John Bradshaw (1)Besprekingen

"One rainy Thurdsay afternoon I made the decision to reclaim and champion my inner child. I found him frightened to the point of terror. At first he did not trust me and would not go with me. Only by persisting in my efforts to talk to him and insisting that I would not leave him did he begin to trust me. In this book I described the stages of the journey that allowed me to become the guardian and champion of my inner child. That journey has changed my life." Selected Reading Questionnaire.

Bradshaw on the Family: A Revolutionary Way of Self Discovery
by John Bradshaw

Why I picked up this book: I had this in my library and had never read it. I was interested to read what he had to say in this book.

Based on the public television series of the same name, Bradshaw On: The Family is John Bradshaw's seminal work on the dynamics of families that has sold more than a million copies since its original publication in 1988. Within its pages, you will discover the cause of emotionally impaired families. You will learn how unhealthy rules of behavior are passed down from parents to children, and the destructive effect this process has on our society.

Using the latest family research and recovery material in this new edition, Bradshaw also explores the individual in both a family and societal setting. He shows you ways to escape the tyranny of family-reinforced behavior traps--from addiction and co-dependency to loss of will and denial--and demonstrates how to make conscious choices that will transform your life and the lives of your loved ones. He helps you heal yourself and then, using what you have learned helps you heal your family.
Finally, Bradshaw extends this idea to our society: by returning yourself and your family to emotional health, you can heal the world in which you live. He helps you reenvision societal conflicts from the perspective of a global family, and shares with you the power of deep democracy: how the choices you make every day can affect--and improve--your world.

He shows you ways to escape the tyranny of family-reinforced behavior traps--from addiction and co-dependency to loss of will and denial--and demonstrates how to make conscious choices that will transform your life and the lives of your loved ones.

Thoughts: I appreciate he has a Christian worldview. He has history of working with people in the family setting and uses research to guide his work which I really like. He sees the introjects received from family and a Myriad of issues in the United States. He talks about AOD issues, eating disorders, self esteem, domestic violence, abuse, compulsivity, workaholics,

Why finished this read: I am a clinical Psychologist with an emphasis is Family Systems so this book was right up my alley and I wanted to read more so this was easy to finish. I was taught a family functions as a system but it is not a system but he called the family a system. I see this book as full of important concepts and he put out many over the years. I’m thankful I read it.½

That's an interesting book. It has a theoretical-practical approach through which you can learn and practice at the same time. Bradshaw's writing style is compelling and motivating. As a downside, the book makes far too many references to other self-help books written by the author's colleagues. Nevertheless, I would recommend it.

A narcissistic, alcoholic, and abusive mother who was there to raise the kids from multiple fathers. A mostly absent, drug addicted, abusive father who wanted nothing to do with his first two children (my brother and I). A child that wanted to do everything in their power to do right by the both of them, despite having to destroy their own personhood and self esteem along the way.
I feel like this book was made for me, and I'm more than glad I happened to come across it on accident while doing freelance work. It has helped me work through a lot of my memories and feelings. I have come across memories that didn't seem too bad until I brought them up with other people and they were disgusted and shocked by what I was saying. Yet I have also come across memories that I'm not sure actually happened to begin with.
This book is doing wonders for my wounded inner child. I've seen several therapists, been on different medications, and had finally given up on trying to move forward with my life. I had decided to stuff it all down further and further until I almost couldn't reach it besides the random painfully intrusive thought here and there. After having my first baby, I knew I needed to do something, I just didn't know what would work. Oddly enough, this book is working better than anything else has thus far. My only qualm is the occasional vague religious undertones that leads me to feel like perhaps I can't fully recover and move forward without some sort of diety/higher power(s). I do like, however, that it is accepting of all theistic/spiritual leanings.
I do recommend this book, and have personally recommended it to two different people in my life. It's likely not for everyone, but it doesn't hurt to give it a try!

When I read this book some years ago, it was life changing. I liked how the book differentiates between healthy and unhealthy shame, and validates how shame (contrary to societal beliefs) is a valid emotion just like any other.

If shame causes everything, then what does it even mean?

According to this book, shame - toxic or healthy - is the root cause of every type of human behavior ever. The writing is grandiose, vague, and so convinced of its own thesis that it offers no more than declarative statements as evidence of itself. Avoid! PS: doesn't help that this guy thinks atheism is a manifestation of "spiritual bankruptcy" caused by toxic shame.

John was a mistreated child who has tried to overcome his shame based self perception. He is a teacher and author, who writes to help himself and others with similar problems. He makes some good points on the behavior patterns developed during childhood and their effects during adulthood. John has degrees in philosophy and theology. Although he tries to come across as intellectual, he is more of a mystic and spiritualist than a scientist. For this reason much of his thought process is flawed by his biased world view. He is still tainted by his religious views. He perceives society by his value system and is not objective. I cannot recommend this book except for those with a serious shame problem and even then one should be weary of some flawed information and though processes.½

"Post-Romantic Stress Disorder: What to Do When the Honeymoon is Over," is not an ordinary book on how to beat the post-break up blues. The book is about PRSD, and new discoveries about the disorder. PRSD is a genuine psychological entity--not merely some fad-- that is a sad affliction suffered by many couples in marital relationships. PRSD represents the dwindling flame of passion and romance in a marriage.

In "Post-Romantic Stress Disorder: What to Do When the Honeymoon is Over," Bradshaw delineates the differences between romance, lust and love, and how they interact to impact intimate partner relationships. He describes the startling trajectory of PRSD among partners that can fulminate in divorce and even violence, including suicide. He describes the integral roles of family systems and interpersonal communication as they contribute to development of PRSD.

The book is an easy read and is filled with valuable insights on how to recognize PRSD for persons currently in committed intimate partner relationships or who may desire to enter one in the future.

One of the earliest "inner child" books. Very good when it first came out, because it was a new theory at that time, but modern thinking has moved past that.

I bought this book at the suggestion of a therapist I have been seeing. I did my best to work through the activities and ignore his constant attacks on my Catholic faith and religion in general.

What eventually led me to put down this book was Chapter 7: Reclaiming Your School Age Self. In this chapter, he shames the whole system and gripes about how schools are set up to harm children. He compares them to prisons and calls the grading system "very shaming and distressing" which "creates toxic shame." "In our schools," he says, "if you did not learn geometry as fast as other kids your age, you failed geometry." Essentially, this is a child's voice couched in pseudo-academic language. It sounds as if, years later, he hasn't gotten over the fact that math wasn't his strongest subject. I disagree with him on what he says here (and in many other places), and while reading it I feel he is trying to shame me with the "toxic shame" he so often decries simply because I disagree with him.

Throughout what I read, Bradshaw complains about how the world is out to hurt everyone. You'll begin to wonder how anyone makes it through life at all. His tone is whiny, self-righteous and sanctimonious. His book advocates embracing victim-hood instead of becoming a warrior who has overcome your problems.

If you want to remain a child with even greater problems, buy this book and start sucking your thumb. Otherwise, keep looking, and keep living.½

This answered tons of questions about why we're so jacked up. It was incredibly encouraging to know that we have lots of company in our brokenness.

Another timeless book from John Bradshaw. He draws upon his many years of experience and knowledge and combines them into a unique tome. Though the book at times can be a frustrating read from the overuse of sub-headings, the general narative that he tries to portray can be understood. His theory on how to achieve moral intelligence is enlightening as he draws references to the works of well known philosophers, theologians and psychologists. Through explaining the stages of human development and their challenges he is able to convey what is required to live a prudent ethical and content life. An inspirational read; as it endows the reader with power and knowledge to act the right way.

Rediscover your inner child; resolve conflicts; unleash your creativity.

"How does a Seeker liberate themselves from disempowering and limiting beliefs? By understanding your past personal history and then rewriting it, you empower yourself to move forward to recreate a timeless, limitless and abundant you. Cleaning out the family closet isn't easy but eventually it must be done! John Bradshaw's book can help."

One of the great self help books of the 70-80's

An excellent, in-depth book that uncovers the toxic shame behind addictions. Bradshaw talks about his own recovery in the book as well. Contains several exercises to help relieve shame.

12.5

Group G

John Bradshaw has obviously been through a lot in hus life and I've watched his lectures in the past with great interest. His approach in this book, however, is so professorial that it's hard to get attached to the writing. It's like reading a college level lecture. There is no heart that comes across in his words. Hit a 12-step meeting instead.