Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #395632 in Books
• Published on: 2005-05-30
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 340 pages

Customer Reviews

A Guiding Light For ME/CFS Sufferers...
Of all the CFS books I have read so far, this is one of my favorites. As you might imagine, as Editor of Sleepydust (a popular, international site for ME/CFS & FMS sufferers), I do not say this lightly!

So why do I like this book so much? It is perhaps because this book takes a similar stance to that of Sleepydust. There are many books and web sites out there that present a dry, factual portrayal of this illness. And there are others that paint a very negative and downright depressing picture of it.

ME/CFS in itself is difficult enough to cope with. To then have to read through reams of uninspiring (and sometimes even downright disheartening) words is hardly a cheery thought. When you are affected by ME/CFS, you are probably in a more urgent need of support and positivity in your life than ever before. For the sake of your own wellbeing, it's absolutely crucial to take a fresh, nurturing perspective of yourself, your illness, and your life. Sadly though, this kind of thing is often overlooked, or even snubbed and belittled.

This nurturing approach to yourself, your life, and your illness is explored in Gretchen Brooks Nassar's charming book titled 'CFS Is A Call For Soulwork'. Her book goes beyond the usual medical jargon and explores less chartered waters - aspects of the soul.

Nassar approaches a rather touchy and controversial subject:

Seeing CFS as your friend as opposed to your enemy.

Indeed, if you can learn see life through these eyes, it is possible to find a silver lining to every cloud.

Nassar's chapters about embracing Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and 'befriending the pain', shine a different light on issues that we often don't give a second thought about. How many of us focus solely on the negatives without even realizing it?

Nassar talks about how, in many ancient traditions, illnesses (including CFS) are seen as energetic imbalances. She talks you through the chakras, and even provides a chapter called 'body basics' towards the back of the book.

Nassar also stresses the importance of just being yourself. She talks about the desperate isolation you can often face when suffering from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. She explores how fear, frustration, shame and so forth can but hinder your healing process. And how you really can be your own best healer.

You can tell that great thought and heart-felt honesty has gone into this book. Even the layout is a 'CFS-friendly' one. There's lots of white space, and there's a short summary at the end of each chapter, which Nassar refers to as 'Gems'.

This is an inspirational book after my own heart. At its roots, Sleepydust shares many of the concepts that Nassar's book is also based on. I'm happy to see that, for once, here is a book that shines a guiding light for those ME/CFS sufferers out there who have lost hope and who feel so desperately empty, lost, and isolated.

Well worth a read.

Call For Soulwork
'Call For Soulwork' provides a complete overview of the illness; and offers a unique positive perspective of living with and recovering from ME/CFS. The book is very 'user' friendly, and is refreshingly easy to understand. The chapters are short and always have a key point summery at the end. The combination of anecdotal and medical information provide a solid foundation to aid you in your own healing. There are also checklists to consider and many useful contacts that I have found very helpful. I can't recommend this book enough!

This is a book about FATIGUE
If you have psychologically based fatigue, or are overworked or overstressed, yes, you need 'soulwork'

If you have the neurological disease known as Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, a disease differnet in every way from 'CFS' but that some people think very wrongly is the same...then you need appopriate tests and medical care.

No amount of soul searching will help.

Diabetics need insulin, and not psychotherapy. The same is true with M.E. It is a not a psychological problem, so psychological therapies can't help.

M.E. and 'CFS' are not the same. 'CFS' is made up of people with a vast number of differnet and unrelated illnesses, some psychological some not. This book has the potential to cause a lot of harm, sadly.