Customer Reviews

The Spectrum of Consciousness (Quest Books)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Ken Wilber offers a unique way of looking at reality. Whether or not one agrees with his ideas, the book represents a truly different view of existence which differs dramatically from that of most people. The author shows how the electromagnetic spectrum existed all along, but that we humans only recently understood the nature of this energy. He posits a similar spectrum - albeit for consciousness - that we only now are beginning to comprehend.

Well worth reading - it will challenge your view of the world, especially if you have been raised in a dualistic world.

... and for Wilber, this is it. The Spectrum of Consciousness was Wilber's first attempt at outlining an integral model of the human psychological experience, combining Freudian ego-psychology, existentialism, and spiritual transcendence in one neat, elegant package. Although the original conception shown here has not survived the test of time (or Wilber's ever critical mind), it still stands as a masterful beginning to a corpus of work that will make Wilber as famous and influential as Nietzsche and Freud a century from now. For an intellectual treat, read this book in conjunction with Wilber's "No Boundary", and then compare with "Sex, Ecology, Spirituality" and "Integral Psychology" for a fascinating look at the continuing evolution of integral thought. Enjoy!

Though Ken Wilber's work has progressed significantly since this book was first written (1973), I believe it still remains a highly significant study and model and anyone interested in transpersonal psychology, or the relation between the human mind, soul and spirit would do well to read this book and absorb it's contents.

There are several reasons for this and the first is that it is very clearly and lucidly written from a psychological/spiritual worldview that remains quite widespread and even dominant in the culture of serious spiritual aspirants (as well as sensitive psychologists, ecologists and people from all walks of life). From that standpoint alone, if I had read this book 20 years ago, nearly all of 20 years of confusion over the seemingly conflicting subjects the book deals with would not have occurred. (The confusion being the bridge between modern psychology and traditional spirituality, or if there even was one to be found.) For that reason alone, this book remains highly significant.

The second reason is that, as explained in the new (brief) introduction, the model this book presents is from the spiritual standpoint of involution - as opposed to evolution, the direction Wilber's later work would primarily take. Though, yes, indeed, after actually looking deeply into the evidence in later years Wilber (an innovator now for the second time) discovered that there was quite a bit missing (and/or somewhat flawed) to this overall worldview and model, involution still remains an ever present reality and a central tenet of the perennial philosophy of the world's great religions and mystics. (It may also disclose itself to you as such at the right level of spiritual experience either in mediation or a sudden "peak experience.") Once again, for that reason alone, this book is still quite well worth the reading.

The third reason this book remains highly significant is that it clearly demonstrates the reality (and relative location) of the buried, psychological, unconscious "shadow." That to me may be THE most important reason to read this book for 1.) Though it comes up often in Wilber's later works, it is not demonstrated and highlighted so clearly and simply (and so could easily be missed) and 2.) The "shadow" is something the Perennial Philosophy of the world's great religions NEVER knew about. No mystical literature or scripture from any of the world's religions (both great and small) even realized human beings could and did hide significant aspects of their being and project them outward so as not to be seen. (This is a uniquely modern Western contribution.) And no amount of meditation, contemplation, higher level realization or prayer of any kind is ever going to adequately uncover or release this hidden and very powerful "shadow." (Quite to the contrary, advanced spiritual adaptation or mastery may actually only STRENGTHEN the shadow. The result, even with advanced spiritual masters and teachers, is that hidden neurosis or pathology can now be transferred to others in very deep and powerful ways, . . .needless to say, to nobody's benefit.) Once again, for that reason alone this book and the model it presents are well worth the read and any effort for conscientious absorption (especially when he demonstrates this serious issue, which also kind of explains why he eventually ventured off on his own, to rationally discover these truth's for himself).

The last two reasons are these: One, it is both a delight and an inspiration to witness that a human mind at the age of only 23 could accomplish with such great ease what many had been trying to accomplish for well over a century (if not much longer) and to no avail. And finally, for those who may be familiar with Wilber's more recent works -and understand why these early books are termed "romantic"- the occasional romanticisms interspersed throughout ("We've progressed too far!" My favorite, "We choke our bodies with restrictive clothing . . .") may actually now come with somewhat of a sentimental chuckle. Because, we all thought that way in one way or another and many still often do.

I was quite fortunate to discover this encyclopedic treatise by Ken Wilber. Wilber, the father of transcendental psychology, with brilliant clarity, depth, and synthesis explores the nature of consciousness through the seeing of the worlds greatest sages. This tour de force of the mapping of transcendental awareness is both brilliantly conceived and delivered by one of the foremost thinkers of our time. Anyone on the path of enlightenment can not afford to miss studying and assimilating the nondual seeing of Ken Wilber.

This is almost several books in one and it draws the connections between many disciplines/paths both Eastern and Western. It is packed with all kinds of useful information about Mind and Consciousness with lots of footnotes leading you to a variety of excellent sources.

Wilber wrote this book as a young man, but dont think you get less - on the contrary! I read quite a few of Wilber's books but I enjoyed this one as much as any. His "vision" seems already matured and some of his explication are true highlights.

Challenges the reader to accept a reality where most understadings of conciousness are subsets of a larger. Uses many separate analogies to define a mold for a larger concept. Excellent in method, content, and spirit. A must read..

Ken is considered one of the greats when it comes to the philosophical study on consciousness. This book is an objective comparative study of world religions and philosophies. Wilbers cuts through the mysticism to find the underlying mechanisms of the various disciplines.

This book is very interesting. I chose to buy this because it was recommended to me by a friend. I have just begun reading it so I wouldn't know what to say about the whole book. However, I would definitely recommend this book to the "open-minded" people.

This book may bring many skeptical thoughts to mind but if you are open minded you won't let it get to you. I wouldn't recommend this to people with a low level vocabulary. My vocabulary is pretty respectable but I to found myself going to Dictionary.com to search up some difficult words. Then again, this book was copyrighted in 1977.

The problem with Wilber is that he can't be evaluated just like any other writer. Most philosophical/psychological theorists are evaluated in terms of their work, and this gains them respect. While I'm no lover of formality, formality is better than hip-ness in the world of serious writers, which Wilber pretends to be 1/2 the time, while pretending to be a popular good ol' American guy the other 1/2 of the time. The reason why I'm really attack him here (although I have a lot of not uncritical respect for some of his work) is that he's even admitted that he no longer agrees with the work in this book, that it contradicts the work of his last 15+ years, and that it is completely outdated and only really of interest now as a period piece. So, quite obviously for the money (despite his "Wilber the great humble guru" image), he republishes it as a 20 year anniversary edition. This would be okay if he would make its position clear on the book's cover and in the preface, rather than including a preface talking about how the spirit of the book is the same after all these years and it's still really worth buying (otherwise, he'd lose sales, wouldn't he? oh no can't have that), despite the fact that he's admitted it's not.

Of course, no-one admits the great God-like spiritual Guru person Ken would ever muddy the academic waters simply for the money. Wilber's follows all follow Wilber the person and Wilber the guru, not Wilber the thinker to be criticised and assmiliated like every other thinker.