The Inner Lover -Using passion as a way to self-empowerment [Paperback]

Valerie Harms (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 3, 1992

Presents techniques of journaling, dreamwork, and imaginary dialogues to guide the reader on an adventure of self-discovery in which the powerful energies of love may be transformed into creativity and fulfillment.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Harms, a teacher of Ira Progoff's Intensive Journal method of self-discovery, developed the Inner Lover concept to represent images that can bring deeper self-acceptance and provide the unconditional love and support lacking in the everyday world. Primarily drawing upon her own life story, dreams, and therapy, Harms brings together Jungian theory, dreamwork, and journal keeping. Concentrating on projections (i.e., the displacement of qualities that reside in oneself onto beloved others), Harms states that readers can learn to recognize, own, and develop these latent, hidden, or repressed parts, thereby unleashing creative energy. In keeping with the idea of the Inner Lover, much of the imagery is of an explicit sexual nature. The reader unfamiliar with Jungian theory may not be able to get beyond the surface of this book. For women in therapy, this book may be a useful tool for focusing on issues of love, sex, and power relations. Appropriate for large psychology collections.
- Lucy Patrick, Florida State Univ. Lib., Tallahassee
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 227 pages
• Publisher: Shambhala; 1 edition (November 3, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0877736952
• ISBN-13: 978-0877736950
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,716,459 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

VALERIE HARMS is the author of nine distinguished books in various genres: the environment, psychology, women's studies, biography, juveniles. A graduate of Smith College, she not only writes, but also consults and teaches in these areas. Her most recent book is Dreaming of Animals.

For 7 years she was a Science Editor at the National Audubon Society in New York City.Grosset/Putnam published her National Audubon Society Almanac of the Environment / The Ecology of Everyday Life .

She has taught writing since 1979 as a faculty member of the Long Ridge Writers Group, which offers courses on writing for the adult trade and juvenile markets, and as a private counselor and workshop leader.
For over 20 years she has taught the Intensive Journal method, a psychological self-help tool developed by Ira Progoff. She has studied the ideas of Carl Jung, led a tour to Switzerland based on his life, and taught courses regularly at the C.G. Jung Foundation in NYC.
Her self-designed programs have been given in the northeast, plus Chicago, Berkeley, Vancouver, and Skyros, Greece. She has been tour leader on 4 trips to Europe and lived in France for 3 years.

In the '70's, she co-founded Magic Circle Press. As director, she edited, produced, and distributed 15 titles. Honors received: a National Science Teachers Award, National Endowment for the Arts Grant, an NET documentary, and the Pushcart Prize for the Best of the Small Presses.
She has appeared on numerous radio and television programs. Honored by the United Nations as 'a most remarkable woman,' she is also listed in various Who's Who directories.
Recent travels have taken her for long stays in Costa Rica, Mexico, Bali, and Morocco.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Helpful and inspiring view of romantic attractions., February 28, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Inner Lover -Using passion as a way to self-empowerment (Paperback)

This book bravely goes where no woman (or man) has gone before. While many will be familiar with the concept of projection in relationships, few authors have illustrated in such a clear and personal fashion the value of fantasy, passion and the place it has in our lives. This book encourages us to open and explore who we are, using our romantic attractions as a point of departure.

The use of personal examples makes it very clear how using dreams and symbolism can help us understand what it is in ourselves that needs developing. However, the book does not limit relationships to "mere" projection; it acknowledges that the inner and outer world work together. Both need to be recognized.

It is a pity that this book is out of print; this book is most helpful for the individual who is trying to make sense out of what sometimes seems like a very difficult realm to deal with. Many books do not honor the spirit of romantic attractions, and the relationship they have to our deepest self. The personal examples (bravely given) help elucidate this journey, and encourage us each to similar acts of courage in personal exploration. I have personally read this book several times, and I recommend it highly.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars personal growth through love, December 21, 1999

By 

Henry Berry "Henry Berry" (Southport, CT) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Inner Lover: Using Passion as a Way to Self-Empowerment (Paperback)

The Inner Lover - Using passion as a way to self-empowermentbyValerie Harms. Aslan Publishing. 1999. 225 pp.

Valerie Harmsunderstands that not all love is meant to result in a relationship with the person arousing the love in one. Circumstances, including a relationship with someone else, may stand in the way. When such love is aroused, individuals often feel troubled from frustration, guilt, doubt, or a mixture of these and other emotions. But as Harms teaches, this need not be the case. As she says, "When we become attentive to our fantasies and dreams [aroused by love], loving and not condemning our deepest wishes, we give them a chance to direct and empower our lives." Adhering to this principle, she teaches how to make such love a positive experience.

In exploring this kind of love, Harms focuses on the self--how the self can maintain its wholeness and singular potential and be empowered by the love's creative, unpredictable forces. This positive involvement with the love she explores not only fulfills one as a person, but also enhances one's place and value in all relationships. Harms has one of the best understandings of love a reader can find. Among her previous books are "Stars in My Skin/Nin, Montessori, Steloff" and "Unmasking: Ten Women in Metamorphosis."

Henry Berry

Book Reviewer

Editor/Publisher, The Small Press Book Review

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Understand why you love who you love!, August 4, 2009

By 

Lara Hamilton "moonfire" (Los Gatos, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Inner Lover: Using Passion as a Way to Self-Empowerment (Paperback)

Can't get over him or her? Read this book to get an indepth understanding of why :-)