Guilt is the Teacher, Love is the Lesson

"A cellular biologist, psychotherapist and spiritual facilitator, Dr. Borysenko brings a unique professional background to the discussion of unhealthy guilt and it's antidote. She makes helpful distinctions between healthy guilt and destructive shame pointing out that while one is necessary to refine our behavior the other rots us from the inside out. Some will find her potpourri of religion, psychology and mystical influences challenging if they have not ventured outside the boundaries of conventional interpretations of spirituality. Others who understand the idea that "religion is for people afraid of going to hell and spirituality is for people who have been there" will find it easy to embrace the suggestions in this book. Take what you want and leave the rest. Borysenko's own cafeteria approach to healing reiterates the honesty, open-mindedness and willingness necessary to free oneself from the crush of inner demons. When Borysenko brings her own experiences to the table, it is easier to accept her subjective approach. This book requires an open mind to appreciate this attempt to mark one path, if not THE path, to healing. "
~ Written on 2008-07-12

"The worst book on guilt I have read so far. A salad of pseudo sience and new age bla bla."
~ Written on 2003-06-25

"This book is a keeper. Borysenko gently holds a mirror up for us to peek into our essence and see through our masks. We are a kaleidoscope of feelings, a symphony of thoughts drumming our consciousness, and much, much more. Joy comes with the observer, with insight into our humanity, with unraveling the heartless assumptions we have made about ourselves, and with letting go of the shame we carry. An articulate, important book."
~ Written on 2001-07-23

"That's what this book will feel like to you: surely you must be sitting in your favorite coffeeshop across from Joan Borysenko, bending heads over a couple of Cafe Mochas! Joan tells it like it is, but with compassion, and a relation to what happened to her. I've had suspicions about the source of guilt in my life, but Joan's stories were the push to clarity. Years of talk therapy coalesced for me with this book. I had the good fortune to meet Joan once. Her energy is so friendly; you'll swear you've known her all her life. Thank the Source for inspiring this woman to teach us!"
~ Written on 2000-02-08

". . should read this book. Joan Borysenko, PhD., appears to be highly versed in the knowledge of guilt, as she suffered from this disease herself.

This book is rich in different forms of psychology, both past and present, but it also mixes the spiritual with that psychology. I think, with most psychologists, that is the factor that is missing. There's the physical, the mental, and the spiritual. Too often, doctors leave the latter out of their practice, and I believe, as Joan Borysenko illustrates, it is a mistake.

This is not just merely a self-help book, but a book that gives you a lot of detail and insight on unhealthy guilt. The aurthor uses examples from her own life, as well as from some of the people she has come across in her practice, to give the reader further understanding. There's exercises for the reader to try, as well as meditations.

If you've EVER suffered from obsessive, unhealty guilt and low self-esteem, this book is MUST."
~ Written on 1999-07-12