Visual Journaling: Going Deeper than Words [Paperback]

Barbara Ganim (Author), Susan Fox (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1999

Most people who journal use words. But words come from the left brain, which interprets experiences through our learned beliefs and expectations. As this breakthrough book demonstrates, there is a more effective way to journal---using images. Simple drawings, crayon art, even doodles and stick figures can help anyone---even those who believe they "can't draw"---move beyond thought into deep reaches of feeling and intuitive knowing. Barbara Ganim and Susan Fox have developed their Visual Journaling technique into an acclaimed workshop. This book, beautifully illustrated with black and white and color drawings from the journals of students in their workshops, makes this enjoyable tool for personal exploration accessible to everyone. A six-week plan of exercises and interpretive activities teaches readers a lifelong practice that can reduce stress, explore conflicts, and overcome obstacles. Its simple techniques can help everyone gain access to "soul-based" inner wisdom.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

"A life-long treasure. This book conveys a technique for achieving insight, tranquillity, and clarity of expression. A spiritual skill such as this one serves a person for a lifetime." --Caroline Myss, author of Anatomy of the Spirit and Why People Don't Heal and How They Can
"I've kept a journal for years, but VISUAL JOURNALING adds an entirely new and exciting dimension to this healing process. I highly recommend this wonderful new book to anyone interested in creating health and healing in their lives." --Christiane Northrup, M.D. author of Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom
"Art is the language of the soul and spirit, and spiritual expression is a powerful force for healing. Ganim and Fox have taken art, journaling, and healing to a higher level." --Larry Dossey, M.D., author of Reinventing Medicine
"It's part of every perennial wisdom teaching that there are profound healing powers within each of us. The question has always been how to find them and put them to work. VISUAL JOURNALING is an eminently practical and supremely useful guide to tapping the great forces of healing that reside in each of us. The more you use this book the better you'll feel and the healthier you'll be. --John Robbins, author of Reclaiming Our Health and Diet for a New America

About the Author

BARBARA GANIM, M.A.E. is director of the Institute for the Expressive Arts and on the faculty of the Holistic Counseling Graduate Program at Salve Regina University in Newport, Rhode Island. She is the author of ART AND HEALING.

SUSAN FOX, M.A.E. is co-founder of the Center for Holistic Development in North Kingstown, Rhode Island. She also serves on the faculty of the Holistic Counseling Graduate Program at Salve Regina University in Newport, Rhode Island.

Product Details

• Paperback: 171 pages
• Publisher: Quest Books; 1 edition (October 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0835607771
• ISBN-13: 978-0835607773
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #47,260 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

57 of 59 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Book Contains Excellent Exercises, July 4, 2000

By 

"alabasterwoman" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Visual Journaling: Going Deeper than Words (Paperback)

Those who have never tried this technique before(drawing what your Unconscious wants to express, instead of what your Ego dictates) may be reticent to try it, especially if you feel you "can't draw". Don't worry. Drawing perfect, highly detailed, realistic images ISN'T what this book is about. It's about teaching your Unconscious to express itself and speak to you through images of its own creation. (Sometimes just through color alone.) I've WRITTEN in a journal for quite some time, but was amazed at how the "visual journaling" adds to the whole experience. I found the exercises and examples in this book VERY helpful and encouraging; and was amazed by what I was able to see in the images -- which may sound odd to the uninitiated. You may ask: "Come on, Mare. How can you be surprised by a drawing that comes from YOU?" And I'll answer: "If you do the exercises properly, you'll see exactly how surprising YOU can be to YOURSELF!" I've been able to tap into a new understanding of "hope", "opportunity" and "spiritualty" through the exercises, while also giving a "face" to my "fears"(so I can recognize them when I see them in future drawings, should they reappear). The book is a wonderful self-help tool... and written intelligently enough that it can also be used as a therapuetic tool by those qualified to use it as such. This is an excellent book! Buy it; you'll really enjoy it. [[And if you'd like to share with someone, you can even send some of your visual journaling drawings to me via e-mail when you're finished with them.]]

33 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent way to see into your thoughts without words, April 19, 2000

By 

Donna Pellegata (Milford, Michigan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Visual Journaling: Going Deeper than Words (Paperback)

I purchased this book for myself but I'm now coming back to purchase the book for my sister. I am an artist and my sister is a writer but you would have to be neither to gain personal satisfaction from the pages of this book. An excellent way to journal expressing your ideas and thoughts through drawing or painting. I have kept a journal with words and sometimes I would draw pictures to remember the moment or idea, but THIS is a way to really see into yourself! ...And you don't have to know how to draw a straight line to benefit from it. Written in simple workshop form, truly a work of art in itself!

31 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Taking Ownership of Your Life in a Loving Way, March 9, 2000

By 

Al McDougall - See all my reviews

This review is from: Visual Journaling: Going Deeper than Words (Paperback)

"Visual Journaling: Going deeper Than Words" is a self-help guide that will assist you to "take ownership of your life, in a loving way."

The abundant imagery, contributed by individuals who have taken the course the authors offer, combined with their words describing their visual imaging thoughts and emotions, adds realism and credibility to this book. This is no hypothetical how-to manual, but rather a candid glimpse into the inner emotions of real people who have struggled with the same frustrations, the search for identity, and the fears we all face from time to time.

The book focuses on techniques to re-connect with your right brain, to discover your soul-purpose in life, and to use art as a healing technique to express visually what words cannot express.

Do you feel you are trapped, powerless, and unable to break free? Use imagery to express how you feel, and to express the fact that you must take ownership of your life, and by so doing you will discover the inner power to be the real you. Draw a tiger leaping out of your drawing, for example, to express your power to break free.

The authors believe that everyone has a soul-purpose, a reason for living. Through visual journaling you are encouraged to discover that soul-purpose, and explore the fears that hold you back from following your soul-purpose.

This book shows that imagery can be used to express powerful ideas, and encourages you to find the words that describe what you have captured visually. Find your soul-purpose, explore your joys and your fears. Other books to consider include "If It's Going to Be, It's Up to Me," by Robert H. Schuller who says, "Behold, courage isn't feeling free from fear; courage is facing fears you feel."

You may also wish to read "Maximum Achievement: Strategies and Skills That Will Unlock Your Hidden Powers to Succeed," and "Great Little Book on Personal Achievement," by Brian Tracy, who reminds his readers, "You are fully responsible for everything you are, everything you have and everything you become," which is a more direct statement of the need to take ownership of your life in a loving way.