Honoring Alexander Lowen - View Guestbook entries below

Current Update

     Alexander Lowen passed away peacefully in his sleep between midnight and 2am on the morning of Tuesday, October 28, 2008. Al was 97 years of age, 2 months shy of his 98th birthday on December 23rd. Despite a debilitating stroke two years ago, Dr. Lowen enjoyed his last years in loving care at his home in Connecticut. An international group of caregivers, Nana from Ghana, Karen from Jamaica, Eddie from the Bronx, and Monica, his angel on Earth, from Brazil, cared for him and loved him in the comfort of his home. With their help, the help of others, his visitors, and all people wishing him well, he enjoyed and struggled, agreed and disagreed, argued and accepted, listened to music, danced, worked his body, and lived a full life to the end. A student and lover of life, his was a life that wished to live. He will be missed by many, even as he is still with those who knew him.

     Dr. Lowen's life touched all of us very deeply. We have been able to cherish and benefit from how he created Bioenergetic Analysis and touched tens of thousands of lives. He always had profound respect for the body and the power of the life force. He was buried at a private family funeral on November 8. His passing is deeply mourned by his son Frederic and family, wife Cheryl, and daughter, Sonia. Dr. Lowen leaves a sister, Sylvia Murray, 93.      
      

Frederic Lowen
Director
The Alexander Lowen Foundation

The entire announcement from the Alexander Lowen Foundation is located on This Weeks Feature.

This guestbook is provided to honor Alexander Lowen.
Whether you have known him as a friend, teacher, mentor, therapist, colleague, or through his writings, please share your experiences and stories about Alexander Lowen with us.

You can enter your thoughts honoring Dr. Lowen by sending us an email at:

info@lowenfoundation.org

We will post your entry in the guestbook below.
Signing your entry is welcome, but is not necessary. If you have pictures you can send us, please include them.

December 23, 2011

Happy 101st Birthday Dad!.... Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and Mom.

Another year past and another annual ring added to the trees…for those that survived. Times have become quite interesting, not necessarily good, but interesting.

I must say, I’ve come to look forward to this annual correspondence with you. Speaking with you again, I feel closer to you… and I miss speaking with you about personal things, the world, Bioenergetics, psychotherapy, and the life of the unconscious.

Personally, 2011 has been one of the most challenging years of my life. Despite expectations for a smooth year, beginning with the fire which destroyed your New Canaan house; the subsequent insurance company difficulties; the unbelievably expensive and inefficient litigation required to clarify publishing rights of your work; Hurricane Irene which substantially damaged and rendered unusable your beloved summer house on Long Island Sound, which many of your friends know;…just to mention some of the “once-in-a-lifetime” events that have befallen this year. Each one a trauma.

If trauma presents an opportunity for growth, I could be 25 feet tall! All things considered, we are resilient and well.

November 11, 2011

I never met Dr. Lowen but without him I believe I would be somewhere on the scrapheap of life. After thirty plus years of undefined anguish and sadness resulting in depression I stumbled on Bioenergetic therapy way up top of a dirt road in Starksboro, Vermont. Robin Litchfield was my therapist and Fred Lowen also on a few occasions, always a treat. After a couple of months the depression began to lift and one day a moment of joy came through. I knew I was on my way and stayed in therapy for four years to squeeze every bit of mind/body knowhow out of it that I could. I'm seventy seven now, is that possible, and joy has stayed with me. It has survived deep grief and serious stress. It may have been shuttled to the background during those times but it held me firm. I'm healthy, happy, working hard in a job that I love and I honor Dr. Lowen, Robin and Fred for giving this to me. I am grateful.

December 24, 2010

Wonderful! happy celebration for a great man! Wish that the lights of holiday season brights his memories around our Bioenergetic community throughout the New Year! We can forget what people said We can forget what people did But we will never forget how the People made you feel.

Best wishes for lots of flowing energy to enjoy life!

December 23, 2010

Happy Birthday!...and a Merry Christmas to you!

On this eve of your 100th Birthday, you are as always at this time of year, much on my mind. Especially so this year, as I remember how large the 100th year loomed on your mind. I truly wish you could be here with us for it.

In your last years, you were convinced you had lived already at least 100 years, even 108, then 120, even 150. Although still lucid about so many things, nothing anyone said could convince you that no, you were still just 96. Of course it was not important, and I understand now your being was entering the timeless eternity.

I don’t know if you realized it, but my sense was the death of Bob Hope at 100 somehow impressed you, as it was shortly after you began to claim your century mark. While you were never a particular fan of Bob Hope, he was your contemporary, with shared cultural experiences I can only imagine.

Though so much of the 21st Century must have been foreign to you (you never touched a computer), you never lost touch with people. Your connection with your self and your body preserved your connection with people, no matter if they be 5, 20, 50, or 80. Perhaps you had more in common with Bob Hope than is obvious: he never lost his humor: asked on his death bed if he would prefer burial or cremation, he replied “Surprise me!”

Never mind your contemporaries had a life expectancy closer to 60 than 90, I remember your goal was to see year 2000. I was glad to celebrate that milestone with you. Now I miss you so much, but I am pleased for you, and in awe that tomorrow you were born 100 years ago. In so many ways, you are still very much with me, and so many others.

I think of you throughout the year too. I rely on your wisdom, I miss your opinions and insights. The world becomes increasingly crazy, especially so here in the USA. You passed away during a raging storm of wind, rain, thunder and lightning, and an economic storm that has left few in the world untouched. Most consider it to be a financial/economic maelstrom precipitated by bad governance and/or greedy corporations, which of course it is. But as the tail of an elephant may seem like a snake, an elephant is not like a snake; and our common difficulties are not economic or financial.

Never before have we seen such existential problems…problems whose source is not simply psychological, but rooted in the mind-body split that you understood so clearly, better than anyone I, and many of us, have ever known. No one knows better than you, how we don’t realize how much of our life is “in our heads.” Faith in nature, and faith in our bodies’ ability to heal itself, and our traumas, is unrecognized. When I was younger, I could not understand why, with your wisdom and knowledge, you would not use your authority to speak the truth of our social condition…how you were content to apply your skill simply to one person, to one body, at a time. Those who know you well know the low regard you had for our culture. More than anyone I have known, you could see the nature of our collective insanities. At the time, I thought you did not wish to risk the well-being of a life well-lived. After all, it did not work out well for your teacher and mentor Wilhelm Reich! But I was naïve and unknowing.

I want you to know, with the experience of the Fall of 2008 at the very moment of your passing, and the ensuing Fall-out, I now understand why. I see now the fool’s errand to challenge a culture headstrong with illusions of complacency and hubris, like a great train speeding towards a train-wreck. Now we have had our train-wreck, unfolding still with possibly the worst yet to come. Maybe from this international trauma we have a chance to recognize the nature of our folly: Reich’s emotional plague preserving the structure of our culture, deadened with a lack of energy, vibrancy, and vitality…the Status Quo.

As you have said, personality breakdown is occurring even faster than you had predicted. By the way, your 1990 prediction of a healthcare cost crisis, which I didn’t begin to understand at the time, was right on! It is truly becoming nightmarish in the US; and their best solution is much more of the same…!?!

There is so much more I would like to learn from you, about life, health, Wilhelm Reich, and psychotherapy. I think of you often, and miss you so much.

Before I let you go, I want you and Mom to know, we have lost two more of your great friends. Len Hochman who worked closely with you for years, most recently at the Pawling workshops, passed away one year ago, before he could assist us in the Foundation, as he had assisted you with the Bioenergetic work. He too is remembered and missed by many. And so too Betty Skalecki passed away in August. She and her husband Walter were early pillars of your work, and close friends for many years. First as patients, then Bioenergetic therapists and counselors, and illustrator for The Vibrant Way to Health, and executive administrator for you and the Institute, Betty and Walter lived Bioenergetics as you and Mom did. I was pleased to attend the service for her at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine; there wasn’t a person there who did not recognize you, almost as a legend.

I hope the coming year would see The Foundation’s collaboration with the IIBA and others strengthen and grow in productive and meaningful ways.
Until then, I’ll be thinking of you!

Your faithful, and loving son.
May God bless you Mom and Dad.

December 23, 2010

Respected Guru,
Happy Christmas and Happy New Year 2011.
I again thank you very much for your help. I have learned more from your books. I hope I will get your blessings in future too.

My best wishes for you and your whole family.

December 23, 2010

Dear Fred Lowen,
  I am writing to you this time on behalf of the European Federation for Bioenergetic Analysis-Psychotherapy (EFBA-P) to express you our sympathy to the memory of your father in the day in which he would have been 100 years old. We feel gratitude for the deep impact that his work has had on all of us both personally and professionally. We will do our best to continue honouring him in our daily practice contributing to the best of our capabilities to the diffusion of his ideas.

Our best wishes to you

December 23, 2010

" We had the second Bioenergetics Workshop in Hong Kong on 26-28 November 2010.    We had 26 people this year and all of us experienced the miracle of bioenergetics.  We unfold our inner self, go through our emotion and became more awareness of our own need.  John gave us precise insight through bioenergetics therapy We wholeheartedly gratitude John Yong led us during the workshop and make it beautiful.  Thank you John. We look forward the Bioenergetics workshop in Hong Kong next year."

Merry X'mas & Happy New Year!

November 11, 2010

I was so heartbroken that Dr. Lowen died. He was the kind of man you felt was going to live forever. I met him at the Barbizon Hotel in the early 1980's and we did a workshop together. What a guy! We became friends and I often came to his office in the city when I was still living in NJ. He helped me through my second divorce and everything he said to me made sense. Talk about a 'father role model.' I cherish all the autographed books I have of his. I am a self-employed counsellor and have recommended him over the years to some of my most difficult clients...he helped them all. I am sorry to know he has left the planet, but am sure someone is gaining the richness of his wisdom, somewhere up there in a better world!

Most Sincerely,

Oct 28, 2010

I am saddened to have just discovered the passing of Dr. Lowen, however since it has been exactly two years to the day, I would like to think of it as spiritually serendipitous and extend my deepest condolences to his dear family and friends. Dr. Lowen’s writings have changed my life for the better and have opened my eyes, mind and body to health and wellbeing that I would have otherwise not known. I will continue to help spread his research and remember him with respect and love. Sincerely,

N. H.
New York, NY

September 7, 2010

Alexanders work continues long after his passing.I have just discovered the news of his passing . He has guided my own work and investigations into Life, Movement and Energy within the aspects of martial arts and the development of related programs to address substance abuse issues ..he will indirectly be an influence to thousands of people in the future.

Bruce Robertson

September 3, 2010

I have learnt much from the profound depth of learning and understanding of the human personality, especially regarding the mind. body, spirit, connection, as analysed and discussed, in the writings of Dr Alexander Lowen. Morever, in his books he writes with a blend of experience and knowledge which conveys a deep sense of humility, and of dignity, combined with a deep concern for the health and destiny of mankind. George Frankl, one of my mentors, also died around the same time as Dr Lowen. They followed the pathfinding trail of Wilhelm Reich and built on the work which was left unfinished by their master. Their work shall not be forgotten. These great humanists have much in common and their contributions to a sane world will be remembered by future generations, who, like ourselves (born in he 20thC), will learn much from the study of their work and approach to the understanding.of the human being and his discontents. Thank you, Dr Lowen, for sharing the wealth of your knowledge with us.

Chris Guy Maddox, Ph.D.
(London, England)

August 6, 2010

I attended a workshop with Al Lowen at the Tahoe Institute around 1970. My memory of him is still vivid. He had me in one of his positions over a stool and inflicting pain on my jaw. I literally picked him up and threw him several feet. He was very pleased. This was a meaningful experience for me as a young man who saw himself as a weakling. It launched me on a journey that still continues today at 80yrs.

Frank Deits

August 6, 2010

I am an internist with research and clinical interest in mind-body medicine. I did a year or two of Bioenergetics classes when I was just starting practice 30 years ago and they had a deep influence on me. I recalled it recently trying to help a patient with hypoactive sex drive and remembering how some of the Lowen exercises could be helpful in this regard.

I am a great admirer of Alexander Lowen's work and had the privilege to attend one of his seminars in Rome, many years ago. When I went to your website just now I was very saddened to see that Dr. Lowen had passed away. What a wonderful man.

Thanks for keeping up the good work. Lowen was really an exceptional man both in his wisdom and in his humanity.

Susan Levenstein, M.D.

August 3, 2010

I have a fond affection for Alexander Lowen, his memory and his work. Bioenergetics has, and continues to, help me create embodied grounded connection, firstly with myself on a daily basis, and with others as a result, including my cherished family and friends.

Alexander Lowen's words; "I love the body, I love to work the body, I love to see the body blossom" resonate. I would loved to have met him in person. with embodied heartfelt connection,

Karen Gilles
Sydney, Australia

May 31, 2010

This is to express my gratitude to Dr. Lowen. In 1968, my mother, Irene Seitz, wife of a psychiatrist/psychoanalyst Sam Seitz, consulted Dr. Lowen after learning that she had cancer. Dr. Lowen did not treat my mother; it is my understanding that he felt the cancer to be too far advanced to be reversed by his methods.

In early 1969, my mother lay dying in a Westchester County hospital overlooking the Hudson River. As I sat in the hospital waiting room deep in a state of grief, a man walked in who was surrounded by light. This was Dr. Lowen, who had come from Connecticut to help my mother find comfort, as she fretted greatly over leaving her school-age children. In the elevator on the way down, Dr. Lowen told my sister, "She's at peace now." It meant a lot to me.

Roxanne Seitz

March 09, 2010

Dear Sirs,

Alexander Lowen has been changing my personal and professional life, since I read his book "Depression and the Body"; since I've have studying bioenergetics and applying it to myself and to my clients as psychotherapist. It's a honor to register my grateful feelings about Alexander Lowen in ALF Guestbook.

Rui Marini / São Paulo-SP / Brazil

January 11, 2010

I met Dr. Lowen several times as a child growing up in Greenwich village, NYC; my mother (Miriam Sheppard) was a close inner "disciple" of Wilhelm Reich's and Lowen would visit our apartment periodically, where he was held in high regard -- happy to see his work is continuing to help people, Paki Wright

December 25, 2009

Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday Dad!

This would be your 99th Dad. Although reaching 100 would be special, you said many times you just wanted to see year 2000, and like many things you wanted, you got that!

Even in these days of greater longevity,… to live, work, and enjoy life well into one’s tenth decade is a highly successful life very few enjoy. To die young, as late in life as possible, seems a sensible goal, and the constant evolution of your life and work is evidence of the youth in your life. It must run in the family, your sister Sylvia graduated college at 80; and cousin Sol at 95 or so, was too busy to see me when I wanted to visit last month!
Looking back, year 2000 does seem to have been a sort of high point in the lives of many people, at least in the US. Beginning with a stock market peak, the “dot-com” market crash was eclipsed by the 9/11 attack. Although Mom had other issues, I couldn’t help feel that attack, only 60 miles from her home of over 50 years, shook her to the core. She died within the year. I remember the terrorists proclaim the attack marked the end of American security; it seems they were right.

After that, you lived long enough to see the corporate take-over of the US government accelerate under President Bush’s bunch, with the further deterioration of health, social behavior, and environmental and economic security.  You saw the increasing senseless violence, and torture was suddenly OK, and like Vietnam, another foreign war started on false pretext and erroneous assumptions, with dubious goals executed with incompetence.  As you passed away, we were in the midst of the scariest economic event since the 1930s, and finally a ray of hope appeared with the election of Barack Obama.

I am sad to report to you that “the change you can believe in” seems to be more of the same, business as usual. I have not decided if Obama (who I still like to hear talk) is truly interested in America and its peoples, and is just powerless against the mother of all Reichian blocks, the rigid structure of frozen energy, aka the Status Quo; or, if he is just another corporate politician.

Either way, corporations are now at a peak of their power. In fact, the politicians and lobbyists are once again hard at work gaining legal “personhood” for corporations, both in the Supreme Court and constitutionally! I know the irony would not be lost on you: it is another sign of the insanity: granting a non-embodied legal entity, formed to limit liability and taxes, the full rights of a natural, living person in the laws that govern election campaigns. Never mind the details, the sheer absurdity is in the fact that notion is seriously debated by scholars, politicians, and policymakers; let alone the real possibility it may be enacted. The really sad thing?...the fact that 90% of the people I know have no idea what we’re talking about.  This is an issue most people don’t even know exists. Americans have no idea how they are viewed by the powers-that-be: as sheep to be shorn. Such ideal sheep too; they just need more jobs, because they just happen to want what corporate America has to sell…surprise, surprise! A government of the corporations, for the corporations, by the corporations. Frankly, that’s a lot scarier than terrorists!

Imagine, they want to allow corporations to contribute to political campaigns under the same laws that allow individuals to participate. Never mind that only 1% of Exxon-Mobil’s bottom line net income exceeds the total Obama and McCain spent on the 2008 campaign, combined.

Thirty five years ago, when you were a member of Common Cause, fighting for campaign finance reform, it seemed that enough people together could have a positive effect. It is so futile now. We will have to wait until things breakdown further before people react in a meaningful way. The breakdown of the past year has had some positive effects.
I miss those discussions with you Dad. It is rare now to find people knowledgeable, interested, and not wholly biased by their ideology to discuss such things; to try to understand the natural forces at work. For example, I have been talking up my idea that dis-incentivizing this money culture can only be done by substantial taxation of the ultra-high earners, say $5 million incomes. Although there are misguided political attempts to limit certain people’s pay, the only person who agreed with my idea was Frank Hladky. Everyone else I’ve spoken with applies their own political ideology and they just don’t get it. They see the world through a distorting lens. And it sure pushes people’s buttons. I almost got into a drunken fist fight with cousin Dustin over this! By the way, Frank continues to be great; he stayed with us in New Canaan for the workshop, and it felt like old times.

Anyways, I do think back to many of our discussions, about all sorts of things. What comes to mind now is technology: you anti-tech, me pro-tech. Well, I’ve got to say, you were more right than I. And now, the circle continues: now I am anti-tech, and Sonia (who’s 14 now) is pro-tech. Speaking of Sonia, she’s doing very well. Remember you said to me: “I think Sonia may turn out better than you”?...well, I could take that either of two ways,…but never mind; again, you’re probably right. One of the things you and Mom let me have was my own self, and it is the most important thing I can give to Sonia, not to mention it is a lot easier than doing anything else.

Back to technology, it of course has its’ place, but it’s a much smaller place than almost anyone I know thinks. People believe technology is the best hope for our many issues in society; most don’t begin to see that technology is the source of those very problems. It’s crazy-making on a grand scale.

The other thought is about organization. You are quite skeptical about anything good coming from man’s organizations. Now that I have had various experiences with various organizations, I wish I could re-explore that with you, especially considering The Alexander Lowen Foundation. Many organizations degenerate into a self-serving operation, run by the most effective power-seeker/grabber, and/or  a deficient self. Some are successful in their mission, often in spite of themselves; but most get bogged down in their own dysfunction, and use most of their resources for self-maintenance.
However, I also see the multitude of organizations in nature. And of course, man is part of nature, and I believe, is capable of creating an organization that draws its structure and energy seamlessly from the environment; an example of what I think of as “emergence.” The science of emergence, like the science of fractals, is fascinating and new, and share and support Reich’s concepts and ideas. It has always been part of my vision that our Foundation should be such an organization, if it is to be successful. I believe your work and understanding of people’s bodies, and Bioenergetic Analysis, could yet emerge as some of the most important work in biology and psychology of the 20th Century, given the proper environment. Working towards that environment is the mission of your Foundation.
Needless to say, I’m thinking of you and Mom this Christmas, with remembrances of joyful Christmas’ past.
This year as you sadly know, no doubt, your sister Sylvia passed away at 94. As a bookkeeper might, she passed away April 15, on tax day! Her friends and neighbors in her adopted Idaho looked after her, and I am confident she enjoyed her life to the last, as did you. As she got older, she would adapt and continued to find her enjoyment, with her art, and weaving, bingo, cards, and friends; as Frank would say, her aliveness.

As a last painful note, my step-son Nick leaves for our new war in Afganistan very soon, in the infantry no less. I fear for him, and all our men and women over there, but he is unafraid, and in part, looking forward to an adventure; I can support that! I have tried to advise him that his real fears are his friend; they are important and can help him stay safe; I know it works for me. Also, beware and be aware of the invisible wounds; and, to stay human. If there is anything you might do to help, we would be most grateful. God bless you Dad, and Mom, and all.  

We all love you Dad, merry Christmas!
Your son, F, and your family.

July 27, 2009

I remember well the sessions I had with Mr. Lowen at his New Canaan office.  They were life-giving and I celebrate his life from afar (Naples, FL) with all of you.  It’s been a long time since I attended the MA Bioenergetic training…..

Sincerely and with fond memories,

Catherine Fazzina, MA

July 27, 2009

April 24, 2009

Honoring Alexander Lowen

Dear Sir/Madam,

I just learned that Mr. Lowen passed away. I want to send my whole gratitude to Alexander Lowen for his books and work where I have found in recent years great answers, fabulous clues, and fantastic hope to complete my own therapy in Madrid, Spain. When you get to discover and to read someone as giving and clear as Alexander Lowen you get very enthusiastic and find new strength to keep looking for that peace and "happiness" you are searching.

I believe his books will guide me and accompany me through the rest of my life (got just in my forties) as for some other lucky ones that know him. I will keep recommending the reading of Alexander Lowen to everybody.

God bless him.

Thank you.

Sincerely yours.


Fabio Briones Deriat
MADRID
ESPAÑA

April 23, 2009

My Gratitude to AL

I met Al Lowen when I was in my twenties but did not enter therapy with him until I was 26 as he initially refused to see me. Fortunately, I became less rebellious and was able to begin therapy with him. I do not know what would have become of me if I had not known him and been given the way to connect with myself. Later, after many years as a bioenergetic therapist in Vermont, I eventually entered a spiritual path where I was able to incorporate his teachings with an internal development to connect on a spiritaul level. From this, I believe I have been able to help a number of people progress in their lives.

I am happy that Al lived such a long and prosperous life, touching so many lives and bringing such a sense of life to whomever he touched.

Robin Wilson, aka Robin Litchfield

March 12, 2009

In memoria di un "Grande Uomo".

     Mi rammarico se solo ora ho appreso della scomparsa di Alexander Lowen, ma purtroppo i media non sono sempre così efficienti. Con immenso dolore e con le lacrime agli occhi mi accingo a scrivere queste riga in sua memoria. Ricordo di essere arrivato alla “Bioenergetica” attraverso lo studio delle tecniche di massoterapia. Dopo aver letto il libro “Bioenergetica” rimasi sbalordito dalla chiarezza con cui questo “genio” spiegava la personalità umana, peraltro entusiasta del fatto che la “Bioenergetica” si potesse sperimentare anche con degli esercizi. Così uno ad uno ho letto tutti i libri di Alexander Lowen pubblicati in Italiano e se non bastasse, provando alcuni esercizi spiegati in essi, sperimentai la veridicità stessa della “Bioenergetica”. Giunsi così, nel 2001, a seguire uno studio a riguardo con il Dott. Francesco Padrini (allievo di Alexander Lowen) dell'istituto "RIZA PSICOSOMATICA" di Milano. Ricordo che alla fine del percorso di studio, diventati un gruppo unito ed entusiasta grazie alla “Bioenergetica”, e oltretutto orgogliosi di aver capito qualcosa in più sulla vita, decidemmo di mandare ad Alexander LOWEN (assieme al Dott. Padrini), presso “The International Istitute for Bioenergetica Analysis”, un breve scritto per ringraziarlo. Questo sia per la sua grande capacità di comprendere l'essere umano e le sue emozioni che per la sua smisurata abilità nel trasmettere la sua scienza con parole semplici e chiaramente comprensibili anche alle persone più semplici. Poi...ricordo...lo pregammo di scrivere ancora per noi… e Alexander, prima di andarsene, ci ha regalato un ultimo gioiello: “La voce del corpo”. Sapevamo che Alexander Lowen era un uomo speciale...”Un Grande Uomo” come pochi c'e n'è stati nella storia ed eravamo altresì stupiti del fatto che le sue opere non vengono prese in considerazione come si dovrebbe nelle cattedre universitarie. La nostra speranza inoltre era quella che avesse potuto vivere il più a lungo possibile ma purtroppo, questa vita non è eterna.
     Addio “Maestro di vita”. Sebbene a causa della lontananza ti abbia conosciuto soltanto attraverso le tue opere e qualche fotografia, sapere che non ci sei mi rende molto triste e mi lascia un grande vuoto; sei il padre che avrei voluto avere. Addio “Uomo Grandioso” che hai portato avanti il pensiero di Wilhelm REICH e che ci hai insegnato a piangere…gridare, urlare! Che ci hai insegnato ad amare. Che ci hai regalato “La Bioenergetica” questa scienza così speciale! E la vita continua a svilupparsi…e forse, come tu dici, sei già parte: “di quell’ oceano”, ma senz’altro sei parte di quella corrente vitale fatta di “Grandi Uomini”.
Un uomo cui hai dato tanto.
Maurizio FONTANA - Trieste - ITALIA

Rough translation into English by Google Translate:

In Memory of a "Great Man".

     I am sorry if I have only now learned of the death of Alexander Lowen, but unfortunately the media are not always so efficient. With immense sorrow and with tears in her eyes I am going to write this line in her memory. I remember arriving at the "Bioenergetics" by studying the techniques of massage. After reading the book "Bioenergetics" I was astounded by the clarity with which this "genius" explained the human personality, which is excited that the "Bioenergetics" could also experiment with the exercises. So one by one I read all the books of Alexander Lowen published in Italian, and if not enough, try some exercises explained in them, I experienced the same veracity of "Bioenergetics". I came so, in 2001, followed by a study on this subject with Dr. Francis Godfather (a pupil of Alexander Lowen) of "Riza Psychosomatics" in Milan. I remember that at the end of the path of study, become a united and enthusiastic thanks to "Bioenergetics", and also proud to have understood something more about life, we decided to send to Alexander Lowen (together with Dr. Godfather) at "The International Institute for Bioenergetics Analysis ", a short written to thank him. This is due to its great capacity to understand the human being and his emotions for his boundless ability to convey his knowledge in simple and clearly understandable even to the most simple. Then ... remember ... I prayed to write again for us ... and Alexander, before leaving, gave us one last gem: "The voice of the body." We knew that Alexander Lowen was a special man ... "A Great Man" as a few there was something in history and we were also surprised that his works are not taken into account as it should be in university. Our hope was that he could live as long as possible but unfortunately, this life is not eternal.
     Goodbye "Master of life." Although because of the distance you have known only through your works, and some photography, we know that six makes me very sad and I leave a great void, you are the father that I wanted to have. Goodbye "Great Men" who have brought forward the ideas of Wilhelm Reich and that you taught us to cry ... scream, scream! What you taught us to love. You've given "The Bioenergetics" this science so special! And life continues to evolve ... and maybe, as you say, you are already a part "of that 'ocean', but certainly are part of the current life consists of" Big Men ".
A man you've given so much.
Maurizio FONTANA - Trieste - ITALY

March 10, 2009

From Madison-

Dear Mr. Lowen:

It was sad to hear of your passing. Honestly I thought you had passed away when I read your book "Depression and the Body" back in 2006 since I was not able to find any current work from you. Since reading that book my life has changed tremendously. My whole concept of life was that I was living inside my head. My head was heavy and full of unresolved emotions.

The first few chapters of reading your book were amazingly insightful, and I cried as if I had found a good friend who knew what I was going through. You are a genius in my mind whose questions and ideas about life created this amazing field of psychology. Since then, I have a new view of what life can bring and also a bit saddened that it is a message not too many of us have heard.

I wish I could have at least met you once, being someone that has touched me so profoundly. All I can say is I hope that your are peaceful and in a loving environment. I look forward to reading all of your books and expanding on my knowledge of the body and its capabilities.

Thank you for giving me my life back :)

Madison Thomas

February 10, 2009

January 27, 2009

Querido Dr. Lowen,

Obrigada por todo o aprendizado que pude fazer junto a você e com as suas descobertas. Sinto-me profundamente agradecida pelo seu legado.
Que seu espírito descanse me paz.

Com carinho,
Angélica Rodrigues Santos (Brasília - Brasil)

Rough Translation

Dear Dr. Lowen,
Thanks for all the learning that I did with you and with their discoveries. I am deeply grateful for his legacy.
May his spirit rest in peace.

Love,
Angélica Rodrigues Santos (Brasilia - Brazil)

January 18. 2009

Thank you Al for all you did for me and my family.
You`ll never be forgotten.
Knut, Ingrid +Luise ; Hamburg, Germany

January 14, 2009

Sono venuto a conoscenza della morte di Alexander Lowen solo adesso.Mi rattrista molto questa notizia ,anche se sono sicuro che la sua vita Lowen l'ha vissuta fino in fondo .Debbo dire grazie a quest'uomo la lettura dei suoi libri mi ha aperto l'orizzonte per capire me stesso e il mondo che mi circonda e per vivere meglio .Grazie di tutto
Piero

Rough English translation via Google Translate:

I heard about the death of Alexander Lowen adesso.Mi only this very sad news, although I am sure that his life Lowen has lived through. I must say thanks to this reading of his books, I opened the horizon to understand myself and the world around me and to live better. Thank you for everything
Piero

January 9, 2009

I have known about doctor Lowen in 2006, when I've read his  book "Depression and The body", then "Bioenergetics" , then "JOY"... His Bioenergetic Analysis lefts prints in my heart and mind, changed my attitude to life. I live in Russia and here Bioenergetic Analysis is not developed yet. I hope, it will come  to us soon. Sinse I've read my first book of A. Lowen, I'd like to follow Bioenergetics. I believe, that A.Lowen remains with us through his books.

Sorry for my english. My heartfelt thanks to Dr. Lowen.
Sofya Malkova,
St.Petersburg,Russia.

January 5, 2009

Dr. Lowen, I am eternally grateful to you!  You saved my life through your faith in me, but really through your faith in the body.  When I first met you through your book, JOY, I was a lost soul divorced from my body.  When I met you in person for the first time during your workshop in Pauling, in 1999, I had complete faith in your work, but it would take years of your work before I developed faith in my own body. 

My ego was a formidable opponent, and my defenses were mighty and refused surrender – I held one with every fiber in my being, because letting go felt like death.  Dr. Lowen, thank you for never giving up on me, I needed your support so badly!

I miss you so much!  I miss your comforting presence, your unshakable faith that I too would know joy, that it would all be OK.  You are in my heart always, I feel like you are my guardian angel.  I do my exercises almost every morning.  They are the gateway to reestablishing my energetic connection to my body, and I need to do that a daily basis to stay sane, grounded and humble. 

Through your work, I have been fortunate to receive many gifts – best of all, my faith in myself and my body, and in life.  I know that I will continue to do your work for the rest of my life, because there is no other way.  And my intention is to give others the chance to know it as well, through any means I am able!

I know your soul is at peace, looking down on those you have touched, and loving us.

December 11, 2008

Tribute to Dr. Lowen

There are moments, places and persons we do associate to privileged moments. Links then weave and furrows of sense burrow inside. My meetings with Dr Lowen left this type of prints in me. I would simply like to share with you all, who also weaved links with Dr. Lowen, some echoes of these unforgettable furrows.

I worked with Dr. Lowen for the first time in 1990. He had just turned 80 years old and one could therefore consider him as an " old man " … well at least on paper! Over the next ten years, I had several opportunities to witness the level and the quality of the energy of this man, and each time I was surprised. Even at my last workshop in Pawling in 1999, shortly before the decease of his spouse Leslie, the energetic way he wrapped up his bioenergetic stool in his bag still impressed me.

The first time I met Dr Lowen was a decisive experience in support of my wish to dive into the ocean depths of my unconscious. I felt invited by his blue eyes to dive into this terrifying and extraordinary adventure, I felt sincerely welcome and reassured as he seemed to be staring at me with a tremendous compassion.

I remember certain moments when I felt really privileged to be able to witness the art of this exceptional care taker of the soul, especially when some of his interventions were revealing all the delicacy, the correctness and the depth of his understanding of the issues that were so much at stake for us.

I keep in mind the expression of his face beaming with a very simple joy, while he was gently hopping on the back of a female colleague lying on the mattress during a working session. His look had the freshness of a child who enjoys playing leapfrog.

I also remember his open and attentive look, at the end of working day in Saint Lucia, as we were trying to capture this unique moment when the sun disappears on the skyline of a calm sea, producing a short, bluish and intense flash.

During the years I was close to him, I also met his gaze which carried on the infinity. This look seemed to me timeless, embracing life, time and space. It was a look of quiet eternity.

When I think of it, I still feel inside the effect of every moment in his company. The effects of this look, which I still feel deeply, are part of the precious legacy of my years of contacts with Dr. Lowen. Meeting and knowing him gave me the opportunity to participate in a wonderful banquet of life, lodged right in the center of mysterious and very powerful fundamental energy processes.

For me, Dr. Lowen was a warrior which confronted suffering and fright with the courage of the lion. At times, he had to face violent storms, but he was standing at the helm of his ship with confidence, with the deep belief of one who knows that he is sailing in the seas of one's deep truth. His trust in the processes he was trying to re-launch with the persons who asked for his assistance was unlimited.

Dr. Lowen was a master-builder and a rallying person. I wish his impressive vitality and deep faith in energy processes will continue inspiring all the members of our bioenergetics' community.

Allow me to offer my condolences to Fred and to all Dr. Lowen's relatives and close friends.

Let me share also with you some pictures of these moments.

With love,
Marc Bégin, psychologist, CBT, Quebec city, Canada

Hommage au Dr. Lowen

Il y a des moments, des lieux et des personnes avec qui nous vivons des moments privilégiés. Des liens se tissent alors et des sillons de sens se creusent à l'intérieur de nous. Mes rencontres avec le Dr Lowen ont laissé ce type de traces en moi. Je voudrais simplement partager avec vous tous, qui avez également tissé des liens avec lui, quelques échos de ces sillons tracés à jamais en moi.

C'est en 1990 que j'ai travaillé avec le Dr. Lowen pour la première fois. Il venait d'avoir 80 ans et on pouvait donc déjà le considérer comme un. « vieil homme »…enfin sur papier! J'ai, par la suite, maintes fois été témoin et surpris du niveau et de la qualité de l'énergie de cet homme durant les dix années que je l'ai côtoyé. Même lors de mon dernier séminaire à Pawling en 1999, peu de temps avant le décès de Leslie son épouse, la façon dont il avait rangé son tabouret de respiration dans son sac de transport dégageait une vitalité qui m'impressionnait encore.

Ma première rencontre avec lui fut une expérience déterminante dans le soutien à mon désir de plonger dans les profondeurs abyssales de mon inconscient. Je me suis senti convié par ses yeux bleus à plonger dans cette terrifiante et extraordinaire aventure, profondément accueilli et sécurisé par son regard chargé de compassion.

Je me souviens de certains moments où je me suis senti privilégié d'assister au travail de cet artiste des soins de l'âme, lorsque certaines de ses interventions révélaient toute la finesse, la justesse et la profondeur de sa compréhension des enjeux avec lesquels nous nous débattons.

Je retiens l'expression de son visage rayonnant d'une joie toute simple, alors qu'il sautillait gentiment sur le dos d'une collègue étendue sur le matelas lors d'une séance de travail. Son regard avait la fraîcheur d'un enfant qui a du plaisir à jouer à saute-mouton.

Je me souviens aussi de son regard ouvert et attentif, à la fin d'une journée de travail à Sainte-Lucie, alors que nous tentions de surprendre cet instant unique où le soleil disparaît à l'horizon, sur une mer calme, produisant un bref éclat de lumière bleuté et intense.

Durant les années où je l'ai côtoyé, j'ai aussi croisé son regard qui portait sur l'infini. Ce regard me semblait intemporel, embrassant la vie, le temps et l'espace. C'était comme un regard de tranquille éternité.

Lorsque j'y reviens, je ressens encore en moi les effets de chacun des moments passés en compagnie de cet homme. Ce regard, dont je ressens encore en moi les effets, fait parti du précieux legs de mes années de contacts avec le Dr. Lowen. Ma rencontre avec lui m'a donné l'opportunité de participer à un fabuleux festin de vie, logé en plein cœur de processus énergétiques fondamentaux, mystérieux et très puissants.

Pour moi, le Dr. Lowen était un guerrier qui affrontait les souffrances et les peurs avec le courage du lion. Il récoltait des tempêtes à l'occasion, mais il était à la barre de son navire avec l'assurance et la profonde conviction de celui qui sait qu'il navigue dans les mers de sa vérité profonde. Il avait une confiance inébranlable dans les processus qu'il travaillait à remettre en marche avec les personnes qui lui demandaient de l'aide.

Le Dr. Lowen a été un bâtisseur et un rassembleur. Je souhaite que son impressionnante vitalité et sa foi profonde dans les processus énergétiques continuent d'inspirer l'ensemble de notre communauté bioénergéticienne.

En terminant, j'aimerais offrir mes condoléances à Fred ainsi qu'à tous les proches du Dr. Lowen.

Avec amour,
Marc Bégin, psychologue, CBT, Québec, Canada

December 5, 2008

Hello,

I have never met Dr Lowen, but I have read most of his books and they have helped me much understand the language  my  body used to tell me who I was/am and thus to communicate and interact more with it.
I am thankful to Dr Lowen , for his love for life, and for the simplicity with which he turned his ideas and understandings accessible to people like me who are not in the  medical area.
Souls like his are like stars shinning in the darkness.

December 2, 2008

Slideshow Tribute to Dr. Lowen
Sent in From Malu Millerman

"Every time that I was with him, he used to say:
'I am an old man but I feel good, I dance and
I move my body to avoid rigidity,'
and his eyes always shinning, very alive"

Click to view slideshow Tribute to Dr. Lowen

Click to download slideshow in .pdf format.
Click to download slideshow in .ppt format

December 2, 2008

What a Dear Dear Soul has made his passage and with a circle of such Love around and within him. Thank you all so much for being who you are in this world and taking his work to even greater levels so that it will continue to grow and live on.

Wow, what an experience I was blessed to have with just one two hour session with him in his home. Afterwards, I was so worn out on the train in 5:30 traffic I could not even sit up! People were complaining about me get uptaking up all the seats by lying down on the way back to N.Y. and all I could say was really I cannot sit up! If you will help me up I will move any where so you can sit, but you are going to have to sit next to me to hold me up! They all wanted to know if I had been beaten up? My response was "In a good way! By a great therapist". They thought I was so crazy yet they helped me up and I slept the whole ride back, found a cab sleep there, and at last my hotel bed slept the entire night. Who would have thought a nice little ol Grandfatherly like guy like 89 or so with that sweet house and feeding the ducks could within one second after such a loving welcome become tah***`dah "THE BIONIC JUMPING SEE THRU YOU GRAND FATHER HULKSTER MR.BIO-ENERGETICS" himself and take you back BEFORE the womb was created while he was saying I can't really work the way I used to, and I am saying "Thank-God" because I dont think I would be able to walk out the door and down to the end of the street and leave without falling down and causing major choas! And at that second, Dear Dr. AL Lowen helped put my scarf around my neck and my hat on my head so gently.

My Love to all,and again thanks for all the love each of you have continued to share and have been healed and continue to heal others with*********Paula Hinson

December 2, 2008

J'apprends tout juste le décès du Dr. Alexander Lowen avec tristesse mais surtout avec un Grand Respect pour cet homme que je n'ai jamais eu la chance de rencontrer, mais qui a changé ma vie, celle de mon mari et par le fait même de mes enfants.

Il vit et vivra toujours à travers son oeuvre qu'il nous a laissé, par son travail majestueux. Un grand Homme, un grand Pionnier.

Une grande dame du Québec, qui a étudié en France, avec le premier élève du Dr. Lowen, transmet à son tour son oeuvre à travers le Québec. À notre tour, Mon mari et moi nous nous sommes donnés comme mission de transmettre son oeuvre ici même au Québec. Nous en avons fait notre mission de vie.

Dr. Lowen, vous avez fait beaucoup "d'enfants" à travers le monde. Vous resterez vivant à jamais dans nos coeurs, car votre oeuvre se transmet chaque jour à travers le monde et aide des milliers de gens à vivre dans l'unité Corps, Âme, Esprit.

Ce soir, dans notre groupe de thérapie, nous allons prendre quelques minutes pour célébrer la vie en votre honneur.

Un Grand Merci et soyez honorez.

LE CENTRE DE SOI
Jo Ann Guay Désilets, b.t.s.
Christian Gosselin, psychothérapeute en s.i. (pratique de la bioénergie)
Laval, Québec, Canada
1 décembre 2008

Rough Google translation by Foundation:

I learn just the death of Dr. Alexander Lowen with sadness but with great respect for this man that I never had the chance to meet, but that has changed my life, that of my husband and the fact even my children.

He lives and live forever through his work he has left his majestic work. A large man, a great pioneer.

A grande dame of Quebec, who studied in France, with the first student of Dr. Lowen, in turn transmits his work in Quebec. In our turn, my husband and me we did our mission is to transmit his work here in Quebec. We have made it our mission to life.

Dr. Lowen, you've done a lot "of children around the world. You will stay alive forever in our hearts, because your work is transmitted each day throughout the world and helps thousands of people to live in unity Body, Soul, Spirit.

Tonight, in our group therapy, we will take a few minutes to celebrate life in your honor.

Thanks a lot and be honored.

THE CENTER FOR THE SELF
Jo Ann Guay Desilets, b.t.s.
Christian Gosselin, a psychotherapist in S.I. (practice of bioenergy)
Laval, Quebec, Canada
Dec 1 2008

December 1, 2008

Death of Dr Alexander Lowen

Dr Lowen death let me think to all what his work, developing that of Wilhelm Reich, has done in my life. It allowed me to develop myself first and then, now, to work successfully in the field of clinical sexology, Working with a mind-body unity understanding of human being is very effective in psychotherapy and in sexotherapy.
Could this little message be a great “THANK YOU Dr Lowen !”

Dr Dominique Chatton

Psychiatrist and psychotherapist FMH

Clinical sexologist ISI, ASCliF & AIHUS

28, rue de Genève

CH-1228 Chêne-Bourg / Switzerland

December 1, 2008

Thank you, danke, Alexander Lowen!

Ich werde dir ein ehrendes Andenken bewahren und ich wuensche allen Angehoerigen, Freuden und Bekannten eine gute Trauer und ein Weitertragen deiner Gedanken und Absichten. Auch im Weiterentwickeln soll dein Geist, Alexander Lowen, würdig und ehrenvoll weiterleben.
RIP – Ruhe in Frieden. Amen.

Mit stillen Gruessen – von Herzen

Stephan Caspar-Landolt

Google's Rough English Translation

Thank you, thank you, Alexander Lowen!

I will send you a ehrendes souvenir store and I wish all relatives, friends and acquaintances, a good mourning and a re wearing your thoughts and intentions. Also in the further development should be your spirit, Alexander Lowen, dignified and honorable to live.

RIP - rest in peace. Amen.

With regards breast-feeding - from the heart

Stephan Caspar Landolt -

November 28, 2008

In memoria di Alexander Lowen: Grazie!

Grazie!
Grazie per il Suo continuo ed incessante lavoro, che ha consentito a chi si era perso di ritrovarsi e ritrovare.

Laura Ferretti

Google's Rough EnglishTranslation

In Memory of Alexander Lowen: Thank you!

Thank you!
Thank you for your continued and incessant work, which allowed those who had lost to find and retrieve.
 
Laura Ferretti

November 28, 2008

Grazie Dr. Lowen

Da Roma un pensiero affettuoso alla memoria di Alexander Lowen per l'opera svolta in favore dell'umanità con dedizione e coraggio per il bene e la salute del prossimo.
Ho conosciuto la Bioenergetica tramite mia moglie Maria Stallone Alborghetti che ne è una entusiasta ed altrettanto operosa paladina. Il nome di A. Lowen ricorre spesso nelle Sue presentazioni e nel Suo libro "Bioenergetica per tutti - prevenzione e benessere". Io stesso cerco, nel mio piccolo, di fare gli esercizi di Bioenergetica e quindi avrò per sempre un ricordo affettuoso verso chi li ha resi possibili.
Grazie Alexander con l'augurio che sempre più persone migliorino, con la Bioenergetica, le loro salute fisica e mentale e aiutino questo mondo a diventare più umano e buono.
Bruno Zucchi.

Google's Rough English Translation

Thanks Dr. Löwen

From Rome to an affectionate remembrance of Alexander Lowen for his work in favor of humanity with dedication and courage and for the good health of others.
I knew the Bioenergetics through my wife Maria Stallone Alborghetti who is also an enthusiastic and active champion. The name of A. Löwen often mentioned in your presentations and in his book "Bioenergetics for all - prevention and wellness." I try in my small, to do exercises Bioenergetics and then I will forever remember an affectionate toward those who made them possible.
With Alexander with the hope that more people will improve, with the Bioenergetics, their physical and mental health and help this world to become more humane and good.

Bruno Zucchi.

November 27, 2008

Honouring a "Somebody" I never met

He was a friend... But we never met...
He was my teacher... But I never trained with him...
He was a guiding light... But I never saw him...
He was my healer... But he never laid a hand on me...
He help me discover my inner self...
He showed me how to sense my body...
He taught me the real meaning of sex...
He calmed down my fears...
He encouraged me to express my anger...
He freed my lungs... My soul...
He showed me how to let my energy flow...
He taught me how to shine and how to love my shadows...
He demonstrated that falling is necessary...
For each fall is an opportunity to rise higher...
He inspired me to help others to heal themselves...
He put me in touch with my inner body, my soul, my spirit...
He placed my feet right on the ground...
He showed me that reality is my friend...
But foremost he opened my heart...
And made me realise that the worst fear of all fears
is the fear of love...
I send you Alex, from my open heart...
A first and last “thanks”...
for all the blessings you seeded...
in my body... in my soul... and in my heart

Jorge Pérez-Ruiz
November 2008 – Caracas - Venezuela

November 27, 2008

I met alexander Lowen through his italian teachers and his books..
I hope He will help us to continue in following the path to body and soul
consciousness and I wish him a pleasant rest in our hearts.

Diana Scubla
Milano Italia

November 21, 2008

Dr. Lowen

I remember Dr. Lowen's positive spirit and easy smile, his gentleness and love of life. Please let us know when the memorial service will be held. Thank you- Linda Ripley

November 21, 2008

Remembering Al

Al helped me to sob in my first meeting with him-- while I was bending over the stool, he pressed his chest against mine while I breathed, and held it there. I remember him saying that we didn't need to feel ashamed about crying or sobbing--he did some crying every day.

He changed my way of being in the world, and I am forever grateful.

Anton Lethin (San Francisco)

November 20, 2008

Honoring Lowen

Dear Alexander. I’m young, 25 years old. And so far from you, in italy. But I would like to say you that many seeds you have sown in your life. One of these seeds reached my heart. Here and now i feel my body, my emotions, and my feelings. You were an angel of love.
Thanks

November 20, 2008

Honoring Dr. Lowen

I am a Mexican therapist and about twenty five years ago I was blessed with the opportunity to know through my own experience the bioenergetic therapy. That was the beginning of my personal journey of growing and expanding my inner horizon.
I began studying a whole course with a great teacher named Ilse Kretzschmar, and from that moment I began to read all the books from Dr. Lowen. I admire him very much, and I'm very grateful with life and with him because through his wisdom, his tenderness, his honesty, and the clear recognition of his humanity he has enlightened my life.
Thank him and god blesses for him and his family.
Best regards,

Georgina Hernández Bernal
Murcia, Spain

November 18, 2008

I´m so sorry!
I send one big kiss and hug to the family and cooworkers.
Thanks to him, I got an important tool for my work.

Monica Manzano

November 18, 2008

I was sad to hear of Alexander Lowen's death last week, I met him once at a workshop on Bioenergetics that he presented at Vasser College in 1980-81. His work had a great influence on me as graduate counselling student at SUNY New Paltz, and I was fortunate in finding a Reichian therapist in Woodstock, where I first started my own personal journey back home to my body. During the 5 years I lived in NY I can say that my life was immeasurably changed by my reading and personal experience of bioenergetic therapy. On my return to England I continued developing my interest in 'bodywork', and did a full training in 'biodynamic psychotherapy' (Gerda Boyeson) at the Chiron Centre in London. Twenty five years later I work as a University Lecturer, and run a private psychotherapy practice, and Lowen's work is still a central theme in my work, practice and life. I am sure he must have been an inspiration to many people throughout his life, to me he made a big difference.
Attached is a contemplative photograph of me in the mountains that I love, and a poem about 'presence', written by my partner that seems to sum up the essence of Lowen's message.

Dr. David Tune. Phd. C.Psychol. UKCP.
Senior Lecturer in Counselling & Psychotherapy,
York St John University, England.

When I am Present

When I am present
I am a vessel,
I feel my walls,
I am contained,
I breathe with my space inside
And feel my base touching the surface ground below me.
My walls both separate and join me with the world
And yet I am open like a vase.
I am in readiness, in silence, in stillness.
I have space inside to receive:
I can be fully with myself, but not full up.
Here now I can be ready, alert, curious, listening,
Interested, open-to-possibility, balanced,
Held and holding,
Open to what may come in.
And I know if I am present
My vase will hold me
And I can return here – whatever. 
When I am not present
My vase cracks, shatters and even falls to the ground.
The impact of the world outside forces in.
I get too full up,
I am overwhelmed,
I lose myself.
I am lost
And in this place I can’t feel anything.
Like the shattered pieces on the floor,
I am fragmenting.
I am dismembered. 
In writing this I notice my personal process and my existential root.
My next question was, so how do I get back ‘into presence’ … 
So how do I find myself back into my presence?
I need to be gentle,
I need to feel when the pressure out there is building
I can slow it down before I start to crack.
I don’t have to jump and climb,
And hang on your thread to your deadline.
And that’s just what it feels like,
A ‘dead-line’.
I don’t want to feel on the end of your line – dying.
On the existential edge of touching my void,
Lost without my presence. 
Come back, 
Come back,
Breathe and feel.
Come back in the hereness of ‘here’
Come back in the ‘nowness’ of now
And ‘re-member’ 
My Presence keeps me safe
And holds my middle ground.  

November 16, 2008

I spent with Al Lowen some of the most beautiful years of my life.
Through his teachings in his seminars as well as in our friendly meetings both in the USA and in Italy I not only deepened my knowledge of psycotherapy but I got to know and enjoy the frienship of an extraordinary man.
His development of the Reichian work, mostly misunderstood, has an enormous theoretical and practical potential. It will certainly remain in the collective memory of present and future generations.

Gilberto Briani
Florence, Italy

November 16, 2008

Im very sorry to hear the news, its a great loss for everybody but also a great opportunity to carry on the flame from the fire that he started.

My condolences to the family and friends.


Manuel Gómez Solera
Costa Rica

November 16, 2008

Saying Thank You Alexander Lowen

i first saw alexander lowen in new york city speaking to us in the audience of his work, bioenergetics. this was in the sixties and i was a young dance therapist , who had studied with marian chase. i was in orgone therapy as a patient and fascinated with how powerful all this bioenergetic and orgone therapy was. since that time, so long ago, i have been fortunate to have studied with a very fine bioenergetic therapist, and i have enjoyed a long time practice as therapist.. thank you alexander lowen for your wisdom, your books , your furthering of reich's work, and your example of a true healer.

suzanne kossoy

November 16, 2008

I am deeply moved and compelled to honor and share my connection to Alexander Lowen. Beginning at a young age I knew something wasn't "right" in my family. In Junior High School I began going to the library reading about Freud - trying to "figure it out".

Adolescence, friendships, school, college, marriage, and parenthood intervened protecting and distracting me from my inner quest. My exploration and search for a therapist began as a young mother. I read about many different therapies and therapists. I knew I needed someone "bigger than myself" as I had throughout my young life done my own soul searching and self exploration.

Alexander Lowen spoke to me. I felt I could "turn myself over" to this approach and therapist. The most important and basic truth I learned in my therapy with Dr. Lowen was that there was a reason why I felt the way I did. The accepting therapeutic environment allowed and provided the safety for me to thaw and re-experience feelings that long ago went underground. Alexander Lowen as a therapist gave my life back to me.

As a therapist, Alexander Lowen lives in and through me as I work with clients who have chosen me as a vehicle to learn about themselves.

He remains a central influence in my life.

Gloria Robbins LCSW BCD

November 14, 2008

Memories of Alexander Lowen

My first contact with Dr. Lowen was through his books. After reading Betrayal of the Body and Depression and the Body I knew I was going to follow Bioenergetics as my main line of psychotherapy. I went to New York and New Canaan many times in the 1980s and 1990s to have private sessions with him and attend his Pawling workshops. Those were wonderful transforming experiences. Though I had other trainings and teachers, I still consider Bioenergetics my main reference, a body of invaluable knowledge that Dr. Lowen developed, inspired by his teacher Wilhelm Reich.

Personal and professional life are marked by his therapeutic interventions and ideas, put into practice. I also knew and trained with Dr. John Pierrakos. The wisdom and presence of these two estraordinary men have changed my life and are a continuous reference.
Thank you Dr. Lowen, I like to believe that you and Dr. John Pierrakos have met again and will continue to inspire us.

With love,
Odila Weigand
São Paulo, Brazil

2002 - workshop at Pawling New York for faculty. Dr. Lowen with Myrian de Campos, Odila Weigand and Liane Zink.

2005 - Bioenergetic International Conference at Cape Cod when Dr. Lowen conducted the whole audience to dance around the room. That was his message to the Bioenergetic community

November 14, 2008

a poem to dr. Lowen

doctor

"O Captain my Captain! our fearful trip is done..."

our fearful trip is done, dear doctor
is thank you enough?
you save me alive
you taught me so much
and you became a human being
as I was being born

dear father, old friend
your energy is yours now
your lady,
your ocean of Life

I will keep mine here
you know
I can say, like you:
everything I dreamed for
became possible to me

I was young, you were old
I was lost , you were found
and I loved you
very very much

Goodbye, my father
be well

Felipe de Campos d. Vaz

November 14, 2008

EN HONOR AL DR. ALEXANDER LOWEN

Gracias Maestro!

Lo recordaré con mucho amor!

Que descanse en paz!

María Jimena Salinas
Buenos Aires
Argentina

Foundation's Rough English Translation

In Honor to Dr. Alexander Lowen

Thanks Maestro!
We remember him with love!
May he rest in peace!

María Jemena Salinas
Beunos Aires
Argentina

November 13, 2008

A letter to Alexander Lowen

Dear Al Lowen

When I received the news that you have passed away, I felt a deep sadness as if I had lost a dear parent. I felt better when I read the notice of your Foundation informing you had left peacefully. Unfortunately, I have never had the opportunity of meeting you, but I feel I knew you from all the books and articles you have written along decades and the knowledge you have transmitted to your readers and followers. Wherever you are, I should tell you that you have completely changed my life during almost two decades and you are doing it yet. I’m sure you will be very happy to know about your success in dealing with arthritis rheumatoid in spite of your doubts about it. When I begin my training, co-ordinated by Ed Svasta, I suffered from terrible pains all over my body. Every articulation ached, I could hardly move and I saw frequently the shadow of a wheelchair. I almost give up my training. My colleagues and trainers’ encouragement as well as my willingness and commitment made me go ahead. It was not a miracle, but a hard and continuous work together with my trainers, supervisors and therapist following your principles and methods. Slowly but consistently I began to defreeze and to conquer my mobility back as I could elaborate better and read the signs my body sent to my mind constantly. At last, I could breathe more deeply with weaker restraints and cuts and take conscious of and express my emotions instead of repressing them as I did in the past. Finally, the split between my body and my mind began to heal and I believe that this will be a never-ending process, as you have referred in your auto-biography. I’m 58 old and I have never felt myself with such a sense of freedom, entireness, aliveness and faith as nowadays. I simply feel joy and happiness.
This is my tribute and my debt towards you. Believe me, you still are and will be alive in the memories of my recovered body (head included) and always present in my practice with my patients. I’ll try to go on honouring your work, your legacy.
Thank you and rest in piece by the excellence of the role you have played on earth.

Maria Teresa Goulão
Lisbon, Portugal

November 13, 2008

Good bye dear man. I am filled with sadness and vivid memories. Every interaction with you was genuine. Even driving silently in a car with you. I love you forever for your brilliance, your simplicity and your straightness.

Leslie Case

Al surrendering in St. Lucia, 1992

Al dancing in Brazil, 1988

     Al sailing in Greece, 1980’s

November 13, 2008

Despedida

Acabo de recibir esta noticia sobre la perdida de Alexander Lowen y mi corazon esta acongojado. Este hombre nos ha dejado un legado bellisimo y en homenaje a su persistencia, espiritu universal, vision , capacidad de hacer multiplicar sus hallazgos y compromiso con la vida y el cambio, siento la tristeza de su partida y la gratitud por la extension de su corazon a traves de su obra. Se que quienes abrazamos y compartimos parte de sus enseñanzas continuaremos aportando cada día para que la vida de la bioenergética perdure en generaciones futuras, en una reflexion activa sobre la importancia de vivir en cuerpos vibrantes , deseantes, amorosos , creativos,libertarios. Conoci a Alexander Lowen y con perpetua gratitud, despido hoy a un hombre apasionado, un hombre que se atrevio a respirar exhalando para todo nosotros, la caricia de con movernos. ,haciendonos protagonistas de el pulso que nos arraiga a la tierra y nos dispara a conquistar el arte de vivir ... amar.... vivir...gracias querido Alexander Lowen adios querido maestro. gran hombre.

SUSANA YASAN

Bioenergética. Escuela de Técnicas Corporales
Y Creativas Integradas.
Formación para la salud, la educación y el arte

Foundation's Rough English Translation:

Farewell

I just received this press release about the loss of Alexander Lowen and my heart is upset. This man has left us a legacy and beautiful tribute to his persistence, universal spirit, vision, ability to multiply its findings and commitment to life and change, I feel the sadness of his departure and gratitude for the extension of his heart through his work. Is that those who embrace and share some of his teachings will continue to make every day for the life of the bioenergetics endure in future generations, in an active reflection on the importance of living in vibrant bodies, desiring, loving, creative, libertarians. Alexander Lowen met with gratitude for life, today seen as a passionate man, a man who dared to breathe exhaling for all of us, with a caress of the move. , making the pulse of players us rooted to the ground and inspire us to conquer the art of living ... love .... ... wanted to live through Alexander Lowen goodbye beloved teacher. great man

SUSANA YASAN

Bioenergetics. School of Technical Body
And Integrated Creative.
Training for health, education and art

November 13, 2008

A Tribute and Remembrance of Dr. Alexander Lowen

Bioenergetics and Dr. Alexander Lowen have been and are such an important, healing part of the lives of all who knew of him and participated in Bioenergetics. I am grateful that I was able to learn of Dr. Lowen and the information he shared. I send my best thoughts to all of his family members and close friends. I am sure he is having a very good time on the other side and might be conducting some bioenergetics classes and teaching classes. He will be missed on earth. It is good to remember that his love for us and our love for him will always live.

With deep respect,

Lana Hartman-McCuen
Tucson, AZ.

Thank you for the information.
I appreciate knowing this information.
Take care, everyone.
And keep up the bioenergetics.

November 13, 2008

I remember dancing with Dr. Lowen at a conference in Boston about 6 years ago. I admired his vibrancy to lead the group around the room and we moved our bodies into the light of the earth. I still feel the dance of life that lives in all of us. He celebrated life through his work and I thank him so much for bringing this gift into the hearts of so many people. I live through his dance.

Anita De Francesco
Los Angeles, /Phila

November 13, 2008

Thank you very much for sending me these news. I am just another of the thousand of readers that admire Alexander Lowen greatly. He has been instrumental in shaping my way of looking at us, humans... I always go back to his books as they are full of love and hope. I think of myself as fortunate to be alive at the same time as he was.

November 13, 2008

AL Lowen's Passing

With the passing of Alexander Lowen, it feels as if another chapter in the history of Body Psychotherapy has closed. The deaths in the last few years of Myron Sharaf, John Pierrakos, Eva Reich and now Alexander Lowen have now closed a chapter in the history of those people with direct therapeutic contact with Wilhelm Reich.

All of these people not only experienced Reich's work directly, but adapted Reich's work in their own unique ways - this is inevitable and healthy. Many - without the direct contact - have also reinterpreted and adapted Reich's work. But Alexander Lowen, one of the co-founders of Bioenergetic Analysis, through his writings and public appearances, helped promote Reich's work and helped Body Psychotherapy (though perhaps he never used that term) to emerge out of the doldrums of the 1950's with Reich's imprisonment and death. Body Psychotherapy, which includes Bioenergetic Analysis, is now a healthy and thriving part of mainstream Psychotherapy on both sides of the Atlantic and also elsewhere in the world.

Alexander Lowen popularized and legitimized Reich's 'Character Analysis' work and demonstrated - in a very vital and alive way - how this could be used for health, rather than just for the correction of neuroses. With the Bioenergetic exercises, and with his wife (as portrayed in The Way to Vibrant Health), he set a new paradigm for Body Psychotherapy and for the way in which we collectively see the body. He managed to disempower the pedestal-like 'authority' of the Therapist, and make (him) into an ordinary person - a man or woman (in underpants) - with similar tensions and a similar (or related) embodied history of these tensions - maybe just a few steps ahead of the client himself or herself. For that, we will be forever grateful; as well as for the vast body of lively and very readable (and popular) books and writings. He came across to both the scientist, the clinician and the ordinary person.

His passing, whilst inevitable and expected at such an age, whilst being a tribute to his practice, will still mark a turning point in our history - and we grieve: not for lost opportunity - as he made the most of his life; not for a wasted life - for he achieved more than most; not for his family and friends - as he loved them fully; but that - perhaps - we never got to know him as much as we would have liked to; or never managed to engage fully with his rapier-like mind; or that we would have really liked to have worked with him intimately or in more depth.

Dear Al - even though I only met you briefly many years ago - I have long sat at your feet and exposed your work - recommending it to many a client and trainee. I did not agree with everything that you said - inevitably: we are from different generations and cultures. I wish you well in your transition to whatever lies ahead of such a brave spirit and I resoundingly applaud your life achievements (something I never managed to say to your face).

Courtenay Young
(Past-President of EABP - European Association of Body-Psychotherapy)

November 12, 2008

Now, alas, I am the sole survivor of the original Board of the Institute for Bioenergetic Analysis! I owe a huge debt to the adventure of helping to found the Institute and to Al Lowen. That event shaped the rest of my life both personally and professionally in a profoundly positive way. In part, I owe my continuing good energy, and ability to continue to work and enjoy life at a ripe old age, to the work that we did together. And to John P. as well. Thank you both.

Alice Kahn Ladas

November 12, 2008

To all of you,

Who worked and shared his life and passions my deepest condolences. All of us in Montreal are profoundly touched by his death.

Marie France Gauthier

November 12, 2008

Descansa en Paz !

Agradecida por la herencia que nos dejaste, tus libros, tu obra, tu Fundación, tesoros para encontrar el gozo en nuestras vidas. Orgullosa de pertenecer a la familia Lowen y comprometida con extender lo que nos enseñaste. Le pido a Dios por tu descanso y por la serenidad de quienes te aman. Fred te envío un abrazo cálido para tí, tu esposa e hija. Extiendo mis condolencias a Bob, Jhon y todos los pertenecientes a la Fundación.

Gaby Mesa
Venezuela

Foundation's Rough English Translation:

Rest in Peace!

Grateful for the legacy you leave - your books, your work, your foundation - treasures to find the joy in our lives. Proud to belong to the Lowen family and committed to extend what they taught us. I ask God for your rest and the serenity of those who love you. Fred, sending a warm hug for you, your wife and daughter. I extend my condolences to Bob, John, and all those belonging to the Foundation.

Gaby Bureau

Venezuela

November 12, 2008

What a man, what an era, what a legacy. Al Lowen has my love and thanks. He did indeed save me and my family. I learned to choose and find happiness. It was grace that allowed all of us to work and grow and love in the community of bioenergetic analysis.
I was privileged to walk among giants. Alexander Lowen will be honored and missed.
Thank you for letting me know of his passing.

Sally McIntyre MacBeth

November 12, 2008

I just wanted to wish through the ether ....god speed and I look forward to seeing you once again. I attended many conferences where Dr. Lowen spoke. In 1973 was the first time I met when he accepted my husband as a patient and worked wonders for him that no other therapist every could.

karen bordonaro
Alabama

November 12, 2008

We are many to have liked and admired Lowen. In my manual on body psychotherapies (in french), it is one of the most referenced authors of our field.

Michel Heller, Dr. Phil
Psychologue & Psychothérapeute FSP/AVP/EABP

November 12, 2008

My British stiff upper lip and neck were never the same after attending one of Al Lowen’s pioneering workshops in California during the mid-sixties. He, with John Pierrakos and Stanley Keleman, was presenting his neo-Reichian work in a group setting – a rather new concept and a powerful contribution to the Human Potential Movement of the time. I remain ever-thankful for that weekend as I embarked on life with Charles R. “Chuck” Kelley and the development of Radix Education. If Chuck were alive today, he would want to honor Al. He did pay tribute to him during their lifetimes, however, at the 1st US National Conference on Body Oriented Psychotherapy in Massachusetts in 1996, and his words remain valid today:
“I have known Al Lowen since the last years of Wilhelm Reich’s life in the fifties. Al and John Pierrakos were busy organizing their new Institute for Bioenergetic Analysis in New York City. I remember, in the years that followed, attending lectures by Al at the Community Church in New York, thoughtful lectures that became articles printed by the Institute. Many of these evolved into chapters of his early books, such as Love and Orgasm and The Betrayal of the Body. May personal favorite among all of Al’s books is still his first one, The Physical Dynamics of Character Structure, later reissued as The Language of the Body. No better book on character types and the body has ever been written.
Al Lowen is an easy person to hate. Those who have taken verbal shots at him are legion. To tell the truth, I have had the impulse to wring his neck a time or two myself. He is aggressive, cocky and opinionated. He is also creative, insightful, and productive, a man who has made the most of his potentialities.
Every one of us at this conference owes Al Lowen a large debt of gratitude. His books and the Bioenergetic movement he and John spawned have been the most significant force in body-oriented psychotherapy since Reich’s own work. It has changed the face of body-oriented psychotherapy and personal growth practice. The system I created, Radix, grew from my association with Reich, and it is distinctively my own, but I use bioenergetic concepts and exercises in almost every session. So, I believe, do the great majority of the hundreds of other professionals at this conference – often without even knowing it. Such is the impact of bioenergetics on our field.
And so it is our privilege and pleasure today to honor Alexander Lowen, to take this moment to pay homage to him and his work, and to express our gratitude for what he has done for each of us and for the profession that we practice.
Thank you, Al!”

Erica Kelley

November 12, 2008

Al passed into the light of eternity....

I am glad I have a friend who forwarded this information to me. When I saw Al last year on his birthday he seemed to be happily detached from what was going on around him, while we played his favorite music and talked with Marina, near his bed. His body responded to the rhythm of the music I brought him as birthday gift and he smiled as he talked to his son who called to congratulate him on his birthday.

As a Feldenkrais Practitioner I was called by him to give him a few sessions while he was still practicing in NYC, in his office. He was open and interested and responded favourably to the treatment.( I told him it is not energy work but neuromuscular adjustment and balancing ). At the time he had a knee pain. I was with him in a few workshops and once a month in private sessions, while I was going through the pangs of separation and divorce, after 20y of marriage. I loved Al dearly, as he reminded me of my father, was born on exactly the same date and month and was initially a lawyer, as my father was. He had a sense of humor and a compassion and warmth that I cherished. His books still inspire me every time I read them again and again.

May he rest in peace...
Tatiana Light

November 12, 2008

Dr. Lowen, you will be remembered with a fondness of heart and a lightness of spirit.

My mother began Bioenergetic therapy in the mid-1970s. She introduced me to this work, which began a self-discovery process that I have continued on for more than three decades.

What a gift Dr. Lowen has given to the seekers of this world.

I extend my heartfelt sympathies to his family. May the legacy that he has left behind be of some small comfort during these difficult days.

Robin O'Grady
Clarkston, Michigan

November 12, 2008

It is with great sadness that I receive the word of Al's passing. He was unquestionably one of the greatest influences in my life, and the lives of everyone I've touched, because he contributed substantially to all I am and all I've been able to contribute. His wisdom and skills transformed the lives of thousands of people, his influence immeasurable. It was my great honor to know him, to be treated by him, to be trained by him, and truthfully to be saved by him. He will always be part of all that I do, say and am.

The entire McIntyre family benefited from our long and close association with Al, and it may well be that he is directly responsible for our family remaining intact and functional. I'll not go into all the details, but suffice to say he had a direct influence on each and every one of us.

Al's friendship with my father and mother was the source of huge benefit for both of them. They delighted in the workshops at Eslan and around the world together, and the many evenings spent well into the night engrossed in deep conversation. My mother still speaks warmly and fondly of those times.

I'm pleased that his passing was peaceful, pleased that his last years and days were with people who loved and cared for him.


Jeb McIntyre

November 12, 2008

At around age 35 I was so lucky to be able to finally meet the man whose wise words I had first read as a 22 year-old. As part of the certification training group in the Mid-Hudson Society, with Miki Frank's nudging, we were able to visit Dr. Lowen at his home and learn how to feed a parrot, amongst other things. (Hint: you let the parrot reach out to you to take it, you don't force it at him/her.) The day began with a Leslie Lowen exercise class. I was embarassed to see/feel my bodily limitations as I struggled to keep up with this woman in her 60's (?)...

When it came time to ask for a volunteer to work with Dr. Lowen as part of a lecture-demonstration for our group, I volunteered and was selected, eagerly stripping down to my underwear and standing a few feet away from his inquisitive eyes, facing the group. After a long silence he looked at me and asked, in a firm voice: "Are you AWARE of having sexual problems?"

Even at the time I thought this was hilarious and wonderful. Though it had strong resonance of the classic prosecuting attorney's leading question "When did you stop beating your wife?" (one can either ADMIT knowledge of sexual problems or be in DENIAL over them; it simply isn't possible there aren't any) further analysis of his direction yielded my understanding that energy=sexuality and he saw lots of upper body compensation over a very conflicted pelvis. While Dr. Lowen may not have been the textbook example of greatest-verbal-questions-to-ask-to-get-things-rolling (he probably wouldn't have made the social work textbooks, anyway) his question was characteristically honest, bold, incisive and thought-provoking.

All of these qualities were, most importantly, present in his life, as well as his teaching. These are days/times that offer up very few genuine role models. Miki Frank was one to me. Al Lowen was a genuine hero, teacher, inspiration, and role model.

I'll also always remember Dr. Lowen greatly enjoying the attention of many beautiful women from all over the world at the International Conference in Miami, Florida. I waited in line a while to get a picture taken with him at the urging of other members of the Hudson Valley group, protesting that he wouldn't want his picture taken with me, as I was male and, therefore, not a beautiful woman. They assured me I was being paranoid and ridiculous and to just wait my turn. My turn finally came and, as I introduced myself and got in place for the picture, he took one look at me and said, "What are YOU doing here? You're not a WOMAN!!" Then we both laughed.

Thank you, Dr. Lowen, for showing us how to love, live, and laugh.

Jerry Sander

November 12, 2008

Thank you so very much for this beautiful and fitting acknowledgment of Al's passing. This was deeply needed by the entire Bioenergetic community. There is much sorrow over the loss of him, and at the same time the renewed awareness and gratitude for all that he gave us.

With appreciation,
Virginia Hilton

November 12, 2008

Dear All,
I`m deeply touched. I send the words of regret that my mentor, someone like my father has passed away. I knew him from lovely books but felt from the heart. I`m very sorry. I hope that what he had done will survive the time , and people will continue their growth as he did all life , and also I strongly believe that my work will contribute to the debevelopment of bioenergetics in
Poland.

Joanna and Slawek

November 12, 2008

I am sorry abouth the death of our dear Lowen.
Thank you about this letter.

Leonardo Jeber
Brazil

November 12, 2008

Condolence to Dr.Alexander Lowen, My Mentor- Though distant yet in my heart.

I am extremely pained and distressed to hear the news of Dr.Lowen passed away. I can not believe he is died. Of course every one dies , but Dr.Lowen is alive in millions of his readers, patients, friends, co therapists and any one who cared of curing ailing humanity. Dr.Lowen had been my mentor, I have not met him, but his books kept me inspiring to explore the ways of finding the truth, the meaning of life, the reality of our beings. Had Dr. Lowen not written the 14+books I would have remained starved of my own grandeur. The simplicity of his writing and yet telling the complex truths in laymen language makes him even more loveable. His unique approach and discovery to the complex working of human mind and its effects on body, emotions and ultimately the functioning of life will remain unparallel. The therapies devised by Dr.Lowen are simply superb and golden way to life a fuller life till one breathes last.
I am thankful to Dr.Lowen, and Lesley Lowen who have founded a way for new humanity.
I share your grief and pain for loss of a genius.
May Dr.Lowen guide us always and be our comanion , through his wisdom and writing, in our future days to come.

I pray to God to give you strength to bear the irreparable loss due to passing away of Dr.Alexander Lowen.

Dr. Alexander was Greater than the Alexander the Great. The later might have conquered the world, but Dr.Alexander has won the hearts of millions not in America ,Europe and England. but in India too.

A heartfelt condolence from his ardent lover and reader may be accepted.

Kishor Lal Kantilal Trivedi

GUJARAT INDIA

November 12, 2008

Death of a Luminary

Condolences to all affected by the passing of Al. I posted the below announcement on the APA Div32 (humanistic psychology) listserv, recommending that the upcoming 3rd annual Div32 psychotherapy conference pay some tribute to him.

Another luminary has died this year. Alexander Lowen passed away on Tuesday, October 28 at age 97. He was a protege of Wilhelm Reich and the co-founder and main proponent of bioenergetics, a body-oriented psychotherapy and way of understanding personality. In my opinion, his most important professional work was: Lowen, A. (2006, first published 1958) Language of the body: Physical dynamics of character structure. Alachua, FL: Bioenergetics Press—for which I had the privilege of writing the introduction of this most recent edition. He also published more than a dozen well-received popular books on bioenergetics, was a prolific workshop presenter, and founded a major humanistic tradition. I am also pleased that an article based on researching some of his work (and in which he participated as a co-researcher) is now in-press in the division's journal: Glazer, R., & Friedman, H. (in-press). Bioenergetic diagnosis: A construct validity study. The Humanistic Psychologist.

Harris Friedman

November 12, 2008

Our Sincere Condolences

Dear friends, colleagues and family of Dr. Lowen,

We were informed about the loss of the great Alexander Lowen, here in the Greek School of Vegetotherapy and Character Analysis.
We dedicate all lessons and activities of this month to his memory and send our condolences to all people bereaved by his death

Warm regards
Clorinda Lubrano- Kotoula

Director of E.I.N.A (Hellenic Institute of Vegetotherapy and Character Analysis)

November 12, 2008

I want to pay tribute to Al's wonderful influence on my work and my life. His supervision of my play therapy work with children helped me better formulate the process I was engaged in into words to share this with others which further solidified it for me as well. My work with monsters with children owes its development to him and every time I encourage a child to draw themselves as a monster I think of Al and his appreciation for that wild instinctual part of us, so maligned and misunderstood still by much of the world of psychology. Thank you Al!!

Dennis McCarthy,
Kingston, NY

November 11, 2008

I knew Lowen through his writing and from working with one of his students. As a psychotherapist, I have always been interested in mind-body unity. I learned so much from Lowen that was never a part of my formal education and training. I can only hope that the Bioenergetic message will continue to find resonance in a world that too often ignores the body and privileges the mind.

Thomas Wright
"We can conceive of a future without high-rises. But a humanity without music and love is not just inconceivable; it is impossible." -- George Leonard.

November 11, 2008

I was touched to hear of Alexander Lowen's peaceful passing. The quote you selected about the transition from ego to river of life and finally to the ocean resonated with me, for it put to words some things I have begun to feel lately.

The journey down 'life's highway' continues at an appropriate pace. I relive bits of the work we did together on a daily basis. I do plan at some point to visit you for a tune up.

Till then, with warmest regards,
Tom

November 11, 2008

I love you
And I miss you.
Forever.

You gave me the most true and wonderful times, and I tresure the memories at the center of my heart.
You and Leslie ment everything to me.
And I am forever greatful for the times I spent in your company.

With Love and Respect
Rebecca Elboth
Norway

November 11, 2008

As the tears fall from my eyes about Dr Lowen, the world have lost a quiet hero. I met DR. Lowen about 15 years ago. He was my therapist. I went to one of his birthday parties; I gave him a plaque with a poem I wrote for him on it.
To His family, accept my sympathy.

Asher Ledwidge.

November 11, 2008

I have seen Alexander Lowen for the last time in March 2008: he was at home, cherished by his son Fred and his secretary Monica: I felt very touched to see him old, since I had known him only six years before, at 92, with the energy of a boy. I consider him a great master: if I am now a counselor trained in bioenergetics, if I can help people learning them how to be in their body, I must thank Alexander Lowen: his book "Pleasure" showed me the path.
Thank you, Alex!
Alessandra Callegari,
Milan, Italy

November 11, 2008

God bless mr. Lowen.. trough his books i meet who i am.. and knew how to heal my sick very sick life. i was really bad sick of my mind and tahnks to the therapy i am a new man.. ia m shure for this fact that mr.LOWEN IS IN HEAVEN NOW.
I WOULD LIKE YOU TO SEE HOW SICK I WAS..
IHEALED MY LIFE TROUGH THE BOOKS ...LOS EJERCICIOS BIOENRGETICOS

GRACIAS MR. LOWEN YOU WERE MY FATHER....

RAFAEL TELLO FROM MEXICO

November 11, 2008

Thank-you for the informative e-mail regarding Dr. Lowen's passing. While I never met him, I am grateful for his work, and all the people I've met through bioenergetics.
Judy Wilder,
Tulsa, OK

November 11, 2008

We, bioenergetic trainers, received with sadness and pain the news about Al's death, a couple of days after October 28th, from one of our colleagues in New York.
We shared all our feelings together and all of them were talking about the inheritage and our huge gratefulness for all that Al gave, taught us, and shared with us.
I, personnaly, don't know where I would be, today, if I hadn't met Al and Bioenergetic teaching thirty years ago, but what I do know is how alive I feel today and how proud I am to be a bioenergetic therapist and teacher. I KNOW that I owe this to him and I told him my gratitude when he was still alive, and I still feel it.
Please receive my sympathetic feelings and lots of tenderness

Maryse Doess,
Paris, France

November 11, 2008

I knew Dr Lowen's death was coming but I am shocked nevertheless. The tears are flowing down my face here in a public library amongst strangers but I don't care. This exceptional wise person has been so much an important part of my life over the last 30 years even though I briefly talked to him only once on the phone. After living now for 50 years I can say that few people on this earth have my admiration , but Dr Lowen not only had my admiration, he had my deep admiration, respect and affection ( the same for Wilhelm Reich and Robert Kennedy ). I turn to his books when all else fails and I am always enriched, enlightened, and calmed down by the truths of what he writes. Always. His being just comes shining through. I will miss him: that humble heart, that astounding intuition, a true humanitarian.

Goodbye Dr Lowen.
Marco Ermacora
Montreal, Quebec

November 11, 2008

I am both saddened and enlivened by Dr. Lowen's passing. Upon hearing the news, I began to cry. Those tears opened my heart and reminded me of a body I have forgotten lately. I went straight to the hitting cube and moved some anger. In his death, and in his life, he is an ongoing reminder of a body so easily misplaced in a distracted world. We had a number of profound sessions together, I recorded a wonderful and lovely interview with him, his wisdom contributed meaningfully to my recent book- Soulshaping. I bow down to his profound capacity for both surrender and willfulness. His genius was understanding that both are intrinsic to the art form that is our life, and that the key to the whole thing is knowing how to honor both ways of being simultaneously.

With great regard,
Jeff Brown

November 11, 2008

Thank you for the opportunity to say thank you. I never met Dr. Lowen, but was introduced to his work by a Core Energetics therapist. Lowen's teachings and practices-- through work with this therapist, and through his books-- have been of great value to me in my personal healing. Whenever I read and re-read his work, as I often do, I feel the truth of his words throughout my body.
I send Dr. Lowen great love as he continues on.

Blessings,
Danielle

November 11, 2008

This is to share that, although I have been out of touch with the Bionergetic Community the last years, I was very touched by Al´s death. He was very supportive to me and my growth in many a moment. For example, unlike in other cases within the Community, he deeply supported my spiritual and subtle energy perceptions. From these perceptions and beliefs I really know he is well and at peace with his soul. A few years ago my father died and, being in mourning, I think it was not possible for me to contact Lowen for a last farewell in person. I would have liked to. But I believe face to face contact is not totally necessary for this matter.

Al- through sessions and training, helped me own many aspects of myself and my body,and gave me tips on attitudes and behaviour, that I cherish until today. He was a congruent man and a role model for his coherence. I was always able to confront and discuss differences of approach or opinions with him, as he was one of the few therapysts that openly acknowledged my intelligence and beauty, as well as my quality as a human being. I am very endebted to him, as well as to Frank Hladky- my main Teacher- and Myriam de Campos for having facilitated my initial contact with him.

I send a big Hug to everybody who knows me, or who is in touch from having shared any type of deep experience with Al Lowen.

Dr. Liliana Acero

November 11, 2008

tks for the message, I new all read, Im sad, and a lot of othres, thru the world, what a life, what a man
we are all pray for him.

but its a such hard good bye......................

tks again.............

November 11, 2008

I am deeply touched. I am 83 yrs old. As a young women I went to Dr Alexander for therapy. He was always warm and
comforting. The world will miss him.

Harriet C Gottlieb

November 11, 2008

I'm so sorry to hear that Dr. Lowen is gone, but he is in the full-flow of life now! I will never forget my session w/ him, & the grueling exercise-class w/ his wife...Not to mention the influence of his work & his passion in my own growth & development, as well as others....truly an inspiration!

Many blessings,
Kathleen Herold

November 11, 2008

I started to cry feeling as if my father had passed away

Rest in peace Alexander Lowen

Andrzej Kaznowski, Poland

November 11, 2008

Deep sadness grips with the news of Dr Lowen's passing, but also an appreciation of his life, and great joy for his inspiration.
-Yaniv
New York, NY

November 11, 2008

On October 28th 2008, Alexander Lowen, our chief master, has completed his path in life.  

His whole existence has been a witness of his attachment to life and energy. Al reminded the whole world of psychotherapy the centrality of the body. His concepts of body language, energy, grounding, vibrant health, surrender and its studies on the character analysis had a deep impact basicly in the world of body psychotherapy and in part in the all field of clinical psychology. 

Al was a man of great value, deeply human and professional, unique in his style. 
My experience of therapy with him was of a brilliant person, deeply intuitive and empathic and, for that reason, it’s always been impossible for me to understand some criticism about his therapeutic style. 

His writing, ever so sharp and passionate, simple and complex at the same time, can easily reach so many people, both those who had the chance to meet him personally and who was able to appreciate him through his books. 

That’s why everyone who has been touched by him or his writings, can certainly feel him like a friend who leaves us, leaving however a legacy rich in theoretical explorations and values with which all of us feel even more committed to witness and spread his human and cultural message. 

Patrizia Moselli
S.I.A.B. Director

November 11, 2008

A Tribute to Alexander Lowen
Dec 23, 1910 - Oct 28, 2008
From Pam Chubbuck, Ph.D.

Al Lowen, as his friends, students and colleagues called him, died Oct 28th, 2008. I am saddened by his passing and know that he achieved his task in life; his time had come, so I meet this news with a quiet and grateful heart.

I first met Al when I was a young mother, in the late sixties, when he came to Washington DC to give a workshop. I was enthralled with his knowledge of a method of Body Psychotherapy that I instinctively knew could save my life. And it has. I went to Al's office in Connecticut a couple of years later for a private consultation. Al told me that I needed more energy in my pelvis to make it fuller. I was proud of my boy-like pelvis, but when Al told me that I could have more feeling, and much more pleasure, I was willing to allow it to grow! He whacked my back, manipulated my neck and I screamed. I felt great when I left there. I went on to study Bioenergetic Analysis professionally and practice it still, 40 years later.

Many people thought Al to be pretty tough, but on several occasions I felt his soft and vulnerable side. I saw Al cry at a workshop and felt his heart open, as he shed a tear, at his 80th birthday when I went to tell him how grateful I was for his life and all he'd done for me and for the field of psychology. I visited him at his home in 2006. In his office he had a photograph of his son with his infant grandchild. He also had a photo of his mentor, Reich, holding a baby. Al loved babies and was very clear about how we needed to raise them to create healthy children and later adults. This was an important and wonderful gift he gave us all.

Thank you Al. Your life touched me in deep and profound ways. I will always be grateful. I hold you in my heart and I will never forget you. Rest now. Be at peace. You deserve it!

My Visit With Alexander Lowen age 95. I had the exhilarating pleasure of spending a few hours with Alexander Lowen, at his home June of 2006.
I had wanted to visit Alexander Lowen for several years, longed to just sit and "hang out" with the genius who wrote all those wonderful books [Al wrote 14 books] that taught me so much. The first one I read was, The Physical Dynamics of Character Structure, now renamed for public consumption, "The Language of the Body". And wow! What an eye opener for me at the tender age of 23. Lowen was a great writer and his brilliant, easy to read books have changed the course of psychotherapy forever. Lowen had been one of my early teachers in Bioenergetics. I traveled to New York to work with him in workshops and later in my certification training. My first exposure to his writing came when I was a La Leche League Leader in the mid sixties, and Lowen was the only psychiatrist who wrote about the huge importance of breastfeeding an infant and toddler. I was very impressed by his deep understanding of the significance of breastfeeding on the psychological health of a human being.

Somehow 4 years had slipped by since I first thought of going to spend time with Lowen, and here I was on a very rainy Friday standing with anticipation under a canopy knocking at his door, at his beautiful home in New Cannon, Connecticut. Al, as his friends, students and clients call him, greeted me with a big smile and a spry step. He was happy to see me and invited me to sit in the living room. This was the same room that held a Bioenergetic Exercise Class, led by his wife Leslie, which I had participated in when I was there 23 years ago. Do you remember that joyful picture of Al being held up on Leslie's feet on the cover of their exercise manual? It's my favorite.

Al and I sat down and within minutes Al wondered if I wanted to go see his office. I certainly did and we walked around the corner to the small space that looked the exact same way it had when I had my first private (and profound) session with Al, about 35 years ago. No frills - it was furnished with only, a small chair, a bed for kicking and the famous Bioenergetic Stool. A small shelf held a copy of every book Al had written and had been published. He told me there were others he had started and hadn't yet completed. On the wall there was a framed word that read...Breathe! The last thing Al said to me at John Pierrakos' memorial service in Manhattan in early 2001. He had reminded me as he walked away, turning to look back with a smile, "Don't forget to breathe." At the age of 90 Al had come in from New Cannon, to pay his respects to John, his colleague, friend and partner in the creation of Bioenergetic Analysis. The sparsely decorated office spoke that nothing else was needed but Al's genius and vast experience as he worked with his clients. He told me that he still saw clients in the mornings. Most were Bioenergetic therapists themselves. Here in Al's office, I tucked my chin down and put the top part of my head on the mattress and turned a summersault. I got a little dizzy and didn't like that. "That's because of the tension in your neck", he said kindly. He told me, "I do summersaults every morning. It is so important to soften the ego, the thoughts, and to release the tension in your neck." I noted... 'This is interesting; within 5 minutes of my arrival Al Lowen has me cheerfully turning a summersault in his office.' I was game for anything he wanted to show me. I wasn't going to miss any opportunity to learn from the master. So I turned more, about 5 in all and each time I felt better, less dizzy.

Then Al talked quite a bit about John Pierrakos with me. He recalled that John was able to see energy; auric fields and chakras. Al said that John was a genius who had the gift of sight that helped him see and know things beyond the usual and that he was better able to help people because of his gift. I commented that John taught others to see in that way and John believed we all had that ability. "Even I," I told him, "have learned to do some of that HSP perceiving".

Al talked some about the old days. Sometimes his memory slowed, a bit cloudy, but his clarity about the present and what the fundamentals of body psychotherapy were, never failed. Al asked me if I wanted to get on the stool. I was up for any experience with Al, and I quickly said yes. Al decided that I may need a refresher on how to use the stool and proceeded to bend backwards over it. Remember - this is a difficult exercise for most young and middle-aged people to do - and here was Al Lowen at 95 demonstrating the principles of using the stool!
"I do this every day. It's part of keeping my energy flowing," he explained. "Put your hands here, [on the handles] open your mouth, breathe, and shout."
Al shook the handles of the stool, and shouted and screamed and with his permission, I grabbed my camera and took photographs of this momentous occasion. Then he got off the stool and I got on. I hadn't used the stool in a couple of decades having switched to the roller when it was invented. I could feel that there were some definite advantages of using the stool and wondered if I still had mine somewhere. When I got off the stool, I felt exhilarated and open.

We chatted about the importance of keeping the body flexible, grounded and of opening the breath. Using the stool, (or now the roller) helps stay grounded and out of the head, thus making it less likely to live in the ego. (In Core Energetics terms the ego is part of the mask, and causes us much suffering when used to defend ourselves from our feelings and our Core, our higher self).

We then went on a tour of his home, and Al showed me the bathtub where he started every morning with doing exercises in the water. (John Pierrakos started every day with bathtub exercises too!)

Al's study and bedroom were filled with memorabilia including many photographs of his beloved wife Leslie and Al and Leslie together, alongside photos of his family with his son and then his grandchild.

Al's first, only and long time wife, Leslie Lowen was his help mate in his Bioenergetic work and a very fine therapist in her own right. Leslie led Bioenergetic exer.
cises a couple of times a week in their home, for decades, and wrote the book The Way to Vibrant Health. I attended several of these exercise classes. Al always attended the classes to keep flexible and alive. Once when I was there he got off his tractor and came running in from field, to be sure he got the benefit of his wife's expert leading of the exercises he and John created. Her book is still my favorite to suggest to people who want to see how to do basic Bioenergetic exercises. A touching fact is that Al tenderly took care of Leslie in their home during her dying process while he was in his early 90's.

I was invited to sit in Al's Orgone Accumulator which was on the lower floor. The device was left over from Al's early Reichian days. As students of Wilhelm Reich, both Al and John Pierrakos kept an Orgone Accumulator. John Pierrakos had and used his, in his laboratory at his office on 23rd street NYC, until he passed on. John swore to the accumulator's efficacy and so did Al on this day.

"Tell me if you feel anything," Al called down as I sat there feeling something different deep in my cells. "I do", I called back. He laughed delightedly.

Back in the family room that used to be Leslie's exercise room, Al had a recent wonderful photograph of himself with his dog, which someone had enlarged to poster size. Under the photo a Lowen quote had been printed. I paraphrase here as my memory isn't clear as to the exact words, but the meaning is very clear. Don't wait until you are old or dead to live your life fully.

Al Lowen has lived a full and remarkable life. Still working to keep flexible and flowing, he is an inspiration to me and to you though his books and his students, even if you never met him in person.

This is what I want to leave you with, dear seekers. Live life as fully as you can now. Don't wait until it's too late. Don't wait until you only have a short time to enjoy yourself completely. Don't let your fears stop you, whatever they are and however real they seem.

I still see Al clearly, looking at me with a twinkle in his eye, saying with a smile, "Don't forget to breathe"!

November 6, 2008

I wish to deeply share the sorrow of Alexander Lowen's Son and all the Colleagues and Persons who could get the benefits of the wise lessons received from our great Master who taught us to get a creative life, full of love and vital energy.
In the world of bioenergetic people, everybody is now singing together, looking at heaven and saying: "thank you, Alexander Lowen, could your soul enter in the energy of universe, and could your soul thence live inside of all of us".

Maria Stallone Alborghetti
Rome, Italy

November 5, 2008

I have just received info from Joanna from Poland that Alexander has pass away. Tears are rolling on my face.
I wish to share with you my feelings, and I am more than honoured  that I can do this to his co workers, friends, family.
I loved this man deep in my heart as you can love someone that you have never meet in your life, I met him in Costa Rica thru you, thru sessions, thru his books, his pictures and most of all thru his honest expression of his heart that I have found in bioenergetics, that was easy to fall in love openness is more than enough. I was always missing his personal presence, but now I know I will never fulfil this. Despite transference on loving and understanding parent, I will miss him a lot as I feel deep empties in my heart now, and I know I will never say him goodbye even.
I can't imagine how important part of your lives was he if you worked loved lived with him, so you have my absolutely warmest regards and thoughts and energy especially you Frederic and your relatives.

Love
Rafal

November 4, 2008

November 4, 2008

October 29, 2008

To all that have been blessed to know Dr. Lowen 

I feel very sad about Dr. Lowe’s’ passing, but at the same time I feel so fortunate to have had him as my therapist for more than 14 years and also working with him in his office, being so close to all his theory and life until he closed his practice in New York and continue it in his house in Connecticut.

So many questions and answers from him, besides my therapy about body, energy, feelings and the true meaning of life. Vibration, breathing movement and the flowing of energy to feel life.  Many times he showed me through his way of life that he was living exactly the same way he used to talk about it.

Every day that he walked around his house, he kicked his legs 500 times, he did summer salts like a child, showing me the easy way to do it and with no fear of getting hurt.  Every time that I was with him, he used to say:

“I am an old man but I feel good, I dance and I move my body to avoid rigidity”, and his eyes always shinning, very alive.

In his last years, he became a softer person, with an easy smile and showing affection.  “Life can be hard, but you have to balance it with fun, joy, dancing and love” he used to say.

Many things he helped me to feel and understand, many of that I have recorded, maybe one day I will write about our sessions.

When I learned about his stroke in August 2006, I was dealing with my mothers’ health problems, and had to go to Brazil to stay with her many times until she passed away in October with lungs infection. It was very hard for me because she did not want to die, she was a very strong person fighting until the body surrendered. It was the same thing with my dear friend Dr. Lowen. He prepared his body to last almost forever, but he also knew that we cannot control when time comes do die. In his case he breaths the life until the end and then he gave up.

It is hard for me to write about his death when he was The Life, for me he used to say:

“We cannot choose how and where we are born, but we can choose how to live and die” It is always painful to loose somebody that you love and cannot be replaced, he was a unique person, he was a leader, mentor, friend, inspiration, his legacy is bondless.

We all mourn the loss of a vivacious man who showed to us how to be connected to our body and feeling.  The joy is his memory would never die. The intense moments that we shared will stay forever in my memory.  Thank you for being in my life and help me see life in a different and more intense way. This is for you my dear Dr. Lowen wherever you are now: 

      Your eyes were the color of water, now you are the water. 

They were like yourself, transparent and like the air; now you are the air.

Now you are the Sky, you have become everything.

I will be looking for you always; I will see you in every bird, in every tree,

in every sunrise and sunset, in everything

You surrendered to your body; now the body surrendered to you. I hope your journey has been good, because you already arrived and now your life is shared with the cosmos.

Fly high my friend, and enjoy your eternal life. 

I love you and will always miss you  -  Malu

October 29, 2008

Dear Sirs,

With reference to the Foundation website, Photogallery and Link sections, I am very pleased to send you some pictures of Mr. Lowen on the occasion of his past visits in Rome:

October 2nd, 1993 - Convention of S.I.A.B., Italian Bioenergetic Analysis Society




September 27/29, 1985, Roma - European Conference on Humanistic Psychology

My website (in Italian language only), for possible link, is www.bioenergeticaonline.it

I remain at your disposal for any further information,
With best regards,

Doctor Maria Stallone Alborghetti
Member S.I.A.B.
Rome

September 22, 2008

September 7, 2008

August 11, 2008

June 2, 2008

I do not know Alexander Lowen. But he has given me the life. Six years ago I entered in touch with the analysis bioenergético. It was coming from a family desestructured, I suffered abandon, loneliness, affective physical and psychic lacks, I abuse... Alexander Lowen has returned to me to the life by means of your books, across my therapist who so faithfully applies the technology created by Lowen. The contact with the body has been the best of my life. It had never had it.

Now, I am 30 years old. I have born again and feel for the analysis bioenergético, for Lowen something that I never knew: The love that a son can have to your parents these when they recognize him, they love him and love him.
Lowen has much that to teach me. And more importantly than it, much that to make myself feel.
I like very much his videoes in which I can see as he expresses, since he smiles ... that more agreeable grandfather!!!

An embrace.

May 14, 2008

Good wishes to Dr. Lowen

I have been a client in psychoanalysis for 6 years. My Analyst recently provided me with a copy of Narcissism, explaining he borrowed from the text while training.

Having read, and now re-reading the text, I am very grateful for Dr. Lowen's attention, work and very unself-conscious caring. It is a healing experience for me to read his words and spend time with his energy.

Thanks, Dr. Lowen. Hope you have a wonderful summer.

Sincerely,

-Whit Smith
New Mexico

May 6, 2008

I just want to say thank you very, very much for all your books,- and I believe ( hope ) God have blessed you,
even at the end of your day.

- Thomas Sundby
Norway

January 28, 2008

Dear visitors,

please enjoy a picture made April 2005. You will see a 95 years young boy, that show me his incredible vitality. I (48 years old) was no able to move my neck for the following three days!



Best wishes from Germany

Stan Wagner
Berlin

July 9, 2007

I will love to say hello to Dr. Lowen. I have been working with him for 6 years and it change completely my life for the best. I want to get again in contact with him. I lived in New York and in Paris for the last 13 years. I am living now in Bogotas, Colombia. Let me know how can I contact him.

Thank you in advance

- Isabel Posada

April 28, 2007

Congratulations!

I was wating for this foundations to preserve his ideas and keep informations for everybody that had had the honor to meet him and work with him.

You can count on me!

April 8, 2007

My appreciation for the Dr. Lowen's writings is tremendous.  He is able to touch arenas of my inner and outer experiences with  insights that are transformational. I would like to say thank you for sharing so much of your journey and insights with the world.