Il piacere. Un approccio creativo alla vita

by Alexander Lowen, Sergio Trippodo (Translator)

Il piacere è la forza creativa della vita. E' l'unica forza abbastanza possente da opporsi alla potenziale distruttività del potere. Molte persone credono che questo ruolo appartenga all'amore; ma se l'amore è qualcosa di più che una pura parola, deve basarsi sull'esperienza del piacere.

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction, Philosophy

222 pages, Paperback

Published February 1, 1984

About the author

Alexander Lowen (1910–2008) was an American physician and psychotherapist. The story of his life is a story of how he honored the body and healed his mind-body split. It is also the story of how, along the way, he helped mankind.

During his lifetime, Lowen earned four college degrees: his Bachelor of Science; his Bachelor of Law (L.L.B); his Doctor of Sciences of Law (J.S.D.); and his medical Degree (M.D.). He developed Wilhelm Reich's beliefs into Bioenergetic Analysis and created a large and viable organization, the International Institute for Bioenergetic Analysis (IIBA) to sustain and promote his therapeutic approach. The IIBA now has over 1500 members and 54 training institutes worldwide. Bioenergetic Analysis is now practiced not only in the United States, but also in Canada, Europe, Latin America, Israel, New Zealand, Australia, Japan and other countries.

Dr. Lowen has authored 14 books (translated to as many as eight different languages, collectively) as well as numerous articles and other professional publications. He also has presented his ideas in untold numbers of interviews, on video and audio tapes, and lectures worldwide. The establishment of the Journal for Bioenergetic Analysis gave him much satisfaction since it provides an ongoing forum for examining and furthering the ideas he pioneered. When asked during an interview in 2004 what has given him the most meaning in life, he responds without hesitation, feeling the pleasure and life of the body.

Reviews

[Marta · Rating 2 out of 5]

Couldn't go through with thebook after yet ... 8th time the author mentioned that the only true & fulfilling way to be a woman is to have a child and the sole obligation of a woman is to be a mother and spend her whole time taking care of the kid.

No thank you.

[Klaudia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Z jednej strony fascynujące jest to co Lowen ma do powiedzenia odnośnie integracji ciała i umysłu, z drugiej tym co najbardziej mi utkwiło w głowie po przeczytaniu książki, to seksistowskie akapity o tym jak kobieta odczuwa przyjemność ze sprzątania i latania na szmacie po domu. Staram się tłumaczyć to sobie czasami, w których autor pisał książkę (lata 70-te), ale polskie wydanie jest z 2019 i te fragmenty mocno nie przystają do dzisiejszej rzeczywistości.

[Huling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pleasure is within you. Pleasure can be had. Yes, it can be elusive like a brilliantly colored butterfly. Yet it can be had. Freedom. Freeing yourself of tension, negativity, and fear. This enables one to experience pleasure. This is what Alexander Lowen is aiming towards in this book. Freeing you of your internal strife and getting you to cease the civil war that rages within you. Yes, one does have to work at it. The word "work" I use hesitantly. One must find pleasure and joy in one's daily pursuits. But it does require "work" in order the break the cycle of pain and tension. Dr. Lowen gives us the tools to do it. We have the power inside to do it, we just have to change the way we view our bodies and our minds. The body, the body, the body, the body! This is where the secret rests according Lowen. Freeing the body of unnecessary tensions will assist the freeing of the mind. Both the body and mind must work as an integrated whole in order for one to lead a balanced life. Creativity is the key to a fulfilling existence. One may not agree with or be totally willing to give over to Lowen's concept of "bioenergetics" but there are many wonderful insights to therapy that Lowen offers. Freud made us believe that talking our "neuroses" out and naming our problem was all that was needed to overcome the problems that the center of truth. By tapping into and acknowledging our bodies and the truth that lies therein we can begin to change our lives and lead a more pleasurable life.

[Sreena · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Pleasure is not an indulgence; it is a vital force that fuels our creativity, enhances our relationships, and nourishes our souls."

- A statement beautifully encapsulates the book's core message, highlighting the transformative power of pleasure in every aspect of our lives. This is a book that has the potential to revolutionize the way we view pleasure and its role in our lives.

While the concept of pleasure is central to the book, it takes a more nuanced and expansive view than traditional hedonism. Lowen encourages readers to explore pleasure as a means of self-discovery, personal growth, and creativity rather than simply pursuing momentary gratification.

What I liked about this book
The exploration of the interplay between pleasure and creativity. The author skillfully illustrates how pleasure and creativity are intimately intertwined, with each fueling and enhancing the other.

A good read!

[Pedro Lira · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

É um livro em parte razoável datado. Tanto em conhecimento, pois a neurociência já desenvolveu vários tópicos que são tocados e supostos em relação a teoria da mente, quanto em relação a perspectivas subjetivas que evoluíram com o tempo. Nem toda mulher nasceu pra ser mãe e é possível ser feliz assim. Da mesma forma que nem toda pessoa que tem contato com o corpo é feliz.

Pulei algumas partes que eram demais para mim. A coisa toda da bioenergia eu achei demais. O que realmente foi útil e tem sido, é a base psicanalítica. Conceitos como ego, self, as dinâmicas deles e como isso afeta diretamente o dia a dia foi de grande valia.
Outro ponto razoavelmente interessante da leitura foi que, inconscientemente (ou convenientemente) entrei em certo estado analítico do cotidiano em relação ao prazer que sinto (sinto?) nas atividades diárias. Pode ser um pouco cansativo, sem dúvidas, mas tem sido, em último caso, frutífero.

Achei uma leitura muito boa. Grato por ter encontrado o livro.

[Allie Drouant · Rating 4 out of 5]

it was a fun read in 2025 as we now have the technological advancements to prove or explore the points Dr Lowen made. His ideas are timeless and easily applicable to the average person. The organization, depth, and easily understandable metaphors used for explanation certainly exemplify Dr Lowen’s experience in the subject, but that kind of knowledgeability isn’t for everyone I suppose.

[Kąpi · Rating 2 out of 5]

nie mam pojęcia o czym miała być ta książka; jest trochę o oddychaniu, a trochę o podstawowych emocjach, potem trochę o tym, że jak masz orgazm, to pulsujesz, a na koniec dowiadujesz się, że jak nie pulsujesz, to słabo z twoją kreatywnością... nie ma to jak solidna dawka wiedzy

[Ania Jeżyna]

Zainteresowało mnie parę ćwiczeń, ale poza tym: bardzo ogólnikowo, mało źródeł i badań ;) raczej takie przemyślenia Lowena ;)

[Vincent Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's worth reading especially for the early chapters, providing such a unique perspective of Pleasure and its relationship with Power. A lot of the later chapters ideas feels kind of dubious, tho.

[Dr. Rae Baum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Accessible information to assist in living life to be read, re-read, and shared...