Book excerpt: In the cycles of the great season of creativity, we are sometimes given a rare and precious gift. This season, that gift is You Can't Trust Your Own Mind, by David French PhD., a book about how to excavate your deep, true identity and stop the fear and alienation automatically and reactively imposed by the mind. Inspired by discipline, experience, understanding, and compassion, his words embrace a deeper truth with the reader and lead to common ground where we can all see what is real and what is not: “myself and the machine”, “your self and the machine”. With his self-disclosing style, he shows us how to find emotional shelter when we are injured: how to be truthful when we want to lie; how to build trust when we feel alone, and misunderstood. He helps us discover triggers that alarm the machine and cause swift destructive actions. He finds the power concealed within our own vulnerability, and gives us the courage to own our own pain. He gives us tools for more satisfying relationships, hope for self fulfillment, and permission to be who we are without games, fears, and self-sabotaging rituals of the ancient reactive “machine”. He shows each of us how to accept the “machine” that vigilantly and perpetually serves us with a singular directive: to monitor, protect, and destroy all perceived threats, before the deep sacred self is even aware of them. What others are saying about this book: Through Dr. French's Personal balance Therapy, he brings together all the parts of what makes each one of us unique, and sets the reader on the path of wholeness. - D.C. Hadden, Psy.D., Licensed Clinical Psychologist This book can save ones sanity, relationships, maybe even one's life. Patients of mine commonly arrive in a state of despair and depression, losing all hope, faith, trust and love. Readers may be skeptical to try yet another book top better understand the hurt within, but believe this book will open one's eyes and direct one to experiencing inner piece. To be able to see the pasterns of our actions that lead us to heartache and frustration is eye opening and allows the reader to understand the “automatic self”. Dr. French teaches that by modifying and reeducating the “Machine” that allows us to achieve a balance with our “real self.”The descriptions were right on target. The reader will find this book encouraging, even those that may feel that they are too far gone to be helped .many readers will find themselves, turning back to this book again and again when they are in need of a “reality check.”They will find healing in the pages within. - James S. Pratty, M.D. Psychiatrist Medical Director, Azimuth Mental Health Associates What I love about Dr. French and his book is how real. This book is great for all health workers, educators, rehabilitation staff and individuals addressing their own issues. His spirituality and sensitivity is great. - Richard L Rosenberg, PhD. Lead vocational coordinator, Whittier Union High School District.