Constructive Living (Kolowalu Books)

"I'm glad I bought this book because it's basically given me a kick up the butt. My tendency is to make every decision based on how I'm feeling which leads to much introverted wallowing in my own moodiness. However Reynolds tells the reader that its ok to feel bad...its even ok to do things whilst feeling bad! That was a revelation for me as I usually put work off until I'm 'in the right mood' but this book is helping me to stop putting my life on hold. Also, if you're taken the enneagram test, this is a perfect book for type 4s (which I am). "
~ Written on 2008-05-31

"I was lost. It seemed to me that Western psychological theories were largely speculation and confident assertion and not much help. Krishnamurti made some great sense but I'd been unable after years to put his teaching into practice. What a welcome relief to find David Reynolds and "Constructive Living".

The emphasis on doing what one can do may seem simple. However, I had become so complicated and Reynolds' teaching set me straight and has kept me that way for 14 years now. This book and another early book by Reynolds, "The Quiet Therapies", provide tools that don't depend on any guru, including Reynolds. Unlike other teachers, Reynolds teaches! and then gets out of your way.

Reynolds' teaching draws from Japanese sources that were influenced by Buddhism. There's no need to become a Buddhist, but it was a good start for me in learning about Buddhism. Reynolds big contribution has been helping me learn to stay grounded. A day doesn't go by that I don't apply what I learned from "Constructive Living". Reynolds is prolific but this one of his many books on Constructive Living has been my favorite.

Reynolds is an excellent speaker as well. The 3 audiotapes available for "Constructive Living" are a fresh presentation on the subject with many new anecdotes and not a reading of this book. The book and tapes have complemented each other well for me. "
~ Written on 2007-10-26

"A well-written book where the author gets straight to the point, and calls a spade a spade. I was amazed at how it's helpful and practical (considering the small amount of pages). I usually think the bigger the book, the better. But in this case, it's the reverse. I'm sure that if one puts into practice the ideas contained in these pages, then life will take on a very different outlook. You will be doing... ruling the feelings, not letting them rule you.

My wife likes it. Not that she's read it. But she likes the changes in the house. (Which is really changes in how I approach myself and the life of living).

Be constructive. Live constructive. Do something constructive today."
~ Written on 2005-02-07

"This book intends to bring to a Western audience a Japanese system known as Morita therapy, the idea of which is, essentially, to acknowledge one's feelings and at the same time get on with doing whatever needs to be done. One will generally find that, in the doing of something useful, one's feelings will have dissipated.

It's a very succinct book and it is not necessary to wade through hundreds of pages to get at the core ideas, and in my opinion those ideas amount to excellent advice."
~ Written on 2001-01-24