At a Journal Workshop: Writing to Access the Power of the Unconscious and Evoke Creative Ability (Paperback)

by Ira Progoff (Author) "When I returned to civilian life after my army service in World War II, I often lost myself in unhappy contemplation of the destructive events..." (more)
Key Phrases: twilight range, twilight imagery, person within the process, Process Meditation, Meditation Log, Period Log (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal
Progoff, a psychotherapist and pioneer in the therapeutic use of journal writing, has conducted workshops on the Intensive Journal Process since 1966. His program offers more than a chronological diary; the Intensive Journal Process is a complex and systematic method for gaining self-insight by recording thoughts, dreams, and significant events, which are then used as focal points for meditation and written reflection in separate sections. This book, a condensed version of two previous works, At a Journal Workshop ( LJ 11/1/75) and The Practice of Process Meditation ( LJ 12/1/80), follows the sequence of an introductory workshop, with the reader as an active participant. The casual reader looking for a summary or overview of the process will find this approach disappointing, while those familiar with the previous works will find little new other than a rearrangement of text. Nonetheless, this is a fascinating guidebook for those seriously committed to exploring journal writing as a means of self-discovery. Recommended for academic and large public libraries that don't own copies of the earlier works.
- Lucille Boone, San Jose P.L., Cal.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review
Ira Progoff's purpose in creating the Intensive Journal workshops on which this book is based was to give others a language and a process for reflecting on and deepening the meaning of their lives. We have many tools handed to us in At a Journal Workshop-each with a specific shape and function, and each with a full set of instructions on its use. This is a strange, wonderful and complex approach for journey/journal-ing, using methods the author has taught and evolved over the last 40 years. Through multifaceted and interactive reflections on the events that make up our waking and dreaming lives, and on paths not taken, we are led to our deeper beings. Here is an ultimate workbook for teachers and students of the inner journey. -- From The WomanSource Catalog & Review: Tools for Connecting the Community for Women; review by Linda Hewitt

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Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Tarcher; Revised edition (May 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0874776384
• ISBN-13: 978-0874776386
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 7.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #139,452 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars BEST JOURNALING BOOK!, February 2, 2000

By A Customer

This book is amazing! It is difficult to read but I found a way around that problem by taking clear, simple notes while reading the book slowly, with a dictionary by my side. I dropped out of school in the 8th grade, but this book offered such rich rewards that I had to find a way to understand it. It took me almost a year to get through the whole book, to completely understand it, and to compile a set of practical, simple notes. It was WELL worth it! This book is one of the best books I ever found in my life, by far, and I can't praise it enough! This book will add such a richness and texture to your life, such meaning, and insight, so much creativity, so much more self-acceptance . . . really, I can't praise it enough.

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The absolute number one book about journal keeping, August 27, 1999

By	[e-mail] (Redondo Beach, CA) - See all my reviews

I have personally studied the works of countless writers of journal keeping techniques and Ira Progoff's National Intensive Journal method is #1 in my book. I am a former consultant for Dialogue House, and though I currently teach and use a synthesis of many teachers techniques (including many of my own), Progoff's method is the heart and soul of journal keeping. Soundly based in Jungian theory and the theories of other depth psychologists, as well as the world's great spiritual traditions, this work is the basis for all modern journal keeping. This text isn't the easiest to read, however (very scholarly) so I recommend actually experiencing the method in a workshop setting in addition to using the book as your journal keeping bible. Progoff is the father of contemporary journal keeping, in my estimation, and using his work as foundation, serious journal keepers will find their experience richer.

82 of 97 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Do not buy this book blind - see it in person first, June 14, 2000

By	"edie_in_palo_alto" (california) - See all my reviews

Based on the reviews I saw here on Amazon.com I was considering purchasing this book. I've bought many books online without seeing them first, but something made me stop short of ordering this one. I went to a bookstore to check it out first and flipped through the pages.

"Intensive" is a good description. It is also way too cerebral for me. If there are valuable journal exercises in this book they are hard to find, because they are not bulleted at the end of the chapters or highlighted by bold text. I wanted to get a feel for the type of exercises, but couldn't find any because they are hidden within the text, without any font changes, bold type etc. to guide you to them.

It is 442 pages of the author droning on and on and I couldn't even find any examples of sample journal entries by the author or any other journaler.

This book was not for me. And I think you should see it before you decide whether or not it is for you.