The Myth of Doing: managing guilt, shame, anxiety, regret and self-judgment (2016)

Book Description

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.

Reviews and Testimonials

“Must read for anyone having a human experience: I really enjoyed this book. Jill does a masterful job of presenting some fairly complex ideas in ways that are easily understood. Through a combination of personal insight and scientific knowledge, she makes a strong argument for why we as humans can let go of our shame, fear, and anxiety. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who is fed up with being controlled by their fear of what they should or should not be doing.” –Amazon review

“This book is massively helpful to me as someone who has spent a ton of time trying to plan my future as well as regretting my past. Free will is a fascinating topic and even as a devout spiritual seeker, it’s hard to fathom that we don’t have control of our futures in the way our minds think they do, but this book makes a strong case that free will is an illusion and by understanding that we can let go of anxiety and regret.” –Amazon review

“A lovely freedom: Sam Harris’s “Free Will” had a liberating impact on my thinking and this book has compounded the effect. I became convinced during my teenage years that we do not possess free will but at that time the idea felt too threatening to dwell upon. Now, however, bringing the concept to mind paradoxically allows me to feel safe and free. The book is well constructed and stylishly written.” –Amazon review

“Staying in the present moment and in the body, to notice the way the mind constantly tries to pull us away from our physical actions…These are simple concepts with deeply powerful outcomes. I am grateful for every single one of the words in this book–The Myth of Doing, coupled with The Work (Byron Katie), has had a profound impact on my human experience.” –Amazon review

“Great Book: The Myth of Doing. She does a great job backing the title up from many angles. I’ll always have a little special love for this book.” –Amazon review

“Eng’s work raises the questions: What if one could truly walk in another’s shoes? Would one, being that person, act otherwise than he or she acts? Could one act differently? The Myth of Doing teaches us that if we want to know ourselves, we must look only to the present moment. Know thyself. Read this book!” -Christopher Miller, Writer

“In this well-grounded book, Ms. Eng eloquently helps to put the argument of free will to rest. Distilling the wisdom of the past and present-day, she makes perfectly clear the meaning of now, so the future can take care of itself. Eng reveals that the mysterious conductor of our life’s orchestra is the universe, and when we let ourself experience its inherent harmonies, we realize the complete freedom that already exists.” -Susannah Sanfilippo, Certified Yoga Instructor, MindBody Educator, Artist

“The Myth of Doing shatters the illusion of free will. Rather than discouraging us with this awareness, Eng presents an alternative vision that allows us to access inner peace and clarity.” -Maxine Sclar, Clinical Social Worker