Product Description

Are you a narcissist? Do you know someone who is? Contrary to popular belief, narcissists do not love themselves, or anyone else. They are people who cannot accept their true selves, constructing instead a fixed mask that hides emotional numbness - an inability to feel. In this groundbreaking study, Dr Alexander Lowen, a world-renowned psychoanalyst, uses his extensive clinical experience to demonstrate ho feelings can be restored and the integrity of the self regained.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #15385 in Books
• Published on: 2004-03-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 256 pages

Customer Reviews

Do you know who you really are?
Who am I? The majority of people do not know the answer to this fundamental question. They have lost touch with who they really are. This book works on the premise that "we are our body". I agree with Lowen's position. After all, the only real proof that we exist is through our body. However, so many people subconsciously choose not to "feel" what goes on in their body. In doing this, they do not "feel" their emotions; they do not feel who they are. They seem incapable of expressing anger, joy, hurt, love. They may talk of these emotions, but they do not "feel" them. In essence, these people have numbed their body to feeling, including pain, anger, joy, and love. This book explores the reasons why so many of us do this, and how we can regain this feeling, how we can get back in touch with who we really are, rather than pretend to be someone else (i.e., someone who does not "feel"). I strongly recommend this book to any person who feels an emptiness to life, who feels there could be more to life. I have addressed some fundamental issues in my life as a result of reading this book.

narcissism
This is a life changing book. It can help us to learn to feel and love, and to be aware when we succumb to a false self. I disagree slightly with Lowen's description of the false self; he talks of an overvaluing of image. I feel that 'image' is very important in overcoming narcissism; soul is image. It is rather that the narcissist wihes to preserve himself exclusively.
This book is bursting with ideas and it gives one of the clearest descriptions of the difference between the false self and the true self. Lowen tells us that narcissists cannot feel, and I think that when they do feel, they feel fear. This is one of my favorite books, beaten only by Care of the Soul by Thomas Moore, which also discusses narcissism, and Modern Philosophy by Roger Scruton.

This book has changed my life absolutely!
Lowen's insights into the machinery of the self are enlightening, simple (but not obvious) and effective for creating personal change. His ability to sense and communicate the unions of the body and mind, and the emotional past and physical present is nothing short of genius. He talks about orgasm, so people think he is "too sexy" and he writes with out academic technical pretense so people think he's "common". And he is common. Common as air and water and as rare and refreshing as truly fresh air and clean water. I give this book to people that I care about and those that are ready to hear its wisdom, thank me.