The Breakout Principle

Maximize Creativity, Athletic Performance, Productivity and Personal Well-Being

De: Herbert Benson M.D., William Proctor

Narrado por: Jeffrey DeMunn

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 that completely giving up is the way to succeed?

In The Breakout Principle, Dr. Herbert Benson 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, Benson began to research why some people are devastated by stress while others thrive, turning into a brilliant achievement. 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 co-author 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. The Breakout Principle reveals how to maximize your untapped abilities and powers.

©2003 HerbertBenson, M.D. and Inkslingers, Inc. (P)2003 Simon and Schuster Inc.

A forward-thinking scientist

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Not only does he give good advice on how to achieve a breakout, but he also provides examples of scientific research and other methods to educate the listener and help them envision one so that it doesn't sound like hokus-pokus. In response to the reviewers who didn't like the mixing of religion and science, it isn't often you hear a scientist come to the conclusion "there must be something else at work here beside physiology." I thought it was an interesting addition, but it wasn't a central part of the audiobook. The first two reviewers would do well by looking into string theory. There was a great 3-part program on NOVA called "The Elegant Universe". String theory is still just that: a theory. However, doers understand that everything starts out this way. Critics sit back and wait... now that I think of it, they probably have no need for a breakout. ;-)

Honest Analysis

I am not a fan of self help books, but this book is good. The analysis is nearly flawless and very balanced. If you are looking for a quick fix, this book is not for you. You may not agree with the author, but he clearly explains his justification for each major proposition. It is very convincing.

You have to get it to get it

This book is ideal for teaching out-of-the-box thinking for individuals and groups. If you're not an idea person to begin with, the concepts might be beyond your reach. The concepts are ethereal but backed by science.

I found the information enlightening, helpful and an affirmation of experiences I've had when I've suddenly been struck by an idea. I can't wait to try the concept with my key staff members.

Just perfect

Now all pieces of the puzzle simply fall together

The No Breakout Breakout

Shock....repeat a word or mantra on your exhalation breath for 20 minutes and you will reach the Breakout Zone! This increases nitrous oxide in your blood, which relaxes you. That's the whole book. Save your credits. There are too many other good books to use them on.

Very boring and long winded.

Very long winded. Things that could be explained in a few sentences took ten minutes. This book is very good for freeing my mind however, and I often found myself in a trance or "breakout" by listening. Of course I had a high school teacher who spoke in monotone who did had the same effect.

Good principle, but the book could easily be shrunk down to a 20 minute lecture.

Written by doctor who studies brains I expected a fair amount of science, but aside from the mention of "x chemical is released" (And only x, no y, no z etc) that was it. So no science prinicples explained at all, it reads more like a phsychology text than a what the title leads you to believe.

Good attempt but...

The author did make some valid points with respect to the break out principle. However, he spends too much time on mysticism and mixing science and religion. Call me old fashion, but religion is not science and vice-versa.

There are a key few minutes that delve into making the breakout principle work for you, but it is not worth the money. It is a combination of relaxation, tuning out, and entering what runners call the zone, for peak performance.

In a phrase: "I was not impressed".

Poor Attempt

I liked the title. The book may have a good premise. It's based on 20 year old research. It is a poor attempt to intellectualize meditation. For me it was a waste of time.

Good principle, but...

I think the breakout principle is a good idea, however this book does not seem to break any new ground or explain anything out of the ordinary. There was not much in this book to keep my interest, nor was there any epiphones in there. In books like this, I expect to hear some new ideas, new ways of thinking, and little treasures that keep me interested. There were none in this audio book. I found my mind drifting elsewhere when listening as there was too much repetition of old ideas in this book.