Psychology of the Future by Stanislav Grof

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AppId is over the quota

The author is one the foremost writers in the field of transpersonal psychology. This book covers ideas regarding non-ordinary states of consciousness. His discussion draws on for example such fascinating human states of consciousness as past-life experiences, peak experiences, communication with spirit guides and channelling, near-death experiences, crises of shamans like witch-doctors, states of possession, and awakening of Kundalini. He also reports findings from his original research into 'psychedelic therapy' and 'holotropic breathwork'. 

Holotropic consciousness

He writes that in holotropic states, consciousness is changed qualitatively in a very profound and fundamental way although people typically remain fully orientated in terms of space and time, not completely losing touch with everyday reality. At the same time it is said that our field of consciousness is invaded from contents from other dimensions of existence in a way that can be very intense and even overwhelming. We thus experience simultaneously two very different realities, having each foot in a different world.

He goes on to say that holotropic states are characterised by dramatic perceptual changes in all sensory areas. When we close our eyes we may see images drawn from personal history or visions portraying plants or animals, scenes from nature, or of the universe. We may be experiencing realms of archetypal beings and mythological regions. And even when we open our eyes, our perception of our surroundings can be transformed by vivid projections of this unconscious material. Various sounds, physical sensations, smells and tastes may also be involved.

He also describes emotions characteristic of these states. Feelings can be very intense. They may range from ecstatic rapture, content and peacefulness, to terror, murderous anger, utter despair, or consuming guilt. Such states of mind seem to match either the celestial paradises or hellish realms described in sacred scriptures of the world's religions.

He reports that, in these non-ordinary states of consciousness, we may not be able to rely on our judgment of everyday practical matters but we can be flooded by remarkable valid information on a variety of subjects as well as deep insights concerning our personal history, unconscious dynamics, and life problems. He writes that we can also "experience extraordinary revelations concerning various aspects of nature and of the cosmos that by a wide margin transcends our educational and intellectual background."

Finally he comments that the most interesting insights that become available revolve around philosophical, metaphysical and spiritual issues. And so he thinks holotropic states of consciousness facilitate deep personality changes and spiritual opening. 

Spiritual nature of existence

Grof argues that experiences of this kind are the main source of mythologies, philosophies and religious systems describing the spiritual nature of existence.

He maintains that the dogmas and activities of mainstream religions tend to obscure the fact that the only place where true spirituality can be found is inside the psyche of each of us. Most people would probably agree with his assertion that at its worst organised religion can actually function as a grave impediment for any serious spiritual search, rather than an institution that can help us connect with the divine. For, by denigrating its members, it makes it difficult to believe that the divine is within them.

Altered states of consciousness are not unequivocal proof of survival of consciousness after death. However, Grof points out that according to Western neuroscience, consciousness is a product of the physiological processes in the brain, and thus critically dependent on the body. Very few people, including most scientists, realise that we have no proof that consciousness is actually produced by the brain and that we do not even have a remote notion of how something like consciousness could possibly happen in terms of physical matter.

Whilst remaining an agnostic about what happens after death, Grof is absolutely clear that none of the interpretations based on careful study of altered states of consciousness are compatible with the monistic materialistic worldview of Western science. At the same time he acknowledges that a belief in survival and karma will have a profound impact on our behaviour.

This book is published in the Suny Series in Transpersonal and Humanistic Psychology, State University of New York Press. 2000. Grof has an encyclopaedic knowledge of the transpersonal world and it shows. However the reader should be warned about a tendency towards repetition. Many scientists will probably feel he has over-stated his case. Nevertheless I warmly recommend this book and give it a five-star rating.

Copyright 2010 Stephen Russell-Lacy

Stephen Russell-Lacy edits Spiritual Questions a free eZine that explores links between spiritual philosophy and the comments and questions of spiritual seekers.

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Book Review: Neurolinguistic Psychotherapy, By Lisa Wake

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Copyright: 2008

Publisher: Routledge, London and New York; this is a book in their Advancing Theory in Therapy series, series editor Keith Tudor.

Neurolinguistic Psychotherapy by Lisa Wake is a well researched, extensively referenced, and scholarly examination of neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) and the advancing model of neurolinguistic psychotherapy. I enthusiastically recommend this book to clinicians, researchers, NLP practitioners, and anyone interested in advancing the science and theory of NLP. Little has been written in recent years about the application of NLP in psychotherapy. This book goes a long way toward filling that gap in the NLP literature and does so in a clear and compelling way.

Lisa Wake addresses numerous points that are crucial to establishing neuro-linguistic programming as an accepted psychotherapeutic methodology. Few books in recent years have linked NLP to the theoretical roots from which it arose and considered the implications of these connections to utilizing NLP processes in clinical work. This book is unique in examining the utility of NLP in the broader context of what needs to occur for people to realize behavioral and emotional change in psychotherapy. Her perspective illuminates and highlights how neurolinguistic principles can inform the understanding of the complexity of human subjective experience.

Wake critiques those who have made overly grand claims about NLP, as this has worked against establishing NLP as a scientifically validated methodology. Further, Wake raises concerns about the claims that oversimplify the multiple factors that contribute to behavior change. While NLP is a brief and effective model of therapy, she expresses concern about those who use techniques without consideration of contextual issues, such as the clinical nature of the problems addressed and the characteristics of the therapeutic relationship.

The book discusses the emergence of neurolinguistic psychotherapy as a therapeutic modality. Much more has been done in Europe, as compared to the United States, to establish standards for certifying neurolinguistic skills as a part of the psychotherapeutic repertoire. Wake notes, in discussing the development of standards, that they "could be developed to ensure that they are more flexible and had a greater emphasis on generic psychotherapy rather than proceduralised models generated from the methodology of NLP." This is what European organizations have done, including the European Association for Neurolinguistic Psychotherapy (EANLPt) and the Neurolinguistic Psychotherapy and Counseling Association (NLPtCA).

In my estimation one of the primary accomplishments of the book is emphasizing the importance of a broader scope, beyond isolated NLP methods, to appreciate and realize the potential of NLP as a psychotherapeutic treatment modality. NLP was originally formulated in the 1970's by Richard Bandler and John Grinder by analyzing and modeling the work of Virginia Satir, family systems therapist; Fritz Perls, Gestalt therapy; and Milton Erickson, psychotherapist and hypnotherapist. Wake suggests that much of their valuable work has not always been sufficiently incorporated with NLP and is underrepresented in some presentations of NLP and neurolinguistic psychotherapy. She also cites the work of many others that have contributed to the rubric of neurolinguistic psychotherapy and NLP by examining and elaborating additional points gleaned from Erickson, Satir, and others. Additionally Wake discusses neurolinguistic psychotherapy in the context of some of the newer findings in neuroscience regarding the way in which psychotherapy rewires pathways in the brain, contributing to emotional and behavioral change.

Neurolinguistic Psychotherapy provides historical, theoretical, and methodological information to help the reader understand the place of neurolinguistic psychotherapy in the area of psychotherapy in general. Wake discusses the influences that have informed the principles, skill-set, and presuppositions of NLP. Further, Wake reviews some of the fundamental presuppositions of NLP and puts these in the context of neurolinguistic psychotherapy. She addresses how neurolinguistic psychotherapists have taken the fundamental principles of NLP and adapted them to work effectively in therapeutic context. Wake places neurolinguistic psychotherapy in the context of other forms of psychotherapy. She discusses the influences of, and the interrelationships between, various schools of thought as they relate to NLP; including humanistic and existential psychotherapy, hypnotherapy, Gestalt psychotherapy, systemic and family therapy, psychodynamic therapies, and cognitive behavioral therapy. The many areas she considers establish the theoretical basis for NLP practice and brings this up to date with consideration of emerging findings in neuroscience.

Over the course of several chapters Wake discusses neurolinguistic psychotherapy's perspective on personality, language and cognition, and patterns of programming in a highly integrative manner. She discusses numerous areas where neurolinguistic intervention appears particularly effective, for instance through the use of the language patterns offered by NLP. She considers findings in the neuroscience regarding emotional dysfunction and cognition. She frequently cites Shore (2003) who discusses the neurological impact of psychotherapy and information on the developing brain and how these processes can be impacted through psychotherapy and with NLP techniques. She notes that there is evidence that neurological re-patterning occurs through the process of psychotherapy. She notes that "there exists an enormous potential for linking research and theories in neuroscience to the existing theories in psychotherapy" including NLP. She also comments that "neurolinguistic psychotherapy provides a methodology that facilitates new neurological patterning by changing the different aspects of internal process, internal states or external behavior."

Wake also makes a critical distinction between NLP as an "applied psychology" and NLP's use as part of a therapist skill-set in the broader context of psychotherapy. The integration of NLP technology with therapist skills such as theoretical grounding, psychological knowledge, rapport skills, understanding of process, and self-awareness essentially constitute neurolinguistic psychotherapy. She notes that it is important to appreciate that the therapist plays an active role in the development of the brain in the clients treated, particularly where affective states are present. She posits that if neurolinguistic psychotherapists stay within a programmatic model of working (essentially an applied psychology manner of working) they are not honoring elements of therapeutic process that were valued by Erickson, Satir, and Perls; on whose work NLP was built. Wake encourages neurolinguistic therapists to place the programmatic modeled aspects of NLP in context of the broader therapeutic relationship, as doing so is often needed to create lasting cognitive, emotional and behavioral change through psychotherapeutic processes.

Wake discusses the status of research validation of NLP and neurolinguistic psychotherapy. She reports that there are a limited number of studies available at this point demonstrating the efficacy of NLP in the context of psychotherapy. She discusses a few studies that have. Wake notes that compared to other modalities of psychotherapy, neurolinguistic psychotherapy is "incredibly young" having only recently, since the early 1990's, begun to define and develop standards for the use of NLP technology specifically in the context of psychotherapy. Because of its brief history as a modality of psychotherapy, it has difficulty in demonstrating its effectiveness in sufficiently large numbers to be considered as a therapy of choice. She cites efforts that are being made to rectify this situation, including the NLP Research and Recognition Project. Wake makes several recommendations regarding productive directions for research.

In summary, Wake's descriptions lead the reader to a greater appreciation of the richness of the neurolinguistic approach and of what it has to offer as a psychotherapeutic tool. Neurolinguistic Psychotherapy is an extremely important and useful book. It will be an excellent text for graduate level NLP and/or neurolinguistic psychotherapy course work. This book captures the essence of what is needed to move neurolinguistic techniques into the realm of respected science rather than just applied psychology. A position she articulates effectively is that viewing NLP primarily as an applied psychology has lessened its credibility and perceived utility as psychotherapeutic intervention. This is changing as NLP is more systematically being integrated into clinical practice, but further progress is needed. She correctly argues that NLP needs to be placed in the context of a broader view of human functioning and the functioning of the brain in order to achieve its deserved place as a respected therapeutic modality.

Rich Liotta, Ph.D., is a Psychologist, Author, Trainer, Consultant, and Photographer. As an Author and Fine Art Nature Photographer he strives to encourage appreciation and stimulate potentials toward growth and change. As a Trainer and Consultant he is passionate about providing tools to help people enrich and transform their lives. He offers workshops and seminars, including sponsored events, on a variety of topics. He is a Certified Trainer of Neuro-Semantics, Neuro-Linguistic Programming, and Ericksonian Hypnosis. He owns Enrichment Associates Consultation & Training (http://enrichmentact.com/) with his spouse Rosemary. His more community oriented blog is http://changepathsblog.com/. He is a believer in human potential, abundance, and beauty in the world!

You Don't Know Crazy

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IP is over the quota

Mental Illness - It Is My Turn Please, anyone who has been affected by someone they love that was or has recently been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder should read this book. It is from the inside view of the person with the diagnosis versus the person trying to deal with someone else having the behavioral health disease. There is nothing fun about it and if it is not caught early will be mislabeled as a troubled child, person or problem person.

Wambui Bahati basically goes through her life and lays it out on her sleeve for us as she starts from the beginning in her childhood and what she went through growing up. She went through multiple moves in her lifetime and dealt with racial issues during the timeframe when it was high on everyone's mind.

She was educated at New York University studying acting and even then was taking advantage of sexually. What people don't understand is people diagnosed with Bipolar are easy targets for drug, alcohol, sexual and physical abuse. Normally, they also fall in and out of depression easily and they have a hard time trying to find out who they are or constantly blame themselves and are unsure why they cannot make anyone happy.

It takes a strong person to live with someone diagnosed with Bipolar and vice versus. There will be many hospitalizations until medications and therapy find the right mix and the patient continues to take them or find something that works to allow then to get off the rocky road they are traveling. People with bipolar have ups and downs and some refer to them as peaks and valleys. When they hit a low or a valley it is hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel. It takes work, patience and lots of love.

As you read on you will see after her second marriage, she is finally able to have a family and is able to find some hope and comfort. After being misdiagnosed for so long at the age of 40 she is finally given the correct diagnosis and she was able to work with the natural remedies versus the harsher medications and moved forward. This in itself is a big challenge. "You Don't Know Crazy" is about a woman who is fighting the battle in her mind. In this case she is taking back control. She is one of the lucky ones; she had the support of the professionals, her family and her friends. To get an inside view of mental illness read this book it does not get any plainer than this.