We Are All in Shock: How Overwhelming Experiences Shatter You and What You Can Do about It

When I first saw the title, I felt a bit of a shock go through me. WE ARE ALL IN SHOCK grabbed my attention immediately, and as I began to read this amazing book and learn about Stephanie Mines' definitions of shock, I was hooked. WE ARE ALL IN SHOCK delves into a subject matter most of us have experienced, yet few of us have ever faced up to or dealt with in a conscious manner, and no doubt it is harming our health as individuals, and as a society. According to Dr. Mines, millions of people suffer various forms of shock to their systems, whether it be physically, psychologically or spiritually, and that until we learn to deal with and heal our shock, we end up continuously manifesting all kinds of emotional and physical damage that has a snowball effect on our health and ability to be happy and whole.Using several powerful and inspiring true-life experiences of patients she has treated, Dr. Mines takes us on a journey of discovery as we examine the many kinds of shock, how they manifest in our bodies and our behavior, and what we can do to help our own healing. The crux of the book is The TARA Approach, the use of energy medicine to resolve our shock and bring ourselves back to a state of wholeness. With numerous charts, drawings, photos and detailed explanations, we learn about certain energy centers and physical points on the body that, when held or touched, can bring about a total realignment of our broken energy patterns, help us to cope with shock, and make us feel a sense of calm and well-being.I actually used some of the touching techniques and was delighted to feel the sensations of calm and centering Dr. Mines writes of, and I will continue to use this book for the rest of my life, which is the hallmark of a truly worthwhile book. The fact that it is something you can turn to over and over again makes it worth every cent of the $16.99 retail price. The photos and diagrams make it so easy to find the correct areas on your own body to touch and apply gentle pressure to in order to experience the relief and centeredness Dr. Mines writes so eloquently about. I have a son with Cerebral Palsy and plan to utilize these techniques with him, as well.Dr. Mines fills each chapter with so much powerful and effective information and examples, you will be left breathless. The extensive Bibliography also gives you additional resources to learn more about this critical subject. The most fascinating chapter for me was about the shock that occurs during the prenatal experience and during birth, and how parents can work with energy medicine to help heal their children's hidden energy imbalances as well as their own. I also really enjoyed MOTHER NATURE, YOU AND ME - THE SEAMLESS MATRIX OF LIFE, which details the importance of getting back in touch with nature and simple techniques to bring more balance to our lives. So much of what Dr. Mines writes about will make you realize just how much shock we live with on a day-to-day basis, and how it is crucial to

Ultimately, there are many variables in the "grand scheme" of a human being's life that determine who we become. This book addresses one of those variables, the experience of shock, and the diverse neurological adaptations and behavioral characteristics that result from shocking experiences. However, this enlightening book goes further than merely acknowledging and educating us about how to identify shock, in that Dr. Mines includes instructions for using Jin Shin TARA (a form of energetic medicine similar to acupressure) to actually resolve the effects of shock.The premise, "we are all in shock," for me, was initially a foreign construct. However, through the assorted case histories presented by this passionate author, psychologist, teacher and healer, we come to understand that shock is more ubiquitous than we initially realized, and is commonly encountered through: injuries and accidents, prenatal and birth experiences, physical challenges and disabilities, abandonment, AIDS, adoption, abuse, earthquakes and natural disasters, relationships, toxic environments and pollution, as well as many other areas of the human experience. We learn that unresolved shock usurps our power to live our lives freely and creatively. It can damage our self-image, and birth mechanical responses to life events that do not serve us. The well-chosen case histories and accompanying treatments for each presentation of shock convinced me that Dr. Mine's material holds a key for perplexing behaviors we sometimes find ourselves exhibiting, without knowledge of the origins of those behaviors. Before I had finished the book, not only was the premise "we are all in shock" acceptable; I was also self-administering some of the treatments.This book gifts the reader with clues about how and when one might have experienced shock in one's personal life, and then provides specific instruction for how to heal. The style of the book is both narrative and instructional. In addition to case histories, Stephanie teaches us about the identifiable symptoms of shock, and then instructs the reader as to which points on the meridians to hold to begin to resolve specific issues. In this way, the reader can begin to treat oneself, in a `learn-as-you-go' format. It works very well, and sufficient charts are provided to facilitate the process.A sufficient amount of time and space in the book are also allocated to acquaint us with the two presentations of shock: sympathetic and parasympathetic-in layman's terms. We learn practical tools for recognizing and addressing each type, including the language that can assist the process of resolution. As we engage in the healing journey with Dr. Mines, we become aware that perhaps, through Jin Shin TARA, we have simple, practical tools, with which we can treat ourselves, as well as members of our families and communities. We Are All In Shock empowers you with knowledge and the tools to heal. Dr. Mines skillfully mentors you along the path.