Books about
Alexander Lowen's Bioenergetics

1. Bioenergetics (1994)
2. Joy: The Surrender to the Body and to Life (1995)
3. Depression and the Body: The Biological Basis of Faith and Reality (1993)
4. Narcissism - Denial of the True Self (1997)
5. Spirituality of the Body: Bioenergetics for Grace and Harmony (1990)
6. The Betrayal of the Body (1969)
7. Love and Orgasm: A Revolutionary Guide to Sexual Fulfillment (1975)
8. The Language of the Body (1977)
9. The Way to Vibrant Health: A Manual of Bioenergetic Exercises (1981)
10. Fear of Life (1981)
11. Love, Sex, and Your Heart (1988)
12. Pleasure: A Creative Approach to Life (1975)
13. Childhood Psychotherapy: A Bioenergetic Approach (2000)

Bioenergetics
by Alexander Lowen

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Synopsis
Bioenergetics is a dynamic form of therapy based on the teachings of Wilhelm Reich. It links physical pain, muscle tension, and postural disorders with state of mind, demonstrating that suppressed emotions, unhappiness, and anger can block energy-flow and cause physical distress.


Reader Comment
Great Book!, March 8, 2001
Reviewer: A reader from USA
Lowen's book does what they all do -- it gets us back in touch with our genuine, inner selves by making the emotional expression of oneself through the body the vehicle for authentic self-expression and spontaneity. It liberated me to feel more spontaneously without self-judgment and self-criticism, and to express my feelings without fear of judgment by others. If you're having trouble feeling or being fully conscious of yourself and your feelings, read Lowen's books and give some thought to Bioenergetic psychotherapy -- both will help tremendously.

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Joy: The Surrender to the Body and to Life
by Alexander, Md. Lowen

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Depression and the Body: The Biological Basis of Faith and Reality
by Alexander Lowen

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Reader Review
Surprisingly worthwhile read, July 5, 2003
Reviewer: Marilyn Sullivan (see more about me at Amazon.com) from Nazareth, PA USA
I am a licensed counselor and have been reading professional literature since the late '70's, had run into Lowen here & there, but never paid him much attention, assuming he would be dry and theoretical. I just picked up Depression and the Body and found it quite helpful.
The bioenergetic theory and treatment remain to be proven. Lowen's explanations make sense on the surface, anyway. But his understanding of depression, while not groundbreaking, is clear, complete, compassionate and adaptable to the counseling situation. While he focuses on early childhood and its traumas (not usually fertile ground for therapy in the real world) he also provides some useful here-and-now insights about the thinking of a depressed person and how it needs to change in order for recovery to occur.
I didn't give the book five stars because some of the book digresses into material about social and cultural issues that have little to do with the problem of depression. But overall I would recommend this book for anyone wanting to read about depression from a HUMAN angle.

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Narcissism - Denial of the True Self
by Alexander Lowen

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Reader Comments
A reader from Cincinnati, Ohio , 3 August, 1999
Thoughtful and useful information.
I found this book to be truly helpful in understanding the dynamics of the narcissist's inner world. Beyond that it offers insight into ways that narcissism can be treated. Modern Psychiatry holds that it cannot be treated, only controlled. Dr. Lowen offers hope to those diagnosed with the condition; through body memory release work. This book is a must for those who have a family member diagnosed with narcissism.

A reader from NY, NY , 5 January, 1999
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.

chris from new orleans, LA, September 9, 2001
Narcissistic Case Studies
In reading this book, I found especially interesting the case studies Lowen choses to use to make his 'case' for narcissism. Having been involved in a maddening relationship with a narcissist, I marveled at the similarities in behavior he shared with especially one of the cases described. Also, I felt more secure about my understanding of this bizarre disorder after reading Lowen's description of the spectrum of personality disorders beginning with the least harmful or destructive, phallic narcissistic disorder, to the most harrowing and life threatening, schizophrenia. Although the DSM IV criteria has changed since this book was published, so that some of his observations may be refutable, I still think this short book is a valuable and interesting read for anyone dealing with or interested in this phsychological disorder. If nothing else, it helps 'victims' of narcissists feel less 'crazy' and more educated about what they are (or hopefully WERE) dealing with inside the narcissistic relationship.

Alex T. Hart from Billings, MT , June 22, 2003
Great for Reseach. NOT A SELF HELP BOOK
This book provides detialed insite to the mind and functions of the narcisistic indivigual. This book is excellent for any student of psychology interested in learning more about the activities of the narcisist. This book I would not recomend for the reader looking to help themselves with a narcisist. But Alexander Lowen Does a Remarkable Job describing his past treatments of narcisists.

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Spirituality of the Body: Bioenergetics for Grace and Harmony
by Alexander Lowen

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Reader Review
The greatest book from Alexander Lowen., October 26, 1999
Reviewer: David from California
All of Lowen's books are a MUST for anyone interested in health, freedom and emotional vitality, but The Spirtualiity of the Body is for me his greatest. I consider it one of the most important books of the 20th century. This may sound overblown, but if you really understand this book it will transform your life. It offers real solutions to a deteriorating society. Lowen's writing style reaches its most beautiful level of clarity and cleanness in this wonderful addition to his amazing series of books.

Alexander Lowen's bioenergetic spirituality, July 13, 1996
Reviewer: A reader
This latest of Lowen's books revisits the theme he covered earlier in "Depression and the Body," by with the added benefit of many more years of therapeutic practice. This book is another small miracle for those interested in the life and emotions of the human body -- I have begun to follow the exercises Lowen recommends, with very positive results. The only drawback of the book is the deep sadness reading it engendered -- the sadness in realizing just how much of the precious life given us is lost or suppressed. You will come away from this book with new eyes (albeit sad ones) for modern society and its manic pace. In terms of a physiological spirituality, Lowen takes time to look at bodily grace in spiritual terms. This is a form of "faith" that even atheistic athletes can appreciate, because it is so well grounded. The book proceeds by examining some of the body metaphors that we use in our culture (eg., "The eyes are the windows to the soul."), and expanding upon the kernel of truth that is found there. So, this book is also about language, how we use it, and what it means. I highly recommend this book, as well as the other Lowen books, for anyone interested in the mind-body link, the meaning of psychological and physiological well-being, and the role of spirituality and faith in maintaining health and vitality. Glen

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The Betrayal of the Body
by Alexander Lowen

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Reader Reviews
The Betrayal of the Body, August 8, 2001
Reviewer: Marlene Mouttet (see more about me at Amazon.com) from New York, USA
This excellent book was written by psychiatrist Alexander Lowen in 1967. It is one of the first books ever written that deals with body image from a psychological point of view. Eating disorders and distorted body images have been prevalent for the past 20 years. In this book, Dr. Lowen emphasizes that the body has its own wisdom and thus should not only be accepted, but respected and embraced as it is as well. Topics such as the relationship between eating and sexuality and subjects' real and actual body images are discussed. This book is a must read for anyone interested in improving their relationship with their body.

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Love and Orgasm: A Revolutionary Guide to Sexual Fulfillment
by Alexander Lowen

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Reader Review
The All-Time Best Book on Sex, October 28, 2001
Reviewer: A reader from London
Why this book is not better known is beyond me. Lowen wrote it decades ago, and it still is far ahead of anything else written to this point on the subject.

His views of homosexuality may clash with today's world, but the essence of the book is full of humanity and deep insight into the nature of love. I can't say enough about this book. It is a gem of pure beauty.

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The Language of the Body
by Alexander Lowen

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The Way to Vibrant Health: A Manual of Bioenergetic Exercises
by Alexander Lowen, Leslie Lowen

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Fear of Life
by Alexander Lowen

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Reader Review
Create Your Destiny, October 27, 2002
Reviewer: Carmen Matthews (see more about me at Amazon.com) from San Diego, California
Have you ever met someone who is afraid to be who she or he is?
This could be the person who won't open their heart up, reach out and take up a cause.

I love to read books like this book, because in reading such a book, one is free to ask questions, and demand the best of the author.

Alexander Lowen gives you so much information in this book on the beginnings of frustrations, limitations, rejections and anger, in a way that makes you say, "Yeah! That is how it really is."

This book, like Lowen's other books, are not light reading, but instead insists that you look deeply into your heart and claim your feelings.

This book is also not a trendy "self-help" book, but instead a book replete with clinical and real life examples that you will find yourself growing, as you read this book.

This is an author who I would love to meet, and just be fully in the moment with, without much dialogue - just to share a thank you for writing information that helps us all to explore the human condition.

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Love, Sex, and Your Heart
by Alexander Lowen

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Reader Review
The Most Important Book on Heart Health Ever Written, May 30, 2000
Reviewer: A reader from London
Of all the books I have ever read on the heart (and I've read dozens), this one is far and above the very best. If you really want to understand the way emotions and self-expression effect the function of the heart, this is the book. Thank you Dr. Lowen!

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Pleasure: A Creative Approach to Life
by Alexander Lowen

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Childhood Psychotherapy: A Bioenergetic Approach
by Christa D. Ventling

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Reader Review
Bioenergetic Therapy or Body Centered Therapy?, September 24, 2001
Reviewer: Jennifer J. Duke from Los Angeles, CA United States
The title of this book is misleading. I expected bioenergetic therapy to relate to electromagnetic fields, as in a force field around the body. I eagerly anticipated how the writers of various essays would utilize these energy fields in psychotherapy.
Instead, the theory and techniques seem to address body awareness and movement, making use of the psychotherapist's countertransference. The body does store memories and trauma. A body-centered therapy is especially useful when working with children. Some of the interventions were fascinating and probably would yield benefits in a psychotherapy practice.
I found the translations in some essays to be unwieldy: sentence structures in some essays were clearly not auf Englisch. In addition, the translations were not sensitive to common usage in English. One intervention which used a "blue ball" was particularly interesting. I would, however, feel uncomfortable referring to a "blue ball" intervention given the sexual connotation of the phrase in English.
Even though I was thoroughly mislead by the title, I am glad to have been introduced to some of the concepts of this body-centered therapy. However, I am not certain the information contained in its 87 pages provided sufficient value to justify the cost of the book.

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