The Disowned Self

by Nathaniel Branden

Have you ever not known what you were feeling? Have you ever thought you should be angry, upset, or even joyous about something but all you felt was numb?

Nathaniel Branden, bestselling author of The Six Pillars of Self-Esteem, tackles the frightening problem some people face when they find themselves disconnected from their own emotions. In The Disowned Self, Branden explores the different ways in which people avoid or repress certain aspects of themselves for example, intellectualizing experiences instead of fully living them and shows the unnecessary loss in self-esteem that can result. Through powerful and effective self-exploration exercises, Nathaniel Branden reveals how you can liberate your repressed, or disowned self and fully integrate your thoughts, feelings, and actions to realize your true potential.

Genres: Psychology, Personal Development, Nonfiction, Self Help, Philosophy

240 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 1973

About the author

Nathaniel Branden was a Canadian–American psychotherapist and writer known for his work in the psychology of self-esteem. A former associate and romantic partner of Ayn Rand, Branden also played a prominent role in the 1960s in promoting Rand's philosophy, Objectivism. Rand and Branden split acrimoniously in 1968, after which Branden focused on developing his own psychological theories and modes of therapy.

Reviews

[Sanjay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life changing. Mind blowing. One of the greatest that I've ever read!

[Michael David · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not very impressed with this, but I loved Branden's outspoken statement regarding religion:

Many people are readily able to recognize the psychologically harmful effects of religion's antagonism to sex ... Religion is much more than anti-sex. It is anti-mind, anti-self-esteem, anti-intellectual self-confidence, anti-self-assertiveness, anti-pleasure, anti-self-interest. Which means, basically, that religion is anti-life. (p.165)

He definitely has a point.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Philosophy of identity in plain English.

[Michal Sedlák · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is so much in the book that I'll have to read it again.

[indy ❁ ⋆⁺₊⋆ · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is the age of disruption where our sanity can be easily tripped and here it is a book which will help us to get the balance and understand human's behaviors.......

"A person's thoughts, memories, evaluations, and perception are expressions and or actions of his self. In disowning them he diminished his sense of self and induces feelings of self-alienation."-pg. 50

[Ems · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyable, and the passages on Christianity were especially intriguing. However it felt a little too Freudian for my tastes.

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was challenged by this book in various senses, such as how it is traditionally written and emotionally questioning. A specific piece demonstrates the reason why emotions are so important to humans. The author wrote (p. 51), “they comment on their emotions, they "explain" their emotions, they "apologize" for their emotions, they speculate as to the historical origins of their emotions - and, of course, they reproach themselves for their emotions — but they find it extraordinarily difficult simply to let themselves feel their emotions and then describe what they experience. They have to overcome years of defenses erected to protect them against their inner emotional lite.” I specifically love this piece because it’s generalisable to not only my reality and the unique emotions it contains, but the people around me too. My suggestion for the book’s perfect reader may be someone capable of traditional syntax or a questioner.

[Samuela · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is related to the disowned - repressed parts of self. I like it is more of an explanation rather than the usual way with exercises despite there are some practical areas too. Very good.

[Samar Devraj · Rating 4 out of 5]

incredible book but i hope i apply it IRL😭

[Reuben · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly insightful read, The Disowned Self offers practical tools for emotional processing and self-discovery. Highly recommended for personal growth.