The Potent Self: A Study of Spontaneity and Compulsion

Rating:
Summary: The Not Impotent Self
Review: When was this book written? "Before, during and after [...] 'Body and Mature Behavior', which was published in 1949"(quoted from the Editor's Note to the 1985 softcover edition). Already then Moshe was writing for the general reader, but at that time he decided not to publish this book before attaining the recognition of the scientific community.

The book's uniqueness among the author's other books is the emphasis indicated in the title: the nature of human sexuality, its hindrances and its potential. In this context his ideas acquire an additional sense of urgency. Like in all his writings, Moshe's perspective is unusually wide. Yet the style is highly concentrated.

We all know the "admirable saying 'Love thy neighbor as thyself' [...] Yet there is also room for the symmetrical saying". There is danger of such forms of love for the other which are in fact a compulsive expression of the anxiety in social relationships. What are the limits of human capacity? "Impotent rage and impotent love have a great deal in common. In both, the desire to do is excessive... in both cases ... "ought to" ... is more pronounced than "want to". This leads a disscussion of Spontaneity (as contrasted with compulsive action): "At root of all anxiety ... lies inner compulsion". Where is the borderline between automatic (reflex) response and free (learned) choice of action? Individual freedom is tamed by society. Society may punish heavily for deviations from its demands. "... we should not consider frigidity in women and impotence in men as physiological deficiencies, but as the result of successfully achieving a mistaken education". We are dependent. We strive at maturity. Maturity means reducing dependence. The game is not easy. A non-optimal result in maturation is always reflected in posture. "POSTURE is misleading; it suggests fixity", but in fact it describes "the use of the entire self in achieving and maintaining ... configuration and position". There follows a discussion of Body and Mind. "What is needed is a positive method of directing oneself... in short, the physiology of doing". "The cmpetent adult's action is so simple that he can never understand the complexity that bewilders the incompetent person".

It is at this points that the author introduces a discussion of correct posture and specific demonstrations of his method (which made him so famous). Then again Moshe turns to the wider aspect of "physiology and social order". In this context he underlines an aspect of sexuality which is "rarely recognized": the "regulation of the sympathetic-papasympthetic balance". A rare discussion and instruction of what is required for the improved co-ordination of abdomen, pelvis and head is one of the highlights of the book.

Moshe concludes with "a lillte philosophy": "Our object is to discover what it is that you really want". Some short examples of case histories follow.

To review Moshe's books is no easy task. If I have not succeeded in making you eager to read the book, try the book itself. Like all the Master's books it is this special mixture of a companion and instructor, rich in insights which have lost nothing of the originality with the years.