Riding the Dragon: 10 Lessons for Inner Strength in Challenging Times

by Robert J. Wicks

Libro usado en buenas condiciones, por su antiguedad podria contener señales normales de uso

Genres: Religion, Philosophy, Self Help, Spirituality, Psychology, Nonfiction

160 pages, Hardcover

First published August 31, 2003

About the author

There is more than one author with this name. See also: Robert Wicks & Robert Wicks.

Robert J. Wicks (born August 2, 1946 in Queens, New York) is a clinical psychologist and writer about the intersection of spirituality and psychology. Wicks is a well known speaker, therapist, and spiritual guide who has taught at universities and professional schools of psychology, medicine, nursing, theology, and social work for more than thirty years. He a Professor Emeritus at Loyola University Maryland

Reviews

[Emilie22 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is short and has mostly obvious but good reminders. The line that resonated most with me is “you can’t give what you don’t have.” I made a note that I want to give joy, compassion and the ability to listen so I therefore need to know what brings me joy in life, model a compassionate attitude and strengthen the ability to listen to myself.

[Katie Mercer · Rating 4 out of 5]

momma gave me this book to prepare for a life full of emotional apathy in healthcare. it was good and i liked the writing style but a little too jesusy to be a 5 star for me

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a nice little book. It would be of comfort at certain 'down' times of life. Author Robert J. Wicks takes his thoughts as a psychoanalist, mixes them with some Buddhist ideas and adds some homey little stories. It is an easy read and lovely in it's own way.

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was very helpful to me as a hospice chaplain. Easy to read, much to reflect on. He provides insightful suggestions and was often spot on in helping to navigate the many struggles that I encounter in my vocation.

[Ragnar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not what I was looking for

This book started really well and I was excited about the possibilities. The opening chapters and the scene setting were well done and intriguing. The main points however I found confusing and difficult to read. I Was hoping to understand self and identity a little more. But was left with a lot of what I thought was lacking insight from my perspective.

[Nhat Nguyen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recommended by my supervisor. Many good insights about (spiritual) self-care for helping professionals like priests, counselors or social workers. Get across again the importance of silence in our life journey.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have had this book on my shelf for quite a while and rediscovered it at the end of last week. Thank heavens! This is a real gem for folks who want to dig deeper. It now lives on my bedside table for daily renewal of the message. Now I intend to read some more by Robert J. Wicks.

[Suzanne Gibbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book I will read more than once.

[Elizabeth Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent guide for dealing with adversity!

[Darcy Noe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deep, insightful lessons portrayed in concise writing. This short book should be recommended for all helping professionals!

[Pamela Mettler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written insights by one of our current age's authors.

[Seth Pierce · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gift from my mom when I hit a wall with being too busy and spiraling into anxiety and panic. A great little inspiring resource.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thought provoking.

[Reuben Nuxoll · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a helpful collection of thoughts and quotations on how to handle interior difficulty from a human perspective.

[Mchs5 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Estilo self help

[Mike · Rating 2 out of 5]

More for mental health for the mental health professionals. Insightful.

[Douglas Lord · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wicks (pastoral counseling, Loyola Coll.; Everyday Simplicity: A Practical Guide to Spiritual Growth) offers effective methods and lessons to help readers "ride the dragon"--Zen shorthand for feeling one's feelings, including the uncomfortable ones. He challenges his audience to "listen to and take advantage of…periods of imbalance" and to grow and learn from painful experiences through ten lessons, e.g., "Pair clarity and kindness." Detailed and well thought out, this book nicely blends both Eastern and Western wisdom--think Don Miguel Ruiz's Toltec-themed The Four Agreements done Zen-style. Recommended for medium to large public libraries and, as Wicks specializes in secondary stress (the pressure that results from reaching out to others in need), for collections serving the helping professions.
Find reviews of books for men at Books for Dudes, Books for Dudes, the online reader's advisory column for men from Library Journal. Copyright Library Journal.

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had the pleasure to hear the author of this book speak at the Catholic Campus Center in Honolulu Hawaii, when he visited there. He is a very engaging speaker, and addressed a general audience which extended beyond the ken of health care providers. He delivered many of the enduring truths, and it was nice to be able to say he had "the Catholic perspective" since he teaches at a Jesuit University in Baltimore.

And so, this book. Not his first. readable and entertaining. I guess it's in the self-help genre, like the Chicken Soup books. The stories are chosen to impart a calm sense of focus. the ten lessons - take cae of your self, make use of reflection - are nothing really new, but it's the way they are presented.

He also wrote a book about Overcoming Secondary Stress among health care professionals.... I spoke to him after the talk he gave, and later his office mailed me (free) the other book, which had a bit more meat in it addressing issuesof PTSD among nurses and doctors.

[Marguerite Hargreaves · Rating 2 out of 5]

My late friend John gave me this, and it was so out of character for him to read something like thus, much less share the lessons learned, that I had to read it. It's good advice, directed to those in healing professions and ministry, to spend time with oneself, take inventory and confront the problems we find -- ride the dragon. There's a good variety of secular, Buddhist and Christian wisdom, but Robert Wicks quoted himself so much that I got the impression that he was recycling his work to make a buck. I wouldn't turn to this book or author in time of need. I'll take Henri Nouwen, Thomas Merton, Anne Lamott, Wilkie Au or Sue Monk Kidd. I think it might have been the first book to which John responded, and that was why he was so eager to share.

[Tim Gannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kevin, a friend of mine had attended this author's workshop on burn out and enjoyed it. This led to his suggestion that I may enjoy this book which touches on that topic. It was nice. The author appears to be well-read and offers many books for further reading. The authors background is in pastoral counseling. He focuses on the prevention of stress and integrating psychology and spirituality. Like most such books, it gets down to you making a commitment to meditate daily and trying to distance ourselves to a certain extent from the chaos around us.

[Kay Baird · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully useful in dealing with my own dragons. Wicks testifies to his own inner work with clarity and honesty, relates just the right teachings from others, and distills guidelines full of compassion and courage. His language is God-oriented, but not proselytizing. I felt engaged by him, able to keep asking "how can I translate this to my language?"

[Alison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read for people who work in the service of others...highlights the perils of secondary trauma; recognizing warning signs, and the importance of self-care. Another book affirming the value of meditation/quiet time/reflection. Good reinforcement if you are already on the path.

[J · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is human nature to try to avoid unpleasant moments in life but these moments give us opportunities for great growth. This book gives the reader the chance to look for the lessons that are often hidden in our sorrows.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book changed my life.

[Barb Kapinus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of food for thought in a slim book.

[Shauna Viele · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book to be savored and pondered over. Not a quick read if you stop and truly absorb it.

[Grace Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful insights on the importance of taking care of one's inner self.

[Annette Rowena · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly empowering book on reflection and one’s journey toward understanding one’s inner self. It made me rethink many aspects of my life, and how I can live better.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is a great book if you are blessed enough to "get its message". I did.

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read one chapter a day, giving myself time to reflect n each chapter. The book draws on Eastern and Western traditions and offers numerous insights from spiritual guides ex. Thomas Merton, Permanent Chdron and Henri . A book to be read slowly and thoughtfully.