Studies show that one in five Americans are afflicted with some form of mental illness during their lives, but two-thirds do not seek treatment due to feelings of shame. It is clear that effective treatments are needed, and author Harris, shaman and spiritual teacher, offers her thoughts on the problem of mental health. Her book outlines theories about the origins and causes of mental illness as well as coping and healing strategies for sufferers. Blending spiritual and positive thinking approaches, Harris affirms that all people contain the divine; however, in moments of pain, they can be invaded by evil spirits who create emotional suffering. Not metaphors, these spirits literally possess people and create symptoms. These malign invaders cause the negative thoughts that power mental illnesses. Therefore, drugs and diet changes will only temporarily soothe symptoms, not address the root causes of mental illness—invasive, enduring, and out-of-control destructive thought patterns.

This book makes a helpful distinction between transient negative thoughts and older, more entrenched thought patterns, which Harris labels “deep rolling thoughts.” Another concrete, promising strategy offered to combat negativity and foster mental health is the use of positive affirmations. Harris suggests taking control of damaging thoughts with mantras such as “I dissolve the need for self-destruction. I dissolve the need for self-persecution.” Readers not invested in a spiritual mindset may find the book’s attribution of mental illness to demonic beings hard to swallow. Additionally, those who believe the findings of science (that mental illnesses are often caused by chemical imbalances in the brain over which the patient has little if any control) may find the book’s treatment of this topic dismissive. However, in its insistence on the power of thought, the author’s book does present a strong case for the possibility of proactive, powerful self-healing.

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