CITE: Janov A. Primal healing: Access the incredible power of feelings to improve your health. Hay House, Inc; 2006.
SUMMARY
“Primal Healing” is a book by Arthur Janov that explores the power of accessing and expressing repressed emotions as a means of improving physical and mental health. Janov argues that many physical and psychological ailments are rooted in childhood traumas and repressed emotions, and that by accessing and releasing these emotions, individuals can experience significant healing and growth.
Through a combination of case studies, personal anecdotes, and scientific research, Janov outlines his approach to primal therapy, which involves accessing and expressing primal pain in a supportive therapeutic environment. He also explores the connection between early childhood experiences and adult mental and physical health, arguing that early traumas can have lifelong impacts on an individual’s well-being.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Janov argues that many physical and psychological ailments are rooted in repressed emotions and childhood traumas.
- He emphasizes the importance of accessing and expressing these emotions as a means of healing and growth.
- Janov’s approach to therapy involves accessing and releasing primal pain in a supportive environment.
- He explores the connection between early childhood experiences and adult mental and physical health.
SELECTED QUOTES
- “Feelings are what we are. They are the root of our being, the foundation of our existence. Without them, we are nothing, mere zombies moving through life. With them, we have life in all its richness and complexity” (p. 4).
- “When we experience pain, especially severe pain, there is a natural response to block it out, to push it away. But when that pain is never resolved, when it is shoved into the unconscious, it becomes a destructive force that shapes our lives in ways we can’t even imagine” (p. 17).
- “The goal of primal therapy is to break through the barriers that keep us from experiencing our true selves, to connect with the feelings that have been buried deep within us, and to find a way to express them in a healthy, productive way” (p. 34).
- “Primal therapy is not a panacea. It won’t cure all that ails you. But it is a powerful tool for healing, growth, and self-discovery. It can help you access the incredible power of your feelings to improve your health and transform your life” (p. 224).
