The book - The Road Less Traveled

[TW]

In another thread Billy mentioned a book, "The Road Less Traveled." If you have not read this book you haven't missed anything. Here is Publishers Weekly's review of the book:

Publishers Weekly

Psychotherapy is all things to all people in this mega-selling pop-psychology watershed, which features a new introduction by the author in this 25th anniversary edition. His agenda in this tome, which was first published in 1978 but didn't become a bestseller until 1983, is to reconcile the psychoanalytic tradition with the conflicting cultural currents roiling the 70s. In the spirit of Me-Decade individualism and libertinism, he celebrates self-actualization as life's highest purpose and flirts with the notions of open marriage and therapeutic sex between patient and analyst. But because he is attuned to the nascent conservative backlash against the therapeutic worldview, Peck also cites Gospel passages, recruits psychotherapy to the cause of traditional religion (he even convinces a patient to sign up for divinity school) and insists that problems must be overcome through suffering, discipline and hard work (with a therapist.) Often departing from the cerebral and rationalistic bent of Freudian discourse for a mystical, Jungian tone more compatible with New Age spirituality, Peck writes of psychotherapy as an exercise in "love" and "spiritual growth," asserts that "our unconscious is God" and affirms his belief in miracles, reincarnation and telepathy. Peck's synthesis of such clashing elements (he even throws in a little thermodynamics) is held together by a warm and lucid discussion of psychiatric principles and moving accounts of his own patients' struggles and breakthroughs. Harmonizing psychoanalysis and spirituality, Christ and Buddha, Calvinist work ethic and interminable talking cures, this book is a touchstone of our contemporary religio-therapeutic culture. (Feb.) Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

From the Barnes & Nobles web site

Just a little information on this book for you.


TW

[jinjer]

I read it many years ago during some counseling in my early 20s. It was recommended to me by my Christian counselor. I found it very odd and troubling, especially for a young woman trying to find her real way and wanting God's will and help. Thank God for my Godly mother who read it it also, and helped me far more than the counselor. Her prayers saved me.

Jinjer

[Who new]

Maybe People of The Lie would suit you guys better, it's the sequel to The Road Less Travelled. You might find it closer to home.

[TW]

Who new,
Here's a self-help tip for you. Come down closer to sea level, you'll finally get some oxygen to your brain.


TW