The Gift of Wounding: Finding Hope and Heart in Challenging Circumstances

Each of Auw's 20 chapters is an inspirational essay on a stage of overcoming inner travail or external obstacles to maintain or restore one's sense that life is meaningful and holds desirable possibilities. The chapters generally follow the path of first feeling a sense of being wounded through reaching a higher stage of personal growth by overcoming the wounding. Auw frequently goes beyond inspiration to give the reader a perspective on adverse circumstances and occasionally offers practical advice for dealing with these. The chapters incorporate instructive episodes and lessons from Auw's own life and examples, teachings, and counsel from esteemed individuals from various fields and different times. Among these varied individuals are Carl Rogers (Auw's mentor), Dr. Kubler-Ross, Tom Robbins, St. Teresa, Norman Cousins, and Pope John. Most of the chapters close with a quote or short passage of wisdom by one such individual or from a well-known spiritual text. In offering solace and hope, Auw1s counsel also contains a realistic vein that distinguishes it from much contemporary inspirational, New Age-ish, writing. For instance, Auw recognizes that not all wounds can be neutralized or erased, but that they are frequently dealt with by personal growth. While Auw does follow the successive stages of the process of being wounded and healing, he does not present a methodical, pragmatic self-help program, but rather offers essays that are variously inspirational, meditative, instructive, and practical. Review by Henry Berry Book Reviewer Editor/Publisher, The Small Press Book Review

Auw is a psychologist, counselor, and former Catholic priest. He conducts seminars and workshops in Europe, Japan, and Southeast Asia. He co-founded the Center for Studies of the Person in LaJolla, CA.