The Way of Silence and the Talking Cure: On Meditation and Psychotherapy

Description

The Way of Silence and the Talking Cure On Meditation and Psychotherapy Claudio Naranjo, M.D. Part I presents a comprehensive panorama of the classical forms of meditation along with a theoretical and inter-disciplinary account of the domain. Chapters 1 and 2 tackle meditation from a trans-cultural and trans-systemic perspective, while Chapter 3 brings a similar perspective to bear on the issue of the subtle physiology of meditation and the transformation of the body in the course of the individual's spiritual evolution. Part II considers the common ground between meditation and therapy - ranging from a theoretical understanding of the meditation/ therapy interface to the formulation of a solitary retreat methodology. The integrative attitude conveyed throughout the book serves as an antidote to excessively sectarian tendencies and draws attention to the fundamental issues that underlie well known and specific forms of meditation and psychotherapy. It will be of interest to seekers, helpful to people-helpers and an inspiration to those in social situations ranging from self-help groups to educational initiatives. ISBN: 1-57733-140-0 Endorsements "Dr. Claudio Naranjo, a consciousness pioneer, has written the authoritative text for the clinician who seeks to understand, not only experience, the range of meditations available at this time. Having experienced these contemplative states and processes, he applies the tools of introspection and communication to help the helping professional understand this elusive field. The book makes a substantial and inspiring contribution to the theory of both therapy and meditation." Prof. Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, World Wisdom Chair, Naropa Institute. "Claudio is a unique and skilled diamond cutter, one of the best. From shapeless lumps of things spiritual, anthropological, psychological, economic, cultural he brings forth flawless gems of exceptional clarity. When he shapes a diamond of thought it becomes clear, beautiful to behold, a treasure. Let us not be confounded by the wisdom of this world. Claudio is able to pare away the extraneous, the outer garments that hide the truth, and to reveal the essence within. He makes each facet clear and then reveals their unity as an integrated sparkling whole." Rev. John Weaver, D.D., L.M., O.B.E, former Archdeacon of Grace Cathedral and retired Board Member of The U.S. Club of Rome Association "Numerous figures - from C. G. Jung, D. T. Suzuki and Erich Fromm in the first half of the twentieth century, to Alan Watts, Sudhir Kakar and Gananath Obeyesekere in the second - have noted and explored the profound resonances between Western forms of Western psychotherapy and various Asian contemplative, mythological and mystical traditions. But few have actually acted on these deep cross-cultural insights as fully as Claudio Naranjo. Naranjo has spent his entire adult life pursuing, in both theory and practice, what he calls the One Quest, that psycho-spiritual search which takes countless cultural forms but is always, fundamentally, about both the morphing human psyche and the transfigured human body. We are very fortunate to have now, with The Way of Silence and the Talking Cure, a record of Naranjo's mature theorization of both this life and this work." Jeffrey J. Kripal, J. Newton Rayzor Professor and Chair of Religious Studies, Rice University "[Naranjo's] contribution to the scientific understanding of meditation consists primarily in his original approach to the topic - which is as innovative, unique, ingenious and systematic as already germinally proposed in his earlier work on meditation and psychotherapy." Mirko Fryba (Bhikkhu Kusalananda), Forest Hermitage, Kandy, Sri Lanka