Positive Energy

January 19, 2004
Orloff, a psychiatrist who has appeared frequently on television and written an eponymous Guide to Intuitive Healing
, here provides 10 detailed prescriptions for harnessing one's "positive energy" to replace fatigue with physical and emotional vigor. Her commonsense program includes pursuing an individual spiritual path, developing "true-to-self eroticism," designing an energy-building diet and exercise plan, learning to celebrate laughter and protecting oneself from "energy vampires." Along with practice exercises for following these prescriptions, each section ends with a public figure describing the ways that he or she uses Orloff's methods. In the chapter on spirituality, Amy Gross, editor in chief of O: The Oprah Magazine
, discusses how practicing deep breathing and meditation replenishes energy as she centers herself. Wavy Gravy, who warned against eating the brown acid at Woodstock, explores the way laughter has not only helped him cope with pain but also heightened his vitality level. Orloff delivers her revivification techniques in thoughtful, accessible prose that some may find an energy builder in itself.

March 15, 2004
Psychiatrist, best-selling author (Second Sight), and medical intuitive to the stars, Orloff returns with a passionate argument for engaged spiritual energy as the single most important factor in fostering personal transformation. Connecting with one's soul is possible for anyone who will fervently focus on inner listening beyond the mind's chatter, she claims. Her "Positive Energy Program" is set forth in two sections. Part 1 covers building one's energy (e.g., taking tub time and three-minute meditations) and offers a spiritually based diet and fitness tips. An interesting sidebar posits that overeating is energetically based-if we lack awareness of our true nature, we unwittingly feed the negative energy within, eating mindlessly. Part 2 explores sculpting positive relationships by evaluating energy flow between oneself and others. Overall, not much is new here, but the energy-level practices are simple, fun, and specific. Orloff also enjoys a wide fan base. Recommended for self-help collections in public libraries and psychology sections in medical libraries.-Lisa Liquori, M.L.S., Syracuse, NY

Copyright 2004 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.