The Power of Focusing: A Practical Guide to Emotional Self-Healing

"Focusing is a life-changing technique of identifying what is really going on inside you. And Ann's book is a clear explanation of how to do the technique of Focusing. She is a remarkable teacher, able to both understand and explain significant nuances of the technique... nuances that can make the difference between success and failure in using the technique. A magnificent work. Bravo, Ann!"
~ Written on 2004-11-27

"I read Gendlin's book two decades ago, and discovered this one a few years ago. So I've got quite a bit of experience with Focusing under my belt. This is a very powerful meditational discipline, but simple to learn and implement.

It is particularly useful in sorting out dilemmas or problems where you feel ambivalent, are conflicted, or fear you have lost objectivity. Should you quit your job, leave your spouse, marry your girlfriend, change careers? Is your relationship with a spouse/friend/sibling/child frustrating you? Are you at your wits end with a boss or co-worker? Can't figure out how to express yourself to those you care about?

I've found Focusing powerful because it is such a *fast* way of developing new insight and articulating what you really think and feel. And it feels good and may help you stay more aware of what matters to you during your day.

I just recommended this book to someone who is almost a stranger but who is facing some big, confusing decisions. If that's where you are too right now, this book is worth taking a chance on."
~ Written on 2001-10-03

"I first read Eugene Gendlin's original book on Focusing and found it tremendously helpful and life-changing. But finding this additional resource on Focusing was a wonderful gift because this book clarifies and gets to the heart of how you can really make Focusing work for you. The author states concepts simply but powerfully and addresses those very issues that were hard for me to understand in Gendlin's book. I felt like I just couldn't fail with Focusing after I read this book. She also has really, really helpful examples throughout the book. I have recommended this book to a lot of people, without reservation, and will continue to do so."
~ Written on 2000-04-10

"What I like most about The Power of Focusing, which I have reaad and re-read, is the author's observation that the essence of Focusing is your relationship with yourself. That is, living the Focusing attitudes by being gentle and compassionate with yourself. This is a perfect fit with my experience, both personal and professional (I am a psychologist). Living in the present moment with kindness and acceptance is perhaps the greatest benefit that I, and consequently those around me, have derived from Focusing.

It is most helpful to share Focusing by having a recent book which contains the fruits of over 15 years of the author's teaching. The first Focusing self-help book, the classic by Eugene Gendlin, anchors the practice - it has a history. Now when I pass Focusing on, I can add Ann Cornell's book as an example of the living tradition of Focusing, one of the ways it has developed since Gendlin's book was published in 1981. It is an excellent illustration that while there are Focusing basics, such as the attitude of respect, there is always something new to learn and more applications in using the process. For instance, I am a certified Focusing teacher, but one of my new learnings from this book was a clearer concept of what "guiding" is. Addtionally, Ann Cornell's examples are very good illustrations of the concepts she is teaching. One of my favorites is "Matt," because it shows how Focusing can combine in a useful way with other factors when one is making a major decision.

Finally, from a marketing standpoint the book is very attractive and has great endorsements on the cover. I hope there is a 100th printing!"
~ Written on 1998-12-04

"For me this book is the clearest description I found of how to go about healing emotional wounds that our bodys hold. It really does give a way to respectfully access the bodys wisdom, and let ourselves move naturally towards wholeness.

This book is easy to understand, based on though experience, and above all, useful.

I have found Focusing personally invaluable, and this book makes the process accessable. I really can't recommend it too highly."
~ Written on 1998-10-31