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Change your relationship with money for the better, for life!, June 16, 2010
By F. Ferrentelli "Healing on Humphrey" (St. Louis, MO)
In "A Return to Abundance" Book I, Paul Gubany begins with the myth of Diacrusos and ends with some deep insights into the negative relationships people have with money. Gubany writes beautifully and due to his excellent story telling skills, you will be drawn into the story, experience the perils of Diacrusos, and subsequently be able to transform your own beliefs (and habits) regarding money.
It is astonishing how many people struggle with money issues, and, sadly, many are never able to change these negative patterns. I am now recommending this book frequently in my coaching and therapy practice. Anyone who wants to change his or her negative beliefs and patterns will be poised to make important life changes with the help of this book. Thank you Paul Gubany!
Francesca Ferrentelli, Ph.D., LPC
Healing on Humphrey
St. Louis, MO
Inspirational!, September 3, 2010By Teresa (Knaresborough, North Yorkshire United Kingdom)
I was more than impressed with this book. It illustrates perfectly the obsession that our society has with money and how history, family, upbringing and more have shaped this attitude. It is unconscious, powerful and complex in nature, but Paul L Gubany explains how these processes can be altered and it is possible to "train" our minds to think differently and achieve a happy relationship with money and the "power" it brings. How to achieve happiness in ourselves.
After each chapter, I completed the exercises given and I have already found that I am "checking" myself and using Paul's methods of thinking. I have confidence that this is a permanent way of life for me. I have now lent it to a friend and three more are waiting in line to borrow it. Others have asked where to buy it. So....... it is raising quite a stir in my small part of Yorkshire, UK. I urge everyone to obtain this book. It really is a life changer. Without doubt, the success you achieve is down to your own commitment, but Pau'l's writings are a starting point for that change. Inspirational!
Pass it on!August 27, 2010By Laurence Hillman "Archetypal Astrologer" (St. Louis, MO, USA)
The next time someone complains to you about their finances - and this may be as soon as later today - give them a copy of this book. Paul Gubany has written an extraordinary book that for once goes beyond fingerpointing and/or simple platitudes. Instead, he enters the deepest realms of our psyche, that nagging inner play that goes on if we like it or not. Only there can we truly meet our notions, attitudes and core ideas about money and values. He eases us into this not always comfortable but essential thinking through a powerful and instantly gripping myth. Stories are easier fare and we can't help but get excited about the journey. And this one is particularly important for it will help you see the connection between your self-worh and your net-worth - until that happens, we all remain complainers. Buy this book - for yourself and for your friends.
Best Guide I've seen to living an Abundant Life, July 14, 2010By Lars Clausen
After reading the three volumes of A RETURN TO ABUNDANCE, I now have meaningful and enjoyable conversations about money and finance with my teenage children. Other financial books I've read didn't jumpstart money conversations with friends and family. Here are three reasons I think A RETURN TO ABUNDANCE succeeds.
1. Money unconsidered is an unconscious demon, we react out of our long-standing patterns, rather than acting based on conscious choices. Author Paul Gubany's brilliant use of everything from the history of money, to psychology, to Greek Mythology helps uncover a person's individual money patterns. (Volume One and Two) Once you know the patterns, you have choices - and life patterns are always fun to talk about. 2. If you don't decide what's ENOUGH, you'll never have ENOUGH. Gubany helps us figure out what our own Abundance is, and he shows us the satisfaction and simplicity of living with a personal definition of Abundance. (Volume Two) If you don't know what's ENOUGH, you'll never ever have enough money. Gubany's process gave me a sense of peace and well-being about money that I've never felt before - I'm freer now from the money demon than I was before I read A RETURN TO ABUNDANCE, freer than anytime I can remember! 3. A RETURN TO ABUNDANCE, along with its engaging presentations about the nature of money and the human psyche, also includes the technical aspects of understanding the time value of money. (Volume Three) No problem for my kids to understand this third volume of A RETURN TO ABUNDANCE, and, barring the collapse of our world order, they see how they can realistically and easily accumulate a millionaire retirement during their working years. These are nice conversations to have during dinner. My advice - stop reading the reviews - start reading A RETURN TO ABUNDANCE. I wish Paul Gubany a wide readership, his book is a work of love, a work of art, a benefit to anyone who will open its covers. Lars Clausen' Award Winning Author ' One Wheel - Many Spokes
Pleasure to read, July 6, 2010By Carolyn Hopkins, Missy Baker
I recently read volume 1 of Paul Gubany's trilogy "Return to Abundance". The book sits easily in the hand and is a pleasure to read. The following are just a few of the reasons the book engaged me:
1. I believe that the information is very useful, adaptable and has the potential to help many people faced with a variety of financial challenges.
2. I very much enjoyed the opening Greek myth. It was well written, entertaining and pulled me deep within the book.
3. The story of "Beauty and the Man Who Lived Simply" particularly moved me... for a whole variety of self reflecting reasons.
4. The book makes you analyze your attitudes concerning money. The exercises included at the end of each chapter are quite thought provoking.
5. I had not intended to read volume 2 but was sufficiently captivated by volume 1 that I intend to read it over the July 4 weekend.
Anyone who has ever wondered why they have financial issues or where their attitudes about money come from, will find this book full of both answers and guidance.
Sincerely,
Carolyn M. Hopkins, MD
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Paul Gubany writes with the expertise of a college professor. His vocabulary is extensive. He integrates mythology, history, economics, psychology, and metaphysics into a concise volume on the origins of our personal and cultural beliefs about money. The myth of Diacrusos of Pontande is implemented as a vehicle to impart Gubany''s broad spectrum of knowledge in the various disciplines.
Return to Abundance, Book 1 is a hands-on reading and learning experience. It is helpful to highlight passages while reading in preparation for the journal-writing exercises that conclude the chapters.
The book is a timely read considering the current state of our national economy and its affects on personal finance. The book will endure beyond the immediate economic situation because the historical aspects of money affect our long-term cultural responses to money.
Michelle, Colorado | Aug 23, 2010
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Yvonne, FL | Mar 20, 2011
I found the book to be very interesting and thought provoking overall.
I like the flow of information and how Mr. Gubany will be splitting up the volumes (per the Table of Contents).
The exercises at the end of each chapter are a wonderful segue between the chapters: A way to end a segment and reflect on it before moving on to the next segment.
The Appendices that appear in this book (and which will appear in the other volumes) are good reference sections, especially the low-cost recipes.
Having said all of that, I do have a couple minor quibbles and they stem mainly from my own preferences in formatting.
The first "quibble" I have is how the Table of Contents is set up. I would have like to see just the Table of Contents for the current volume of the series instead of for all of the books within the series.
The other "quibble" is the page numbering for the Appendices. While I have nothing against the Appendices appearing in all of the volumes of the series, I would have preferred to see the page numbers between the main text and the Appendices reflect the current volume.
To me (and this may be due to my work as a proofreader), these two points make the book look as if it will be going through at least another edit before the final product will be made available to the general public.
Megan, Woodside, NY | Feb 20, 2011
As Joel Grey sang to us in Cabaret, the belief that "Money makes the world go 'round," rules many people's lives. As for me, at different times in my life, I have held various feelings with respect to money. Sometimes my attachment to money has been suffocating; other times it has loosened its hold.
I read (and am reviewing) only "Book I" in the series of three books. I think the subtitle of this first book which is, "Money and Happiness, Abundance and Prosperity, Money and the Unconscious Mind: a Mythological, Psychological, Historical, and Family of Origin Look at Money and Its Power," gives a really good summary of all that's covered in the book. Paul Gubany writes well, and his book is packed with background information about how human-kind has concerned itself with the concepts of money & wealth over time. In addition the book is brimming with written exercises, journaling guides, and budgeting tools to assist in reinforcing the concepts laid out.
Most of us know that the amount of money we have does not directly relate to our degree of happiness, and yet most of us would like to have more money. This is similar to the way most of us would like to weigh less than we do. Yet, just as all diet and exercise programs do not work the same for all people striving to maintain a healthy physical weight, not all methods of achieving a healthy relationship with money will work in the same way for all folks.
I think that Paul Gubany has presented a unique way of developing awareness into one's own relationship with money. Obviously, some readers of his book will glean more insight from it than others. However I believe this to be a very worthwhile book to read, and the suggested guided exercises serve to expand on what has been presented in the text.
Rachelle, Granite Falls, NC | Jul 29, 2010
This book is going to be so helpful in my life. I haven't had the greatest relationship with money, and have vowed to change my ways. This series will aid me in that quest. Book I was the first chapter in my new way of life. Many of the ideas expressed in this book, were eye-opening and I think this would be a great gift for any college student or person just starting out on their own. I wish I had received a gift of "Abundance" when I was just beginning my own journey into the world. But, better late than never. I really appreciated the monthly charts and journaling pages.
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Jim Serger | Feb 23, 2011
Yes we need money to survive, but any more than that and it becomes a bourdon.
Through the work sheets, I was able to put the book to the test.
Paul, hightened my awarness that WE are the reason WE have made money into a GOD.
The book is a great read from start to finish, with exercises through out to keep the mind thinking.
Brittany, PA | Aug 2, 2010
A very interesting take on society's obsession with money. History and ancestry influences a lot about us but Gubany raises the point that it can also shape our unconscious views on money. We always say "Money can't buy happiness" but are the deep underlying thoughts telling us differently?