Man’s Supreme Inheritance

Man’s Supreme Inheritance was Alexander’s first book: it was first published in 1910 and an enlarged edition was published in 1918. Our ‘supreme inheritance’ is our potential to develop conscious use of ourselves in all activities of living. With reference to and examples from his experience of teaching the Technique, Alexander argues for the development and evolution of consciousness, in keeping with the increased pace of civilization. He exposes the dangers of the subconscious approach in suggested remedies like faith-healing, ‘concentration’ and physical exercises. Though some of the contemporary concerns which he addresses may appear dated, the underlying issues are still the same: our health and well-being are being undermined by too much tension, unconscious attitudes, and lack of physical and mental coordination. Alexander’s practical technique unifies mind and body in activity, thereby avoiding the unnecessary fatigue and pain which result from the internal strife between the ‘physical’ and the ‘mental’. He shows how his technique transcends the curative, is not merely a treatment, and how, by establishing prevention as a principle of life, a whole new way of living becomes available to us.