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This Art of Psychoanalysis: Dreaming Undreamt Dreams and Interrupted Cries (The New Library of Psychoanalysis)
by Thomas H OgdenWinner of the 2010 Haskell Norman Prize for Outstanding Achievement in Psychoanalysis! Why is dreaming the mind's single most important psychoanalytic activity? This Art of Psychoanalysis offers a unique perspective on psychoanalysis that features a new way of conceptualizing the role of dreaming in human psychology. Thomas Ogden's thinking has been at the cutting edge of psychoanalysis for more than 25 years. In this volume, he builds on the work of Freud, Klein, Winnicott, and Bion and explores the idea that human psychopathology is a manifestation of a breakdown of the individual's capacity to dream his experience. The investigation into the role of the analyst in participating psychologically in the patient's dreaming is illustrated throughout with elegant and absorbing accounts of clinical work, providing a fascinating insight into the analyst's experience. Subjects covered include: a new reading of the origins of object relations theory on holding and containing, being and dreaming on psychoanalytic writing. This engaging book succeeds in conveying not just a set of techniques but a way of being with patients that is humane and compassionate. It will be of great interest to psychoanalysts, psychotherapists and other mental health professionals.
This Book Is a Safe Space: Cute Doodles And Therapy Strategies To Support Mental Health
by Amy TranColorful Doodledwellness Illustrations to Support Mental Health and Wellness "This insightful book provides valuable paths to pursue in the search for mental wellbeing.”—Gloria Drake, Library Journal#1 New Release in Teen & Young Adult Psychology, Women Artists, and Social ScienceAmy Tran, creator of Doodledwellness on Instagram and author of This Book is a Safe Space, uses cute doodles to help you take control of your thoughts and emotions with psychology-based coping skills.Cute doodles, positive affirmations, and coping skills. Amy Tran believes cultivating a safe space in your mind and achieving balance between your thoughts and emotions begins with supporting your mental health. In This Book is a Safe Space, Amy offers cute doodles, self-love affirmations, and encouraging reminders to help you develop positive self-talk.Colorful illustrations to enhance mental health. Amy’s key to equipping you with mental health tools and tips is colorful graphics that are both visually appealing and engaging. Find positive affirmations, self-love prompts, reminders, and coping strategies.Understand brain science for a healthier mindset. Sometimes brain science and psychology can be hard to understand and difficult to navigate when building a safe space in your mind. Unlike other books about mental health, This Book is a Safe Space simplifies complex content by providing it in easily understood formats.Inside, you’ll find:Self-love affirmations, encouragement, and practical adviceCoping skills for navigating relationships and situationsTips and reminders for strengthening your inner voiceIf you liked Anxiety Relief for Teens, Mindfulness Workbook for Teens, or My Therapist Told Me to Journal, you’ll love This Book is a Safe Space.
This Book Will Make You Calm
by Jessamy Hibberd Jo UsmarLife in the 21st century is tough - new technology, constant change, more choice and extra pressure all add to our stress levels. And when you're stressed or tired your insecurities increase - so breaking that cycle feels impossible. But help is at hand: this book will show you how to beat stress and become more positive, relaxed and productive. Dr Jessamy Hibberd and Jo Usmar draw on the latest cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) research to show you how to develop coping strategies and learn practical techniques to deal with stress and anxiety quickly and effectively. From reducing worry and boosting energy to breathing and mindfulness techniques, this helpful little book will make your life more serene, stress-free and fulfilled.
This Book Will Make You Calm
by Jo Usmar Jessamy HibberdLife in the 21st century is tough - new technology, constant change, more choice and extra pressure all add to our stress levels. And when you're stressed or tired your insecurities increase - so breaking that cycle feels impossible. But help is at hand: this book will show you how to beat stress and become more positive, relaxed and productive. Dr Jessamy Hibberd and Jo Usmar draw on the latest cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) research to show you how to develop coping strategies and learn practical techniques to deal with stress and anxiety quickly and effectively. From reducing worry and boosting energy to breathing and mindfulness techniques, this helpful little book will make your life more serene, stress-free and fulfilled.
This Book Will Make You Confident
by Jessamy Hibberd Jo UsmarHave you ever felt like something is holding you back? That other people seem to breeze through life, but self-doubt and insecurity prevent you getting the things you want - at work, in family life or relationships? Well, fear not: no matter how low you feel it is possible to overcome vicious cycles in your mood and behaviour. This little book will allow you to change how you think. Dr Jessamy Hibberd and Jo Usmar will provide you with the tools to build your self-esteem and realise your full potential. With practical exercises and techniques based on the very latest cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) research, their friendly results-driven approach will give you a new sense of confidence in every area of your life.
This Book Will Make You Confident
by Jo Usmar Jessamy HibberdHave you ever felt like something is holding you back? That other people seem to breeze through life, but self-doubt and insecurity prevent you getting the things you want - at work, in family life or relationships? Well, fear not: no matter how low you feel it is possible to overcome vicious cycles in your mood and behaviour. This little book will allow you to change how you think. Dr Jessamy Hibberd and Jo Usmar will provide you with the tools to build your self-esteem and realise your full potential. With practical exercises and techniques based on the very latest cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) research, their friendly results-driven approach will give you a new sense of confidence in every area of your life.
This Book Will Make You Feel Beautiful
by Jessamy Hibberd Jo UsmarBody image insecurity is something a lot of us face. Overwhelming evidence suggests that constantly worrying about your appearance can stunt your ambition, cause you to feel inadequate, and make it impossible for you to enjoy your life to the fullest. Sounds familiar? There is a solution!This compact book tackles the underlying causes of body image anxiety and breaks them down so you can start to change how you view yourself and your perceived flaws. You will learn to nip destructive behaviors in the bud, stop self-criticism, and manage emotional eating habits. Dr Jessamy Hibberd and Jo Usmar employ the latest techniques in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to create practical exercises that can help you to take the first steps towards feeling more confident, poised, and, yes, beautiful.
This Book Will Make You Feel Beautiful (This Book Will...)
by Jessamy Hibberd Jo UsmarBody image insecurities can affect your entire life. Constantly worrying about how you look can ruin your day-to-day experiences, curb your ambitions and make you feel you don't measure up in some way. If this sounds familiar, it's time to take action. This friendly book addresses the root causes of body image anxiety and breaks them down so you can start changing how you view yourself, your appearance and any difficulties you're facing. You'll learn how to stop destructive behaviours, limit self-criticism, manage emotional eating and see yourself differently. Dr Jessamy Hibberd and Jo Usmar use the latest CBT techniques with practical exercises to enable you to build your self-esteem so you'll feel confident, self-assured and beautiful.Chapters include: Why Do We Hate the Way We Look?Cognitive Behavioural TherapyStopping Bad Body Image BehaviourFood for ThoughtJudgement DayFacing Your Fears
This Book Will Make You Feel Beautiful
by Jessamy Hibberd Jo UsmarBody image insecurities can affect your entire life. Constantly worrying about how you look can ruin your day-to-day experiences, curb your ambitions and make you feel you don't measure up in some way. If this sounds familiar, it's time to take action. This friendly book addresses the root causes of body image anxiety and breaks them down so you can start changing how you view yourself, your appearance and any difficulties you're facing. You'll learn how to stop destructive behaviours, limit self-criticism, manage emotional eating and see yourself differently. Dr Jessamy Hibberd and Jo Usmar use the latest CBT techniques with practical exercises to enable you to build your self-esteem so you'll feel confident, self-assured and beautiful.Chapters include: Why Do We Hate the Way We Look?Cognitive Behavioural TherapyStopping Bad Body Image BehaviourFood for ThoughtJudgement DayFacing Your Fears
This Book Will Make You Happy
by Jessamy Hibberd Jo UsmarWe all experience periods of feeling low, frustrated and lacking in energy - but ignoring the problem and struggling on can start to affect all areas of your life. Help is at hand: this concise little book shows you how you can reverse negative thoughts and emotions and make yourself happier and more confident. Dr Jessamy Hibberd and Jo Usmar draw on the very latest research in cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and modern psychology to give you practical, proven techniques and exercises to combat low mood and, more importantly, increase your happiness, making you healthier and more fulfilled. Chapters include: Positive strategies, Controlling emotions, Rewarding yourself, Combating guilt, Better rest and sleep, Mental exercises, Breaking negative thought patterns, Relaxation techniques.
This Book Will Make You Happy
by Jo Usmar Jessamy HibberdWe all experience periods of feeling low, frustrated and lacking in energy - but ignoring the problem and struggling on can start to affect all areas of your life. Help is at hand: this concise little book shows you how you can reverse negative thoughts and emotions and make yourself happier and more confident. Dr Jessamy Hibberd and Jo Usmar draw on the very latest research in cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and modern psychology to give you practical, proven techniques and exercises to combat low mood and, more importantly, increase your happiness, making you healthier and more fulfilled. Chapters include: Positive strategies, Controlling emotions, Rewarding yourself, Combating guilt, Better rest and sleep, Mental exercises, Breaking negative thought patterns, Relaxation techniques.
This Book Will Make You Mindful
by Jessamy Hibberd Jo UsmarWe live increasingly busy lives, and while some of us have no trouble juggling multiple responsibilities, others struggle to deal with the mounting pressures we feel from external sources, and, most importantly, from ourselves. It's not uncommon to feel buried under the weight of responsibilities and constantly feel like you're running out of time--with days, weeks, and years passing by in a blur. But don't let this discourage you--help is on its way.This compact and accessible volume will arm you with techniques that can help you change your perspective and get the most out of every moment of your life. Dr Jessamy Hibberd and Jo Usmar use the latest mindfulness techniques to teach you how to stop worrying about the future or dwelling on the past and get the most of the life you're living right now. Understanding the way your brain works will help you learn how to cope with the negatives while fully appreciating the good things in life. The result? A happier, more confident, and more productive you!
This Book Will Make You Sleep
by Jessamy Hibberd Jo UsmarBreak negative sleep patterns for better rest and happiness.We all go through patches when we find it hard to sleep. Either we have problems dropping off at night or we wake in the early hours with thoughts buzzing round in our minds. Sometimes it seems impossible to get that elusive night's sleep we so badly crave, but this book will show you how to break negative patterns, get more rest and improve your wellbeing. Dr Jessamy Hibberd and Jo Usmar draw on the very latest developments in cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and popular psychology, to guide you through proven techniques to help you get your sleep patterns back on track. You will feel rested, happier, and immediately reap the benefits in your everyday life.Praise for the This Book Will series:'Top tips for making your life loads better.' Cosmo'The answer to all my problems.' Katie Piper'Take on January with new-found serenity with this series of self-help books' Stylist
This Book Will Make You Sleep
by Jessamy Hibberd Jo UsmarWe all go through patches when we find it hard to sleep. Either we have problems dropping off at night or we wake in the early hours with thoughts buzzing round in our minds. Sometimes it seems impossible to get that elusive night's sleep we so badly crave, but this book will show you how to break negative patterns, get more rest and improve your wellbeing. Dr Jessamy Hibberd and Jo Usmar draw on the very latest developments in cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), to guide you through proven techniques to help you get your sleep patterns back on track. You will feel rested, happier, and immediately reap the benefits in your everyday life.(P)2014 WF Howes Ltd
This Book Will Make You Sleep
by Jo Usmar Jessamy HibberdBreak negative sleep patterns for better rest and happiness. We all go through patches when we find it hard to sleep. Either we have problems dropping off at night or we wake in the early hours with thoughts buzzing round in our minds. Sometimes it seems impossible to get that elusive night's sleep we so badly crave, but this book will show you how to break negative patterns, get more rest and improve your wellbeing. Dr Jessamy Hibberd and Jo Usmar draw on the very latest developments in cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and popular psychology, to guide you through proven techniques to help you get your sleep patterns back on track. You will feel rested, happier, and immediately reap the benefits in your everyday life.Praise for the This Book Will series:'Top tips for making your life loads better.' Cosmo'The answer to all my problems.' Katie Piper'Take on January with new-found serenity with this series of self-help books' Stylist
This Close to Happy: A Reckoning with Depression
by Daphne Merkin<p>“Despair is always described as dull,” writes Daphne Merkin, “when the truth is that despair has a light all its own, a lunar glow, the color of mottled silver.” This Close to Happy—Merkin’s rare, vividly personal account of what it feels like to suffer from clinical depression—captures this strange light. <p>Daphne Merkin has been hospitalized three times: first, in grade school, for childhood depression; years later, after her daughter was born, for severe postpartum depression; and later still, after her mother died, for obsessive suicidal thinking. Recounting this series of hospitalizations, as well as her visits to myriad therapists and psychopharmacologists, Merkin fearlessly offers what the child psychiatrist Harold Koplewicz calls “the inside view of navigating a chronic psychiatric illness to a realistic outcome.” The arc of Merkin’s affliction is lifelong, beginning in a childhood largely bereft of love and stretching into the present, where Merkin lives a high-functioning life and her depression is manageable, if not “cured.” “The opposite of depression,” she writes with characteristic insight, “is not a state of unimaginable happiness . . . but a state of relative all-right-ness.” <p>In this dark yet vital memoir, Merkin describes not only the harrowing sorrow that she has known all her life, but also her early, redemptive love of reading and gradual emergence as a writer. Written with an acute understanding of the ways in which her condition has evolved as well as affected those around her, This Close to Happy is an utterly candid coming-to-terms with an illness that many share but few talk about, one that remains shrouded in stigma. In the words of the distinguished psychologist Carol Gilligan, “It brings a stunningly perceptive voice into the forefront of the conversation about depression, one that is both reassuring and revelatory.”</p>
This Close to Happy: A Reckoning with Depression
by Daphne Merkin&“A cleareyed, insightful account of how she felt during her nosedives into despair . . . shot through with a self-awareness that helps readers cheer her on.&”—The New York Times A New York Times Book Review Favorite Read of the Year &“Despair is always described as dull,&” writes Daphne Merkin, &“when the truth is that despair has a light all its own, a lunar glow, the color of mottled silver.&” This Close to Happy—Merkin&’s rare, vividly personal account of what it feels like to suffer from clinical depression—captures this strange light. Merkin has been hospitalized three times: first, in grade school, for childhood depression; years later, after her daughter was born, for severe postpartum depression; and later still, after her mother died, for obsessive suicidal thinking. Recounting this series of hospitalizations, as well as her visits to myriad therapists and psychopharmacologists, Merkin portrays the lifelong arc of her affliction, beginning in a childhood largely bereft of love and stretching into the present, where she lives a high-functioning life and her depression is manageable, if not &“cured.&” The opposite of depression, she writes with characteristic insight, is not a state of unimaginable happiness, but a state of relative all-right-ness. In this dark yet vital memoir, Merkin describes not only the harrowing sorrow that she has known all her life, but also her early, redemptive love of reading and gradual emergence as a writer. Written with an acute understanding of the ways in which her condition has evolved as well as affected those around her, This Close to Happy is an utterly candid coming-to-terms with an illness that is still often stigmatized and shrouded in misunderstanding. &“[A] mesmerizing memoir.&” —Booklist (starred review) &“Brings a stunningly perceptive voice to the forefront of the conversation about depression, one that is both reassuring and revelatory.&” —Carol Gilligan, author of In a Different Voice
This Difficult Thing of Being Human: The Art of Self-Compassion
by BodhipaksaWe all long for someone to offer us unconditional love and support. But what if that person is us? The practice of mindful self-compassion creates the space we need so that observation, acceptance, and real love can enter, no matter how judgmental or disconnected we may feel.It sounds like a simple idea: to be kind to yourself. But if you pay attention to your thoughts, habits, and self-talk, you may find that it's more difficult than it sounds. The intentional practice of self-compassion, outlined here by Buddhist scholar and teacher Bodhipaksa, can help you find greater overall wellbeing, emotional resilience, physical health, and willpower. Bodhipaksa provides both the why and the how of mindful self-compassion, drawing on contemporary psychology and neuroscience and also on Buddhist psychology, weaving the modern and ancient together into a coherent whole.Contemporary psychologists are focusing less on self-esteem and more on self-compassion. Bodhipaksa, a practicing meditator of more than thirty years, effortlessly blends ancient techniques dating back to the time of the Buddha with the most recent understanding of psychology and neuroscience. And in the end, as Bodhipaksa writes, it is actually quite simple: "Life is short. Be kind."
This Explains Everything: 150 Deep, Beautiful, and Elegant Theories of How the World Works (Edge Question Series)
by John BrockmanDrawn from the cutting-edge frontiers of science, This Explains Everything will revolutionize your understanding of the world.What is your favorite deep, elegant, or beautiful explanation? This is the question John Brockman, publisher of Edge.org ("The world's smartest website"--The Guardian), posed to the world's most influential minds. Flowing from the horizons of physics, economics, psychology, neuroscience, and more, This Explains Everything presents 150 of the most surprising and brilliant theories of the way of our minds, societies, and universe work.Jared Diamond on biological electricity * Nassim Nicholas Taleb on positive stress * Steven Pinker on the deep genetic roots of human conflict * Richard Dawkins on pattern recognition * Nobel Prize-winning physicist Frank Wilczek on simplicity * Lisa Randall on the Higgs mechanism * BRIAN Eno on the limits of intuition * Richard Thaler on the power of commitment * V. S. Ramachandran on the "neural code" of consciousness * Nobel Prize winner ERIC KANDEL on the power of psychotherapy * Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi on "Lord Acton's Dictum" * Lawrence M. Krauss on the unification of electricity and magnetism * plus contributions by Martin J. Rees * Kevin Kelly * Clay Shirky * Daniel C. Dennett * Sherry Turkle * Philip Zimbardo * Lee Smolin * Rebecca Newberger Goldstein * Seth Lloyd * Stewart Brand * George Dyson * Matt Ridley
This Extraordinary Moment: Moving Beyond the Mind to Embrace the Miracle of What Is
by John Astin AdyashantiAnyone who attempts to describe what is ultimately indescribable faces the same challenge—how does one use words to explain something that transcends language? Many writers fall into the trap of using more words to do the job that most words aren’t even particularly suited for, the ideas growing ever more allusive and abstract as the verbiage piles up. But in trying to unmoor the essence of lived experience from the concepts and stories we use to construct it, author and spiritual teacher John Astin takes a different approach—using fewer words instead of more, and grounding them with exercises designed to evoke the actual experience of what he’s describing. <p><p> Evoking the true nature of experience in words is a tricky proposition: perceptual reality has no beginning and no end, making it impossible to delineate, and what arises internally as thoughts and feelings are equally limitless, indeterminate, and unresolvable. While we have countless ways to categorize, conceptualize, and label things, the truth of whatever is being felt, seen, tasted, touched, or heard is infinitely more complex and multidimensional than our conceptual or linguistic structures would have us believe. By becoming more intimate with experience itself—rather than trying to narrate, avoid, or escape it—we can begin to discover that our experiences cannot possibly limit us in the ways we’ve imagined, owing to their radically open-ended and ultimately indefinable nature. <p><p> This Extraordinary Moment invites you on a journey of boundless inquiry, which becomes a liberating free-fall into the mysteries that lie just beyond our understanding of lived reality—which words can never quite describe. Built entirely around personal experience and exploration, this book provides activities, dialogues, exercises, and meditations to help you unlearn the basic misapprehensions about the nature of moment-to-moment experience, and shows you how to gain distance from the stories you tell about what you’re experiencing, so as to better focus on what’s actually happening in the present moment. <p><p> With ultrashort chapters grounded in experiential practices, and without the use of the usual spiritual jargon, this fast-moving, highly readable book makes the esoteric accessible to all—from anyone interested in stress management, well-being, or positive psychology to the devoted spiritual seeker.
This Far: My Story of Love, Loss, and Embracing the Light
by Allison HolkerNEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER&“A celebration of the healing power of family and dance, Holker&’s memoir shows how to heal from tragedy without wrapping everything up in a neat bow.&” – Library JournalIn this candid and emotional memoir, Allison Holker opens up about her incredible dance career, her relationship with Stephen &“tWitch&” Boss, and the resilience that has carried her forward after his death.Allison Holker was just eighteen when she found fame as a contestant on the reality TV show So You Think You Can Dance. Over the next several years, she had her first child, built a successful career as a professional dancer despite the industry being hostile to working moms, and fell in love with and married fellow dancer Stephen Boss, the former hype man and DJ of The Ellen DeGeneres Show known for his charisma and relentless positivity. Two more children and a wealth of professional opportunities for both Allison and Stephen followed, and the Bosses appeared to be one of the great Hollywood love stories.Then, in December 2022, Stephen took his own life, leaving Allison to wrestle with unanswered questions, haunting what-ifs, and the heartbreaking realization that Stephen&’s infectious joy was hiding pain, addictions, and self-doubt deeper than anyone knew.For the first time, Allison reveals how she has navigated the emotional and financial aftermath of Stephen&’s choice, guided their three children in their grief while managing the outpouring from a well-meaning public, and reopened herself to the next chapter in her professional and personal life. A beacon of hope and comfort for anyone experiencing grief—especially unexpected loss due to suicide—Allison&’s story is an honest reflection on the pain of looking back on a complicated life and the resilience required to move into the future.
This Fragile Life: A Mother's Story of a Bipolar Son
by Charlotte Pierce-Baker"Illuminating and brilliant, with poetry and prose, mother and son lay bare the ravages of bipolar disorder and the journey toward growth and understanding. A touching, lyrical memoir." --Jewell Parker Rhodes, award-winning author, Voodoo Dreams and Douglass' Women Told in a mother's own words, this is a moving story of a loving African American family that faces the daily crisis of an unpredictable mental disorder. Charlotte Pierce-Baker and her husband did everything right when raising their son Mark: providing emotional support, the best education possible, and the freedom to choose his own path. At age 25, Mark was pursuing a postgraduate degree in film, living with his fiancée, and seemingly in control of his life, so Pierce-Baker never imagined her high-achieving son would wind up handcuffed, barely clothed, dirty, mad, and in jail. Mark's bipolar disorder manifested late and included hospitalizations, calls in the night, pleas for money, jail, lawyers, prescriptions, doctors, alcohol and drug relapses, and continuous disputes about how to live--and not live. This autobiography weaves a fascinating story of mental illness, race, family, the drive of African Americans to succeed, and a mother's love for her son. Charlotte Pierce-Baker is a professor of women's studies, gender studies, and English at Vanderbilt University and the author of Surviving the Silence. She lives in Nashville, Tennessee.
This Idea Must Die: Scientific Theories That Are Blocking Progress (Edge Question Series)
by John BrockmanReporting from the cutting edge of scientific discovery, today's visionary thinkers target the greatest roadblocks to innovation.Few truly new ideas are developed without first abandoning old ones. In the past, discoveries often had to wait for the rise of the next generation to see questions in a new light and let go of old truisms. Today, in a world that is defined by a rapid rate of change, staying on the cutting edge has as much to do with shedding outdated notions as adopting new ones. In this spirit, John Brockman, publisher of the online salon Edge.org ("the world's smartest website"--The Guardian), asked 175 of the world's most influential scientists, economists, artists, and philosophers: What scientific idea is ready for retirement?Jared Diamond explores the diverse ways that new ideas emerge * Nassim Nicholas Taleb takes down the standard deviation * Richard Thaler and novelist Ian McEwan reveal the usefulness of "bad" ideas * Steven Pinker dismantles the working theory of human behavior * Richard Dawkins renounces essentialism * Sherry Turkle reevaluates our expectations of artificial intelligence * Physicist Andrei Linde suggests that our universe and its laws may not be as unique as we think * Martin Rees explains why scientific understanding is a limitless goal * Alan Guth rethinks the origins of the universe * Sam Harris argues that our definition of science is too narrow * Nobel Prize winner Frank Wilczek disputes the division between mind and matter * Lawrence Krauss challenges the notion that the laws of physics were preordained * plus contributions from Daniel Goleman, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, Nicholas Carr, Rebecca Newberger Goldstein, Matt Ridley, Stewart Brand, Sean Carroll, Daniel C. Dennett, Helen Fisher, Douglas Rushkoff, Lee Smolin, Kevin Kelly, Freeman Dyson, and others.
This Incredible Need to Believe (European Perspectives: A Series in Social Thought and Cultural Criticism)
by Julia Kristeva"Unlike Freud, I do not claim that religion is just an illusion and a source of neurosis. The time has come to recognize, without being afraid of 'frightening' either the faithful or the agnostics, that the history of Christianity prepared the world for humanism."So writes Julia Kristeva in this provocative work, which skillfully upends our entrenched ideas about religion, belief, and the thought and work of a renowned psychoanalyst and critic. With dialogue and essay, Kristeva analyzes our "incredible need to believe"--the inexorable push toward faith that, for Kristeva, lies at the heart of the psyche and the history of society. Examining the lives, theories, and convictions of Saint Teresa of Avila, Sigmund Freud, Donald Winnicott, Hannah Arendt, and other individuals, she investigates the intersection between the desire for God and the shadowy zone in which belief resides. Kristeva suggests that human beings are formed by their need to believe, beginning with our first attempts at speech and following through to our adolescent search for identity and meaning. Kristeva then applies her insight to contemporary religious clashes and the plight of immigrant populations, especially those of Islamic origin. Even if we no longer have faith in God, Kristeva argues, we must believe in human destiny and creative possibility. Reclaiming Christianity's openness to self-questioning and the search for knowledge, Kristeva urges a "new kind of politics," one that restores the integrity of the human community.
This Incredible Need to Believe (European Perspectives)
by Julia Kristeva&“A sprawling analysis of religion in major psychological and philosophical literature, fiction and in private life . . . compelling and remarkable.&”—Publishers Weekly &“Unlike Freud, I do not claim that religion is just an illusion and a source of neurosis. The time has come to recognize, without being afraid of &‘frightening&’ either the faithful or the agnostics, that the history of Christianity prepared the world for humanism.&” So writes Julia Kristeva in this provocative work, which skillfully upends our entrenched ideas about religion, belief, and the thought and work of a renowned psychoanalyst and critic. With dialogue and essay, Kristeva analyzes our &“incredible need to believe&”—the inexorable push toward faith that, for Kristeva, lies at the heart of the psyche and the history of society. Examining the lives, theories, and convictions of Saint Teresa of Avila, Sigmund Freud, Donald Winnicott, Hannah Arendt, and other individuals, she investigates the intersection between the desire for God and the shadowy zone in which belief resides. Kristeva suggests that human beings are formed by their need to believe, beginning with our first attempts at speech and following through to our adolescent search for identity and meaning. Kristeva then applies her insight to contemporary religious clashes and the plight of immigrant populations. Even if we no longer have faith in God, Kristeva argues, we must believe in human destiny and creative possibility. Reclaiming Christianity&’s openness to self-questioning and the search for knowledge, Kristeva urges a &“new kind of politics,&” one that restores the integrity of the human community. &“A helpful commentary and introduction to Kristeva&’s major work over the last two decades.&”—Choice