Official Review: Stepping Stones to personal Healing

Prisallen · Post by **Prisallen** » 22 Jan 2020, 16:11

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Stepping Stones to personal Healing" by Robert N Koppen, MD.]

3 out of 4 stars

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Robert N. Koppen, M.D., a traditional physician, ventured into the field of holistic medicine several decades ago. He authored a series of thirty articles over a four-year period that he has currently gathered to include in his book Stepping Stones to Personal Healing. At 160 pages, the book contains an introduction and the articles, now labeled as chapters. Each chapter has a heading, which provides the reader with a clue as to the contents of that section. Some sections are about specific diseases and their causes, according to the author. At the end of most of the chapters is an area to record notes on how to improve, and sometimes, there is a question to the reader. The author’s writing is cordial, easy to understand, and highly persuasive.

Dr. Koppen utilizes the knowledge gained from the Bible, Ayurvedic medicine, religious beliefs from India, and even a little astrology in his book. Although he quotes Jesus occasionally, he believes in reincarnation. His spiritual beliefs don’t seem to come from one organized religion.

The main idea the author is trying to impress on the reader is, “In actuality, there is not a single illness that truly originates at the physical level. Instead, all illnesses originate in the subtle realms at the mental and emotional level. Therefore it must also be possible to cure them there. This means that once we are armed with this insight and apply it, there can no longer be incurable diseases.” He believes some of these problems were produced by the mind in the current life, but others were caused in a previous life.

Dr. Koppen tells us stories of several patients who were experiencing physical difficulties, and after counseling and treatment (sometimes with regression therapy), they began to heal their chronic problems.

Meditation is additionally a key theme in the book. The author feels not only does it accelerate our spiritual growth, but it helps us to stay centered. Therefore, it is an important part of his healing strategy.

My favorite part of the book is from the chapter “Make Today Your Last Judgment Day!” The reader is quoted the commandment from the Bible, “Judgment is Mine.” The author feels this commandment “. . . may well be the most violated one to this day. . .” I couldn’t agree more!

My least favorite aspect of the book was in the chapter labeled “How Innocent Are Babies?” I won’t go into detail because I don’t want to spoil anything, but it has to do with the baby being reincarnated from a previous life and why it might be abused in this one. Although I don’t agree with Dr. Koppen, he is entitled to his beliefs.

I wish the author would have provided a few medical studies about subjects he discussed (like the mind/body connection) or at least included an appendix with resources listed for more information. For example, a lot of research has been done verifying that meditation is healthy, but none are listed. This book is short, and it wouldn’t take a lot of extra space. Skeptic readers might be more easily convinced that way.

I discovered ten minor errors in the book. All of them were punctuation errors with one exception. It could use a final round of editing.

Only one borderline profanity was found in the entire book.

Although I don’t agree with everything in the book, it was fascinating, persuasive, and informative. I am now resolved to be less judgmental, to think more positive thoughts, and to try to increase my spiritual connection.

Therefore, Stepping Stones to Personal Healing is awarded three out of four stars. One star was taken away because of the errors. I recommend this book to people who believe in reincarnation or, at least, are open to the idea. Unhealthy readers willing to explore information dealing with the mind-body connection might regain their health with this book. Skeptics probably would have a harder time accepting the advice as would people who don’t believe in reincarnation.

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Stepping Stones to personal Healing
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Post by **Sanju Lali** » 23 Jan 2020, 01:52

I feel that you were lucky to grab this valuable book in the field of holistic medicine. I will wait until author fixes the errors as you mentioned. Thanks for your insightful review.

Prisallen · Post by **Prisallen** » 23 Jan 2020, 10:47

sanjus wrote: ↑23 Jan 2020, 01:52 I feel that you were lucky to grab this valuable book in the field of holistic medicine. I will wait until author fixes the errors as you mentioned. Thanks for your insightful review.

I was lucky! The errors were minor and did not affect my enjoyment of the book. There were just a few too many to not take off for them. I hope you get a chance to read it as I think you would appreciate it! Thank you, my friend, for stopping by and commenting!

Magnify3 · Post by **Magnify3** » 23 Jan 2020, 13:37

The author seems to have a lot of beliefs. I think that I will stick to your very detailed review. Thanks for writing and sharing it.

gen_g · Post by **gen_g** » 23 Jan 2020, 19:53

I hope that the author takes your suggestions; whilst this one seems inspiring, but the errors would personally put me off. Still, thanks for the lovely review!

Juliet+1 · Post by **Juliet+1** » 23 Jan 2020, 20:32

I'm a firm supporter of meditation; it has helped me a lot. But I have mixed feelings about reincarnation. In any case, this book sounds really interesting, and I thought your review did an excellent job of explaining what it was all about.

Wyland · Post by **Wyland** » 24 Jan 2020, 09:25

Holistic and alternative medicine is always an area I like reading on as its mostly natural and benign to the body. Thanks for the insightful review.

Prisallen · Post by **Prisallen** » 24 Jan 2020, 10:31

Magnify3 wrote: ↑23 Jan 2020, 13:37 The author seems to have a lot of beliefs. I think that I will stick to your very detailed review. Thanks for writing and sharing it.

Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting!

Prisallen · Post by **Prisallen** » 24 Jan 2020, 10:43

gen_g wrote: ↑23 Jan 2020, 19:53 I hope that the author takes your suggestions; whilst this one seems inspiring, but the errors would personally put me off. Still, thanks for the lovely review!

It is inspiring! The errors were minor and not very distracting, but I had to take off for them because there were a few too many. I hope you get a chance to read it. Thanks for stopping by and commenting!

Prisallen · Post by **Prisallen** » 24 Jan 2020, 10:46

Juliet+1 wrote: ↑23 Jan 2020, 20:32 I'm a firm supporter of meditation; it has helped me a lot. But I have mixed feelings about reincarnation. In any case, this book sounds really interesting, and I thought your review did an excellent job of explaining what it was all about.

Thanks so much for the kind comments! I feel the same way you do about meditation and reincarnation.

Prisallen · Post by **Prisallen** » 24 Jan 2020, 10:55

Wyland wrote: ↑24 Jan 2020, 09:25 Holistic and alternative medicine is always an area I like reading on as its mostly natural and benign to the body. Thanks for the insightful review.
[/quote!
In that case, I think you would enjoy this book! Thanks for stopping by and commenting!

Ellylion · Post by **Ellylion** » 24 Jan 2020, 13:02

I believe this book will be useful for readers of the same beliefs as the author is, but it is not quite my type of read

Thank you for the insightful review!

AntonelaMaria · Post by **AntonelaMaria** » 24 Jan 2020, 13:19

This seems like a very fascinating book to me. Especially as is a book written from point of view of a traditional physician who takes all these other approaches into an account. I don't believe in reincarnations so I would probably have the same issues as you did. Plus that doesn't justify the innocence claim. This is a great review!

Prisallen · Post by **Prisallen** » 25 Jan 2020, 16:28

Ellylion wrote: ↑24 Jan 2020, 13:02 I believe this book will be useful for readers of the same beliefs as the author is, but it is not quite my type of read Thank you for the insightful review!

Thanks so much, Ellylion, for stopping by and commenting!

Prisallen · Post by **Prisallen** » 25 Jan 2020, 16:35

AntonelaMaria wrote: ↑24 Jan 2020, 13:19 This seems like a very fascinating book to me. Especially as is a book written from point of view of a traditional physician who takes all these other approaches into an account. I don't believe in reincarnations so I would probably have the same issues as you did. Plus that doesn't justify the innocence claim. This is a great review!

Thank you so much for the kind comments!