THE INNER ENEMY: How to Fight Fair With Yourself

by George R. & Laura Torbet Bach ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 1, 1982

The personification of inner forces, neither a new nor a completely useless idea, is here carried to extremes--ridiculous or disarmingly nutty, depending. We're supposed to conduct all-out warfare against our hidden negative voice, variously dubbed ""The Inner Enemy,"" ""the twerp,"" or, occasionally, ""the creep."" It's this voice that sabotages our successes, thwarts our productive drives, reminds us of our shortcomings. (""If you don't want to bother the salesperson to show you another shirt, or feel you can't ask the bus driver to make an extra stop at your corner, that's the twerp."") The remedy: explore the positive and negative voices clamoring for attention in your unconscious, determine their forms of ""government,"" and make sure that all get a fair hearing. Remember, too, that negative voices are ""chicken,"" defenseless in the face of strong resistance. (Twerp: ""You're never going to win this tennis game."" Ally: ""I'm winning, aren't I?"") Bach, an old hand at dealing with aggressive drives toward others (The Intimate Enemy, Stop! You're Driving Me Crazy), contends that inward-turning aggressions are the hardest to handle. His Silly scenarios won't root out any deep-seated insecurities--but they might give timorous souls a little extra gumption.

Pub Date: Feb. 1, 1982

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Morrow

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 1982

Categories: NONFICTION