PSYCHOLOGY OF THE FUTURE

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Subject:

PSYCHOLOGY OF THE FUTURE

Date:

Fri, 27 Apr 2001 18:46:52

 

 

 

 

 

 

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PSYCHOLOGY OF THE FUTURE

Fri, 27 Apr 2001 12:17:30 -0400

 

PSYCHOLOGY OF THE FUTURE:

LESSONS FROM MODERN CONSCIOUSNESS RESEARCH

By: Stanislav Grof, M.D.

 

In his new book, "Psychology of the Future: Lessons from Modern

Consciousness Research," Stanislav Grof, one of the founders and

chief

theoreticians of transpersonal psychology, describes in a

systematic and

comprehensive way his observations from more than forty years of

research of an important variety of non-ordinary states of

consciousness

that he calls holotropic (literally moving toward wholeness from

the

Greek holos = whole and trepein = to move in the direction of

something). Examples of such states are trances of shamans or

initiates

in aboriginal rituals, states encountered in systematic meditative

practice, spontaneous mystical episodes, psychedelic experiences,

and

self-exploration with powerful forms of experiential

psychotherapy.

 

The goal in traditional psychotherapies is to reach an

intellectual

understanding as to how the psyche functions, why symptoms

develop, and

what they mean. This understanding then becomes the basis for

developing a technique that therapists can use to treat their

patients.

A serious problem with this strategy is the striking lack of

agreement

among psychologists and psychiatrists concerning the most

fundamental

theoretical issues and the resulting astonishing number of

competing

schools of psychotherapy.

 

The work with holotropic states shows us a surprising radical

alternative - mobilization of deep inner intelligence of the

clients

that guides the process of healing and transformation. One of the

most

important consequences of this new understanding of the

therapeutic

process is the realization that many states, which modern

psychiatry

considers pathological and treats with suppressive medication, are

actually 'spiritual emergencies,' psychospiritual crises that have

a

healing and transformative potential.

 

Western materialistic science has no place for any form of

spirituality

and, in fact, considers it incompatible with the scientific world

view.

The study of holotropic states shows that spirituality is a

natural and

legitimate dimension of the human psyche and of the universal

scheme of

things. However, Grof emphasizes that this statement applies to

genuine

spirituality and not to dogmas and practices of organized

religions.

 

The most far-reaching metaphysical insights from Grof's research

are

summarized in what he calls the 'cosmic game.' Using the

experiences

and observations from holotropic states, he explores such issues

as the

nature of the reality, the cosmic creative principle and our

relationship to it, the dynamics of creation, the taboo against

knowing

our true identity, and the problem of good and evil. He shows

that the

answers to these fundamental questions of human existence that

spontaneously emerge in holotropic states are surprisingly similar

not

only to those found in the literature on 'perennial philosophy' as

described by Aldous Huxley, but also to revolutionary findings of

the

new paradigm science.

 

Grof explores the implications of the new findings for the

understanding

of the current global crisis and of the ways in which

consciousness

research and transpersonal psychology can contribute to its

alleviation. He reveals the psychospiritual roots of malignant

aggression and insatiable greed, two forces that have dominated

human

history and that, because of rapid technological progress, have

become a

threat to survival of life on our planet. He suggests that

radical

inner transformation of humanity and rise to a higher level of

consciousness might be our only real hope for the future.

 

 

----

--

 

(To from this newsletter, at the

bottom)

 

STANISLAV GROF, M.D., will be a member of the unprecedented

visiting

faculty coming together at The Prophets Conference - New York

City.

This May 18-20, 2001 weekend at New York's legendary Cathedral of

Saint

John the Divine is being called "a very important event."

Information: http://www.greatmystery.org

 

Stanislav Grof, M.D., is a psychiatrist with nearly forty years of

experience researching non-ordinary states of consciousness. He

was

born in Prague, Czechoslovakia, where he also received his

scientific

training. His professional career includes seven years as

Assistant

professor at the Johns Hopkins University, and Chief of

Psychiatric

Research at the Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, as well as

fourteen years as Scholar-in-Residence at the Esalen Institute.

He is

one of the founders and chief theoreticians of transpersonal

psychology

and a founder of the International Transpersonal association.

Among his

publications are over 100 articles in professional journals and

many

books.

 

Praised by such respected authorities as Joseph Campbell, Ken

Wilber,

and Huston Smith, the astonishing deep-memory work of Stanislav

Grof has

been attracting worldwide attention. His work has taken

psychology into

realms so radically new and far-reaching they challenge our

understanding of the laws of nature and physics.