The Breakout Principle
How to Activate the Natural Trigger That Maximizes Creativity, Athletic Performance, Productivity, and Personal Well-Being
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Product: Book
ISBN-10: 0-7432-2398-5
ISBN-13: 9780743223980
Publisher: Scribner
Country:
Year: February 24, 2004
Size: 13.72 x 21.08 x 2.29cm
Number of pages: 336
Weight: 318gr
Binding: Paperback
ISBN-10: 0-7432-2398-5
ISBN-13: 9780743223980
Publisher: Scribner
Country:
Year: February 24, 2004
Size: 13.72 x 21.08 x 2.29cm
Number of pages: 336
Weight: 318gr
Binding: Paperback
editions
Dr. Herbert Benson, William Proctor, Jeffrey DeMunn (reader)
Simon & Schuster; 2003
Audio Cassette
Dr. Herbert Benson, William Proctor, Jeffrey DeMunn (reader)
Simon & Schuster; 2003
Audio CD
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Product Description
Would it surprise you to learn that to solve a seemingly unsolvable problem, you need to get up and leave the room? A walk in the woods will help you finish your novel? Humming can make you a better tennis player? Or completely giving up is the way to succeed?
Would it surprise you to learn that to solve a seemingly unsolvable problem, you need to get up and leave the room? A walk in the woods will help you finish your novel? Humming can make you a better tennis player? Or completely giving up is the way to succeed?
In The Breakout Principle, the bestselling author of The Relaxation Response delivers the ultimate self-help principle –- simple instructions to activate a powerful biological trigger that converts conflict and confusion into clarity and extraordinary performance, a state athletes refer to as »the zone.«
More than three decades ago, Dr. Herbert Benson of the Harvard Medical School began research into why some people are devastated by stress while others thrive, turning it into brilliant achievement. Now The Breakout Principle reports the discovery of an easy-to-access inner switch that increases mental function, enhances creativity and productivity, maximizes athletic performance, and enriches spiritual life. The same internal mechanism that improves a tennis serve or golf putt strengthens your speaking skills, makes you a better negotiator, and fosters inner peace and belief.
Dr. Benson and coauthor William Proctor explain the cutting-edge science behind the phenomenon in accessible language, clearly describe the four distinct phases of the Breakout, and provide simple, step-by-step instructions on how to activate the Breakout »trigger.« Compelling case histories and information on how to incorporate Breakouts into daily life are woven throughout the book.
Dr. Benson's previous discoveries have helped millions reduce the harmful effects of stress. The Breakout Principle now reveals how to maximize your untapped abilities and powers.
Amazon.com Review
If self-help books usually fall short of delivering life changes, The Breakout Principle is a book of a different stripe: a science-based path to self-transformation. Herbert Benson, M.D. pulls together 30 years of mind-body research to describe the Breakout Principle: »a powerful mind-body impulse that severs prior mental patterns and--even in times of great stress or emotional trauma--opens an inner door to a host of personal benefits.« Breakouts open the door to different kinds of peak experiences--self-awareness, creativity, productivity, athleticism, rejuvenation, and transcendence--and lead to lasting changes.
If self-help books usually fall short of delivering life changes, The Breakout Principle is a book of a different stripe: a science-based path to self-transformation. Herbert Benson, M.D. pulls together 30 years of mind-body research to describe the Breakout Principle: »a powerful mind-body impulse that severs prior mental patterns and--even in times of great stress or emotional trauma--opens an inner door to a host of personal benefits.« Breakouts open the door to different kinds of peak experiences--self-awareness, creativity, productivity, athleticism, rejuvenation, and transcendence--and lead to lasting changes.
Benson explains the stages of stress/struggle, release (during which you give up unresolved destructive or negative thought patterns), breakout/peak experience, and »new-normal« state. He balances the science behind his concepts with practical, how-to tips. For example, many different activities and types of experiences can trigger your personal Breakout in the release stage, and Benson helps you figure out which ones might work for you: repetitive mental or physical activity, an absorbing personal encounter, expression of your personal belief system, »total abandon« to an intense experience, altruistic activity, or filling your mind with a dominant sensory impression. He and skillful co-author William Proctor illustrate points with case studies and personal reflections, making complex medical and philosophical issues more easily accessible.
Benson, Associate Professor of Medicine at the Harvard Medical School and founding president of the Mind/Body Medical Institute, is well known for his mind/body research, especially his work on the relaxation response. His other books include The Relaxation Response, Beyond the Relaxation Response: How to Harness the Healing Power of Your Personal Beliefs, and Timeless Healing. This powerful and empowering book is highly recommended as a guide for readers willing to do the work of making a life change. --Joan Price
reviews
Why did I buy this book? 
Why did I buy this book? It was one of those darn impulse purchases. I mean it's not terrible or anything In some ways it explains the well-known phenomena of creativity after intellectual struggle and more interestingly it provides an explanation of why meditation etc. may work. But there's not much substance and it is certainly not worth full price. Also towards the end it pushes religion on the reader. If this type of thing bugs you, be forewarned.
Why did I buy this book? It was one of those darn impulse purchases. I mean it's not terrible or anything In some ways it explains the well-known phenomena of creativity after intellectual struggle and more interestingly it provides an explanation of why meditation etc. may work. But there's not much substance and it is certainly not worth full price. Also towards the end it pushes religion on the reader. If this type of thing bugs you, be forewarned.
Empty
Pretty much anything you enjoy doing can be a source of »The Breakout Principle.« There. I've read the book for you.
Pretty much anything you enjoy doing can be a source of »The Breakout Principle.« There. I've read the book for you.
Process is true, book is badly written 
The process as detailed in this book is completely correct and only an utter idiot could or would fail to see this in terms of the cycles functioning in every aspect of their own life. Its very simple and involves a »decision/belief« connected to what you want to do, or something that you find that you must do in your life. Then comes intense, hard training and focus ( mental and/or physical ). All »training« toward a desired objective which you believe is possible to attain MUST consist of hard and intense focus – »sweating it out« with increasing stress to a specific level ( a la the Yerkes-Dodson Law ). When this level is reached, it is immediately followed by a »release«, which means backing off or letting go of the training and then pursuing some other unrelated activity which completely disconnects the intellect and body from the training process. This causes an automatic »catching up« of various elements and capabilities to take place and in turn, this »catching up« causes a »Breakthrough« experience where you advance to a higher level in your initial training. A new reality of function is then the norm. The process is absolutely accurate and it works with 100% consistency. However, the book is written in a meandering, long-winded, side-tracking manner that makes it tedious reading. When I read a book on subjects like this I want the meat-and-potatoes right in front of me all laid out step-by-step sequencially with straight-up talk and explanations. I don't want trips into the lifestyles of people I don't know, or views on case histories from almost the beginning of the book onward – all of which bogs down the flow and lessens the grasp of the topic. The whole issue with what's wrong with this book is that it doesn't GET TO THE POINT fast enough. It doddles. It blathers. It keeps droning on and on. And in fact, the book could have been one third of its length if the topic had been explained properly ( A + B = C ) so that the reader could put the process into practice right off. Since the process is itself very simple and easy to employ, all the superfluous information must only have been included for one purpose, and that is to increase the book's size and thereby increase its price! Still, its a great and accurate process and its worth learning about and consciously using, but its too bad the book explaining it is so damned drawn out.
The process as detailed in this book is completely correct and only an utter idiot could or would fail to see this in terms of the cycles functioning in every aspect of their own life. Its very simple and involves a »decision/belief« connected to what you want to do, or something that you find that you must do in your life. Then comes intense, hard training and focus ( mental and/or physical ). All »training« toward a desired objective which you believe is possible to attain MUST consist of hard and intense focus – »sweating it out« with increasing stress to a specific level ( a la the Yerkes-Dodson Law ). When this level is reached, it is immediately followed by a »release«, which means backing off or letting go of the training and then pursuing some other unrelated activity which completely disconnects the intellect and body from the training process. This causes an automatic »catching up« of various elements and capabilities to take place and in turn, this »catching up« causes a »Breakthrough« experience where you advance to a higher level in your initial training. A new reality of function is then the norm. The process is absolutely accurate and it works with 100% consistency. However, the book is written in a meandering, long-winded, side-tracking manner that makes it tedious reading. When I read a book on subjects like this I want the meat-and-potatoes right in front of me all laid out step-by-step sequencially with straight-up talk and explanations. I don't want trips into the lifestyles of people I don't know, or views on case histories from almost the beginning of the book onward – all of which bogs down the flow and lessens the grasp of the topic. The whole issue with what's wrong with this book is that it doesn't GET TO THE POINT fast enough. It doddles. It blathers. It keeps droning on and on. And in fact, the book could have been one third of its length if the topic had been explained properly ( A + B = C ) so that the reader could put the process into practice right off. Since the process is itself very simple and easy to employ, all the superfluous information must only have been included for one purpose, and that is to increase the book's size and thereby increase its price! Still, its a great and accurate process and its worth learning about and consciously using, but its too bad the book explaining it is so damned drawn out.
The Breakout Principle: How to Activate the Natural Trigger That Maximizes Creativity, Athletic Performance, Productivity and Pe 
Excellent Read! The best self-help book ever. It will take you to the next level and higher than you have ever been! Greg
Excellent Read! The best self-help book ever. It will take you to the next level and higher than you have ever been! Greg
Finding Your Performance Spirit 
Some do it in the shower, some do it in the woods, some do it with friends, and some do it in their sleep. If you don't do it; read this book. »It« is `Breakout' of prior mental and emotional patterns and into a state of mind where enhance performance flows. Athletes call it the zone, for others it is when solutions `pop' into the mind or conversations/presentations flow and `connect' with others. In this book, Herbert Benson, M.D. and William Proctor take the reader through the body's biological or anatomical response during the Breakout process, as they define the four-stages: * Stage one begins with a hard mental or physical struggle. * Stage two involves pulling the Breakout trigger, completely severing prior thoughts and emotional patterns – the doing »it« part. * Stage three is the `peak experience', or performance element of the process. * Stage four is a return to a `new-normal' state, meaning one with enhanced mind-body performance patterns. In Part II of the book, the authors devote a chapter each to six types of Breakout resulting `peak experiences' – Self-Awareness, Creativity, Productivity, Athleticism, Rejuvenation, and Transcendence – before discussing how an intrinsic belief system can help trigger a Breakout and offer peak experiences beyond our analytical mind-set's capabilities. Although the book is an easy read and does contain several descriptions of how the Breakout trigger might be pulled, I would not describe this as a self-help book. It more of an informative read than a practical how-to book for finding your `zone'. Dennis DeWilde, author of »The Performance Connection«
Some do it in the shower, some do it in the woods, some do it with friends, and some do it in their sleep. If you don't do it; read this book. »It« is `Breakout' of prior mental and emotional patterns and into a state of mind where enhance performance flows. Athletes call it the zone, for others it is when solutions `pop' into the mind or conversations/presentations flow and `connect' with others. In this book, Herbert Benson, M.D. and William Proctor take the reader through the body's biological or anatomical response during the Breakout process, as they define the four-stages: * Stage one begins with a hard mental or physical struggle. * Stage two involves pulling the Breakout trigger, completely severing prior thoughts and emotional patterns – the doing »it« part. * Stage three is the `peak experience', or performance element of the process. * Stage four is a return to a `new-normal' state, meaning one with enhanced mind-body performance patterns. In Part II of the book, the authors devote a chapter each to six types of Breakout resulting `peak experiences' – Self-Awareness, Creativity, Productivity, Athleticism, Rejuvenation, and Transcendence – before discussing how an intrinsic belief system can help trigger a Breakout and offer peak experiences beyond our analytical mind-set's capabilities. Although the book is an easy read and does contain several descriptions of how the Breakout trigger might be pulled, I would not describe this as a self-help book. It more of an informative read than a practical how-to book for finding your `zone'. Dennis DeWilde, author of »The Performance Connection«
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last update: 3/12/2010
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