A Testimonial

"Dr. Paul's illuminating new book, DO I HAVE TO GIVE UP ME TO BE LOVED BY GOD? looks at the disconnection we feel within and with others as a result of (in the broadest sense) "spiritual abuse" that we have suffered. As Dr. Paul says, "Giving children anything other than love and compassion is spiritual abuse because all unloving behavior toward children creates an ongoing problem in their relationship with God. Any behavior that teaches children that they must be different (smarter, more polite, more obedient) in order to be loved [emphasis mine] by God -- or by their parents -- is spiritual abuse. Any behavior by an adult which disconnects a child from God is spiritual abuse. And any behavior that undermines a child's belief in God as an infinite source of love and compassion and wisdom that is always available to that child is spiritual abuse" (p.18). I particularly liked learning more about the false beliefs we have about God and our relationship with whatever term we each use to name our Higher Power. The Inner Bonding definition of loving intrigues me: Loving behavior is that which contributes to our own and others spiritual and emotional growth. Often, what looks loving is just codependent, and in our addictive society, much confusion results when we act out the belief that if others really loved us, they would do what we want. If you read this book, you will learn about a new way of looking at behavior -- not in terms of judgment (a major controlling device of many religions) -- but in terms of the good reasons that parts of us have for our behavior. Life, according to Dr. Paul, is a journey about learning and loving for everyone, not about hellfire and damnation and the chosen. I know that just about every person on a journey thinks that s/he has just the right tools and resources for healing and personal empowerment, but in my experience there are few, if any, approaches and processes that are as encompassing, simple yet profound, practical, and portable as the Inner Bonding process. DO I HAVE TO GIVE UP ME TO BE LOVED BY GOD? builds on Dr. Paul'sother 6 books that have so much to teach about one's relationship with self, others, and Spirit. Yes, there are many books and people and therapies and techniques out there promising us love, success, happiness, etc., but my whole world -- self, family, friends, career, spirituality -- is different because one of Dr. Paul's books literally dropped in my path 8 years ago. We live in times that are often filled with much conflict and pain, but also have so much potential for soul growth with new ways of learning to bring the best of ourselves to ourselves, to others, to the planet. Margaret Paul's work is a powerful tool for transformation. You owe it to yourself to read this book!

Nancy Weston,Inner Bonding Facilitator
Danbury