A Review of Daniel’s Book: “Constructive Awareness: Alexander Technique and the Spiritual Quest””

A REVIEW BY LAWRENCE BRUCE

“Constructive Awareness: Alexander Technique and the Spiritual Quest”
by Daniel McGowan (You can download the book for free here.)

In this fine small book Daniel McGowan melds the work of F.M Alexander and the writings and teachings of Paul Brunton.

English born Brunton (1898 -1981) synthesised Eastern and Western philosophical systems into ten books that reach a wide audience.  He was interested only in an active, affirming way of living, not just in enshrining old wisdom.  A  sixteen—volume Notebooks series was published posthumously.

In terms of output, Brunton left Alexander far behind.  But Alexander never claimed any literary kudos—he just wanted to carefully document his discovery.  Given Brunton’s vast catalogue, we can only wonder at that mighty subterranean spring he tapped into.  His ‘Summing up’ in 7000 pages of notes offers more than a lifetime’s work to aficianados.

McGowan supplies small quotes from Brunton at the start and end of chapters and there is no attempt to evangelise—although his admiration for the sage is palpable.  To his credit he has distilled Brunton’s thought in such a way that distinction between him and the other influence—F.M- can hardly be discerned.

In fact, some of Brunton’s writing sounds uncannily Alexandrian.

There is no running away from the unity of the human person.  Our society oscillates between appalling neglect of the body to gross overindulgence.  To the beautiful, the body becomes a kind of marionette marching to fashion’s beat.  The so-called spiritual, on the other hand, cruelly apply austerities to subdue the senses.  Both crave attention.

So, at last we have a book that in clear unsentimental language speaks to us about respectful care of the self.  McGowan’s own experience reminds him—and us—of the basic Alexander directions and the integrity of the head-neck-back function.  McGowan dubs this the “primary unifying reflex mechanism”.  This is a constant refrain throughout the book, as is the inescapable need of a teacher’s guidance.  Nowhere is there any notion of ‘do-it yourself’.

This is a paean to equanimity.  Ah, that lovely word equanimity.  Might it not, on its own, sum up the Technique?

Constructive  Awareness also  coaxes  us  into an  inconspicuous approach to our work.  McGowan is wary of turning Alexander into another ‘ism’.  His devotion to Brunton’s ideas revealed to him a hidden depth in Alexander’s work.  He conveys this brilliantly.

Here is the book to give to intelligent pupils—and if you’re a trainee, or running a school, this is the text for family and colleagues who wonder what you do all day.

Therapy promises results—the Alexander Technique poses questions.  But it does offer us a new reckoning with ourselves.  There are no pat resolutions to life’s riddle, no second acts.  Human experience is too vast, too complex.  McGowan has obviously gained strength from the Alexander / Brunton alliance.  And by sharing it so lucidly, he has paid them a superior homage.

BY LAWRENCE BRUCE