Michael Eigen Livres

This book explores psychoanalytic faith and, more generally, the role of faith in the therapeutic process. In his earlier work, Eigen distinguished faith from beliefs used to organize it, the latter at once bringing people together and creating violent oppositions - belief as a defense against faith. In this new work, Eigen dives into faith experience itself and shares what he finds.Faith spans many dimensions. The opening chapters focus on variations of faith, beginning with nature, sleep, beauty, goodness, the opening-closing of the human face, and the paradox of the growth of faith through pain and shattering. Accounts of faith in the author's life lead to creative readings of Winnicott followed by meditations on evil. A chapter is devoted to teaching and learning Bion, who called faith the psychoanalytic attitude (or called the psychoanalytic attitude Faith). Another chapter discusses variants of everyday mystical participation and a climactic moment in the Zohar, a principal part of the Kabbalah. The book ends with interviews involving the author's development as a psychotherapist-psychoanalyst, his views on mental health and society today, followed by a note on faith-work.

Delving into the intricacies of a specific human emotion, this book explores its multifaceted nature and impact on individuals and relationships. Through a blend of personal narratives, psychological insights, and cultural perspectives, it examines how this emotion shapes experiences and influences behavior. The author invites readers to reflect on their own feelings, offering a deeper understanding of the emotional landscape that defines the human experience.

Exploring the intricate relationship between individuals and their toxic dependencies, the narrative delves into how these characters seek nourishment from harmful substances. It highlights the journey of de-programming patients from their toxic habits, emphasizing the psychological and physical challenges they face. Through detailed analyses, the book reveals the complexities of addiction and the path toward healing and recovery.

Penetrating look at human relatedness by one of the field's most innovative thinkers."When two personalities meet, an emotional storm is created." This provocative quote by renowned psychoanalyst W.R. Bion is the point of departure for Eigen's new work. In the tradition of Martin Buber, Eigen explores the broad spectrum of emotions we experience in our relatedness to others, from feelings of longing, plenitude, and fulfillment to starvation, suffocation, and blind rage. Unlike authors of "easy" self-help books, Eigen embraces the storms of life as a critical aspect of our human bond. For Eigen, the emotional storm is not pathological, but rather integral to our humanity and instrumental to our growth and development. For this reason, he looks critically at our attempts to blunt our emotional response to the world around us. Like Eigen's other work, Emotional Storm weaves case studies, literary references, and psychoanalytic theory into an integrated, complex understanding.

Focusing on W. R. Bion's insights, this book delves into the complexities of dream-work emerging from fractured relationships. It examines the psychological struggles individuals face in processing their experiences and highlights the challenges encountered in clinical settings. Through an exploration of these themes, the text offers a profound look at the interplay between damaged bonds and the therapeutic process.

Many people seek help because they feel dragged down by a sense of inner deadness that persists in an otherwise full and meaningful life. These individuals who seem filled with emotions somehow remain untouched by even their own inner experiences. This is a deadness that persists in the midst of plenty, a deadness that can cripple their entire life or part of it.This book portrays attempts to fathom psychic deadness, but more important, it shows what is involved in enduring and working with deadness on a day-to-day, session-by-session basis. Often, the therapy relationship becomes a laboratory in which varying states of deadness-aliveness can be tied to what is going on between patient and therapist, as well as in the patient's life. In many cases, according to Eigen, the emotional tone of the therapy can be the most important element. Patient and therapist work to discover what the patient is looking for, that is, the precise combination of psychic nutrients, responses, attitudes, and tones required for a given individual, or even a given moment, so that a person can begin to open, and the deadness can lift.

Exploring the intersection of Kabbalah and psychoanalysis, this book delves into the birth processes across various ages and circumstances. It examines how these two fields intertwine, offering insights into life themes, clinical practices, and the spiritual dimensions of Kabbalah. Through detailed analysis, the work highlights the profound connections between psychological development and mystical teachings.

Exploring the complexities of depth therapy, this book presents two in-depth case studies that highlight both the challenges and benefits experienced by patients and therapists. Through these narratives, readers gain insight into the therapeutic process, emotional struggles, and transformative breakthroughs that characterize deep psychological work. The case studies serve as a compelling illustration of the intricate dynamics involved in healing and personal growth within a therapeutic setting.

Delving into the connections between myth, dream, and daily life, this work examines how these elements shape both prose and poetry. It emphasizes the concept of psychic reality, utilizing psychoanalysis and Kabbalah as tools for self-exploration and personal growth. Through this lens, readers are invited to engage in a profound journey of understanding and transformation.

Focusing on the psychotic self, the book explores the intricate ordering-disordering processes that define it. It integrates theories from prominent figures such as Freud, Jung, and Winnicott, along with insights from object relations and self-psychologies. By analyzing the contributions of Bion and Elkin, it provides a comprehensive understanding of the complexities of psychosis and the psychological mechanisms at play.