Love and Survival - by Dean Ornish (Paperback)

About the Book

A world-renowned physician outlines eight pathways to intimacy and healing after scientifically demonstrating that epidemics of loneliness, isolation, and depression actually threaten our survival.

Book Synopsis

The Medical Basis for the Healing Power of Intimacy

We all know that intimacy improves the quality of our lives. Yet most people don't realize how much it can increase the quality of our lives -- our survival.

In this New York Timesworld-renowned physician Dean Ornish, M.D., writes, "I am not aware of any other factor in medicine that has a greater impact on our survival than the healing power of love and intimacy. Not diet, not smoking, not exercise, not stress, not genetics, not drugs, not surgery."

He reveals that the real epidemic in modern culture is not only physical heart disease but also what he calls spiritual heart disease: loneliness, isolation, alienation, and depression. He shows how the very defenses that we think protect us from emotional pain are often the same ones that actually heighten our pain and threaten our survival. Dr. Ornish outlines eight pathways to intimacy and healing that have made a profound difference in his life and in the life of millions of others in turning sadness into happiness, suffering into joy.

From the Back Cover

The Medical Basis for the Healing Power of Intimacy

We all know that intimacy improves the quality of our lives. Yet most people don't realize how much it can increase the quality of our lives-- our survival.

In this New York Times world-renowned physician Dean Ornish, M.D., writes, "I am not aware of any other factor in medicine that has a greater impact on our survival than the healing power of love and intimacy. Not diet, not smoking, not exercise, not stress, not genetics, not drugs, not surgery."

He reveals that the real epidemic in modern culture is not only physical heart disease but also what he calls spiritual heart disease: loneliness, isolation, alienation, and depression. He shows how the very defenses that we think protect us from emotional pain are often the same ones that actually heighten our pain and threaten our survival. Dr. Ornish outlines eight pathways to intimacy and healing that have made a profound difference in his life and in the life of millions of others in turning sadness into happiness, suffering into joy.

Review Quotes

"Dr. Dean Ornish, who was the first to prove the reversal of heart disease by changing lifestyle, now turns his attention to the heart in a more profound sense and identifies love and intimacy as the most powerful healing forces that exist. I could not agree more. This book is filled with sparkling insights and practical wisdom about protecting health and enhancing wellness by attending the nourishment of our real hearts."-- Andrew Weil""Love & Survival"is an emotionally intelligent guide to good health and well-being. Everyone should read it."-- Daniel Goleman, Ph.D., author of "Emotional Intelligence" and science correspondent to the "New York Times"intelligence"Relationships bring freedom and joy. In"Love & Survival, " Dr. Dean Ornish powerfully demonstrates that intimacy also can heal. I am thrilled about this book!"-- John Gray, Ph.D., author of "Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus""Revolutionary results....Dr. Ornish's work could change the lives of millions."--"Newsweek"