Visual Journaling: Going Deeper Than Words

By Susan E. Fox and Barbara Ganim

Book Overview

Most people who journal use words. But words come from the left brain, which interprets experiences through our learned beliefs and expectations. As this breakthrough book demonstrates, there is a more effective way to journal---using images. Simple drawings, crayon art, even doodles and stick figures can help anyone---even those who believe they "can't draw"---move beyond thought into deep reaches of feeling and intuitive knowing. Barbara Ganim and Susan Fox have developed their Visual Journaling technique into an acclaimed workshop. This book, beautifully illustrated with black and white and color drawings from the journals of students in their workshops, makes this enjoyable tool for personal exploration accessible to everyone. A six-week plan of exercises and interpretive activities teaches readers a lifelong practice that can reduce stress, explore conflicts, and overcome obstacles. Its simple techniques can help everyone gain access to "soul-based" inner wisdom.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0835607771
• ISBN13: 9780835607773
• Release Date: October 1999
• Publisher: Quest Books (IL)
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 1.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 8.5" x 11.0"

Customer Reviews

Perfect synthesis of mind/body/spirit exercises

It's been great to be able to trust the instruction of the authors of Visual Journaling and make exciting new connections between my mind, body, and spirit. I am an artist/writer and spiritual director and a former teacher. I look forward to returning to Chapter 1 and re-starting all the exercises for a second time around!

Is it really that difficult to understand?

I strongly disagree with TheCafeWriter's critique of this book. Firstly, it should be pointed out that the authors suggest experimenting with different media (pastels OR crayons OR thick markers) to find one that best suits you. They suggest these media because they assert that such media allow for freer expression (with broad, sweeping strokes) than something carefully drawn with thin pencils and pens, for example. There is no mention in the book of any "smelly fixatives" needed. If chalk pastels don't work for you, perhaps try one of the other media? Hello?! There is no need for the reader to understand what other journal-makers have drawn/painted and how that symbolizes what they were feeling. It is emphasized several times that no-one but the producer of the art can interpret what the symbol means. Each person's art is unique and different people will produce different symbols for different feelings and the body's feeling of different life situations. The reason for the exercises of getting you into your body, is that the body is where the symbols originate. You go inside your body to feel what is there, how your body is holding a life situation. After sitting with the body for a while with interested curiosity, you notice if there is a symbol that would express how/what you feel. It is also stated that this symbol may not be a picture - it may perhaps be a word, for example. It should be pointed out that the title of the book is "Visual Journaling", so of course the emphasis is on visualizing, seeing in your mind's eye what your body is experiencing. Forgive me, but isn't drawn and painted art necessarily visual? And so sorry if your particular questions and needs weren't met - it's a book, so of course it's going to be general information! Go get private instruction if you need specific questions answered. Sheesh!

Valuable to explore emotions

This six week program was helpful to explore emotions and to give me a structure for how to understand my many feelings. It took me longer than six weeks, but I still do the process to keep me in touch with myself. I got this book for a friend as well! We both love doing it together.

The Book Contains Excellent Exercises

Those who have never tried this technique before(drawing what your Unconscious wants to express, instead of what your Ego dictates) may be reticent to try it, especially if you feel you "can't draw". Don't worry. Drawing perfect, highly detailed, realistic images ISN'T what this book is about. It's about teaching your Unconscious to express itself and speak to you through images of its own creation. (Sometimes just through color alone.) I've WRITTEN in a journal for quite some time, but was amazed at how the "visual journaling" adds to the whole experience. I found the exercises and examples in this book VERY helpful and encouraging; and was amazed by what I was able to see in the images -- which may sound odd to the uninitiated. You may ask: "Come on, Mare. How can you be surprised by a drawing that comes from YOU?" And I'll answer: "If you do the exercises properly, you'll see exactly how surprising YOU can be to YOURSELF!" I've been able to tap into a new understanding of "hope", "opportunity" and "spiritualty" through the exercises, while also giving a "face" to my "fears"(so I can recognize them when I see them in future drawings, should they reappear). The book is a wonderful self-help tool... and written intelligently enough that it can also be used as a therapuetic tool by those qualified to use it as such. This is an excellent book! Buy it; you'll really enjoy it. [[And if you'd like to share with someone, you can even send some of your visual journaling drawings to me via e-mail when you're finished with them.]]

Excellent way to see into your thoughts without words

I purchased this book for myself but I'm now coming back to purchase the book for my sister. I am an artist and my sister is a writer but you would have to be neither to gain personal satisfaction from the pages of this book. An excellent way to journal expressing your ideas and thoughts through drawing or painting. I have kept a journal with words and sometimes I would draw pictures to remember the moment or idea, but THIS is a way to really see into yourself! ...And you don't have to know how to draw a straight line to benefit from it. Written in simple workshop form, truly a work of art in itself!