Outside Links, Bibliography, etc.

In my view, this is Lowen's most important theoretical work. Even though he has written prolifically elsewhere on the many aspects of his mind-body modality, Bioenergetics, toward the end of this book he brilliantly and definitively delineates key distinctions between Freud and Reich, as he discusses the former's limitations and the latter's breakthrough contribution to the history of human self-awareness. He also provides brave and open-minded readers with specific bodywork exercises (esp. the falling exercise) by which they may test out his theories for themselves.

Anyone who wants to pursue this further and attain a better understanding of bioenergetic grounding can check out Pleasure as well.

Finally, once you feel that you have a sufficiently solid theoretical grasp of grounding, I strongly suggest you grab one of these: The Way to Vibrant Health, with this caveat: bodywork exercise is not to be entered into lightly, and while solid mentorship for beginners is often very important, it is also, unfortunately, difficult to find. So enthusiasts who for whatever reasons choose to pursue the work more or less on their own should strive to keep a healthy balance between curiosity and adventure on one hand, and common sense on the other.

Fear of Life — Alexander Lowen

You thought you understood the Nazis? Alcoholism? Think again. One of the most important psychology books of our time, and still mostly unknown. Read it to find out a lot you may not have known about what we must confront in ourselves and others if we are to successfully create a sober and peaceful global civilization.

For Your Own Good — Alice Miller

In his last published work, one of our greatest living historians wrote his own take on the centrality of the human body — and the socially-contextualized rhythms and rituals that move it — to the development of human society. Chances are he had never heard of Alexander Lowen or John Pierrakos, but mind-body-oriented sociologists, and social-change-oriented body therapists should easily be able to read between the lines.

Keeping Together in Time — William H. McNeill

As any student of history and, in particular, of military history, will tell you, technology can be used in all sorts of ways. This website is founded primarily on the idea that human technological advances have finally reached the point where war and scarcity could be mostly eliminated, if we were just to put our focus and efforts into the right places. But those same advances could be — and all too often still are — used as if we will never reach that point. For example:

Super Soldier of Tomorrow (Maxim)

Essential and easy reading for anyone who wants to get both the skinny and the comprehensive on "the limits to growth," which is, by the way, the title of another terrific book written by her.

Also, devastatingly cheap, right here: The Global Citizen — Donella H. Meadows

This is a great, unique study of the evolution of origins of the modern corporation from the fall of the Roman Empire through to the Renaissance. Scholarly and erudite — easier reading if one glosses over much of the esoteric footnotes containing various references in Latin, German, etc.

For those interested in the role of the church and medieval legists in the transition of kingly and corporate legitimacy from the religious to the secular, as well as the wide influence of "corporation" in all of our daily lives to this day, this book is a must-read.

The King's Two Bodies — Ernst Kantorowicz

Most recent edition of the classic. (If only more of us had listened the first time around!)

The Limits to Growth — Donella H. Meadows

Ugh! Talk about the apotheosis of Reichian "armoring."

Here's a new book all about the international arms trade. Just try "bioenergeticizing" this kind of behavior!

First, listen to the author interview. Then take a look at the book.

The definitive bioenergetic exercise book. Clearly shows you what to do, and succinctly explains how and why. Capable mentor advisable for beginners. Advanced folks operating solo can cherry-pick from the selections here according to their personal needs and tastes.

The Way to Vibrant Health — Alexander Lowen

Another must-read, for both its broad historical sweep and keen psychological insights. Comprehending readers of this book will come away knowing appreciably more about the field of psychology than those who haven't read it. The ultimate usefulness of the book, though, is limited by the difficulty of translating all the enlightening stuff here into behavioral applications effective beyond the normative constraints of therapy itself, and which might otherwise lead to significant social or cultural change.

Trauma and Recovery — Judith Herman

A highly scholarly and philosophical romp through some of the key issues confronting this website. Not for the faint of mind, but extremely reassuring for real intellectuals who may have noticed that something is generally fishy in the state of AcaDenmark.

The book starts like this: "The logical self-reflection that accompanied the development of the human sciences in the nineteenth century is wholly governed by the model of the natural sciences."

And ends like this: "… There is undoubtedly no understanding that is free of all prejudices, however much the will of our knowledge must be directed toward escaping their thrall.… This especially applies to the human sciences, but it does not mean that they are less scientific; on the contrary it justifies the claim to special humane significance that they have always made. The fact that in such knowledge the knower's own being comes into play certainly shows the limits of method, but not of science. Rather, what the tool of method does not achieve must — and really can — be achieved by a discipline of questioning and inquiring, a discipline that guarantees truth."

More power to any who wish to tackle the pages in-between!

Truth and Method — Hans-Georg Gadamer

For some great insights into how the same words can be used to free or enslave, depending on economic, social and political circumstances — as well as important ideas on a lot of other aspects of language — check this one out.

Writing Degree Zero — Roland Barthes

Several books of mine on Kindle. The shorter essays and stories you might find here for free, but the two bigger selections (on the Biology of Culture and the Alphabet) you won't. Getting them on Kindle in excellent form (that is, no annoying typos — both mine and theirs, or transpositional errors — usually theirs), however, is still very much a work in progress. But, as I've covered more fully on this website's Welcome page, there is nothing there to interfere with their essential readability.

Of course, highly recommended! Haha . . .

Lee J. Strauss on Amazon