Inner Bonding: Becoming a Loving Adult to Your Inner Child

This is a sequel to Healing Your Aloneness. It really could have been added onto the first book and re-published that way. It is very helpful to learn about the inner child dialogue process between the adult and child inside your head. There are many more helpful diagrams in this book than there was in the first book. This book is not just a review of the first book, it is much more than that. It in many ways explains the concept more clearly, with stronger (if lesser) examples. This book is written loudly and clearly, whereas the first book had some ideas that weren't explained as well as they are in this one. This book is for those who want to do serious work on themselves, for those in recovery from addictions, from codependency, from addictive relationships, overeating etc. But it is also for anyone who, as the previous book's title states, is lonely and doesnt know why. Inner Bonding is the solution to loneliness because it teaches me to be there for myself. This book is also spiritual, in that it reaches down to a deep level and transforms my life, daily. It teaches an inner habit. Truly an amazing habit and practice. I should warn you that God is mentioned in this book as part of this process that is needed. If you read the first book, a 'higher power' is mentioned in that book. It is helpful to believe in some sort of higher intelligence to do this process, and one does not have to actually believe in God for it.

I really enjoyed this book, it's full of insight and practical examples on how to regain and maintain your emotional independence and stay in touch with your feelings at all times. I definitely recommend this book. However, there a couple of points to consider. Author has a strong spiritual view on things, which feels very new age at time. It comes in the Step 4: Dialog with the "Higher Power" or "Higher Self". In her dialogues she sometimes says that a person can visualize Higher Power as "someone within" rather than "someone without". However she also states "We have to reach within our Child and without to a Higher Source... to find the whole truth for ourselves". For people who are not spiritual or have been hurt by religion this can be a major detractor, unless it's redefined solely as "Higher Self" or something similar. Personally, for me this is not a sticking point. Author does state that we are at all times only one person, however, most of the book focuses on dialoguing with the "Inner Child". I definitely see that this approach might not work for some people where fragmentation is an issue. Jean Jenson in 'Reclaim your life' recommends a similar approach however, she underlines the unity of a person to a greater degree and separates out the consciousness to child & adult.

This book changed everything for me! It was the missing piece on a long journey of seeking and by far the most powerful. The workbook was also very helpful as well as listening to audio version of book on my morning walks. All my gratitude.

Hi, I never figured out codependency until I read this book. I appreciate the examples and how to learn to stick up for your inner child...be your own parent. I know I abandoned myself many times. I don't defend myself...refuse to. I don't care what others think. I know I have resistance like she mentions to authority/controlling. She is also on the Youtube.com and answered two of my comments I wrote after hearing her videos. She is very nice/kind/understanding. I run from love so I am trying to figure out how to change. My dad had a strong temper and I am attracted recently to someone who was like my dad. I need to figure out my life. I can do it better from books than a counselor that doesn't really know me. I appreciate this. She also wrote Healing Your Aloneness. I am alone most of the time. I isolate myself to avoid rejection. I have many walls/defenses. I don't want to try to control me like a parent and treat me like a child. I have lost many friends who were not real friends. I have to decide why I have them as friends...just to whine/vent? I need to be with people who are my equal and respect/value me just as I am and not try to change me. This is a great book and her understanding is awesome/validating.

I write notes in margins as necessary to vent and argue to my pleasure. I prefer Patrick Teehan, who recommended this book. I prefer his explanations and examples on his youtube videos MUCH more. He has spun his own personality into it, I think. I persist because he seems to know what he's talking about, it looks like he benefited. The author's style/personality of this book does not vibe with me so much! Reading her sentences is like stepping into an office full of Precious Moments angels --it feel stultifying and frustrating to be around. Other people love them! I do not. I think some terms she uses I implicitly interpret differently. Subtext >> supertext, and still valuable. I have found that I can only open and read bits at a time when books hit my vulnerable parts directly. (Same with Friendtimacy, which I prefer much more. Still an emotional challenge to read.) This is one of them. I think it has helped me improve my relationship with myself, as much as I am able to ingest and put to action the message. I get similar value out of, and prefer the style of Dr. Caroline Leaf's books, and Thais Gibson's lessons.

...we would have the means to create real and lasting peace. Because we experience the world as we are, the way we relate to the world will be a direct reflection of the way we relate to ourselves. This book offers a framework within which we can relate to ourselves and others in an authentic, healthy, and empowered way. I acquired it at the advice of my Conscious Uncoupling coach as I faced the dark abyss of divorce from my husband of eight years. Every possible feeling of abandonement and worthlessness surfaced, and in spite of the urge to protect myself by getting angry and blaming everything on him, I dove deep inside of myself and discovered the ways in which I had implicitly agreed to be treated in the ways he was treating me...because they were mirroring the ways I was treating myself! After making that mind-blowing discovery, I committed to connecting with and prioritizing the happiness of my inner child, who was feeling worthless and abandoned by me. Once I began putting her needs first, listening to her input and taking loving action on her behalf, I started noticing some pretty significant positive shifts in the ways I was relating to the people in my life. I'd like to say that everything worked out with my husband, but that's not the case. We're still getting a divorce, but I see this as a chance to move on from my old paradigm and into a healthy new one, where I can give and receive the love I deserve. Now just imagine if all of the world leaders did this kind of work, instead of allowing their inner toddlers to run the show. It's up to us to step up and be leaders in our homes, peer groups and communities by taking on the responsibility to be there for ourselves and make sure that our needs are getting met--not at the expense of, but in concert with, those around us. If just a few of us step up, it can make a huge difference in the world. Get the book, do the work, and experience real and lasting peace, happiness and freedom in your life! I believe in you!

Ever heard the expression, it’s not your fault but you are accountable? Well, heres the explanation! Mind, body, soul. Inner child, adult, goddess. This explains the inner dynamic and how you can control/cultivate it. Your inner child will thank you.

No doubt about it, the book is very good. My fiancee and I have been reading it. More importantly, we met with a certified facilitator in Anderson, Indiana whom I found on the Inner Bonding web site about a week before we ordered the book. Now when we read the book, we have the palpable experience of inner child contact that the book can refer to, but is simply too remarkable to describe with words. You have to feel this. I could not have been more surprised. I don't know where we will go with Inner Bonding, but we will probably sign up for an intensive. The drive up to Anderson took two hours and the session lasted over an hour. Both of us had a truly remarkable and tangible experience. Buy the book. Meet with a facilitator.