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.

Eating disorders and body image problems have become prevalent over the past twenty years. In this book, psychiatrist Alexander Lowen writes one of the first books on this topic of distorted body image. He emphasizes that one must stop betraying one's body but rather embrace and accept it as is. The body has its own wisdom, and one must learn to respect it if one ever desires peace in this place where one resides. One must learn to listen to one's body and its signals. Dr. Alexander Lowen also discusses topics such as the relationship between eating and sexuality and gives examples of exercises to help one become more aware and present in one's body.

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.

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

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.

Lowen's latest work 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.

Book arrived early and was in good order - good value overall

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.

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!

I enjoy Lowen's writing style. Fear of Life was my first Lowen; since then I have read many more of his books.

Fear of Life was the first Lowen book I read. I really enjoy his style of writing.

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.

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.

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.

Although another reviewer rated this book as a "1", I wonder whether we read the same book. We are, at least, very different readers. Perhaps for an academic, Lowen's discussion of narcissism might seem narrow. However, for the general reader, and especially for anyone who is fascinated (or tortured) by the paradox of self-destructive behavior, Lowen's analysis is revelatory. One does not have to accept BioEnergetic theory in general to conclude that Lowen has achieved some critical insights into the affliction known as "narcissism." Rather than the state of haughty self-absorption it is often made out to be, narcissism is in fact a form of slavery to a false image of the self. The theory that narcissism is actually a symptom of self-alienation, that can be relieved by bringing the sufferer back into contact with those portions of the self that he or she has banished, is most liberating. Lowen makes his points using understated, elegant prose that is more evocative of a collegial conversation than an argument. Highly recommended to anyone who has ever been baffled by behavior, whether of themselves or of a family member, reflecting a combination of gross insensitivity to others, intolerance of personal shortcomings, and a bewilderment at the seeming aridity of life itself. Lowen has gone a long way toward making sense of this suffering.

I found this book to be excellent because it answered many questions about myself and my past behavior. I have a narcissistic personality and have often wondered why I acted out in such self-destructive ways. He explains how someone's behavior can reveal their true self. This is right on the mark. Everyone has a personality, which is revealed in their speech and their behavior. When someone's speech is different from their behavior, you know they are projecting a false image of their self. People who project false images of their self are naricisstic. Much of Dr. Alexander Lowan's research can be validated by the work done by the FBI's Behavior Science Unit, which was the basis for the popular movie "Silence of the Lambs." Once you've read Dr. Lowan's book, an excellent follow up book would be Journey Into Darkness by John Douglas, the FBI agent who started the FBI's Behaviorial Science Unit. I can truly say, Dr. Lowan's book saved my life and helped me change my behavior and find happiness with my self. This book is a must read for anyone who is in denial of their true self.