tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3420173096635836108.post1248268993184369959..comments2024-02-11T18:16:53.445-08:00Comments on Janov's Reflections on the Human Condition: The Simple Truth is Revolutionary: More on the Act-Out: Goodbye Robin WilliamsArthur Janovhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16709863014923629409noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3420173096635836108.post-50572677915420442842014-08-28T08:20:18.721-07:002014-08-28T08:20:18.721-07:00David: An astute comment. Thanks. artDavid: An astute comment. Thanks. artArthur Janovhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18009571728800026496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3420173096635836108.post-56145783255685424002014-08-28T08:15:19.885-07:002014-08-28T08:15:19.885-07:00An email comment:
Thank you. I had hoped you woul...An email comment:<br /><em>Thank you. I had hoped you would talk about Robin Williams in a blog. Last month when I heard RW was headed for his 2nd rehab, I told my son it will not work. They never do, for the reasons you cite but none of the "experts" know about. I cannot listen to them or read their explanations because the frustrate me to the point I want to puke!<br /> </em>Arthur Janovhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18009571728800026496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3420173096635836108.post-36858993168456418902014-08-28T07:58:55.070-07:002014-08-28T07:58:55.070-07:00Paul: Keep up the good work. artPaul: Keep up the good work. artArthur Janovhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18009571728800026496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3420173096635836108.post-19255764142428524602014-08-23T17:17:55.830-07:002014-08-23T17:17:55.830-07:00Hi,
I am increasingly realising that (in the abse...Hi,<br /><br />I am increasingly realising that (in the absence of the therapy itself), the theory is more important. I mean, Primal is so essential that accessibility is not the main issue for those of us who are "Victims of Inaccessibility". . . It should be more accessible. . . . . . but it isn't. . . and so in the absence of it, well we can only rely on the theory. <br /><br />But there is this strange effect of knowing the theory and also of attempting to 'disseminate' it. We are having to be some strange new type of evangelists. . . The old types demanded belief but Primal does not need belief to work.<br /><br />And like the old evangelists of before we have to stick to our guns. . . We must not waver in our aim or we will not hit our target.<br /><br />Paul G.Paulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02006514330039884557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3420173096635836108.post-50777752469642905522014-08-20T18:53:54.320-07:002014-08-20T18:53:54.320-07:00Hi,
Barry Norman, famous film critic in UK descri...Hi,<br /><br />Barry Norman, famous film critic in UK described Robins talent as spread terribly thin and 'saccharin' to the point of 'teeth rotting'. . . <br /><br />But like dodgy political parties and religious philosophies people flocked 'en masse' to be sentimentalised. Of course, in UK we 'cultured' individuals are all 'above' those 'displays' of emotion, aren't we ?<br /><br />Paul G.Paulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02006514330039884557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3420173096635836108.post-8473673632820832832014-08-18T16:30:14.669-07:002014-08-18T16:30:14.669-07:00Hi,
it would have been better if his 'therapi...Hi,<br /><br />it would have been better if his 'therapists' in his 're-habs' had allowed him to 'indulge'. . . Frankly speaking: <br /><br />"Keep Tight Hold Of Nurse, For Fear Of Something Worse". . .<br /><br />All 'detox' did for Robin was drive his imprint into an impossible suffering. . .<br /><br />Paul G.Paulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02006514330039884557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3420173096635836108.post-11431534453689056442014-08-18T15:37:31.123-07:002014-08-18T15:37:31.123-07:00He was a spontaneous comedian. I do know what you ...He was a spontaneous comedian. I do know what you are saying, though, about how Mork sounded and how Robin Williams sounded. I never thought his behavior unnatural, except that he was spontaneous many times in the way he would "come on" to people with him, such as Billy Crystal, or Christopher Reeves. Robin Williams was good in that respect, he made a lot of money; quick-witted; but he did have the same voice of Mork many times. I wasn't "blind" to the way he "acted", and I did analyze it to a certain extent. I thought he was "free" in the way he was quick-witted and spontaneous; but then again, maybe he always felt as though he should "put on" for people, so that was his way of not being free. He knew that if he was quick-witted and spontaneous at times, it earned him a great deal of money. The money made him possibly more free and I did see him in some serious interviews. He definitely couldn't have felt free during his alcoholic days. I think he was conscientious and a hard worker; really tried to "be someone". Some people are like that, the way they "come on"; and (the audience) some people find it entertaining, some find it "too much" at times. Possibly he was really coming on (what you call "unnaturally") when he had been drinking too much. Some people might say: "he tries too hard", Others found him amusing and entertaining. Who knows, I sure don't. when I saw him, I never thought he was suffering, I never knew he was an alcoholic either. beachcoast7https://www.blogger.com/profile/17348238170525257587noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3420173096635836108.post-8820507204984752722014-08-18T13:44:11.296-07:002014-08-18T13:44:11.296-07:00Hi,
Let's cut to the chase:
Robin confessed ...Hi,<br /><br />Let's cut to the chase:<br /><br />Robin confessed to being needy and earned his "All the Money" from acting out the roles his upbringing 'taught him'.<br /><br />A working (absent) mother 'beauty queen' and an (absent, working) 'frightening father'. . . (stuck at home as a single child in 'privileged' surroundings).<br /><br />No wonder I 'identify' with Robin. . . His parents made his 'home' a boarding school. His parents were the 'absentee' headmaster and headmistress. . .<br /><br />This "IMAGE" is replicated in dreams I have about the headmaster of my prep, boarding school (aged 8 to 13).<br /><br />Some how. . . I realise, that Robin was a 'naughty little boy' (with adult 3rd line advantages), acting out his unfulfilled need to be seen. Aged 10 yrs (or so). Some people 'hate' naughty boys. Enid Blighton wrote fantasies around that genre. . . Aaaand somehow (like Robin) she found a way to act out her EXTREMELY CONTROLLED love of being a naughty 10 year old (or there-aboots). . . <br /><br />Well join the club. Who doesn't have a similar agenda. and let's face it. . . in a complex society who doesn't need to be seen to get their needs met ?<br /><br />Paul G. Paulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02006514330039884557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3420173096635836108.post-92195214465418307002014-08-16T12:52:42.638-07:002014-08-16T12:52:42.638-07:00The thing is that when the memory comes up (strang...The thing is that when the memory comes up (strangled at birth etc) so does the situation: being all alone to fight off overwhelming pain. That was how it was: there was no one. Of course there's lots of friends now that would help/listen but they weren't there then and it wouldn't help in a real way... It just has to be felt..period! Then it becomes 'I had a horrendous birth and it affected my life'DavidWoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17563542424432880628noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3420173096635836108.post-53683030764820613942014-08-16T12:38:46.945-07:002014-08-16T12:38:46.945-07:00Hi,
well, these comments are a living revalation ...Hi,<br /><br />well, these comments are a living revalation for me.<br /><br />Strangely (though being 54yrs old) I didn't discover Robin till he did his Peter Pan role. Or thereabouts. I agree with every-one's view but I still FEEL the man was a great man.<br /><br />Too many people are addicted to the sentimental, but also few comprehend satire. . . I wish Robin had lived to be invited to host "Have I Got News For You" on BBC TV / I player.<br /><br />He would have had Ian Hislop running for cover and Paul Merton Primalling.<br /><br />Paul G.Paulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02006514330039884557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3420173096635836108.post-74294644772750775042014-08-16T11:10:31.529-07:002014-08-16T11:10:31.529-07:00Matt: I also wish it were more accessible. It'...Matt: I also wish it were more accessible. It's not that we didn't try. The cost is almost the same as forty years ago. There is no profit and we try to help some who cannot afford it with funds from the Primal Foundation. When you apply you need to ask for foundation help. artArthur Janovhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18009571728800026496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3420173096635836108.post-83743307787119940882014-08-15T14:27:33.045-07:002014-08-15T14:27:33.045-07:00Hi,
Robin had Parkinsons,
but why did he 'ch...Hi,<br /><br />Robin had Parkinsons,<br /><br />but why did he 'choose' hanging himself as a way out ? He was sober too, apparently he had a re-lapse when he 'played a role' that required him to drink alcohol (he 'chose' the real stuff rather than coloured water). Method acting. Here is a man with a lot of 'control'. . . that he could do that professionally. . . and then hang himself (because he discovered he had Parkinsons)?<br /><br />Paul G.Paulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02006514330039884557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3420173096635836108.post-41329765252364035412014-08-15T09:23:36.657-07:002014-08-15T09:23:36.657-07:00Dear Dr. Janov, Thank you for your amazing work! I...Dear Dr. Janov, Thank you for your amazing work! I saw Dr. Drew talking about Robin Williams on his show, and I had the same reaction to his talking about " brain diseases." I have seen him on his show Celebrity Rehab. He understands how valuable it is when his clients primal about past trauma, BUT, he seems to think that connecting with the feelings is something that happens, and then you move on! He has zero idea of what it takes, and it was exasperating to see clients get into real feelings, only to be congratulated on their breakthrough as though that was it, and they could move on to the usual forms of mood control! <br /><br />Thank you again for your work, which has explained the core of damage as nothing else does.<br />Elaine<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3420173096635836108.post-14089172978462287312014-08-15T03:32:14.182-07:002014-08-15T03:32:14.182-07:00Robin Williams was a living embodiment of contradi...Robin Williams was a living embodiment of contradiction - he was loved by millions the World over for his performance skills yet suffered great unhappiness - was one of the Worlds best 'tragi-comedians' along with Tony Hancock who also killed himself. <br /><br />Art Janov to his credit has always insisted on the importance of childhood upon adulthood and I am absolutely certain the same applies in Robins case - it may well be pointed out that with the correct approach - outstanding issues from childhood are not immutable and unchangeable but can be addressed and resolved provided the emotions from childhood days are actually allowed to be expressed. Just as Robin Williams Wiki points out; "Williams's father was away much of the time and, when he was home, Williams found him "frightening". His mother worked too, leaving Williams to be attended to by the maids they employed. Williams claimed his upbringing left him with an acute fear of abandonment and a condition he described as "Love Me Syndrome."Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09743501332534825927noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3420173096635836108.post-89051089960163879732014-08-15T01:23:39.707-07:002014-08-15T01:23:39.707-07:00Poor Mom; the best Mom....enduring what she had to...Poor Mom; the best Mom....enduring what she had to endure after her beloved first child was born which was that the first born became a heroin addict (and something else; but this is all forgotten now, and the first born is o.k.) . Even poor Dad, I do know that it was through no fault of my parents that this happened with the first born who used to be a girl scout. I say "poor mom" because my mother realizes that when I was in the womb, damage was done, and the poor woman blames herself. What can one do....associations, are they harmful to one's health? Robin Williams had a good friend , who's presence on earth was felt so greatly, even after he died ; i.e. Robin Williams was good friends with Christopher Reeve. The depression R. Williams must have been going through. When one dies , a good friend, we have to be strong; we have to have strength (to carry on) .....very unfortunate imprints that are not dealth with. We do the best we can; just as most mothers do after their children are born. beachcoast7https://www.blogger.com/profile/17348238170525257587noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3420173096635836108.post-22637664798352074762014-08-14T21:54:58.896-07:002014-08-14T21:54:58.896-07:00I kinda liked Robin Williams when he was Mork (Mor...I kinda liked Robin Williams when he was Mork (Mork and Mindy) but was surprised when I saw him talking in an interview.... he was still acting like Mork! And then all the years later he never changed...always those highly controlled expressions in his voice... never natural and spontaneous. I realised he could never be himself, and it made me feel a little sorry for him. I thought his controlled behaviour would be obvious to everyone, and was again surprised when people disagreed with me... telling me he was just a wonderful man. Well I don't think he was not wonderful... he just seemed extremely out of touch with himself. I don't know if he killed himself, but I have no doubt that he was suffering.<br />The thing that troubles me most is the fact that I have spoken of his unnatural behaviour many times over many years, and I have never ever met a person who agrees with me (other than my brother). Is everyone really this blind? This world is creepy. Rest in peace Robin Williams, I wish you could have been more free.Richard Atkinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13587935146938446604noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3420173096635836108.post-23710509202560245702014-08-14T16:02:30.176-07:002014-08-14T16:02:30.176-07:00Hi,
regarding Robin Williams,
Some researcher in ...Hi,<br />regarding Robin Williams,<br /><br />Some researcher in UK has researched comedians, can't remember who but he talked on BBC radio 4 about it. He had a test which sounded like a test for parasympath / sympath tendencies. He used different words but I'm sure that's what he meant. He said that most of us fall into one or the other category but what marked out Comedians was that they scored really high in BOTH categories.<br />IE: comedians (satirists etc) are BOTH simultaneously.. . <br /><br />A while back Art talked about how the 'actors' are always playing a ROLE and Robin seems to be an extreme example of some-one who not only could play ANY role but NEEDED to play any ROLE in order to avoid his pain. It seems to me that after years and years of PLAYING roles a person totally loses their true self. . . Well, that's a bit harsh but what I mean is that WHO the person REALLY is becomes starved of nourishment to the point of becoming an empty shell. . . And that is what a neighbour described Robin towards the end: A shadow of his former self; a shell.<br /><br />When your profession requires of you that you perfect being some-one (many different ones) who you are not then tragedy IS the likely outcome. . . You become starved. . . you NEED drugs and alcohol to kill the pain of starvation.<br /><br />Most ironic of all is that poor Robin played a psychotherapist with Matt Damon as his patient. . .<br /><br />I mean how tragic is that ? To PLAY the role. . . It kind of means his entire professional life is almost like an AB-REACTION. . . Whereby his traumatic pressure is leaked off in his ACTING OUT true feelings. Robin was good at sentimental roles, I mean GOOD. . . I loved his (middle aged) Peter Pan. . .<br /><br />What a terrible, terrible torture for such a great man. Surely he was a great man? I think so. I think he knew a lot about himself and he had a reputation for being quite the empathic gentleman when at work; a great man to work with. He knew a lot ABOUT feelings but he could not connect with the real ones emanating from his own brainstem. <br /><br />Lastly, to hang himself ? Suddenly and without warning in this way ? What does that say ? Could any one find his birth records and see if he was strangled by his own umbilicus ? <br />For some-one who was a chronic drug addict to hang himself seems portentous in the extreme. Why did he not just take a load of sleeping pills and a bottle of bourbon ? Why hang himself ? It seems odd and the Primal implication is rather obvious. . . <br /><br />I am sad he's gone, most of all because his wit was his downfall and didn't we all love his super wit?<br /><br />Paul G.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Paulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02006514330039884557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3420173096635836108.post-4690089304898613202014-08-14T15:45:48.953-07:002014-08-14T15:45:48.953-07:00Now they just said that Robin Williams had just fo...Now they just said that Robin Williams had just found out he had Parkinson's Disease before he commited suicide. I don't know though, other celebrities have Parkinson's Disease and are even able to still act. I think this just might have compounded his imprints, but I really don't know. beachcoast7https://www.blogger.com/profile/17348238170525257587noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3420173096635836108.post-63378649928599866842014-08-14T15:42:01.459-07:002014-08-14T15:42:01.459-07:00Matt 816-646-1107....Dr. Janov's treatment is ...Matt 816-646-1107....Dr. Janov's treatment is a permant cure. I also am looking forward to the day I can spend money to enroll in the Primal Center. I have thought that possibly since I have a buyout at work for health, which is 1500 each year, that I could do it, but cannot. Now I am thinking that possibly the VA might cover the cost. I know how you feel in a way, but this is profound and extraordinary. If you could get some type of coverage from somewhere or borrow the money from relatives or an institution, it might, just be well worth it for you. Right now, I know I just can't, but I have never given up on the idea. beachcoast7https://www.blogger.com/profile/17348238170525257587noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3420173096635836108.post-72550375250056419522014-08-14T11:44:19.061-07:002014-08-14T11:44:19.061-07:00Dr. Janov,
I want to first say I am in debt t...Dr. Janov,<br /><br /> I want to first say I am in debt to your astounding work. I am a 30 year old male living in Lawrence, KS. I am ready to begin the deep feeling work of primal therapy-- and have been since I was probably 22, I just never knew this existed. I've read 3 of your books over the course of this past year. Recently I enrolled at the Primal Center in Santa Monica-- however, once the cost of the treatment was revealed, there was no realistic way I could ever do this. Sure, I was budgeting for the cost of me leaving work for 3 - 4 weeks, on top of paying somewhere in the neighborhood of $2,000 - $3,000 for the treatment. But this was almost triple that. I was crushed that due to MONEY, this was no longer an option. Sure, I'll keep saving my money to do this program, because I believe in it that much. But I think the prices are extravagantly high for someone living in the Midwest. Maybe they reflect the cost of living there in Santa Monica? Sure, the select few independently wealthy people around the world could come and do the therapy, but what about the other 99% of people who are young, who don't come from money and who work? I certainly don't mean to bog your great article down with fiscal / practical concerns like this one. I feel you are a revolutionary and a genius Dr. Janov, I just wish your program was more accessible to those of us who struggle financially. Is there a way you could work with me on the cost of the program? There's almost nothing I wouldn't be willing to do to begin immediately. Thank you,<br /><br />Matt 816-646-1107Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02309554609164188022noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3420173096635836108.post-90078506468506654312014-08-14T08:50:43.823-07:002014-08-14T08:50:43.823-07:00As Dr. Janov pointed out, R. Williams must have ha...As Dr. Janov pointed out, R. Williams must have had "deep lying imprints along with his struggle with alcohol; for sure, that must have been it ; the reason for his taking his life. Just cannot believe with all the money he had, that he couldn't get adequate help....so that he could live, so that he could be "happy" once again, so his family, friends, fans wouldnt miss him. He wasn't stupid, he could have looked online as to what could possibly help him, and then if it didn't , rule it out. He should have looked into getting Primal Therapy...that's for sure. I pray for "lost souls".beachcoast7https://www.blogger.com/profile/17348238170525257587noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3420173096635836108.post-7262045853251374892014-08-14T08:45:29.232-07:002014-08-14T08:45:29.232-07:00Why people commit suicides , I have no idea. &quo...Why people commit suicides , I have no idea. "If only a professional could speak with him of his deep hopelessness, and get off that nonsensical “brain disease” mantra", if someone could have helped him. He had a family, loads of friends, was a funny man, had money and fame, but for some reason, funny people do have that "dark side". How could he be feeling pressure, except for what he put upon himself; people put pressure on themselves, and sometimes it's like to them: "sink or swim", "go along in life or die". Maybe he was just tired of "going along in life" maybe he didn't feel any pressure or anything. Too bad; really too bad. At 63, and that was it for him; makes one wonder what goes on. Did the alcohol disease him so badly in his thoughts. Now they are doing an autopsy to find out if he was on drugs and/or alcohol. I liked Robin Williams, always thought he had everything going for him. I thought he was a "happy, contented man" even though he was on his 3rd marriage; but is that so wrong? beachcoast7https://www.blogger.com/profile/17348238170525257587noreply@blogger.com