Fear of the Abyss
Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2012 2:47 pm
Hello gang!
I've been thinking about sharing with our group about this book for some time, and I decided it does count as a "spiritual book," rather than merely a psychological one. This book is called "Fear of the Abyss: Healing the Wounds of Shame & Perfectionism." It is only available for download, as an ebook. For those like me, who don't use a Kindle or an iPad, you can just read it on your computer screen as a pdf file.
The reason I find this book to be spiritual, is because it assists the reader in engaging in a personally-uplifting healing process. There are many books on the market that help people to 'cope' with upset feelings. For instance: If you compulsively over-eat, you might learn strategies to 'eat less.' If you suffer with panic attacks, you might learn methods that 'distract you' while you are going through those horrible feelings.
Instead, this book assists the reader in coming to find the deep roots of the painful feelings, and, through working through those feelings, acknowledging them, and learning more deeply about the self -- those feelings begin to heal, permanently. Then there is no need to 'cope,' for the individual has worked through, and past, the upsetting feelings.
The book is written for a specific personality type, rather than for a psychiatric diagnosis. So many conscientious, well-meaning, kind people -- who are so good to other people, beat up on themselves. They might leave a conversation and replay it in their mind, and worry they might have said something wrong. They struggle to feel in control, in their lives. They strive to be perfect, so that they won't disappoint the people who love them. They also ignore their own disappointed feelings, when those they love behave in a hurtful manner; they try to 'protect' their loved ones by not noticing they've been disappointed by them. They might also feel ashamed of themselves for having some upset feelings, or for 'wanting things,' because that means they're selfish, right?
I recommend this book to clients all the time, and I have seen many people find lasting healing, peace, and change in their lives, as they unearth the 'real person' under the layers of pain. Most of the time, folks who stand to benefit from this book 'do very well' in their lives, they are very high-functioning, often even very successful, but they have sad feelings, or anxious feelings, that they hide beneath the surface. They don't want to 'burden others' by sharing about the painful feelings of 'not being good enough.'
I find this book deeply spiritual because it tries to assist people in finding their 'Authentic Self.' It would be an excellent companion piece for a person who endeavors to heal through meditation, and connecting to the Great Beyond. We sometimes take on the idea of 'Who we are' based on the idea of who others think we are. This book tries to help us find our true, authentic self, and live the Truth of our own innate potential.
Just wanted to share that! If anyone thinks they might benefit, or knows another person who might benefit.
Peace to all of you and thank you for reading! With love & gratitude,
Michele
I've been thinking about sharing with our group about this book for some time, and I decided it does count as a "spiritual book," rather than merely a psychological one. This book is called "Fear of the Abyss: Healing the Wounds of Shame & Perfectionism." It is only available for download, as an ebook. For those like me, who don't use a Kindle or an iPad, you can just read it on your computer screen as a pdf file.
The reason I find this book to be spiritual, is because it assists the reader in engaging in a personally-uplifting healing process. There are many books on the market that help people to 'cope' with upset feelings. For instance: If you compulsively over-eat, you might learn strategies to 'eat less.' If you suffer with panic attacks, you might learn methods that 'distract you' while you are going through those horrible feelings.
Instead, this book assists the reader in coming to find the deep roots of the painful feelings, and, through working through those feelings, acknowledging them, and learning more deeply about the self -- those feelings begin to heal, permanently. Then there is no need to 'cope,' for the individual has worked through, and past, the upsetting feelings.
The book is written for a specific personality type, rather than for a psychiatric diagnosis. So many conscientious, well-meaning, kind people -- who are so good to other people, beat up on themselves. They might leave a conversation and replay it in their mind, and worry they might have said something wrong. They struggle to feel in control, in their lives. They strive to be perfect, so that they won't disappoint the people who love them. They also ignore their own disappointed feelings, when those they love behave in a hurtful manner; they try to 'protect' their loved ones by not noticing they've been disappointed by them. They might also feel ashamed of themselves for having some upset feelings, or for 'wanting things,' because that means they're selfish, right?
I recommend this book to clients all the time, and I have seen many people find lasting healing, peace, and change in their lives, as they unearth the 'real person' under the layers of pain. Most of the time, folks who stand to benefit from this book 'do very well' in their lives, they are very high-functioning, often even very successful, but they have sad feelings, or anxious feelings, that they hide beneath the surface. They don't want to 'burden others' by sharing about the painful feelings of 'not being good enough.'
I find this book deeply spiritual because it tries to assist people in finding their 'Authentic Self.' It would be an excellent companion piece for a person who endeavors to heal through meditation, and connecting to the Great Beyond. We sometimes take on the idea of 'Who we are' based on the idea of who others think we are. This book tries to help us find our true, authentic self, and live the Truth of our own innate potential.
Just wanted to share that! If anyone thinks they might benefit, or knows another person who might benefit.
Peace to all of you and thank you for reading! With love & gratitude,
Michele