Customer Reviews

Addiction to Perfection: The Still Unravished Bride : A Psychological Study

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Marion Woodman's "Addicted to Perfection" is the best of her many works. She describes how we are all addicted to perfection and to being what our parents wanted us to be. This is expressed in active addicts through the abuse of alcohol, food, and sex according to our compulsive needs for father, mother and union (in corresponding order). I have shared this tape with several friends in Overeater's Anonymous who felt they got more insight from it than many years of 12-step work. Its not that they were going to quit the OA program, its just that Marion got to the heart of the problem in one cassette tape! For anyone struggling with an addiction, this tape is a must. It is also helpful for those who haven't needed to become an addict - the underlying principles are a part of the human condition today.

This book has gone a long way toward helping me bring some key issues in my life and dreams to consciousness. Having read a lot of Woodman's writings, I'd have to say this may be her key book.

After reading the review written by the reviewer below I'm reminded of the fact that the Jungian way of thinking is not for everyone. Those who tend to take life events, stories, dreams, and personalities literally will probably think this book is loopy. However, I have found that the use of archetypal images and themes in exploring my life goes a long way toward getting at the depths of who I am without explaining away the mystery or reducing myself to a one-dimensional being.

Woodman is a brilliant archetypal thinker. This book is so dense with good stuff that it is impossible to absorb it all in one or even two readings. Well worth having around to read over and over again

....of women's issues, addiction, control, and perfectionism from a Jungian-mythic standpoint. Not only enjoyable reading but packed with clinical wisdom and creative insight. Woodman has a sharp eye out for the mythic underpinnings of Western patriarchy and how its Apollonian overvaluation of mastery, domination, and efficiency has shaped the psyches of women and men. Although the case material could use some shortening, they enliven the book and keep it grounded in felt realities.

Marion Woodman is able to bring experience, intellect and spirit to the world of addiction. And, she goes right to the heart of ANY addiction -- by going to our addiction to perfection. From this springs addictions to alcohol, food or whatever. In todays culture of addiction and non-responsibility, here is a message that can truly help an individual change her self-destructive path. I have nearly memorized this audiotape and each time I listen to it, I find it more and more meaningful.

....of women's issues, addiction, control, and perfectionism from a Jungian-mythic standpoint. Not only enjoyable reading but packed with clinical wisdom and creative insight. Woodman has a sharp eye out for the mythic underpinnings of Western patriarchy and how its Apollonian overvaluation of mastery, domination, and efficiency has shaped the psyches of women and men. Although the case material could use some shortening, it enlivens the book and keeps it grounded in felt realities.

I am not sure what good it does trying to justify this book's position to those who have commented negatively on it here. This book broke me out of a cycle of destruction and gave me tremendous insights into my reality. I guess the truth is everyone's path is different. What Jungian is to me is not what it is to everyone else. This is understandable. Woodman, in this book, says, "The world of the feminine resonates. Timing is everything. If it doesn't ring, either it is the wrong spiral or the wrong time or there is no bell." (Preface, p. 8) Indeed, the bell does not ring true for everyone.

I cannot say enough how healing Woodman's words are here. She writes from a center that is all at the same time meandering, expansive, illuminating and positive. She expertly combines all of the complex elements explored into a whole that leaves me feeling nurtured as an individual and enlightened in a way only someone in touch with positive femininity could do.

Though the wording is almost entirely devoted to women here, like Woodman says, the witch is felt everywhere. The drive for perfection is ruthlessly felt in both sexes. As a man I have read this book countless times because it is the right bell at the right time, regardless of sex. It may not be easily digestible by the masses, and that's ok. Personally the collective has never offered much insight to me. If you are feeling compelled to the realm this book explores, follow it. Find your own truth outside of the best-selling list.

I got this book several years ago. It has changed my life.

Marion gets to the heart of women's behavior in a way few can. To me this book is even better than "women who run with wolves". Marion talks about dysfunction from the inside out. She digs into dreams, symbols,and behavior to show why we do what we do.

This isnt just a simple 1,2,3 self help book. For me this a workbook for my life.

This is a a book that takes a depth psychology approach to being addicted to perfection. In it, Woodman makes a good argument to the relation of this phenomenon to addictions and eating disorders. This work is especially applicable to women because it describes how many modern women develop a split between the positive and negative aspects of their femininity where the repressed aspect gets acted out unconsciously. If you are interested in issues of co-dependence, sexuality, sexual addiction, eating disorders or feminine psychology, you will get a lot out of this book. It is geared strongly toward professionals, so don't expect it to be a light read. However, do expect a powerful read. I have seen people who attributed life transformations to this material.

My expectations for this book was high as the title held such promise , my therapy practice brings me into a deep engagment with the issue of perfectionism.This book tended to brush up against the issues and not really engage with
the deeper dynamics .Too much of the material was hovering and just out of reach. In other words only partly digested.The examples from the individuals lives did not really take the story apart .....so much potential but not taking us into the heart .Most importantly a deep loss of story ,so this felt remote and unfulfilling.

the book arrived within 3 weeks after my purchase. book was in a good condition too.