The World's Best Book Summaries
How do we initially realize our purpose and values? What is “meta-awareness”? Why is self-awareness easier for some? According to Daniel Goleman, self-awareness is an essential life skill. Developing an awareness of your physical and emotional sensations and accurately interpreting them is key to forming a strong sense of “self” and living a meaningful, healthy life. Continue reading to learn how self-awareness enhances your life.
Who are “exiles” in IFS? What role do exiles play in the psyche? Exiles are key concepts in the Internal Family Systems (IFS) model. Exiles are the most vulnerable parts of ourselves that get triggered when we experience intense negative emotions such as fear, anxiety, or shame. Keep reading to learn about the concept of IFS exiles and how exiles manifest in our behaviors.
Have you ever felt like a part of you is telling you one thing, while another part is saying the opposite? Why do we sometimes desire and feel things that contradict one another? According to psychiatrist Richard Schwartz, conflicting internal voices are totally normal. He suggests that, instead of being only one person, we all hold subpersonalities within ourselves that relate to each other in the same ways that members of a family might relate to one another. Keep reading to learn about the psychology behind subpersonalities.
What does it mean to have a strong mind? How do you cultivate mental strength? A strong mind is a calm and clear mind. According to Ryan Holiday, the author of Stillness Is the Key, the key to developing mental strength lies in cultivating wisdom and humble confidence. With this in mind, here are some tips on how to cultivate mental strength so you can be free from worries and immune to ignorance.
What exactly is “unburdening” in the IFS? What is the purpose of the unburdening process? In the Internal Family Systems (IFS), unburdening follows unblending: When we’re no longer blended with our parts, we can start the process of helping our parts unburden, or let go of the emotional weight that keeps them trapped in their roles. Unburdening is key to healing the Internal Family Systems. Keep reading to learn about IFS unburdening.
What exactly is personality? Is one’s personality fixed for life? Most people think of their personality—the totality of their abilities, preferences, and temperaments—as something innate and unchanging. However, science shows that you can, in fact, change your personality. Moreover, the idea of a fixed personality is unhelpful because it limits what you can achieve. Here’s why the idea of a fixed personality is problematic.
What is IFS therapy? What psychological wounds is IFS used to treat? Internal Family Systems (IFS) is an integrative and evidence-based method of psychotherapy developed by Richard Schwartz. IFS-trained therapists use questions, suggestions, and active listening to guide clients through the process of getting to know their inner family system and healing their wounded parts. To understand IFS therapy, it’s important to first understand the two foundational concepts on which it’s built: multiplicity and systems thinking.
What is Internal Family Systems? What are the different parts of the IFS model of psychotherapy? Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a model of psychotherapy developed by psychiatrist Richard Schwartz. In a nutshell, IFS is a form of talk therapy aimed at helping people heal wounded parts of their psyche and end negative patterns within the internal family system. Keep reading for an overview of the Internal Family Systems model, key terms, and a look into what IFS therapy looks like in practice.
What exactly is “unblending” in the IFS? What is the purpose of the unblending technique? Unblending is a key concept in Richard Schwartz’s Internal Family Systems (IFS) model. The purpose of unblending is to unblend (that is, unfuse) your core Self from the parts that have taken over and reclaim control. Keep reading to learn about IFS unblending and how to practice it.
What exactly is trauma? How does trauma work, and what is its purpose? According to psychologist Benjamin Hardy, trauma is, in essence, a narrative you form in your head about a painful experience. The traumatic narrative serves a defensive purpose: to prevent you from feeling similar types of pain in the future by encouraging you to avoid similar situations. Keep reading to learn about the psychology of trauma, according to Benjamin Hardy.