Description

Recovery through Mindfulness
By Anthony Peck

ISBN: 9781849914154
Published: 2011
Pages: 188
Key Themes: mental health, manic depression, recovery, empowerment, spirituality

Description

Pillow book of a Manic Depressive follows the style of medieval Japanese writers, who would keep a record of courtly life through their daily impressions, which they would then keep under their pillows. Taking a modern approach, the Pillow book follows the impressions of the author in the year following an extreme manic episode, which saw him leap four floors and only barely survive. While his body repaired he was forced to slow down, take-in all that was immediately around him, and come to a place of peace and gratitude.

Unknowingly using the technique of Mindfulness, he was able to reflect on all the many facets of his life, and life in general. Written in a very simple way, each impression invites the reader to slow down and examine his or her own thoughts. While as a whole, the collection is a story of survival and recovery, as the authors momentum towards good health becomes increasingly, if subtly, apparent.

From the stain left on a page by a bookmark, to the authors catastrophic manic leap, to an old radio, the breadth of recollection is vast. And time to time, sprinkled throughout the book, are lists of things you can break, things you cant hide, things that you do but dont know if they work which pause to make you think what you as a reader might add or subtract. And to capture some of the deepest emotions, poetry is used.

There is also humour, and lots of it. Life is many things, and to someone suffering a mental illness, the comfort of laughter is one of the richest. This is not slapstick, but the warm recognition of truth, and the joy of a new perspective on old troubles.

Ultimately Pillow book of a Manic Depressive is a window into one persons recovery and mind. But it also attempts to open hope to all through its portrayal of the human spirit.

About the Author

Anthony Peck is a lifelong sufferer of Manic Depression, which wasnt diagnosed until an extreme manic episode led to him leaping four floors from a building at the age of fortyfive. Prior to that he had a very successful Advertising career, which saw him working in eight cities across four continents, creating work for some of the worlds most famous brands. He is a published poet and short story writer. And continues to take an interest in the Advertising world. Born in 1962, Anthonys passions are writing, presenting and surfing. Since his diagnosis and its subsequent treatment, he has taken a deep interest in all aspects of mental health, from different types of therapy to the mental health service itself. As a patient, he brings a unique perspective and voice to the ongoing issues that face those with mental illness. And he looks forward to the time when all sufferers receive the treatment that will serve them best.