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Greater Than the Sum of Our Parts
- Discovering Your True Self Through Internal Family Systems Therapy
- Narrated by: Richard C. Schwartz PhD
- Length: 6 hrs and 54 mins
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Greater Than the Sum of Our Parts
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Publisher's Summary
Explore your multifaceted mind - an invitation to personal healing and spiritual awakening
Inside each of us, there are many distinct selves. “Though we’ve been raised to believe that healthy people have a single ‘self’”, explains Dr. Richard C. Schwartz, “acknowledging our multiplicity gives a far deeper awareness of how our minds actually work.” Dr. Schwartz’s pioneering Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy has become renowned in psychotherapy for its power to help us connect with and heal the many distinct facets - or parts - of our psyche. With Greater Than the Sum of Our Parts, he brings you a practical training course for using this method for your growth, well-being, and especially your spiritual journey.
Embracing your inner diversity as a path to wholeness
One of the key lessons of IFS therapy is that there are no bad parts. “Trauma or life experience can cause our parts to take on burdens”, says Dr. Schwartz. “Yet when we bring the spiritual values of curiosity, gratitude, and kindness to these burdened parts, we discover incredible opportunities for healing and awakening.” Through instruction and guided meditations, Dr. Schwartz shows us how to engage even the most disturbing or unwanted parts of our psyche with openness and love - so we may unlock the hidden gifts and wisdom each part contains.
Many forms of therapy and even spiritual practice inadvertently put us in conflict with ourselves as we try to transcend or reject our parts. With Greater Than the Sum of Our Parts, Dr. Schwartz invites you to embrace each of your many parts with self-compassion - and discover the inclusive greater Self that is your true, divine nature.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.
What listeners love about Greater Than the Sum of Our Parts
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance2 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Becca Powell
- 24-08-19
I love IFS, but didn't love the book
This isn't intended as a slam on the author. His brilliance was perhaps not optimally represented in the book. I can't really fault him for all the science shunning comments, given the state of science and research in the behavioral sciences during the time frame when he was developing IFS, but the book has a victim-oriented valence and I found some difficulty continuing to listen. Despite the fact that the author has made unique contributions to the field, in the book as his contributions are presented, he seems to overestimate the uniqueness of his method, and even though I would be surprised if this were actually the case, he gives the impression of being a someone who didn't do his homework when it comes to the updates in Neuroscience that support his methods. I actually prefer hearing about his contributions from other people rather than from him. his presentation of the model has this reified, dogmatic edge to it.
It's cool to hear from the originator, but candidly, I'd have preferred to hear perhaps a shorter segment from him in some adjunctive portion of somebody else's book who presents with a little more vigor and with a clear-headed attitude toward updated neuroscience - whether he's explaining more of the history of the method or guiding person through the experiential exercises.
None of the above is meant to dissuade a person from reading the book per se. If you want to make sure your way of using IFS in clinical practice or for your own self-help is in line with the spirit of the model as it was originally created, this is a great way to do it. In that regard, the book was kind of validating. If you are already a capable and mindful practitioner, you'll probably find that your intuitive applications of the method are in line with what the creator / author presents here. It is also potentially useful to hear this book to avoid overcomplicating or missing out on the actual spirit of the IFS modality.
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45 people found this helpful
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Overall1 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story1 out of 5 stars
- Viclamm
- 27-04-19
Confused - workbook/questions not included
I purchased this and assumed that the pdf that was attached would have the workbook with the questions, but it does not. Dr. Schwartz refers to questions that we should be asking ourselves during the activity, but there are no questions to look at. I'm wondering if they uploaded that single paged outline in error.
Don't buy unless you have the workbook.
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35 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Yanina Sarquis Adamson
- 19-11-18
Exceptional
The theory of this book rings so true. Being one of the most practical psychology books I have ever read, Schwartz asks you the right questions and pauses so that you can think about the answer. And the answers come, true and effortless. I will never think about myself as having only one self again. Your parts speak to you, and with the help of Schwartz, you can begin to listen. Cannot recommend this book enough!
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14 people found this helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Caroline
- 31-01-19
Could Not Handle the Author’s Voice
Well written and very interesting, but the voice is just a not a good fit at all for an audiobook.
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11 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- No
- 14-01-19
Loved it!
This is the most important book I have read so far. :) I'll expand on this at a later time.
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8 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Rachel
- 31-12-19
Truly fascinating and life changing.
I am a psychotherapist and have had the privilege of sitting with Dick to hear the discoveries he has made about the inner world of our internal family system and see him display his approach with others with profound and truly remarkable results. It not only has changed my own understanding of myself and brought clarity and healing to my own exiles but has also done the same for hundreds of my clients over the years as a professional. The thing that about this audible recording is that it has helpful information about how to conceptualize the model, a history of how Dick came to discover his understanding of the model, a conversational approach from Dick which makes it easy to listen to and remain engaged, and some interventions that Dick facilitates that truly mirror an experience you might have in a therapy room with him. I would highly recommend this and have to many of my clients.
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7 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Tiffani Schreiner
- 10-04-21
Brilliant!!
I listen to different "sessions" of this book whenever I need specific help with parts. I love Dick Schwartz's relaxed and honest tone, as well as his humility.
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5 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- oaf
- 16-01-20
Greater than the Sum of the Parts
Excellent work. Its the same methods that I use in hypnosis and imagery (NOT guided imagery). Its fascinating to me that people have a concept of what something is and they will not budge their mind and will tell people who do know that we don't know and that we are wrong. Crazy world out there. The point though is that the work is excellent no matter what he calls it.
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5 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Michael J. Heffler
- 23-03-20
Wow!
This has been the most life affirming, positive experience. I’ve learned a new way of viewing and inter playing with my inner life and the world.
Thank you!
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3 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- valwiggs
- 15-03-20
Amazing approach similar to active imagination
Very powerful therapy method. Something everyone could use. Also makes a lot more sense out of the people you meet. an elaboration of Jung's active imagination process for me.
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3 people found this helpful
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Overall1 out of 5 stars
- fumanchu
- 17-02-19
totally boring
I would have liked to know Richard's thoughts about this system and that's what I thought I was buying, it is mostly guided meditations which I thought was dull. I like the concepts of ifs but the languaging is clunky, the school of thinking also seems to have chip on its shoulder which needs to criticise all other ways of working, they should examine that 'part'. I found watching YouTube videos much more useful in terms of learning about the system than this audio book.
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15 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Fiona C
- 11-02-19
Indepth Study of IFS
In this workshop, the founder of IFS, Richard Schwartz, explores ways of using IFS in our own internal worlds. He gives some theory and also guides you through meditations to get to know your own inner parts and ways of working with them, so that through practice, you can learn how to live a Self-led life. I have listened to it twice and keep returning to the meditations. I highly recommend it for anyone who is interested in exploring IFS.
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5 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 18-11-18
excellent.
I really loved listening to this wholesome affirming approach to the variety of lives we live.
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3 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- Miss E Harper
- 29-03-19
Fantastic book. Love you Dick!
IFS is totally ground-breaking and this book is an amazing way to get into the material. the guided meditations are done at a pace that allows for ones inner process to unfold and i will use them again and again. Thanks Dick (And Sounds True)
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mrs. E. Daniell
- 10-02-21
Essential listening
As a BACP Accredited counsellor I found this a great introduction to IFS, as I learn by doing I found the meditations very helpful to learn about my own "parts" so that I can help my clients. It has already had a profound effect on the way i work. I look forward to learning more.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 18-10-20
Fantastic
A fabulous introduction to IFS. This book has really changed my life and made me eager to learn more.
Being able to recognise that we all have parts and that they are trying to help is eye opening. This is difficult to accept at first but as you go through the book it becomes clearer. Richard Schwartz guides you gently through various processes to access these but is never intrusive.
An excellent book that I throughly recommend.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall1 out of 5 stars
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Story1 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 14-04-20
It sometimes does not play
On first reading I did not really grasp this therapy. It was well worth a second read and I think this therapy is the best I have come across. Far more useful than CBT for me.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Kenny Clayton
- 15-12-19
Life changing book.
Life changing book. I've been introduced to IFS recently so it's good to hear how it evolved from Dr Schwartz.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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- Alicia dk
- 20-08-19
He lost me
He lost me after he began to trash President Trump, to prove his spiritual points. In the beginning, I thought that that was his political opinion, but then he did it again later. It was too much. Why didn't he use himself as an example, instead of telling lies about and bullying the current President of the United States? It is not very "spiritual" to do so. I couldn't take his "deep" spirituality seriously after this.
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- Amazon Customer
- 28-06-23
What an amazing experience. I trust I can eventually connect with myself so I can live my life purpose. Thank you Richard 🙏🙏
If you have been for years looking where to look to finally make sense of your life. This is the book to consult on a daily basis, especially if you are like me, broke financially and with no way to access proper help to support you to support others too, then don’t look any further
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- Iman A Seoudi
- 20-09-19
Truly transformative experience
I am very grateful to have found this audio book narrators by the authentic and caring Richard Schwartz. IFS is a gift to this world. Going through the exercises has illuminated many perplexing aspects of my inner world. I am still at the early phases of self leadership but I can already see the powerful impact of the method. It is amazing how simple but profound this practice is and I am delighted by the transformative potential it holds for individuals, families, communities and the world. Deeply humbled and grateful for this experience. Thank You!
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4 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 21-06-20
Amazing
This recording changed how I interacted with my self sabotage, anxiety, negative thoughts etc. From the first meditation my anxiety, which I’ve been addressing through various means of therapy for 10+ years, completely dissipated. Still work to do, but feels a lot more possible thanks to this book. Would highly recommend.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Sa1nts66
- 29-04-21
Very helpful
Great psychological approach and gentle relaxing narration. This had a very positive impact on my life including reducing anxiety and helping with sleep
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 18-12-20
Amazingly healing
I believe this model and book needs to be read/heard by everyone looking for a more alive and sustainable way of being in the world. Such amazing work that Richard has brought into such great clarity. Thank u Richard.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 20-10-20
Truly a wonderful path to healing
The more I listen, the more I love this! Dick Schwartz is a gentle soul.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Anonymous User
- 29-06-22
Life changing experience
I've,e been waiting for this for 70 years and what a relief it is ..everything I intuitively knew but could not articulate ..is coming together very quickly thanks to Richard Schwartz.
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- Meg
- 22-05-22
Great
Very helpful exercises and meditations. I Will definitely re-listen.
Why doesn’t audible title chapters???
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- Melanie Leighton
- 11-11-21
Loved this, very useful and insightful!
I got a lot out of listening to this, the IFS model is very insightful! Loved the meditations. Make sure you download the PDF and chapter list before listening. :)
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- Jesse James
- 25-08-21
Absolutely Phenomenal
Ridiculously helpful. I wish I had of found this years ago, it would have changed everything. I guess I have to settle with it changing now.
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