Suggested self development content


Nerian

Recommended Posts

I'm looking for good self development content. A lot of them are too mystical. A lot of them believe in 'installing beliefs' because they are 'useful'. Even if they are ridiculous. Of course, this is not in line with Objectivist thought. Beliefs should be in line with actual reality. Many of them think you create reality with your mind.

Examples of things I have liked are Nathaniel Brandens stuff on self esteem and Brian Tracy on will power. I'm looking for more objective/rational people.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Peter,

You may find the recent book by Allan Blumenthal a worthwhile addition: Identity, Inner Life and Psychological Change.

From the back cover:

This book presents a view of our inner life, stressing the importance of understanding and “being in touch” with our personal nature. Inner life is the experience of the particular manner and content of thought, feeling and action that provides our sense of personal identity. This self-awareness is a requirement for fulfillment, motivation, and, ultimately, for our self-esteem.

Stephen*

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Welcome to OL Peter.

Joe's suggestion is excellent.

Check out Breaking Free which I believe was one of his first books and it had a powerful impact on me.

1-8883c5e4f5.jpg

http://www.scribd.com/doc/36141799/Break-Free-Nathaniel-Branden

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Breaking Free also had a significantly positive impact on me, though I read it several yrs after it was written.

Perhaps it's time for me to re-read both. Sort of a a tune up for the brain.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Welcome to OL Peter.

Joe's suggestion is excellent.

Check out Breaking Free which I believe was one of his first books and it had a powerful impact on me.

Reason later published a second interview with NB. I conducted that interview -- sort of. I wanted to ask Nathan some theoretical questions about psychology, and I took Roy Childs and Tibor Machan with me to his offices on Sunset Blvd. for backup.

I asked most of the questions, with Roy and Tibor sometimes asking follow-ups that challenged Nathan's replies. I thought Nathan's replies were reasonable, thoughtful, and substantive, but shortly after I got a transcript of the interview I also got a call from Nathan. He didn't like the interview, claiming that the theoretical emphasis would not interest most of Reason's readers. He therefore asked my permission to change some things.

I consented, thinking that the changes would be fairly minor, but Nathan's version was completely different. What he had done was to ask himself questions that he wanted to answer. With the possible exception of one or two introductory questions, nothing from the original interview was ever published.

My opinion at the time, which I still hold, is that Nathan saw the interview as a vehicle for promoting his psychotherapy business, and he didn't think the theoretical focus of the original fulfilled that purpose. I was a little miffed, since the published version consisted of what I call "guru" questions, i.e., fluff questions with no challenges whatsoever. Nevertheless, I did end up writing the introduction for the published version, and I was still listed as the primary interviewer, even though I had nothing to do with the final version. I later regretted how things turned out, since, in the published interview, I came across as quite the toadie. 8-)

As I said, I thought Nathan handled himself very well in the original interview, delving into some theoretical issues about psychology and psychotherapy that he had never discussed before in public (though he and I had previously discussed some of the same issues in private). I also liked the fact that he sometimes conceded that he was uncertain about some problems -- admissions that came across as frank and honest. It's a shame that the original was never published. Unfortunately, I lost the transcript (and the original cassette tape) many years ago.

Ghs

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Welcome to OL Peter.

Joe's suggestion is excellent.

Check out Breaking Free which I believe was one of his first books and it had a powerful impact on me.

Reason later published a second interview with NB. I conducted that interview -- sort of. I wanted to ask Nathan some theoretical questions about psychology, and I took Roy Childs and Tibor Machan with me to his offices on Sunset Blvd. for backup.

I asked most of the questions, with Roy and Tibor sometimes asking follow-ups that challenged Nathan's replies. I thought Nathan's replies were reasonable, thoughtful, and substantive, but shortly after I got a transcript of the interview I also got a call from Nathan. He didn't like the interview, claiming that the theoretical emphasis would not interest most of Reason's readers. He therefore asked my permission to change some things.

I consented, thinking that the changes would be fairly minor, but Nathan's version was completely different. What he had done was to ask himself questions that he wanted to answer. With the possible exception of one or two introductory questions, nothing from the original interview was ever published.

My opinion at the time, which I still hold, is that Nathan saw the interview as a vehicle for promoting his psychotherapy business, and he didn't think the theoretical focus of the original fulfilled that purpose. I was a little miffed, since the published version consisted of what I call "guru" questions, i.e., fluff questions with no challenges whatsoever. Nevertheless, I did end up writing the introduction for the published version, and I was still listed as the primary interviewer, even though I had nothing to do with the final version. I later regretted how things turned out, since, in the published interview, I came across as quite the toadie. 8-)

As I said, I thought Nathan handled himself very well in the original interview, delving into some theoretical issues about psychology and psychotherapy that he had never discussed before in public (though he and I had previously discussed some of the same issues in private). I also liked the fact that he sometimes conceded that he was uncertain about some problems -- admissions that came across as frank and honest. It's a shame that the original was never published. Unfortunately, I lost the transcript (and the original cassette tape) many years ago.

Ghs

Ghs:

That is fascinating on many different levels. Please look for that cassette!*

*Try the old shoebox in the upper left hand corner of the closet of your guest bedroom, or perhaps beneath your butler's bed, in the midst of his old Hustler magazines.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Interesting George.

I interviewed Nathaniel for my master's thesis.

I have kicked myself in the ass numerous times for not having the good sense to have tape recorded the two (2) hours.

I was barely 21 [geez why does the Meatloaf song play in my head...lol] and just pleased to get the interview.

In retrospect, Nathaniel must have been going through hell at that time and I sure had no clue as to what was going on behind closed doors at NBI.

He appeared quite stressed which makes a lot of sense now since this was 1967-68.

A...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Interesting George.

I interviewed Nathaniel for my master's thesis.

I have kicked myself in the ass numerous times for not having the good sense to have tape recorded the two (2) hours.

I was barely 21 [geez why does the Meatloaf song play in my head...lol] and just pleased to get the interview.

In retrospect, Nathaniel must have been going through hell at that time and I sure had no clue as to what was going on behind closed doors at NBI.

He appeared quite stressed which makes a lot of sense now since this was 1967-68.

A...

Remember those monthly Seminar records produced by Academic Associates? During 1972-3 I typically wrote most or all of the questions. Nathan asked me to do this because I rarely duplicated questions from previous sessions, and that saved time. At one point I suggested to Nathan that he do an extensive session on his years with NBI, the split, and related issues. He was reluctant at first but finally agreed, and the Q&A session was produced as two Seminar records by AA. I wrote all the questions and then passed them out (on file cards) to the other participants. I think Nathan mentioned me at the very end (I haven't heard any of those records for decades), and you can hear my early twenties voice throughout.I think that was the first time that Nathan publicly discussed some of the personal stuff associated with the split. I'm not sure everything made it on the final records. For example, in response to my observation that the writing style in Peikoff's Analytic-Synthetic Dichotomy monograph is virtually identical to Rand's style, Nathan replied that Peikoff wrote that piece with Rand peering "over his shoulder." Nathan didn't go so far as to say that Rand was the main author of that piece, but he came pretty close. I don't recall, however, whether those remarks made it to the final records.

I saw of lot of Nathan from late 1971 through late 1974-- in fact, I worked as his research assistant for a while -- but I saw him less frequently after 1975. Those unfamiliar with my reflections from those years may find this article interesting, if they have not already read it.

http://www.anthonyflood.com/smithbranden.htm

Nathaniel Branden’s Judgment Day:

Reviewing the Reviewers

George H. Smith

Ghs

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm looking for good self development content. A lot of them are too mystical. A lot of them believe in 'installing beliefs' because they are 'useful'. Even if they are ridiculous. Of course, this is not in line with Objectivist thought. Beliefs should be in line with actual reality. Many of them think you create reality with your mind.

Examples of things I have liked are Nathaniel Brandens stuff on self esteem and Brian Tracy on will power. I'm looking for more objective/rational people.

Here's not what you asked for but an exercise from Nathaniel Branden:

Look in the bathroom mirror--not just once btw--and say your name [the name you want to say] like so:

"My name is _______________, and I am enough." Breathe deeply. Repeat, repeat, repeat.

--Brant

put a little oomph into it

Link to comment
Share on other sites

That article by Ghs may be the most insightful and honest published portrayal of Nathaniel, ever.

(I've not much to compare with, I admit - but it's gratifying to see confirmed my impressions of the thinker and the man, from reading Six Pillars, Romantic Love and Honoring).

Link to comment
Share on other sites

First time I've seen George's excellent article.

Nathaniel has stated that the break was best thing that could have happened to him in 1968. [inference: that he got completely blown off Rand and the situation in NYC and moved to California and married Patrecia and became a full time psychologist and published The Psychology of Self Esteem.]

I supplied Nathaniel and Leigh with a complete set of the Seminar vinyl LP recordings--they didn't have them--in 2008. They were transferred to a DVD. These will be available eventually to any who want them for a price. I also provided a bunch of records from his NBI days that included some by Rand. Leigh told me he couldn't believe how many records there were when they opened the box. Nathaniel was very happy to see that and them. I got them back in the perfect condition I had sent them and was very happy to visit the Brandens in their Los Angeles apartment 18 months ago. I told Leigh my visit was off the record (she didn't ask it to be) but one story I'm sure is okay. They had had a big apartment and moved out to a smaller one but Nathaniel disliked it so they went looking for another and when they found it it was as big as the first had been and Nathaniel fell right in love with it when he saw it and they took it. Problem was they had gotten rid of their big apartment funishings and then had to funish their new apartment with furniture from their smaller apartment. Oh, the irony! They had lots of space. :smile:

--Brant

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now