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As A Matter Of Heart

A NUCLEAR ENGINEERING PROFESSOR’S LIFE-CHANGING JOURNEY FROM SAFETY TO SELF — A Memoir

Buy It On Amazon
Other Purchase Options

ALSO, Available through your
LOCAL BOOK STORE

As A Matter Of Heart

A NUCLEAR ENGINEERING PROFESSOR’S LIFE-CHANGING JOURNEY FROM SAFETY TO SELF
Buy It On Amazon
Other Purchase Options

ALSO, AVAILABLE AT YOUR
LOCAL BOOK STORE

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AS A MATTER OF HEART

About The Book

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To cope with the pain and heartbreak following his mother’s death and his critical father’s incessant pressure to excel academically, young Bill Kastenberg created a persona to stand between his authentic self and the outside world. This persona had a single purpose: to protect him emotionally by ensuring his success in the world.

As a Matter of Heart tells the story of Bill’s quest to discover the person hiding behind the persona and set him free. Along the way, he encountered Indian gurus,consciousness raising paradigms, open marriage, life in a cult, and a shaman and tribal chief in Amazonia. Toward the end of the journey Bill faced a series of challenges requiring everything he could summon in heart, mind, and spirit to meet them head on and to lovingly connect with himself, his wife, and his family.

This memoir reveals—with vulnerability, compassion, wisdom, and humor—the psychological and spiritual terrain Bill navigated and the price he paid for the rewards he reaped.

Early Praise

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“Bill Kastenberg is a truth teller. And as he describes the journey that he and his wife Gloria took on their path to self-understanding and self-acceptance, he is utterly, almost surgically transparent. Fortunately for the reader, he’s also a wonderful teacher, so his story is compelling, entertaining, and eminently useful for each of us as we look into our own lives”
Michael TuckerActor, author and playwright. Best known for his portrayal of Stuart Markowitz in the NBC series L.A. Law, he has acted over the last fifty years in theater, TV and films. He is the author of three memoirs, a novel and five plays.
“As a Matter of Heart is a beautifully written journey about one man’s quest for authenticity and love. While Bill’s story is uniquely his own, his vulnerable sharing of his process is a call to authentic living for all of us. As we each face the ways we protect ourselves and begin to feel the depth of our longing to not feel separate, Bill’s book reminds us that it is never too late to find our way — and that nobody is ever left out of love”
Sarah MarshankAuthor of Being Self-ish and founder of Selfistry.
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About The Author

William E. Kastenberg
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William Kastenberg is a Distinguished Professor of Engineering, Emeritus at the University of California at Berkeley. He is the author of many scientific and technical articles and has been a presenter at numerous national and international conferences. Following retirement, Bill trained as a facilitator focusing on healing the wounds of the heart through conscious relationships. Ever the teacher, he shared the experience he had gained while studying with spiritual, communication and sexuality teachers, shamans, as well as with intentional communities and cults. Bill has led men’s groups in exploring masculinity, sensuality, and sexuality, as well as facilitating individuals, couples, and groups in a psycho-spiritual process. He now resides in Oregon with his wife Gloria and their Maltese, Bogie.

Couples Mentoring, Speaking and Book Clubs

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Bill and Gloria are available for couples mentoring and counseling, especially couples in long-term relationships or marriages where one partner or both are nearing retirement or are retired. They work virtually, and depending on location, in person. Bill is also available to speak to a group or organization on topics emanating from his memoir. These include healing childhood trauma, toxic vs healthy masculinity, narcissistic coercive control, balancing personal and professional life, becoming authentic in relationship, self-acceptance and reclaiming self-authority. Additionally, Bill would love to visit your book club either via video conferencing or depending on location, in person. To schedule a virtual call with Bill and/or Gloria, please use the form below.

Contact The Author

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Copyright © 2023 As a Matter of Heart