Legacy of the Heart: The Spiritual Advantages of a Painful Childhood

As someone who has struggled with my sense of worth and, at times, my existence altogether, this book has profoundly affected how I perceive myself and those who abused me and made me feel like I would never be worthy of love or happiness or any kind of peace. Now, I see things differently. I feel lighter, less burdened, free. Will re-read this like a Bible for my soul's peace. Highly recommend!

This is a very comforting and helpful book. It is great for anyone who has had to deal with any of the problems mentioned in the book reviews or the book description. It was everything I needed at this point in my adult life. The writing style is clear and compassionate without being overbearing or maudlin. The examples are heartfelt and I am sure everyone can relate to one of his examples. The book is excellent especially for people who are spiritual or religious, but also has examples and excerpts from poets and writers for those who do not ascribe to higher beliefs. This book is a comfort and a joy for anyone with emotional struggles stemming from childhood, as well as people going through hardships as an adult. I have highlighted so many passages in this book and will hold on to it for future reference.

I am 73 years old, product of a very dysfunctional home. This book, years ago, gave me a fresh perspective and allowed me to see many skills that I have gained as a result of trial and trauma.Read it my 20s,lost in a fire, and ran across it again.

I bought the book for 2 friends after just recently reading it. I've had tons of psychotherapy followed by years of spiritual direction. I've also explored a lot of literature on childhood trauma. The book is a super starting place for people desiring to integrate their life experiences into their spiritual lives in a healing way. I don't know if this is something you should consider before getting the book, but one of the people to whom I gave the book found it to be more distressing than helpful. She has engaged in NO therapy so perhaps a potential reader might take her experience or lack of it into consideration.

I once heard Oprah say that we need to nurture ourselves the way we might nurture and care for our best friend. . . and that really blew me away as I have always been very hard on myself. This book gave me the tools to begin to learn how to do just that. Part of me will always be the frightened little girl that grew up in a houseful of alcoholics, trying to make everything that was topsy-turvy seem somehow normal, but this book has helped me to let go of and learn from that painful part of my past.I've practically underlined the whole book, it contains so much wisdom and excellent advice! I want to highly recommend it to anyone who has suffered a painful childhood. It fills you with hope and gives you the courage to look at the garbage from your past, toss it out and get on with your life.To quote part of the Publisher's Weekly blurb on the back of the book, "Like a lullaby, this gentle book soothes the spirit, reaching out to the inner child and reassuring the wounded adult..."

I met the author of this book some years ago when he came to my city. He writes in a compassionate, straitforward manner. His words offer logical ways for a person to explore childhood traumas and find how to reconcile the harms that have shaped his/her life. I have several family members who suffered abuse at the hands of their parents and are now suffering from the effects of the abuse in their adulthood. I ordered several copies of this book and sent a copy to each of these loved ones. They have all told me what a wonderful, valuable book they find it to be, and how it has offered them a new way of thinking as they try to make sense of what happened to them in their childhoods. I find this author to be an enlightened brother who has embraced a calling to help people find healing through forgiveness and their own logical thinking. I would recommend this book to anyone who is searching for a way to make peace with the pain from a traumatic past and to truly move forward, unburdened by the hurts inflicted by those who were there to be protectors but were unable to do so.

This book is going on my Must Read and Must Recommend list. I read it once and was extremely enlightened. I have underlined numerous sentences on most of the pages, and written notes on the side bars. I'm reading it now for the second time and am taking away things I didn't catch the first go around. By the time I'm done, there may be nothing untouched. I love this book and it will probably be one that I will read every year or so. I highly recommend.

I first read this book over thirty years ago and have gone back to read different chapters throughout the years. I have carried a lot of what I read in this book personally and professionally. I find it is good to read a few pages and then think about them. The section on fear has helped me through many things in life. Thank you Mr. Muller for writing this book.

Great book!

This book delivers what it promises!! It states that you will find within yourself hidden courage, resiliance and healing and truly that's exactly what happened to me as I read it. I have since purchased two other copies as gifts for people. Frankly, it was like a mini miracle for me. I will read it again and again. It recommended that one take an imaginary walk back to one's most painful childhood memory with love and mercy. I did so and found within the memory a hidden seed, that opened to a fountain ofcourage and beauty. I am so grateful to the author because now my most terrible memory has been transformed into a loving experience which I never, never, ever expected. It's a very self empowering book!!

Durch meine eigene Familie und meine fast 30 jährige Mitarbeit in der kirchlichen Alkoholikerarbeit kenne ich viele Menschen, die in der Kindheit seelisch sehr verwundet wurden. Dieses Buch kann durch viele tiefe Einsichten und durch praktische Hilfen Meditationen) Menschen eine große Wegstrecke auf dem Weg der inneren Heilung begleiten. Es ist ein (fast) christliches Buch, das aber auch über den Tellerrand der christlichen Religion schaut.

Great book

Great book in a very nice condition, thank you!!