
REVIEWS
Reviews for The Inward Outlook
“A guide to achieving a life of authenticity and joy by shedding the limitations of one’s past.
At its core, Basha’s program is grounded in the belief that we create our own reality, an idea that has been around since the New Thought movement of the 19th century and situates this book among such self-help classics as The Power of Positive Thinking (1952) by Norman Vincent Peale, You Can Heal Your Life (1984) by Louise Hay, and The Secret (2006) by Rhonda Byrne.
It’s in ‘present moment thinking’ that ‘we have access to wisdom, creativity, genius, and an ever-present quiet mind.’ Living [in] the now, she writes, allows us to recognize analytical thought as a necessary, but limited, tool. Similarly, choosing to eschew the outer world for a deeper connection with eternal truths, we return to a natural state of ease and happiness.
An advanced contemporary iteration of psychospiritual self-help concepts.”
~ Kirkus Reviews
“The Inward Outlook: Conscious Choice as a Daily Practice promotes a new outlook on life based on intersecting personal messages and perspectives with influences from within.
The exploration and definition of an ‘inward outlook’ and how it can appear on many different levels (through interactions that become more compassionate and kind to self as well as others) creates an invaluable dialogue that leads to new insights and focusing methods.
A fine catalyst for supporting and identifying revised and more effective approaches to life and self.”
~ Donovan’s Literary Services Review
“The Inward Outlook by Laura Basha offers an intriguing and illuminating exploration of the concepts of self-discovery and consciousness and of the transformative power of inner reflection. Through an engaging blend of personal anecdotes, philosophical insights, and practical guidance, Basha invites readers on a transformative journey that transcends the boundaries of ordinary perception.
In this conversational and approachably written book, Basha skillfully combines her background in psychology and spirituality to offer a holistic perspective on personal growth and self-awareness. Drawing from her own experiences, she delves into the nature of human consciousness, helping readers to explore their own inner landscapes and expand their understanding of themselves and the world around them.
One of the strengths of The Inward Outlook lies in Basha's ability to convey complex ideas with clarity. She seamlessly weaves together concepts from the domains of psychology, spirituality, and mindfulness, creating a tapestry of wisdom that is accessible to both seasoned practitioners and those new to these subjects. Her writing style is eloquent and engaging, guiding readers through intricate concepts while making them feel like they are participating in friendly conversations.
Moreover, The Inward Outlook is not just a theoretical exploration of the approach to a new way of being, as it's also a guidebook intended for practical application. Basha provides a variety of exercises, meditations, and reflective prompts that empower readers to embark on their own journey of self-discovery. These exercises are thoughtfully placed toward the end of the book, allowing readers to engage with the material on a personal level and then to begin implementing Basha’s transformative tools.
Basha's own vulnerability and authenticity shine through in her writing. Her willingness to share her own challenges and triumphs creates a sense of connection between the reader and the author. This authenticity lends the book a sense of intimacy, making it feel like a personal conversation with an insightful mentor. Basha clearly feels deeply about the benefits of her approach to personal transformation, which helps maintain readers’ belief even when certain aspects of her tales become a touch hyperbolic.
In addition, The Inward Outlook is very clearly structured, with each chapter building upon the previous one in a cohesive and logical manner. In this way, Basha navigates readers through a cohesive journey into the concepts of self-awareness, mindfulness, and consciousness expansion, with the final destination intended to be a profound sense of interconnectedness with all of existence. Of course, this will work better for some readers than for others, but Basha presents her recipe for self-help in a way that should appeal to most who are looking to change their lives.
Ultimately, The Inward Outlook is an interesting and potentially transformative work that invites readers to embark on an inner odyssey of self-discovery and growth. Basha's insightful writing, combined with her practical exercises and heartfelt anecdotes, render the book a powerful resource for anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of themselves and their place in the universe. For both seasoned explorers of inner realms and those just beginning to contemplate their own consciousness, The Inward Outlook has the potential to spark lasting positive change.”
~ Erin Britton, Los Angeles Times
“I enjoyed reading The Inward Outlook by Dr. Laura Basha. Focused on timeless principles and philosophies surrounding thought, Basha helps take these heavier topics and break them down into understandable lessons that can be applied by the everyday person. A doctor, teacher, and coach herself, Basha acts as a perfect medium to convey to the reader these truths and the importance of incorporating them for a happier, healthier life.
In a very brief summary, The Inward Outlook concept is essentially becoming aware of the importance of your daily thoughts. From this awareness, Basha challenges the reader to distinguish when they are paying attention to their memories (analytical thinking) versus being [in] the present. As she points out, neither is necessarily “good” or “bad” but needs to act in a balance that best suits the reader's peace of mind and happiness. Too much focus on the past, previous struggles, and sufferings (analytical thinking) is problematic and can lead to boredom, judgment, and lack of joy. However, some analytical thinking is necessary; without this type of thought, you would not have the memory of how to complete daily tasks. Likewise, free-flow thinking is our natural state of thinking in the “Now.” From this present moment thinking, we are less emotionally moved and more stress-free. However, it is essential to have both of these types of thoughts to live a healthy and content life.
Throughout the chapters, Basha covers these concepts in depth, really educating the reader on the power of their thoughts. However, my favorite part of this book was the practice study guide included, breaking down each chapter into workbook-type questions to answer. Perfect for a book club, study group, or just personal meditation, this section really helps the reader digest the chapters and actually think about ways to apply the principles to their life. Admittedly, as an avid reader, I love self-help books and philosophy-type literature such as this. However, one of the most difficult challenges I have is the application of the concept and ideas from the book into my daily life. This is why I think this study guide is such an asset to Basha’s teachings. By allowing the reader to reread as needed and focus on implementation outside of just teaching, she adds a lot to her audience’s experience and potential life transformation.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and took away many ideas on how to transform my own thoughts. I would recommend this book for all ages who enjoy philosophy, self-help or want to learn more about thought transformation.”
~ Theresa Kadair, Manhattan Book Review
“Every day we take in data from the world around us and store that data in our intellect. Then, without conscious awareness, we listen to that data (a process we call ‘thinking’) and use what it tells us to inform our decisions.
But living our lives this way means always living in the past, and it limits us more than we think. With the publication of The Inward Outlook: Conscious Choice as a Daily Practice, psychologist Laura Basha shares how to discern this habitual way of thinking from the innate wisdom and common sense that we all have available to us at all times.
A powerful guide to accessing one’s own innate health, well-being, and wisdom, The Inward Outlook is a fully accessible road map to cultivating inspired focus, accomplishment, and peace of mind in one’s life.”
~ Midwest Book Review
“The Inward Outlook by Dr. Laura Basha is a guide for readers who want to experience a paradigm shift, be conscious of their thoughts and feelings, and find happiness. The Inward Outlook is borne out of her experience as a licensed trainer. The goal of the book is to help readers become more aware of the present, find their authentic selves, and discover peace of mind.
This book is an eye-opening guide. Although an experienced psychologist, Dr. Basha does not bore readers with psychological jargon; instead, she explains in terms that readers can understand and relate to.
The book had a separate practical guide based on each chapter so that readers could understand the paradigm and get the most out of the book. There are notes at the end of each chapter that aids the learning experience as they point out vital facts and enable readers to jot down some of the things they learned from that chapter.
I recommend The Inward Outlook to you if you seek to enhance your cognitive processes, nurture a resilient mindset, and cultivate overall well-being. This book is particularly well-suited for individuals interested in personal development and self-improvement, offering invaluable guidance on the path to self-discovery and fulfillment.”
~ Maria Yinks, Chicago City Book Review
“Laura Basha's The Inward Outlook guides readers to the abundant resources within and reveals a way to lessen the mind's concentration on the past and move toward a peaceful, present, and vibrant existence. It includes a "Practices Book" section that is absent in the previous edition to make the ideas in the book available to a larger audience. The additional exercises have been hand-picked from years of experience in psychology, spirituality, and creativity. Laura emphasizes the value of such concepts as accepting silence, cultivating conscious choice, and practicing transformative humor. It's time to let go of the old, damaging stories from the past, and this book is both the severance tool and the master key to opening healing, liberating, and elevating realms.
The author's open and touching story about her unfortunate experiences and her difficulties with regular nightmares provides an opportunity to connect with her and realize that she wasn't always the spiritually transformed individual that she is today. Learning that she healed from her various past challenges, as well as seeing how rich her mind is through her generous and uplifting words, is a source of inspiration and proof that others, too, can be transformed into positive, bountiful humans who are best suited for thriving no matter what life throws at them.
The Inward Outlook contains clear and concise words that are easy to learn and recollect for staying on course. To remain true to my core self and be positive in my daily life, I chose to memorize this sentence, "I am a creative spark of Source." Furthermore, the book's complexities and clever additions make it both accessible and enjoyable. Some words, for example, are capitalized to help readers recognize them as representations of what the author believes are important to embody as personal attributes. Furthermore, the book includes quotes from diverse spiritual thinkers, fillable spaces after each chapter, and introspective questions to assist the reader in personalizing the tips.
The solutions to issues concerning satisfaction, peace, and joy are not necessarily found in highly sophisticated texts, the acquisition of outer wealth, or the overexploitation of the land. Laura's tried-and-true, natural methods provide the energy you need to shine brighter from within. If they are accepted and practiced persistently, they will help in overpowering the detrimental thoughts, harmful past experiences, and negative world influences that have accumulated through time. I've already begun implementing them, and I'm shocked at how liberated and weightless I feel. Whether you're just beginning your spiritual, consciousness journey or have been on it for a while and haven't found the answers you need, you will be transformed by Laura's simple, eye-opening messages.”
~ Foluso Falaye, San Francisco Book Review