Paths Beyond Ego: The Transpersonal Vision

by Roger Walsh, Frances E. Vaughan (Editor), John E. Mack (Foreword)

This book is a clarion call for an expanded vision of human possibilities. In it, many of the best thinkers of our day ask us to renew the perennial search for self-knowledge and to discover the deeper meaning of our lives.

For this, they offer the transpersonal perspective—which extends beyond consciousness in its myriad forms, including altered states, yoga, dreams, and contemplation. This marriage of psychology and science with the spiritual traditions has borne ripe fruit: the transpersonal vision, which offers a uniquely generous and encompassing view of human nature.

The fifty essays that make up Paths Beyond Ego apply transpersonal thinking to individual growth, psychotherapy, meditation, dreams, psychedelics, science, ethics, philosophy, ecology, and service. The result is an integrated and comprehensive overview of the many dimensions of human experience.

In clear, accessible writing, the contributors suggest that our potential for enhancing human abilities is much greater than previously suspected and that our tools for this grand undertaking are widely available today. The transpersonal vision offers great hope for the future—and links us to the timeless wisdom of the ages.

Genres: Psychology, Spirituality, Nonfiction, Philosophy, Self Help, Science, Essays

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1980

About the author

Dr. Roger N. Walsh, MD, Ph.D., is an Australian professor of Psychiatry, Philosophy and Anthropology at the University of California, Irvine, in the Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, within UCI's College of Medicine. Walsh is respected for his views on psychoactive drugs and altered states of consciousness in relation with the religious/spiritual experience, and has been quoted in the media regarding psychology, spirituality, and the medical effects of meditation.

Reviews

[George · Rating 4 out of 5]

This first edition of the book is a classic text in Transpersonal Psychology and a great introduction to the field. It's a collection of articles on topics ranging from meditation to study of altered states of consciousness to parapsychology to the confluence of Eastern and Western approaches to psychology, science and spirituality, written by many important figures in the fields of transpersonal and humanistic psychology. Although written and published more than 30 years ago, most of the information and ideas in the book are still relevant today. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in learning about the field and its various topics and subjects of study.

[Marietta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Classic. Great compilation of transpersonalists' work.

[Nuey Thepyasuwan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book discusses states of consciousness beyond everyday “normal” consciousness. The human capacity - available to each/all of us - to achieve a “bigger mind” and states of awareness beyond that which seems even remotely possible is quite amazing. We humans are so much more than we realize or understand.

This book is a strong recommend that I’ll reread in the near future.

[Kaneeka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great

[Oriol Espinosa · Rating 3 out of 5]

TFG, Es centra sobretot en com meditar i expandir l'ego. Inclou una mica de Psicodelics però sobretot gira al voltant de la meditació.

[Ollie Schechter · Rating 4 out of 5]

changed my life

[Gregory Tilden · Rating 5 out of 5]

SO glad I read this over winter break. My first anthology of things having to do with transpersonal psychology on the broad scale, and I am hooked. I would love to take up these studies as a professional in the field, if possible.

[Ludmila Kovaříková]

Sbírka textů transpersonální psychologie. Netušila jsem, že některé změněné stavy vědomí se dají takhle porovnávat. (drogy/šamanismus/jóga/buddhismus/schizofrenie)

[Blaine Snow · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great set of essays on the many dimensions of transpersonal thought.

[Eugene Pustoshkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Хорошее введение в изменённые состояния сознания и спектр трансперсональных исследований из начала 1990-х. Многие материалы не устарели и актуальны до сих пор.