But we have neglected three basic emotions that relate to the soul. It is of these emotions that Dr. Kast writes. She offers an anatomy of joy that deals with intrapsychic and interpersonal joy and its sources. She shows us how to use this technique to reexperience our repressed joys from childhood and to bring these emotions into consciousness. The next part of the book concerns inspiration, the opposite of expiration or death.
Inspiration is synonymous with life, and that is the basic issue.
It implies that we have purpose, that we are moving toward something, and that we have direction and meaning in our lives or we are pursuing the quest. This part also deals with ecstasy and creativity and how they relate to inspiration. Dr. Kast not only spotlights this unsung and uncared for emotion, but she suggests ways to encourage its development and bring it into consciousness. She prescribes a rekindling of the flame of personal hope and embeds it finally in the context of absolute hope , something akin to faith. Dr. Kast's writing is inspirational, hopeful, creative, and transformative.