David J Linden -- Compass of pleasure
=========================================

Given the amount Given the amount of semi-scientific knowledge that
we have floating around us these days, this book is not likely to be
terribly surprising, nor to revolutionize your life.  But, if you've
lately been humming

    | I'm goin' to change my way of livin'
    | If that ain't enough
    | Then I'll change the way that I strut my stuff
    | 'Cause nobody wants you when you're old and gray
    | There'll be some changes made today
    | There'll be some changes made

to yourself and can't seem to stop, then perhaps your brain is
telling you to read this book.

The advantage to using this book (instead of books that tell you to
use *their* wonder diet or special formula and instead of believing
the spam email you've just received telling you about some wonder
treatment) is that "Compass of pleasure" helps you figure things out
for yourself.  Instead of a one size fits all cure all, you can
learn some things that may help you figure out and pursue changes
tailored for you as an individual.

Another take-away lesson from this book is the simple recommendation
of increased mindfulness.  Pay attention to your own likes and
dislikes, to what you have (in the past) enjoyed and been upset
about.  That increased awareness is likely to enable you to make
better decisions in the future, decisions that are less likely to
leave you feeling unhappy and confused about your life.  It's even
possible that this increased mindfulness and awareness will help you
be more aware and conscious of the feelings, likes, and dislikes of
those around you, especially those you care about.

This increased mindfulness might have other beneficial effects,
also.  There is a belief among some, myself included, that some
addictive behaviors are encouraged by a lack of mindfulness for the
pleasures that something gives.  That lack of mindfulness or lack of
appreciation or lack of conscious enjoyment leads us to consume more
and more without (awareness of) satiety.  So, slow down, and be more
mindful of your enjoyment of food or booze, for example, and it's
likely that you will be satisfied with less.

And, if you are interested in understanding some of your cravings
for food, why you eat as much as you do, why some people do and some
don't gain excess weight, etc, Linden has a chapter on that.

If you are interested in the underlying science of how your brain
works, Linden is a good source of information about this.  Also look
at his earlier book: "The Accidental Mind: How Brain Evolution Has
Given Us Love, Memory, Dreams, and God".

10/01/2013

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