The Road Less Traveled: A New Psychology of Love, Traditional Values and Spiritual Growth
by M. Scott Peck
4.05 · Rating details · 74,657 ratings · 2,000 reviews
316 pp. "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."
-- Publishers Weekly
Keywords: MIND & BODY PSYCHOLOGY SOCIOLOGY RELIGION (less)
----
Paperback, 316 pages
Published December 31st 1978 by Simon & Schuster (first published 1978)
Feb 01, 2011Chris Wolfe rated it really liked it
It gets four stars for the simple truth of the opening lines:
"Life is difficult. This is a great truth, one of the greatest truths. It is a great truth because once we truly see this truth, we transcend it. Once we truly know that life is difficult--once we truly understand and accept it--then life is no longer difficult. Because once it is accepted, the fact that life is difficult no longer matters."
It amazes me how much damage I have done by expecting life to be something other than difficult and how much easier my life is when I accept that it is difficult and that I will be uncomfortable.
(less)
flag199 likes · Like · 9 comments · see review
Nov 14, 2014Sanjay Gautam rated it really liked it · review of another edition
The author has delved deep into, with profound insights, on what really causes unhappiness in our life. He asserts that it is precisely in avoiding our problems and hurdles that we suffer in our life; it is the pain and suffering caused by difficulties in life that we have to meet in order to grow mentally and spiritually. We cannot solve life's problems except by solving them.
The following were the key-takeaways:
* LIFE IS DIFFICULT. This is a great truth, one of the greatest truths. It is a great truth because once we truly see this truth, we transcend it. Once we truly know that life is difficult--once we truly understand and accept it--then life is no longer difficult. Because once it is accepted, the fact that life is difficult no longer matters.
* Without discipline we can solve nothing. With only some discipline we can solve only some problems. With total discipline we can solve all problems.
* A person who has the ability to delay gratification has the key to psychological maturity, whereas impulsiveness is a mental habit that, in denying opportunities to experience pain, creates neuroses.
* Most large problems we have are the result of not facing up to earlier, smaller problems, of failing to be 'dedicated to the truth'. The great mistake most people make is believing that problems will go away of their own accord. (less)
flag92 likes · Like · 11 comments · see review
Aug 08, 2010Birdie Passaro rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
An extraordinary book about Life and the art of Living. It was the most complete and indepth book about personal development from which one become much more aware of the nature of all kinds of relationships.
This book will help to shape your vision of Life!
Please, just read it. Your perspective about things will never be the same. Notable, indeed!
flag83 likes · Like · 4 comments · see review
Sep 28, 2007Laura rated it did not like it
Shelves: non-fiction
"Dr." Peck's first doorstop. Inexplicably, this sorry waste of time and paper remained on the NYT Bestseller list for something like ten years. (I don't know why I'm surprised, actually -- this is the same country that elected George W. Bush twice, not to mention the vulgar talking yam who now sits in the Oval Office.) If you were unfortunate enough to buy this, or have it given to you as a gift, do yourself a favor now: put this one the shelf right beside that other pop-pseudo-psychology piece of shit Michelle Remembers. Leave them both within spitting distance, and leave room next to them for anything written by "Dr." Fool. Do not open any of them, ever. (less)
flag42 likes · Like · see review
Nov 28, 2009Juliane Roell rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
Shelves: love, psychology, relationships, spirituality
Paperback, 316 pages
Published December 31st 1978 by Simon & Schuster (first published 1978)
Feb 01, 2011Chris Wolfe rated it really liked it
It gets four stars for the simple truth of the opening lines:
"Life is difficult. This is a great truth, one of the greatest truths. It is a great truth because once we truly see this truth, we transcend it. Once we truly know that life is difficult--once we truly understand and accept it--then life is no longer difficult. Because once it is accepted, the fact that life is difficult no longer matters."
It amazes me how much damage I have done by expecting life to be something other than difficult and how much easier my life is when I accept that it is difficult and that I will be uncomfortable.
(less)
flag199 likes · Like · 9 comments · see review
Nov 14, 2014Sanjay Gautam rated it really liked it · review of another edition
The author has delved deep into, with profound insights, on what really causes unhappiness in our life. He asserts that it is precisely in avoiding our problems and hurdles that we suffer in our life; it is the pain and suffering caused by difficulties in life that we have to meet in order to grow mentally and spiritually. We cannot solve life's problems except by solving them.
The following were the key-takeaways:
* LIFE IS DIFFICULT. This is a great truth, one of the greatest truths. It is a great truth because once we truly see this truth, we transcend it. Once we truly know that life is difficult--once we truly understand and accept it--then life is no longer difficult. Because once it is accepted, the fact that life is difficult no longer matters.
* Without discipline we can solve nothing. With only some discipline we can solve only some problems. With total discipline we can solve all problems.
* A person who has the ability to delay gratification has the key to psychological maturity, whereas impulsiveness is a mental habit that, in denying opportunities to experience pain, creates neuroses.
* Most large problems we have are the result of not facing up to earlier, smaller problems, of failing to be 'dedicated to the truth'. The great mistake most people make is believing that problems will go away of their own accord. (less)
flag92 likes · Like · 11 comments · see review
Aug 08, 2010Birdie Passaro rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
An extraordinary book about Life and the art of Living. It was the most complete and indepth book about personal development from which one become much more aware of the nature of all kinds of relationships.
This book will help to shape your vision of Life!
Please, just read it. Your perspective about things will never be the same. Notable, indeed!
flag83 likes · Like · 4 comments · see review
Sep 28, 2007Laura rated it did not like it
Shelves: non-fiction
"Dr." Peck's first doorstop. Inexplicably, this sorry waste of time and paper remained on the NYT Bestseller list for something like ten years. (I don't know why I'm surprised, actually -- this is the same country that elected George W. Bush twice, not to mention the vulgar talking yam who now sits in the Oval Office.) If you were unfortunate enough to buy this, or have it given to you as a gift, do yourself a favor now: put this one the shelf right beside that other pop-pseudo-psychology piece of shit Michelle Remembers. Leave them both within spitting distance, and leave room next to them for anything written by "Dr." Fool. Do not open any of them, ever. (less)
flag42 likes · Like · see review
Nov 28, 2009Juliane Roell rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
Shelves: love, psychology, relationships, spirituality
Probably the most important book on love, psychological and spiritual development that I have ever read.
Clear, straightforward, concise, very accessible.
Don't be put off by the criticism of the numerous references to "God" and "grace" in the later chapters: I found them useful and "open" (in the sense that "God" might be substituted by "universe", "energy", "oneness" or whatever you might want to call it.
There is no need to believe in a deity.) If you do find the reference to concepts of oneness or "God" problematic, just read the first parts and leave the rest for another time. It's well worth it. (less)
flag33 likes · Like · 5 comments · see review
May 11, 2007Jonathan Ridenour rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
Recommends it for: anyone
Shelves: psychology, spirituality
This book is by now a classic in the field of psychology. Yet, it's written for a mainstream audience and goes through some of the basic tenets of psychological theory (e.g. attachment, individuation, boundaries, delayed gratification) but does so through the lense of spiritual growth. Peck is an excellent writer and fine therapist who is sensitive to the issues of spirituality. The case examples and stories in the book really bring his concepts and ideas together. This is a book that I would recommend to therapy clients who are wanting to understand how their religious beliefs are inline with the goals of psychotherapy. (less)
flag28 likes · Like · comment · see review
Feb 16, 2008Cole rated it did not like it
I initially picked up this book because I was told that this author was the inspiration for a women's retreat I went to a couple years ago.
flag33 likes · Like · 5 comments · see review
May 11, 2007Jonathan Ridenour rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
Recommends it for: anyone
Shelves: psychology, spirituality
This book is by now a classic in the field of psychology. Yet, it's written for a mainstream audience and goes through some of the basic tenets of psychological theory (e.g. attachment, individuation, boundaries, delayed gratification) but does so through the lense of spiritual growth. Peck is an excellent writer and fine therapist who is sensitive to the issues of spirituality. The case examples and stories in the book really bring his concepts and ideas together. This is a book that I would recommend to therapy clients who are wanting to understand how their religious beliefs are inline with the goals of psychotherapy. (less)
flag28 likes · Like · comment · see review
Feb 16, 2008Cole rated it did not like it
I initially picked up this book because I was told that this author was the inspiration for a women's retreat I went to a couple years ago.
However, I found no connection to the theme of the retreat and this book.
Initially I found Peck's theories on discipline appealing. He promoted fundamental ideas of Buddhism, such as life is suffering and only through acceptance of that suffering can we truly live and be free of it. He believes that the pursuit of the truth regardless of the pain involved is fundamental to mental health, and that only through valuing ourselves can we value life and love those around us.
However, while reading examples of cases that Peck has worked on in psychotherapy I felt that his confidence in his prognosis's and what he thought his clients ought to do was rather pretentious.
Initially I found Peck's theories on discipline appealing. He promoted fundamental ideas of Buddhism, such as life is suffering and only through acceptance of that suffering can we truly live and be free of it. He believes that the pursuit of the truth regardless of the pain involved is fundamental to mental health, and that only through valuing ourselves can we value life and love those around us.
However, while reading examples of cases that Peck has worked on in psychotherapy I felt that his confidence in his prognosis's and what he thought his clients ought to do was rather pretentious.
Furthermore as I read I got the suspicion that Peck was rather homophobic or at least that he thought homosexuality was a sign of poor mental health.
First of all, in all his discussions on love and relationships not once does he relate his theories in the context of a homosexual relationship.
Second he uses examples of actions that his clients took to move toward better mental health including an example of a young homosexual boy summoning the strength to ask a girl out. I was starting to really dislike this author at this point, but it was the next few pages that killed it for me.
Halfway through the book where Peck is saying that love is discipline, he thought it appropriate to use slavery as a metaphor. He states,
"While one should not be slave to one's feelings, self discipline does not mean the squashing of one's feelings into nonexistence. I frequently tell my patients that their feelings are their slaves and that the art of self discipline is like the art of slaving owning"
I can't believe he refers to slave owning as an "art". He continues,
"First of all, one's feelings are the source of one's energy; they provide the horsepower, or slave power, that makes it possible for us to accomplish the task of living. Since they work for us, we should treat them with respect."
It gets worse,
" One type of slave-owner does not discipline his slaves, gives them no structure, sets them no limits, provides them with no direction and does not make it clear whose the boss. What happens, of course, is that in due time his slaves stop working and begin moving into the mansion, raiding the liquor cabinet and breaking the furniture, and soon the slave owner finds he is the slave of his slaves"
Scott Peck author...phycologist...homophobe....racist.....got it.
Halfway through the book where Peck is saying that love is discipline, he thought it appropriate to use slavery as a metaphor. He states,
"While one should not be slave to one's feelings, self discipline does not mean the squashing of one's feelings into nonexistence. I frequently tell my patients that their feelings are their slaves and that the art of self discipline is like the art of slaving owning"
I can't believe he refers to slave owning as an "art". He continues,
"First of all, one's feelings are the source of one's energy; they provide the horsepower, or slave power, that makes it possible for us to accomplish the task of living. Since they work for us, we should treat them with respect."
It gets worse,
" One type of slave-owner does not discipline his slaves, gives them no structure, sets them no limits, provides them with no direction and does not make it clear whose the boss. What happens, of course, is that in due time his slaves stop working and begin moving into the mansion, raiding the liquor cabinet and breaking the furniture, and soon the slave owner finds he is the slave of his slaves"
Scott Peck author...phycologist...homophobe....racist.....got it.
I'm done with this book! (less)
flag22 likes · Like · 8 comments · see review
Aug 21, 2007Jamie rated it it was amazing
Shelves: spiritualandpsych-read
A very insightful book authored by a psychologist/psychiatrist who reveals the secrets to fulfilling, healthy, meaningful and lasting relationships. It really makes you see yourself and others in a different light, as well as words and concepts we think we understand. His hallmark argument is that we so often view love as a noun instead of a verb... as something that just happens to us or doesn't happen to us, instead of an ongoing task we must work at...that work, that action-is love. In fact, something I clearly remember is his point that when people feel as though they've "fallen out of love", it is then that the opportunity for true love to grow is at its greatest. Not at all written in a preachy, self-help sort of way. It's very interesting, full of a lot of great anecdotes. (less)
flag21 likes · Like · 2 comments · see review
Sep 27, 2008Mike rated it did not like it
This book starts out extremely engaging and helpful in nature - worthy of four or five stars. But midway through Peck reveals his psychology of teaching his patients and readers to become like God.
flag22 likes · Like · 8 comments · see review
Aug 21, 2007Jamie rated it it was amazing
Shelves: spiritualandpsych-read
A very insightful book authored by a psychologist/psychiatrist who reveals the secrets to fulfilling, healthy, meaningful and lasting relationships. It really makes you see yourself and others in a different light, as well as words and concepts we think we understand. His hallmark argument is that we so often view love as a noun instead of a verb... as something that just happens to us or doesn't happen to us, instead of an ongoing task we must work at...that work, that action-is love. In fact, something I clearly remember is his point that when people feel as though they've "fallen out of love", it is then that the opportunity for true love to grow is at its greatest. Not at all written in a preachy, self-help sort of way. It's very interesting, full of a lot of great anecdotes. (less)
flag21 likes · Like · 2 comments · see review
Sep 27, 2008Mike rated it did not like it
This book starts out extremely engaging and helpful in nature - worthy of four or five stars. But midway through Peck reveals his psychology of teaching his patients and readers to become like God.
While I'm certain he means no malice in this objective, he seems ignorant of negative psychological aspects of this philosophy. Indeed, the book "Toxic Faith" cites "You can become God" as one of the twenty-one Toxic Beliefs of a Toxic Faith (p.98). Having observed the deleterious effect of this belief among the Mormon population I find Peck's thesis professionally reckless regardless of the popularity of his message. (less)
flag20 likes · Like · 2 comments · see review
flag20 likes · Like · 2 comments · see review
Hal J Sandbach
5성급 중 2.0 Interesting, but he lost me with his ideas about god
2018년 1월 20일에 영국에서 리뷰됨
아마존에서 구매
This book was recommended to me, and I found the first half largely interesting. Peck's long history as a therapist enables him to recount very interesting case studies, and these are definitely the strongest aspects of this book. However, when he diver about the collective subconscious, visions of the future and the idea that god is manifest via an individual's subconscious, I'm afraid he lost my trust. Modern neuroscience has enabled a lot of progress to be made regarding how our brains and central nervous system work , and this book, in my opinion, suffers from being written before such advances.
BUT I also think that Peck's overall message is a valid one - we grow by exhibiting real, deep love for ourselves and others. And there's always room for some more love.
한 고객이 이것이 도움이 되었다고 생각합니다.
