Customer Reviews

Ancient Wisdom and Modern Science (SUNY Series in Transpersonal and Humanistic Psychology)

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This beautiful book, orig. published in 1984, chronicles the meeting in India of ITA (The International Transpersonal Association) under the presidency of renowned master-psychologist Stanislav Grof. An event vivdly described by Fritjof Capra in his book "Uncommon wisdom". Capra of course one of the participants in this encounter between cutting-edge scientists and Indian mystcics like Swami Muktananda. (In "When The impossible Happens" Grof describes his rather powerful experience on this occasion with the controversial founder of Siddhi Yoga). There is also, rather surprisingly, a guest appearance by Mother Teresa.

In a way it's a bit sad and nostalgic to read these articles with their feeling of "We want the world and we want it now" and their thorough arguments for the necessesity of changing our values towards wholeness and spirituality. All the sweet dreams of an imminent paradigm shift and the hopes for a better world.

But as the predictions of financial and enviromental collapse seem all too precise, perhaps their positive visions will also be fulfilled.

An interesting historic document and quite a few of the articles still are highly relevant and engaging.