Grof has written a super book that describes the many aspects of spiritual development. He aligns his core thoughts along the thoughts of Ken Wilber. This how ever is not Wilberian book and has many original insights, not mere theory. Grof is a gifted psychiatrist with no axe to grind. He, unlike Wilber who believes his theories hold and explain everyone else's theories, is much more open and unthreatened. He brings different viewpoints to his writing, without claiming to be the end all or have the last word. Get this book, you will not be let down.
This book is an edited collection of papers, many given at the 1997 California Institute of Integral Studies conference on Ken Wilber. Wilber has provided the most comprehensive transpersonal and now integral philosophic theory ever presented. The transpersonal and integral movements are very much in his debt. Yet as C.G. Jung said, the brighter the light the darker the shadow and this applies to Wilber. While his theories are grand, his and his criticisms of others bold even insulting, he has world renouned thin skin. That is, he can not tolerate criticism. Natually then this book has not agreed well with him. But as critics say to their frustration, Wilber avoids answering… Read more
Vaughan has written a super book with much to offer. She essentially presented integral psychology with this book in that it integrates body, emotions, mind and spirit. She uses many of the concepts of Ken Wilber's earlier works, but unlike him, she is not merely a theorist. She has been a psychotherapist for many years, and allows the reader to choose for themselves what is true. Refreshingly, she does not have an agenda like so many writers, except for one to discover who they are at a deep level in their own way. This book is probably the best applied book in transpersonal and integral psychology available. If you have to own only one book, this is that book.
