OXYGEN for READERS OF TOMKINS

• Responses to First Learning about Affect Theory by Jim Duffy a.k.a. J.C.D., 2/28/97
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    • Tomkins' Four Volumes on Order! Thank You for Your Encouragement! by c.h., 3/14/97
      
      

Yes, we'll be here to resuscitate anyone and everyone who plunges into Tomkins's "Affect/Imagery/Consciousness." The other half of the deal is that you have to do the same for us when we too become lost at times. Tomkins was so brillaint and his writing so intense, that I still read passages and think, what the heck is he saying here. We see ourselves as engaged in a massive conjoint learning project. Your contribution has already provided us with more oxygen than you may suspect as you begin to share with us your thoughts and applications of the theories in a broader systems approach. [Murray Bowen, as I suspect you already know, attempted a theory of emotion because he saw emotion as perhaps "the" integral component to family systems. His theory could have benefitted greatly from an appreciation of Tomkins.]

One form our resuscitation methods will soon take is an e-mail group mailing list for members of the Tomkins Institute who have that cyber-capability. David Cook, author of the Internalized Shame Scale, has agreed to perform the daily caretaking functions of the list with back-up help from David McShane--a personal friend of Tomkins and the Chaplain of the SSTI. But everyone who is on the list will be available to join in on the discussions.

The list will encourage discussion of all possible topics related to affect/script theory, but in a shorter format than here at Behavior OnLine. The list will not supplant the great discussions going on here, but should add to them as well as promote general communication amongst members of the Tomkins Institute.

So all Institute members are encouraged to e-mail me at VKELLY@NETREACH.NET to make sure I have your correct e-mail address. Those interested in joining the Institute, please go to the Tomkins Institute home page here at Behavior OnLine, find the section on membership information, and join up.

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