The way of the psychonaut: encyclopedia for inner journeys Volume one

Description

The Way of the Psychonaut is one of the most important books ever written about the human psyche and the spiritual quest. The new understandings were made possible thanks to Albert Hofmann’s discovery of LSD—the “microscope and telescope of the human psyche”—and other psychedelic substances. This comprehensive work is a tour de force through the worlds of psychology, psychotherapy, Holotropic Breathwork, maps of the psyche, birth, sex, and death, transpersonal experiences, psychospiritual death and rebirth, reincarnation, karma, mystical states, archetypes, spiritual emergency, art, artists, and higher creativity. Although written in his late eighties, Psychonaut is possibly Grof’s greatest contribution. The commanding breadth and depth of knowledge is astounding, the tone of his writing easy and accessible, and the narratives brightened with intriguing personal accounts, amusing anecdotes, and brilliant case studies. Grof reviews the history of depth psychotherapy, the important revisions that are needed to make it more effective, and why the inner quest is such an essential activity. Arguably one of the fathers of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, its most experienced practitioner, and deeply deserving of a Nobel Prize in medicine, he has successfully unveiled a new and sweeping paradigm in self-exploration and healing. The vast and useful knowledge in this book is sure to be an invaluable and treasured resource for all serious seekers.;Foreword by Richard Tarnas, Ph.D.-- Preface -- Acknowledgments -- I. The history of psychonautics: ancient, aboriginal, and modern technologies of the sacred -- II. The revision and re-enchantment of psychology: legacu from a half century of consciousness research -- III. Maps of the psyche in depth psychology: toward an integration of approaches -- IV. Architecture of emotional and psychosomatic disorders -- V. Spiritual emergency: Understanding and treatment of crises of transformation -- VI. Holotropic breathwork: A new approach to psychotherapy and self-exploration.