Introduction to Internal Family Systems

Our brains are a complex amalgam of systems with different, sometimes conflicting, priorities and values. This is not controversial. What Schwartz seems to be doing is imposing a homunculus model on top of this, one where each "part" is its own little person that you can talk to and will talk back. This, to me, feels weird. It takes a much better imagination than mine. Fortunately, most people seem to fit that category, and I can see how this could be a wonderful approach toward healing. Those of us who are aphantasic, and with no inner voice, and who firmly believe that there is no such thing as a capital-ess Self, I guess we're stuck with meditation. There are worse fates.

Unrated, because I Just Don't Get It, but I will try to mindfully recommend this to my more normal friends.

(Side note: I read this in response to a conversation with friend K. who had just read it. IFS sounded like something that a therapist had tried with me for several years, unsuccessfully, much to the frustration of both. This book has given me a greater understanding of what s/he was trying to accomplish, and my current awareness of my limitations helps me understand why that did not and could never work. Too soon old, too late smart.)