What do you think?
Rate this book
The Undefended Self: Living the Pathwork of Spiritual Wholeness
This guide to personal transformation through Pathwork combines personal examples from the author's life, examples from the lives of participants in her Pathwork groups, and guided exercises to deepen readers' understanding of the Pathwork method. In a schema not unlike the id, ego, and superego, Pathworkn incluidas.
- GenresPsychologySpirituality
290 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 1994
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 4, 2021
I read this mask, higher self, and lower self integration book faster than I did a THRILLER. So much value here. Best articulation of masks and lower self, particularly because it goes into VERY FAMILIAR personality archetype examples (I.E. YOU, ME, and EVERYONE WE KNOW) instead of that same old abstract warning about how the shadow is disowned unconscious aspects that we gotta familiarize ourselves with, but it will be difficult we won't want to see. (I like the warning, but I appreciate having it expanded on in here.)
I'm gonna recommend this as a go-to intro to shadow integration book to everyone interested because it's both thorough and readable. The author also draws on clients' stories and dreams and some of them were compelling and others seemed like lies for how well their symbolism tied together to make the perfect point. A wonderful Jungian-lensed psychological and spiritual book on the importance of shadow integration. Written by people involved in Core Energetics somatic psychology work. Revelatory, insightful, and surprisingly hard to put down!
I'm gonna recommend this as a go-to intro to shadow integration book to everyone interested because it's both thorough and readable. The author also draws on clients' stories and dreams and some of them were compelling and others seemed like lies for how well their symbolism tied together to make the perfect point. A wonderful Jungian-lensed psychological and spiritual book on the importance of shadow integration. Written by people involved in Core Energetics somatic psychology work. Revelatory, insightful, and surprisingly hard to put down!
December 11, 2012
One of the most incredible exploration of the higher self, lower self and mask self and the reconciliation of all three that I have ever read. Definitely recommend to those on healing journeys or in search of psychological and spiritual integration.
August 24, 2015
This is a powerful and effective approach to identifying the issues that prevent one from finding their true self; the "undefended self" as the pathwork calls our unconditioned nature. I worked with the lectures in this book for several years and highly recommend it for anyone who is interested in real tools for real problems. But beware, you have to be willing to apply the principles to your own life; its not enough just to read about them! A powerful, authentic method with the power to transform ones life it you put the information to work.
Carol S Bean, author
Tender Heart of Joy: Tools for Reclaiming Your Full Measure of Delight
Carol S Bean, author
Tender Heart of Joy: Tools for Reclaiming Your Full Measure of Delight
December 26, 2012
There are so many interesting things in this book. It is a pscho-spiritual journey through the tendencies of the human being. There are many concepts in this book that I find truly well articulated. Just the concept of the undefended self is one to ponder.
June 15, 2009
If you want a no-bullshit approach to your personal growth, try living this.
May 1, 2020
Definitely the most intense, powerful and practical book I've read so far when it comes to psychological exploration and transformation.
It's mind blowing how Susan managed to write this, presenting the self-transformation journeys in such a powerful way with real stories and mapping the concepts so well.
While reading other's real stories and psychologicaI journeys I felt like my own psyche was unfolding right in front of my senses while I could relate to a high extent with the experiences/stories.
I'm incredibly grateful for this book and for all the intense work that people did with themselves.
It's mind blowing how Susan managed to write this, presenting the self-transformation journeys in such a powerful way with real stories and mapping the concepts so well.
While reading other's real stories and psychologicaI journeys I felt like my own psyche was unfolding right in front of my senses while I could relate to a high extent with the experiences/stories.
I'm incredibly grateful for this book and for all the intense work that people did with themselves.
February 12, 2023
Excellent workbook
I thought this was a very good workbook for anyone on their path to inner healing. There were many things I uncovered through the exercises that I wouldn’t have been able to get to on my own. It uncovered some inner child traumas and revealed my higher self. I used this workbook as a guide to chat with my therapist about some things and other things I worked through on my own. I think I’ll even read it again in a few years to see how my answered have changed and see how I’ve grown.
I thought this was a very good workbook for anyone on their path to inner healing. There were many things I uncovered through the exercises that I wouldn’t have been able to get to on my own. It uncovered some inner child traumas and revealed my higher self. I used this workbook as a guide to chat with my therapist about some things and other things I worked through on my own. I think I’ll even read it again in a few years to see how my answered have changed and see how I’ve grown.
August 19, 2018
This has become my bible for spiritual growth. I believe I'll work with these concepts for the next 50 years to come. Stunningly comprehensive and eye opening while compact (leaving aside a bit too exaggerated stories and dreams).
September 4, 2013
Buena guía espiritual
February 27, 2016
Re reading this one.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews