Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #157620 in Books
• Published on: 1992-05-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 432 pages

From Library Journal
Progoff, a psychotherapist and pioneer in the therapeutic use of journal writing, has conducted workshops on the Intensive Journal Process since 1966. His program offers more than a chronological diary; the Intensive Journal Process is a complex and systematic method for gaining self-insight by recording thoughts, dreams, and significant events, which are then used as focal points for meditation and written reflection in separate sections. This book, a condensed version of two previous works, At a Journal Workshop ( LJ 11/1/75) and The Practice of Process Meditation ( LJ 12/1/80), follows the sequence of an introductory workshop, with the reader as an active participant. The casual reader looking for a summary or overview of the process will find this approach disappointing, while those familiar with the previous works will find little new other than a rearrangement of text. Nonetheless, this is a fascinating guidebook for those seriously committed to exploring journal writing as a means of self-discovery. Recommended for academic and large public libraries that don't own copies of the earlier works.
- Lucille Boone, San Jose P.L., Cal.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Ingram
This revised and expanded edition of the classic At a Journal Workshop, a self-published bestseller, offers the reader access to the most widely praised method of diary writing. This rich, insightful work is a treasure for all those involved in self-inquiry, artistic creation and spiritual renewal.

Customer Reviews

Incomprehensible...
I don't think I've ever read a book that made me feel like such an idiot! I read Dante when I was 12, and understood the concepts perfectly, and loved the flow of the poetry. I love Shakespeare, and "Hamlet" has to be one of my favorite plays. I can analyze and predict (accurately) patterns that arise in the international arena. I was predicting a war on Iraq the second that Bush first accused Saddam of supporting Al Queda. I KNEW in 2000 that the budget surplus under Clinton would evaporate, and Reaganite spending patterns would be instituted within three years of Bush II's election.

I pride myself on being a smart person, with a huge amount of analytical ability. However, reading the first two or three chapters of Progoff's work left me dragging my head through nonsensical mush! I could not understand what a "Depth Dimension" was, or the philosophy that underpins Progoff's journaling methods. I tried the first exercise in the Log, and found myself lost. First the book said to be brief, and feel the "movement" of my life. Um, what? Find an image, write it down. Who are the people involved in the image, and why is it important? So, I did that, as Progoff was adamant in stating that you should pick up your journal and write the second the book launched into an exercise.

Then I read on to the next page, through mumbo-jumbo and nonsensical language that supposedly "explained" why the log was important, only to discover that the exercise continued two pages later! So much for being brief: the next two pages that asked a series of questions required at least that much more paper in trying to answer them! I shook my head in confusion, and decided to leave those questions as a "jumping off" point for thought. And they triggered none for me.

I put the book aside in frustration for a day or so, determined to slowly plug my way through it. After all, it was supposed to "enlighten" me, right? I found that I was unable to pick it up again. I tried twice to read past page 1 of the subsequent chapter, but I couldn't-- the resistance was just too strong. I couldn't experience "movement" and I couldn't picture myself dipping into a stream of communal experience that supposedly ran underneath everyone's personal well, deep inside somewhere unspecified of the self.

The book was sold to a used bookstore, and I felt considerably freer once it was. The millstone was no longer around my neck, and I could journal in peace and quiet in the way that I wanted. It was nice to be free of that tome-- the book isn't physically light either-- and the metaphysics are heavier than an entire rock quarry.

I don't get it, and I'm amazed that there seem to be a lot of people who do. What's your secret? I'm dying to know! Because I'm feeling pretty darn stupid right about now...

Indispensible
As a preliminary statement, even though this reviewer worked for Dr. Progoff during the 1950s and 60s in NYC as an archivist, he will not recuse himself from reviewing Dr. Progoff's work which opened a whole new vista in his life. His perception is how Ira used the material from his lectures on the Intensive Journal Workshop and therapy sessions to formulate his theories about dreams, diaries and journals and the creative process. This is the culmination of his work.

Poets, musicians, mediums, and persons from all walks of life would come to him seeking healing, psychological, and spiritual support. He broke new ground with his creative intellect. He changed lives. This book, At a Journal Workshop, condenses everything he taught, and, it must be admitted, is not light reading unless you are familiar with his other work or similar topics. The book is most valuable when used as an adjunct to attending a class, and obviates the necessity of your keeping handwritten notes.

If your intellect is sharp and pervasive, you will have no problems absorbing his exercises. In a way, it's like learning to use a computer, the books are great, but there is nothing like hands on experience. You learn by doing, and when you are ready for the next step, refer to the book to extend your journal or your dream. It offers various ways to do this.

Several books on simple methods for keeping a journal are available, but none have the meat of this one. This reviewer has conducted journal and dream-work classes, and this is his principal source. Many others have followed in Dr. Progoff?s steps and a debt is owed to them all. Five stars.

AN APPROACH WORTH TAKING
IRA PROGROFF HAS A REALISTIC APPROACH TO JOURNAL WRITING. HE BELIEVES JOURNAL WRITING ALLOWS THE INDIVIUAL TO "PROGRESSIVELY DRAW THIER LIVES INTO FOCUS." I FOUND THIS BOOK VERY USEFUL. I RECOMMEND IT TO ANYONE.