The Holotropic Mind: The Three Levels of Human Consciousness and How They Shape Our Lives

In 'The Holotropic Mind' Stanislav Grof exposes his vision of a holographic universe, and he summons convincing amounts of data and evidence for his view. Grof’s contribution is important especially right now as the holographic view of the universe is one of several ‘theories of everything’ or integrative visions that actually link back to ancient holistic science traditions.Grof further references current research, thus blending ancient and new cutting-edge science into something like a total synthesis. With good reason and convincing arguments, he refers to David Bohm’s theory of a constantly unfolding universe as one of the first holistic science concepts in modern times.One of the most daring thinking habits to overcome, that are connected with mechanistic science, is the illusion of separateness. Grof writes:—The holographic model offers revolutionary possibilities for a new understanding of the relationship between the parts and the whole. No longer confined to the limited logic of traditional thought, the part ceases to be just a fragment of the whole but, under certain circumstances, reflects and contains the whole. As individual human beings we are not isolated and insignificant Newtonian entities; rather, as integral fields of the holomovement each of us is also a microcosm that reflects and contains the macrocosm./10But apart from systems theory, in which he knows to excel, Grof is really the specialist for LSD-based psychiatry, and his two decades of experience together with sound judgment of his many observations have led to something like an integrated concept of LSD-based psychiatry.While all this research had been stopped because of the fact that LSD, together with number of natural plant psychedelics, has been forbidden by our administrative oversoul, the insights and miracles remain an ecstatic outlook in a possible future of psychiatry.Contrary to Freudian psychoanalysis, Grof, following a tradition created by Otto Rank, includes perinatal experiences in his psychoanalytic exploration.

Thanks! Old like new!

This book was one of my first introductions into taking concepts from physics and proposing mind expanding concepts of how the universe works and as the title indicates, how these ideas can change human consciousness. I loved the book.

What does holotropic mean? The dictionary does not define the term, and neither does the author, although he has developed an entire psychiatric treatment and trademarked it as the "Holotropic Breathwork." If we compare it to the meaning of "allotropic" we can deduce that it should mean "of one form." But with one form with what? After reading the book I am guessing that it refers to the universe. Our mind is one with it. Purely a guess; the author does not tell us.Stanislav Grof was born in in 1931 in Czechoslovakia, where he received an MD in 1956, and PhD in 1967. It appears that he spent his time between the two degrees doing research in LSD-induced psychic states, often using himself as the subject. But when he came to the US in 1967, LSD use became prohibited, and so he eventually continued his work in "Transpersonal Psychology" (defined as a study of non-ordinary states of consciousness) with techniques that involved controlled breathing in a controlled setting. If nothing else, the reader of this book can get an idea of what a psychedelic trip feels like.The book consists of two parts, framed between what could be called an introductory and a concluding chapter. In the introduction he mentions how some avant-garde physicists have introduced theories that connect together everything in the universe into one mathematical or even conscious entity: Talbot's holographic universe, Bohm's implicate order, Sheldrake's morphic resonance, and finally Jung's (an avant-garde psychiatrist in his day) collective unconscious. He then takes off into his favorite subject, LSD-induced regression into early childhood states and the birth process.The next four chapters are allocated to studies of regression into the womb and birth experience, which he considers as the most important factors that are unconsciously affecting our adult feelings and actions. Even if you strongly disagree with what he is saying, try not to throw the book in garbage at this point. The following five chapters deal with wider transpersonal expansions of one's consciousness. Although he starts by discussing how under regression he was able to remember his existence as the spermatozoon that caused his own conception, and how others regressed to previous lives, or even plants and inanimate objects, most of the information here comes from published work by others. A lot of it is interesting, and a sufficient reason to have kept reading the book to this point. There is a good discussion of Carl Jung and his myth and archetype ideas, a brief discussion of synchronicity, and an excellent listing of many inventions and ideas that originated in people's minds as complete, inspired insights.In the concluding chapter, he ignores the contents of the preceding five chapters, returns to his favorite subject of birth trauma, and generalizes it as the cause of all problems that have plagued mankind through its existence.Obviously, this book is directed to the open-minded reader. Personally I disagree with the author's conclusions. I think all the data he presented could have been explained better if he followed through with Jung's and others' ideas of a universal subconscious rather than his own birth trauma theories.The writer is the author of "Christianity without Fairy Tales: When Science and Religion Merge."

There is really nothing unique here that hasn't been explained by numerous other books. But this book does a good job of condensing and synthesizing multiple ideas and explanations of the power that human consciousness can reach.

this book has it all. I've been meditating for over thirty years. this book specks to me from many veils of consciousness. from a science prespective. I recommend this book to all who ask.

A truely inspired journey through an emerging paradigm in consciousness research. This book is an absolute must read for anyone who has seen the futility of modern material science's need to relegate the mind to the status of a physical anomaly.

Weird reading

I like this man

Good balance in this book between information with depth and readability. Some ideas are a bit of a stretch and some things put as naturally following others facts, observations, are highly arguable. That of course could be said to be the nature of the subject the book covers.Whether you agree or disagree, likely a mixture of both, with the author's assertions and speculations, you will likely be the better for considering them and also find it enjoyable.

I absolutely love this book. Cannot say enough good things about it. They manage to capture the complexity of the subject matter and explain it clearly, without too many diversions.Based on Jungian Psychology, it takes Jung's theories to new depths.I first bought this book 15 years ago, this is my third copy, the other two were never returned....

Having experienced the altered consciousness accessed by taking part in a 'Holotropic breath session' this book was brilliant.

This book was recommended to me but as I have read a lot of similar books it did not really say anything not in other books. Read it if you are relatively new to esoteric or spiritual things otherwise not recommended if already knowledgeable.