"Feelings of oneness with other people, nature, and the universe. Encounters with extraterrestrials, deities, and demons. Out-of-body experiences and past-life memories. Science casts a skeptical eye. But Dr. Stanislav Grof—the psychiatric researcher who cofounded transpersonal psychology—believes otherwise.
When the Impossible Happens presents Dr. Grof 's mesmerizing firsthand account of over 50 years of inquiry into waters uncharted by classical psychology, one that will leave readers questioning the very fabric of our existence.
From his first LSD session that gave him a glimpse of cosmic consciousness to his latest work with Holotropic Breathwork, When the Impossible Happens will amaze readers with vivid explorations of topics such as:
- Temptations of a Non-Local Universe—experiments in astral projection
- Praying Mantis in Manhattan and other tales of synchronicity
- Trailing Clouds of Glory—remembering birth and prenatal life
- Dying and Beyond—survival of consciousness after death
When the Impossible Happens is an incredible opportunity to journey beyond ordinary consciousness, guaranteed to shake the foundations of what we assume to be reality, and sure to offer a new vision of our human potential."
"In this, his culminating work, the leading international figure in consciousness research masterfully synthesizes his vast findings, drawing not only upon psychedelic therapy and Holotropic Breathwork, but also from literature, cross-cultural studies, ancient mystical sources, and psychological data, resulting in a profound consolidation and articulation of what is now known about unordinary states of consciousness.
The Cosmic Game discusses the broadest philosophical, metaphysical, and spiritual insights gleaned in Grof's research concerning human nature and reality, addressing the most fundamental questions human beings have asked about the nature of existence since time immemorial.
Insights from research into unordinary states of consciousness portray existence as an astonishing play of the cosmic creative principle that transcends time, space, linear causality, and polarities of every kind and suggest an identity of the individual psyche in its furthest reaches with the universal creative principle and the totality of existence. This identity of the human being with the Divine is the ultimate secret that lies at the core of all great spiritual traditions."
"The definitive overview of this transformative breathwork.
In this long awaited book, Stanislav Grof and Christina Grof describe their groundbreaking new form of self-exploration and psychotherapy: Holotropic Breathwork. Holotropic means 'moving toward wholeness,' from the Greek holos (whole) and trepein (moving in the direction of). The breathwork utilizes the remarkable healing and transformative potential of non-ordinary states of consciousness. These states engender a rich array of experiences with unique healing potential—reliving childhood memories, infancy, birth and prenatal life, and elements from the historical and archetypal realms of the collective unconscious. Induced by very simple means—a combination of accelerated breathing, evocative music, and bodywork in a safe and supportive setting, Holotropic Breathwork integrates the insights from modern consciousness research, depth psychology, transpersonal psychology, anthropology, Eastern spiritual practices, and mystical traditions. The Grofs' work with holotropic states of consciousness has introduced revolutionary changes to psychiatry, psychology, and psychotherapy. Written in a clear, easily understandable style, this indispensable book summarizes their remarkable insights."
"In every mystical wisdom tradition, non-ordinary states of consciousness have served as essential tools for discovering why we are here and how we can live richer, more meaningful lives. For more than 40 years, Stanislav Grof has tested and brought these methods into the field of modern psychology.
Are emotional states and behavioral patterns explained solely by brain chemistry and life experience or could they be expressions of far vaster universal energies? Which specific mind states most powerfully accelerate integration and healing of the self? And how do you access these states?
On The Transpersonal Vision, Grof answers these questions and raises many others in a stunning summation of his groundbreaking life's work. You will learn about transpersonal psychology's daring forays into the worlds of the shaman and the mystic; how your perinatal (birth and prebirth) experiences profoundly affect you even today; what past-life, near-death, and out-of-body phenomena teach us about our life purpose; and much more.
Course objectives:
• Utilize the healing potential of non-ordinary states of consciousness
• Classify the structures of psychosomatic disorders through the transpersonal conceptual framework
• List the elements of Grof’s Holotropic Breathwork
• Review the human experience of death and dying throughout history
• Review the status of non-ordinary states of consciousness throughout history
• Examine the philosophical, metaphysical, and spiritual insights that emerged from Grof’s work
• Evaluate the practical relevance of these insights on the individual and on the world as a whole"
"This is a compelling dialogue with two researchers who have devoted their lives to exploring the questions related to survival of consciousness after death and experiences of non-ordinary consciousness."
"A stirring visit with one of the modern pioneers of consciousness exploration. Born in Czechoslovakia, Stan Grof came to the U.S. in the late 1960s and became one of the foremost explorers of LSD-25 as a research tool. Since then he has developed non-drug alternatives for exploring the hidden reaches of the human mind and psyche."
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