by Jill Spiewak Eng (Author)
This book validates who we are and what we do, despite our mind's disapproving theories. The Myth of Doing speaks to the awareness that the mere state of being alive automatically puts us into activity, which means we are bound to whatever that action is in any particular moment. Drawing from eastern philosophies, naturalism, determinism, neuroscience, psychology and the Alexander Technique, all which illuminate non-dualistic perspectives on the human experience, Eng uses original language in directing us toward our own physical reality, which she brought to light in her first book, Body Over Mind. She now immerses us into the free will debate by highlighting the involuntarism of human behavior and our birthright to being part of the scientific, natural world. Acknowledgement of our interconnectedness with the cosmos can emotionally support us in our journey through our unique, personal timeline. Because our behavior is a result of physical laws and part of a causal chain that encompasses the entire universe, we can realize that the self-judging, inner criticism we commonly experience is based in illusion. As each of us must be on the single path we are on, this body of work Eng calls Mindful Reality can serve as a counterpoint to the mental efforts and pressures we assume necessary to carry out all of our choices and actions.
Author Biography
Currently living in Portland, Maine, Jill Spiewak Eng has been a certified teacher of the Alexander Technique since 1998, is experienced in meditation, Buddhism and Hinduism, and is the founder of the mindfulness practice she calls Mindful Reality. Her two books: "Body Over Mind" and "The Myth of Doing" reflect this work. This is a self-inquiry practice that combats anxiety, depression and stressful thoughts that stem from worry, self-blame and the belief that we must do something to fix our lives. Grounded in what she calls our "physical reality," we learn to counter inner judgment and "should" thoughts with an awareness that we must always be doing whatever we are doing. Negative thoughts that make us feel like we are not living our lives correctly are put up against the knowledge that we can each only do the things we are doing in each moment, as anything else is physically impossible. After completing "Body Over Mind," Eng was propelled into research around the findings of neurophysiologist Benjamin Libet, who in 1983 discovered that a volitional signal for action shows up in the brain before a person is conscious of the intention to act. As this implies an automaticity to human behavior that her first book addressed, Eng was moved to explore the neuroscientific and philosophical studies that have evolved since Libet's discovery, which carried her into the dialogue regarding free will. Her writings have thus expanded into a synthesis of mindfulness, eastern and western philosophy, and science, and she is currently working on a third book. Additionally, Eng was a professional modern dance performer, teacher and choreographer from 1989-2009, holds a combined Master's degree in International Relations and Communications, and has worked in the field of International Development.