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Ether, God and Devil: Cosmic Superimposition
The principles of bio-energetic fusion are explained and related to man's continual search for knowledge, intimate relations with nature, and ability to express emotion
308 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1949
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478 people want to read
About the author
Wilhelm Reich
151 books702 followersWilhelm Reich (24 March 1897 – 3 November 1957) was a Jewish Austrian-American doctor of medicine, psychiatrist/psychoanalyst and a member of the second generation of analysts after Sigmund Freud. Author of several influential books, he became one of the most radical figures in the history of psychiatry.
Reich was a respected analyst for much of his life, focusing on character structure, rather than on individual neurotic symptoms. He promoted adolescent sexuality, the availability of contraceptives and abortion, and the importance for women of economic independence. Synthesizing material from psychoanalysis, cultural anthropology, economics, sociology, and ethics, his work influenced writers such as Alexander Lowen, Fritz Perls, Paul Goodman, Saul Bellow, Norman Mailer, A. S. Neill, and William Burroughs.
He was also a controversial figure, who came to be viewed by the psychoanalytic establishment as having gone astray or as having succumbed to mental illness. His work on the link between human sexuality and neuroses emphasized "orgastic potency" as the foremost criterion for psycho-physical health. He said he had discovered a form of energy, which he called "orgone," that permeated the atmosphere and all living matter, and he built "orgone accumulators," which his patients sat inside to harness the energy for its reputed health benefits. It was this work, in particular, that cemented the rift between Reich and the psychoanalytic establishment.
Reich, of Jewish descent and a communist, was living in Germany when Adolf Hitler came to power. He fled to Scandinavia in 1933 and subsequently to the United States in 1939. In 1947, following a series of critical articles about orgone and his political views in The New Republic and Harper's, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) began an investigation into his claims, winning an injunction against the interstate sale of orgone accumulators. Charged with contempt of court for violating the injunction, Reich conducted his own defense, which involved sending the judge all his books to read, and arguing that a court was no place to decide matters of science. He was sentenced to two years in prison, and in August 1956, several tons of his publications were burned by the FDA. He died of heart failure in jail just over a year later, days before he was due to apply for parole.
Reich was a respected analyst for much of his life, focusing on character structure, rather than on individual neurotic symptoms. He promoted adolescent sexuality, the availability of contraceptives and abortion, and the importance for women of economic independence. Synthesizing material from psychoanalysis, cultural anthropology, economics, sociology, and ethics, his work influenced writers such as Alexander Lowen, Fritz Perls, Paul Goodman, Saul Bellow, Norman Mailer, A. S. Neill, and William Burroughs.
He was also a controversial figure, who came to be viewed by the psychoanalytic establishment as having gone astray or as having succumbed to mental illness. His work on the link between human sexuality and neuroses emphasized "orgastic potency" as the foremost criterion for psycho-physical health. He said he had discovered a form of energy, which he called "orgone," that permeated the atmosphere and all living matter, and he built "orgone accumulators," which his patients sat inside to harness the energy for its reputed health benefits. It was this work, in particular, that cemented the rift between Reich and the psychoanalytic establishment.
Reich, of Jewish descent and a communist, was living in Germany when Adolf Hitler came to power. He fled to Scandinavia in 1933 and subsequently to the United States in 1939. In 1947, following a series of critical articles about orgone and his political views in The New Republic and Harper's, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) began an investigation into his claims, winning an injunction against the interstate sale of orgone accumulators. Charged with contempt of court for violating the injunction, Reich conducted his own defense, which involved sending the judge all his books to read, and arguing that a court was no place to decide matters of science. He was sentenced to two years in prison, and in August 1956, several tons of his publications were burned by the FDA. He died of heart failure in jail just over a year later, days before he was due to apply for parole.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 16, 2021
Incredible. Reich's contribution is so misunderstood and ignored by "armored man" and "armored thinking" (mystical or mechanistic thinking). Reich (as always logical) explains why that is. I'm speaking from the perspective of someone who is well-educated in both the "hard sciences" (physics, chemistry etc) and the "soft". I have spent the last 10 years seeking to understand myself, humanity and the cosmos. This search has been carried out through research and experimentation with the latest thinking in adult human development, psychology, philosophy, integral theory, biology, neuroscience, mindfulness and spirituality. Little did I know that Reich had already handed us a powerful comprehension of the psyche, society and cosmos as a whole.
April 10, 2024
The next generation of science. Reich makes a thorough case for what, eventually, became quantum energy as a primitive expression of energy as a basis of everything. As this science expresses itself, it goes well beyond any mechanistic explanation of the universe and makes clear the limits of mechanistic science. His concept of orgone, orgone energy, ergonomics, etc., though described in the 1940's and suppressed then has slowly become more manifest and relevant in the early decades of this century. It's a dense read, but crucial to gain an understanding of modern science and where it is heading. A pioneer work. The energy sciences and therapies that are becoming more relevant derive, in their expression, notwithstanding the original texts from Reich's work.
Concepts like God, Devil Ether, bionic energy fields, all get renewed expression in non-colonial terms. Vital to modern understanding. Some has already made its way into more general understanding. There is still room to grow. The seems vague, but in a system in constant motion words have difficulty keeping up.
Not a light read at all, but we'll worth the effort.
Concepts like God, Devil Ether, bionic energy fields, all get renewed expression in non-colonial terms. Vital to modern understanding. Some has already made its way into more general understanding. There is still room to grow. The seems vague, but in a system in constant motion words have difficulty keeping up.
Not a light read at all, but we'll worth the effort.
October 23, 2022
Ben gave me this book to read. Friends get you/get through to you w/books when it matters. Reich is a poet.
May 17, 2023
Incredible read.
Read ether god and devil awhile back and just finished cosmic superimposition. Highly thought provoking and profound. Time to read more Reich
Read ether god and devil awhile back and just finished cosmic superimposition. Highly thought provoking and profound. Time to read more Reich
February 14, 2024
Brief and concise
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February 21, 2019Having difficulties to open or download it
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews