achieve healing on such a global scale by learning to honor our differences, including our different beliefs" is an important call to action we should heed at a universal level.
Armchair Interviews says: A thought-provoking, philosophical read sure to inspire personal change at the spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical levels. It will appeal to a specific population of holistic healers but maybe not a general audience.