THE BREAKOUT PRINCIPLE --- HOW TO ACTIVATE THE NATURAL TRIGGER THAT MAXIMIZES CREATIVITY, ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE, PRODUCTIVITY, AND PERSONAL WELL-BEING by Herbert Benson and William Proctor, 2003
    PREFACE (pxi-xiv)

    The "Breakout Principle" incorporates all the benefits of the "Relaxation Response" but moves beyond its understanding and applications --- including cardiovascular and emotional well-being through the reduction and management of excessive stress. (pxi)

    PART 1 --- POWERING THE BREAKOUT (p1-103)

      1) What is a "Breakout?" (p3-25)

      2) Anatomy of the trigger (p26-45)

        The four-step Breakout Process clarifies the role of the trigger: (p28)

          Stage One --- STRUGGLE --- preliminary stress, hard work

          Stage Two --- RELEASE --- breakout trigger

          Stage Three --- BREAKOUT/PEAK EXPERIENCE

          Stage Four --- IMPROVED "NEW-NORMAL" MIND-BODY PATTERNS

      3) The "spirit" of peak experience (p46-68)

      4) Mapping the creative mind (p69-86)

      5) The ultimate self-help principle (p87-101)

    PART 2 --- THE SIX PEAK EXPERIENCES (p103-282)

      6) The first peak --- Self-awareness (p105-124)

      7) The second peak --- Creativity (p125-146)

      8) The third peak --- Productivity (p147-181)

      9) The fourth peak --- Athleticism (p182-209)

      10) The fifth peak --- Rejuvenation (p210-232)

      11) The sixth peak --- Transcendence (p233-256)

      12) The power of Intrinsic Belief (p257-282)

    THE END. . . AND THE BEGINNING

      Realizing the promise of the breakout principle. The Breakout experience itself may be evoked by immersion in many ways, including your personal belief system, in acts of altruism, in a significant personal encounter, or in a mental state that is called total abandon. Also, the Breakout experience can lead to new experiences or states of mind, including improved personal performance and the generation of life-changing insights. (pxi-xii)

    REFERENCES --- Basic references for all chapters (p289-304)

    INDEX (p305-320)

    ABOUT THE AUTHORS (p321)
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