SPT-Fall2014

Trying Not To
Try: The Art
and Science of
Spontaneity.
By Edward
Slingerland.
2014
Reviewed by
Phillipe
Kleefield, New
York University
Edward Slingerland has written both an
interesting and informative book that
explores the notion of spontaneity and
addresses how one can achieve it.
Spontaneity is usually thought of as
acting in an undetermined way or making
a decision in the moment; however,
Slingerland offers a more nuanced
definition, positing that spontaneity is
more like a “state of flow” in which
someone isn’t necessarily thinking “how
to” but is in fact “doing”. Furthermore,
spontaneity, although usually thought of
as describing someone who might be
impulsive or unplanned, is
conceptualized by Slingerland as
requiring practice, effort, and mastery.
This notion of spontaneity has historical
precedent that is deeply rooted and highly
theorized in Chinese culture, effectively
called Wu-Wei, non-action (or nondoing).
Singerland ventures into
discussing Wu-Wei through various
chapters, advocating this as a lifestyle
that can lead to success, productivity, and
happiness.
The next chapters of Trying Not To Try
complement the first two chapters in
providing a good account of how
someone might go about making changes
that will allow them to achieve Wu-Wei.
These practical sections of the book are
thorough, unique, highly engaging, and
allow someone to learn how to put these
behaviors into practice in their lives.
Whereas most of the book is focused on
exploring ancient conceptualizations of
spontaneity, or Wu-Wei, Slingerland does
do a good job of interweaving more
westernized scientific literature and
research into the different chapters. These
additions are compelling as they
complement the more Eastern approaches
with tangible, experimental evidence,
something that many readers of this book
will likely perceive as soothing and
calming. This research is balanced and
provides a modern perspective.
Trying Not To Try is a unique, interesting
and informative read. It explores the
notion of spontaneity as something that
requires practice, patience, and skill.
Framing spontaneity as something ideal
and extremely positive is highly novel in
light of Western ideologies that stress
routine, organization, planning ahead,
and “being on top of it”. Through
exploring ancient Chinese
conceptualizations, Slingerland examines
spontaneity, or Wu-Wei, in the context of
practical lifestyle changes that can lead
someone to achieve a state of “flow”.
APA
Dictionary of
Clinical
Psychology.
Edited by Gary
R. VandenBos.
2013
Reviewed by:
Dorothy
Luczak,
Columbia
University
The APA Dictionary of Clinical
Psychology is another step forward in the
attempt to define the numerous topics
within psychology. In fact, this is the
fourth edition since its inception in 2006.
Although this edition is not as expansive
as the first, it caters to a specific audience
whereas the original was a compilation of
and aims to assist those working in the
field.
What makes the APA Dictionary of
Clinical Psychology different from
previous editions is that the entries were
chosen for their relation to clinical
practices, such as assessment, evaluation,
diagnosis, prevention, treatment, etc. The
hope was to “prove a convenient and
highly focused alternative for women and
men at the very heart of the
psychological enterprise.” However, this
dictionary is not exclusively for
clinicians; it is also recommended for
“students - especially those in training as
clinicians” and “consultants to
professionals in such fields as medicine,
law, social work and consumer
relations.”
As a resource, the APA Dictionary of
Clinical Psychology is a well organized
and accessible tool. The definitions are
concise and most are not longer than a
few sentences. There are two appendixes
that separate the content into biographical
entries and psychotherapeutic entries.
The biographical entries contain
rudimentary information about important
figures in the field, such as Freud,
Pavlov, and Jung. The psychotherapeutic
entries contain many different types of
therapies, trainings, and analyses.
While this dictionary is clearly a wellwritten
and organized resource, I would
recommend any interested party to wait
before purchasing. The preface mentions
a second edition coming out later in
2014, and it would be beneficial to
examine the differences between the two
editions. For those more technologically
savvy the APA offers this edition in a
digital format.
Body Mindfulness
Workshop with Dr.
Marjorie Rand
[DVD].
Created by Marjorie
Rand. 2013
Reviewed by: Chiroshri Bhattacharjee,
Stony Brook University
Body Mindfulness is a technique that
incorporates an Eastern approach to body
alignment in order for the energy to move
around the body while regulating the
nervous system. Dr. Marjorie Rand, a
well-known somatic psychotherapist,
demonstrates an interactive workshop
that can serve as a comprehensive guide
for beginners interested in practicing
Body Mindfulness. The workshop is
organized in four parts. Each part
focuses on different body parts and
demonstrates different techniques. In the
first part of the workshop, Dr. Rand
delineates the symptoms and the negative
effects of anxiety. Later, she proceeds to
explain the ways to tackle anxiety, stress,
and other panic disorders. The first
technique she shares is body alignment.
This ensures that there are no blocks in
the body and the energy can easily flow
down to the feet. According to Dr. Rand
Somatic Psychotherapy Today | Fall 2014 | Volume 4 Number 2 | page 102