One of the most controversial and downright confounding figures of 20th Century Science and Psychotherapy, was Wilhelm Reich. It was Reich’s conjecture that he had discovered a powerful force that pervades not only all life here on earth, but also the cosmos as well. Reich called it Orgone, and it was the primary, sexual force of life. His views and research however has been met with obloquy and derision at every turn. In this episode, I am joined by Dan Lowe to go through the life and ideas of this oft maligned, yet fascinating figure.
Dan has been studying the ideas of Wilhelm Reich for over 20 years since encountering him at University. He recently completed a Masters in Integrative Psychotherapy and Counselling. He works as a counsellor and teacher in London and utilizes some of Reich’s ideas is his work. If you have any questions about Reich or would like some advice, definitely reach out to Dan on Twitter, or if you are looking for a Reich-friendly councillor, click the picture of the fine looking fellow below!
Show Notes
- Wilhelm Reich Museum
- Wilhelm Reich Museum YouTube Channel
- Fury On Earth: A Biography Of Wilhelm Reich by Myron Sharaf – One of if not the best biography of Reich out there
- A Critique of Myron Sharaf’s Fury on Earth
- Love, Work, and Knowledge: The Life and Trials of Wilhelm Reich – The Best Documentary on Wilhelm Reich
- Wilhelm Reich: Biologist by James Strick
- A Book of Dreams: A Memoir of Wilhelm Reich by Peter Reich – Peter was Wilhelm’s son and has some very moving and interesting takes. This book inspired the song and video of Kate Bush’s ‘Cloudbusting’
- James Strick on Against Everyone with Conner Habib – (Re)Introduction to Wilhelm Reich
- The Misunderstood Genius of Wilhelm Reich with Jeffrey Mishlove
- Emotional Armoring: An Introduction to Psychiatric Orgone Therapy by Morton Herskowitz
- Man’s Right to Know: Wilhelm Reich Story – Documentary
- Robert Brown and Wilhelm Reich: Brownian Motion and the Discovery of the Bions
- What is Orgone Energy – Charles Kelley
- Contact With Space – A few interesting articles
- Wilhelm Reich’s Contact with Space
- Peter Robbins on Wilhelm Reich
- The Reich Einstein Experiment
- Orgone Biophysical Research Laboratory – James Demeo
- So, You Want to Build a Cloudbuster?
- Wilhelm Reich and the Healing of Atmospheres : Modern Techniques for the Abatement of Desertification by Roberto Maglione
- How to Build an Orgone Accumulator
- Embodied Relating: The Ground of Psychotherapy by Nick Totton – Huge inspiration from Reich in this one, particularly in the Introduction
- The Quest for Wilhelm Reich by Colin Wilson
- New Wings for Daedalus: Wilhelm Reich, His Theory and Techniques by Israel Regardie
- Wilhelm Reich: The Evolution of His Work by David Boadella
- Looking for a Reichian Therapist?
- Emotional Armoring: An Introduction to Psychiatric Orgone Therapy by Morton Herskowitz
- The Journal of Psychiatric Orgone Therapy
- Wilhelm Reich and the Cold War by James Edward Martin
- Adventures in the Orgasmatron: How the Sexual Revolution Came to America by Christopher Turner – If there is one book that those who take Orgonomy seriously dislike, this is the book
Huge Thanks to Dan Lowe for providing most of these Show Notes!
What Magic is This? 
Actually – one of the best books about Reich is missing from that list. David Boadella’s “Wilhelm Reich: The evolution of his work” puts his therapy work, his politics, his scientific research, the ‘Orgone’ work, his weather-control experiments, his philosophy, his friends (and many enemies/detractors), and his somewhat chaotic person life into a coherent whole: explaining each of these clearly, and in some detail, in a chronological sequence, so that his undoubtable genius comes through.
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Oh sweet! I will add it to the show notes, Courtenay! Thank you so much! I have no heard of this book.
Many thanks!
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