Freedom Flight - The Origins of Mental Power

I came across the book, ‘Freedom Flight’ from another book titled The Killing School(of all places!) The Killing School is a book about the training and exploits of snipers. When you read the books, you’ll see the connection. Highly recommended too! The other book is also authored by Lanny Bassham as you can see. Long story short, I wish that I had been subjected to these writings when I was an adolescent brain full of mush but then I suppose I would have ignored it like I must have ignored many other things. I’ve read many self help books and been attrached to people that profess positive thought processes but I have never come across anything quite like the books written by Lanny Bassham. These books have research based information, reasoning and direction second only to the Holy Bible and way, way easier to understand. Often times when reading books I would highlight sentences and paragraphs and even make notes so that I could reference them later but if it were to be done with Bassham’s books, all three of his books would be highlighted from the first to the very last word he wrote. The Freedom Flight is a very easy book to read and I recommend it be read first. Powerful, powerful story and as the subtitle states, it is The Origin of Mental Power! I think most people could read it in a couple of hours but I’m sure it took me twice that because many times I found myself reminiscing of the past, of little things I experienced and heard my parents and grandparents show, tell and teach. Unfortunately it struck home to me as I realize what inadequate direction I provided to my kids when growing up. On the positive side though, and in line with the teaching of the books, I will dwell not on the problem but on the solution by saying that if you will read these books and pass it on to your kids then I hope that I can at least gain a little redemption just by having passed it on. Hopefully being late is better than never. Actually though, the contents are not just for kids, quite the contrary as no matter how old we are, the mental power doesn’t stop until the pulse does, so while I’m primarily thinking of the developing kids it is evident that we all would improve the quality of our lives and happiness by taking heed to the material in Bassham’s books. Married people especially! I know a lot of things have rung my bell over the past month since reading them! As you’ll see, Bassham made a business out of what he learned because of the absence of mental training and preparation for those final shots in the Olympics coupled with the experience of a many hour airplane ride sitting next to a Viet Nam veteran that spent 6 years and 7 months in a Viet Cong prison. Amazing, amazing stories. I will say without reservation that the only thing that stands a chance of mortal man curing this messed up society we have right now aside from mandatory military service for all men over the age of 18, would be to have this taught to every aspiring teacher, parent and coach and then every grade school age student to at least the 6th grade! I’m thinking that it will take care of itself after that. I could profess that it isn’t going to happen but that would go against the goal setting content of the book so I won’t! I hope and even pray that you will prioritize my request and read ASAP!

Must read! This is a wonderful book that everyone should read. I found it very inspiring and so glad that I found it.

This is a very inspiring book and is the first book that got me hooked on reading. The book goes through the expiries of a war prisoner and the mental aspects it takes to survive. The book is a Metaphore for our own self-imposed mental prison. It is defiantly worth a read once or twice in your life. It's a short read so not many excuses not too.

Motivational. Compilation of people author knows.

This is small book regarding the meeting that started the Mental Management system of winning as developed by Lanny Basham. For those who do not know the name the author was an Olympic quality expert shooter who won a series of gold and silver medals in a number of Olympics. After winning a silver, he wondered what made the difference between his victory and the gold medalist’s victory. As it turned out, he was his own problem. He doubted himself at the last moment and filled with doubt created his own destiny. We have an expression in martial arts. Your doingness will be your undoingness. Ultimately, that is the point. If you set out for failure, you will achieve your goals. Bassham’s working work in this area of training has been monumental. If was the cornerstone of a massive training change in the way the US Navy Seal’s train their snipers with a result that makes them…among the most successful in the world. Bassham has trained many people over the years in what it takes to be the best. Moreover, it may it may sound simple. It all starts with you. It all ends with you. How you get to your destination is your journey. You figure out how you get there. I like to say the devil will put doubt in your heart. I am convinced we are our own worst enemy when it comes to living and success. If you are interested in this, I would suggest reading Bassham’s book The Winning Mind. To see how it was applied I would suggest reading Brandon Webb’s book My Life inside the Red Circle. Webb’s book will explain nicely the basics of how Basham’s work influenced a winning team.

This book offers such essential truths, told in a way that I believe anyone can understand and apply in their own lives. Too often we fall in to the trap of focusing on "the tyranny of the immediate" and only considering what we see in our environment as the only reality. This book delivers the perspective I needed to look past the immediate or 'easy' and helped me to see the bigger, less obvious (but far more important) truths about life and our role. Thank you Lanny, reading this wasn't quite like sitting on an airplane next to you - but it was a powerful experience all the same.

I read this in one sitting and loved the story. It's inspiring and easy to remember many of the principles. Get and read it, you will make some new discoveries about yourself and your purpose in life.

Recommended by Navy SEAL Brandon Webb after hearing him discuss the author's lessons as described in the book, there are a lot of lessons to be taken away by his examples. Having been such an accomplished Olympic shooter, along with his other achievements in helping others, there are a number of topics which resonate within the most successful and highly trained military servicemen. His presentation and content resonate with a number of my personal experiences in competition, in my career and in my personal life. Visualization is a very far forgotten practice, and has been a huge part of many very skilled and successful people.

I read this book, went and did some shooting, and scored my best scores. Positive thinking really does work and this book is all about positive thinking and how to apply it to a shooting scenario in particular, but also other aspects of your lives as well. Highly recommended.

I have read several books concerning this topic. This is in the style of Og Mandino. Easy to read but profound in its impact.

If this book doesn't compel you to take action not sure anything else will. It is short and fluff free. Wonderfully written as I am a big fan of Lanny Bassham.

This book has inspired me to live a life free from negativity. By applying the principles in this book you too can go from being I prison to being free. Well worth the read.

Quick read, simple to understand. It promises a lot, I think you will need to read the next book to get more.