Restoring My Soul: A Workbook for Finding and Living the Authentic Self [Paperback]

Andrea Mathews (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 15, 2007

As infants who only understood oneness with the mother, we were surrounded by people, attitudes, traumas, relationship dynamics and all manner of parental projections with which we identified. We, therefore, hung our name tags on our parents’ old unresolved and projected “stuff” in certain prescribed ways that formed a mask and a costume meant especially for us. Though we were mistaken in donning the mask and costume laid out for us, this mistake kept us attached to our caregivers, and/or helped us survive sometimes horrendous childhoods.

But our survival technique has now become the albatross around our necks, while we walk the planks laid out for us by the roles we play. Do we imagine that our problems are really the result of some external force? Again, we are mistaken. Most of the problems that we have today have come about as a result of the role we play, its script and the choices we have made out of that identity. The solution lies in finding the Authentic Self.

And yet, our world teaches us that finding the Authentic Self is, at best, a well-guarded secret passage of mythical proportions, and at worst, wasted time and effort, for it simply cannot be done. If we believe that, we are mistaken yet again. Not only is it possible to find and begin to live out of our authenticity, but it is the most hopeful journey we will ever take. It offers us the potential of a lasting peace, and yes, even joy. Working the pages of this book offers a practical yet deeply spiritual guide to finding and living the Authentic Self.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Andrea Mathews, LPC, NCC has 25 years’ experience in the mental health field, 10 of these in a thriving solo practice, assisting others in finding and living the Authentic Self. Restoring My Soul came directly out of her unique approach to psychotherapy as well as her own personal experience discovering authenticity.

Product Details

• Paperback: 329 pages
• Publisher: iUniverse, Inc. (March 15, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0595426719
• ISBN-13: 978-0595426713
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.7 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #716,238 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Psychotherapist, author, speaker and radio host, Andrea Mathews promotes authenticity and the authentic self in every endeavor. Andrea believes, as the old Buddhist saying goes: "The seeker is that which is being sought." While there are many who are teaching that we can bargain with the world to get it to come into compliance with our wishes, by doing such things as thinking so-called "positive" thoughts and avoiding all so-called "negative" thoughts, Andrea believes that all of our thoughts, if we follow the thread, are going to show us something about our feelings and our beliefs. Each thought therefore, can lead us to treasures of information that can facilitate an authentic and meaningful life. Whereas, if we just try to get ourselves to think differently, we are missing out on the treasures.Forming original beliefs from the essence of our own authenticity is going to be the most meaningful of all journeys we will take. And so her books lead us us down that pathway, to the authentic self and even to the divine self.

Andrea has 30 years experience in the mental health field, the last 15 in a thriving private practice, in which she offers both Cognitive and Transpersonal therapy to assist individuals, families and couples--married, living together, dating or alternative--with a variety of diagnoses and issues. She's also authored several articles in national and international magazines, many of which can be found on her website at www.andreamathewslpc.com. And for the past 25 years, she has engaged with many organizations and groups to provide presentations that have motivated and inspired her audiences toward more authentic living, both in business and personal life. She is the host of the highly popular internet radio show called "Authentic Living" (www.voiceamerican.com/Show/1304)on which she has interviewed several of the world's most profound and prolific bestselling authors, including many who have also been interviewed by Oprah, such as Marianne Williamson, Gary Zukav, Caroline Myss, Dr. Larry Dossey, Dr. Christiane Northrup, Tom Shadyac and many others.

Andrea is happy to hear from her readers.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Dr. Phil WATCH OUT!!!!! May 23, 2007

By Leslie C. West

Format:Paperback

Dr. Phil WATCH OUT!!!!! I've read many, many self-help books, gone to

therapy and worked hard on all my issues. I wish I had had a copy of this

thought provoking yet easy to read book to guide me through my own process

of self-discovery. Simply the best, most practical self-help book I've

ever read written by debuting writer Andrea Mathews. Mathews, a practicing

psychotherapist, uses the method of finding the Authentic Self in her

practice. This involves reaching beyond the roles we developed for

ourselves as children to keep us safe and help us fit in to our families

and society at large. These roles may have kept us attached to our

caregivers or to survive less than perfect childhoods, but as we become

adults these roles begin to stifle us. Like ill-fitting, outgrown clothing

this façade we've created now hampers our growth and creates a plethora of

problems we imagine are the result of outside forces. But actually most of

the problems we experience today come as a result of the mask and script

we have created, and the roles we play.

The solution is in finding the Authentic Self. Mathews has written a

simple to use text, full of self-tests, and detailed analysis of the most common roles people take on to survive their childhoods. Not only can this book help you discover the roles you've been playing, it helps you recognize the things that are authentic to you. Working the pages of this book offers a practical yet deeply spiritual guide to finding and living the Authentic Self. Forget about therapy.........buy this book and start living AUTHENTICALLY!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars FIND YOUR SOUL + LIVE AUTHENTICALLY = THE JOY OF BEING YOU! January 21, 2010

By Steve Nakamoto - Author of Talk Like A Winner - Men Are Like Fish - Dating Rocks - Wall Street Craps

Format:Paperback

Andrea Mathews, a licensed and nationally-certified counselor, has written a unique book to help people rediscover the Authentic Self and design their lives as they were originally meant to live. In short, the Authentic Self is the bottom line roots of who we are in our souls. But we have lost touch with this original essence over time by playing roles that were put upon us since birth by other people. As a result, we lack the awareness needed to live fully with confidence, passion, and a sense of purpose. In a nutshell, this book can bring you to an in-depth, thorough understanding of who you are.

Mathews' book is designed like a specific step-by-step workbook in order to help people begin the healing process of finding and living their Authentic Self, first from within, and then in their personal and professional relationships. The classic challenge that we all have is playing roles in our lives (the masks and costumes) that were based on the past and are no longer relevant, healthy, or empowering to the soul. Instead these roles keep us locked into behaviors and fear-based emotions that we no longer want to experience in our lives and serve us no good.

I especially like how the process involves raising the awareness of who we are from within by creating unique images that resonate within each of us. This involves several fun exercises, from Mathews' now almost 30 year counseling experience, which are designed to put readers in touch with their younger and freer true self. I like how she breaks down her process into simple chunks that almost anyone can do with ease like drawing stretches, writing poems, and using our imaginations.

The process of discovery and healing continues from here to defining roles, making critical distinctions, breaking down barriers to living the Authentic Self, and then trusting, living, and celebration the rediscovered essential you.

Other observations of mine include:

* The actual concept of the authentic self is largely underappreciated by the masses, but that's starting to change as more people are discovering the joy that comes from simply being ourselves.

* The definition of the roles we play will help men and women alike in discovering the false self (masks & costumes), which keeps them locked into undesired emotional habits & unhealthy relationships.

* The Authentic Self is the true voice of wisdom within each individual and is the basis of self-confidence, personal power, and life fulfillment.

* This book contains both psychological and spiritual concepts, which combine to create deeper understanding and instant resonance with the truth of our individual sense of the Divine.

* One should use this book to work and then rework the exercises so that the images of our true selves become clearer and more real.

* Beyond the exercises found throughout the book, this book is also filled with real examples that clearly explain how both the role and the Authentic Self operate in our lives.

While the casual observer may get the impression that this book is more clinical or therapeutic in nature, the bottom line is that Restoring My Soul may, if readers do the work, lead them to a spiritual understanding of who they really are. Without this knowing, we can spend the rest of our lives chasing our tails without a sense of direction or purpose.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Self-discovery Made Reassuring, Exciting, and Enjoyable September 10, 2008

By Suzanne Kyra

Format:Paperback

I highly recommend this book to anyone seeking to further their understanding of their lives, their actions, and themselves.

Restoring My Soul is much more than a helpful book with a positive message. It is a workbook that actively engages the reader in the process of self-discovery. Remarkably, Mathews' focus is not on conveying her message or teaching her belief - her focus is on the reader's experience while exploring the book. Her personable and accessible writing make Restoring My Soul not only useful and informative, but enjoyable.

Restoring My Soul explores the often confusing and baffling process of self-discovery. Mathews' wit, humor, and charm make a journey into personal development reassuring, exciting, and enjoyable. She goes far beyond self-discovery and understanding, encouraging and teaching the reader how to promote self-development. This book is about much more than teaching the reader how to understand themselves. It puts a much-needed emphasis on the reader developing and becoming themselves.

Restoring My Soul is bursting with valuable information, insightful observations, and thought-provoking questions. Beyond this, it is an effortlessly enjoyable read. Mathews' deliberate and mature writing assures the reader that they are in capable and knowledgeable hands. Examples and metaphors abound, and are almost always perfectly-timed - appearing just when the reader needs them most. There are very few moments of confusion and misunderstanding. Mathews is clearly writing from a position of expertise and experience.