Focusing

6 stars. Gendlin, a student of Carl Rogers, took things a few steps further than his mentor, in a technological direction.Make no mistake, focusing is a technology or technique that can be taught to anyone of average or above average intelligence who has guts and some inclination toward introspection. It's not something that fits everyone.If you are ineluctably stupid or self-deceiving, this won't help you. As an ineluctably stupid or dishonest person, you won't recognize yourself as such, and will think this book is meant for you.You will buy it and put it aside nearly immediately. That's ok--you've helped boost its rank on Amazon. It's about time you did something nice for other people. </snark>Focusing is said to be meditational. Which I guess it is. But I'd almost call it anti-meditational. If traditional clear your mind meditation bores or repels you, focusing is not that. It is highly intentional, active and verbal. The whole point is to drag up what's not verbal within you and make it verbal. "Drag" sounds a little harsh, and focusing is not harsh--maybe dredge is a better word?If you've ever wanted to be a writer, envied how they express things that you were only dimly aware of thinking the same thing until they said it, focusing is for you.And focusing is fun. It is designed specifically to give you a doggy treat at the end of most sessions: The "A-ha!" moment of insight that you spend $200 a week with a therapist to get now and then.It is also very practical: You can bring it to bear on immediate practical issues and I have found that it brings me to much better immediate problem-solving: I have no idea how to handle this meeting in the morning. And it's really wonderful for slightly bigger questions. Should I change my career? What do I do next about my problem adult child? My boss is driving me crazy, how do I handle him better? I'm afraid my spouse doesn't care for me anymore.I've never gotten bad advice or made a major screw-up because of focusing. Your mileage may vary.

This is an easy, very-accessible read and is a classic in the field of somatically-oriented psychotherapy. I read it when it was first published and have returned to it recently in undertaking the three-year certification training in Somatic Experiencing™. Highly recommended.

A brilliant little book. Brilliant self help but even more brilliant community help. It's a model for a new way of being in relationship, and some of the power of therapy without needing a therapist (genuinely).Please see also Ann Weiser Cornell's "The Power of Focusing" (client perspective), and her extra brilliant "Focusing on Clinical Practice" (therapist/practitioner perspective). The latter is especially nice as it gets into some of the productive weeds of Gendlin's opus, "A Process Model", which is his philosophy work that deftly weaves the complex path towards understanding why Focusing works and much, much more.

This book (Focusing by Eugene T. Gendlin) is actually aimed at professional therapists even though anyone can learn some interesting techniques in handling their own internal problems and conflicts. This paperback edition begins with an introduction to the 25th anniversary edition by the author, followed by an introduction to the first edition (Focusing: A tool for changing times) by Marilyn Ferguson.The four parts includes the following: Unlocking the wisdom of your body explaining the inner act, change and what the body knows. The second part explains the Focusing theory which is longest section because it goes into details how the system works. The third part deals with “people helping each other” with using the focusing therapy method. The final part covers focusing and society.There is also an appendix section that should also be read which also covers a summary of the six steps to follow in practicing focusing.If you are in therapy or you are a therapist this book may be a valuable aid for those in the field. Even though I personally did not see much value in this book; nevertheless, I intend to pass on this book to some of my friends who are certified social worker therapists.Rating: 4 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author: The Samurai Soul: An old warrior’s poetic tribute).

I've had this little book since 1978 and loved the somatic viewpoint of focusing on one's internal being. I appreciated the look to bodily awareness and asking the questions to help one navigate the deepest levels of awareness within the body and then listening to our body's wisdom.When I learned that this book was reissued in 2007, I bought a few more for gifts. Since the initial print, there has been lots of work in somatics, bodywork, and healing trauma and anxiety. This little book is still very relevant and easy to use as a guide in bodily sensing and awareness, learning how to identify and change the way our thoughts and emotions are held within our bodies, and tapping into greater self-awareness. The deeper we can experience ourselves, the richer our connection and relationship with others can be. Heal ourselves - heal the world.

As a psychotherapist, I purchase 10 copies of this book at a time to give to clients. It is particularly useful for those who are learning to identify and explore their feelings.

Ok