ByM. Cliffordon January 20, 2013
First, I should disclose that I am currently living in the house that deRopp built on Sonoma Mountain as the Church of the Earth. I learned this a couple of years after I moved in, when my landlord showed me a copy of the "Church of the Earth"), a book by deRopp with great stories and photos of the process of building this place. That book, which seems to be unavailable currently, also details deRopp's "Three Pillars" philosophy of community: the Garden, the Temple, and the University). It was an experiment to try to create a community united by spiritual principles living in sustainable harmony with the earth. It failed after deRopp drowned on one of his sea kayaking trips, during which he would gather food from the ocean for the community. (disclaimer: the story of deRopp's drowning is based on oral tradition told among long-term residents of the North slope of Sonoma Mountain. I have not fact-checked it.)
There was a powerful synchronicity in learning this. After living here for a year--before I learned about the origins of this place--one day a flood of ideas came to me about a new religion; I wrote the ideas as they came in a composition book. The religion was called "The Church of the Earth is God" and it's main premise was that the religion our species needs now should be based on the premise that the Earth is God... and that this should not be held in the way that we think of "ultimate creator God" but instead as a way to cultivate reverence and respect for the earth. Was I channeling deRopp? Who knows. But I digress.
I first read The Master Game in the late 1970's. It made a lot of sense to me then. It's been good to revisit it in this new edition. I can see how deRopp's ideas have influenced me over the years. The writing style is very much of the period in which it was written, which to me feels like a sweet contrast in tone with more current pop psychology/spiritual guidance/self-help books (it's all three of those categories, in my opinion). It is hard for me to sort out how much of my enjoyment of it is sentimental, and how much is based on its objective qualities; therefore I have not been recommending it to my friends and students---just quietly enjoying it on my own while I sit under the Oak Tree where the residents of the Church of the Earth eventually learned to make peace with the bees.
That said, I acknowledge that Robert deRopp has a place among the ancestors of the various lineages that have guided my development, and for this I am grateful to him.
There was a powerful synchronicity in learning this. After living here for a year--before I learned about the origins of this place--one day a flood of ideas came to me about a new religion; I wrote the ideas as they came in a composition book. The religion was called "The Church of the Earth is God" and it's main premise was that the religion our species needs now should be based on the premise that the Earth is God... and that this should not be held in the way that we think of "ultimate creator God" but instead as a way to cultivate reverence and respect for the earth. Was I channeling deRopp? Who knows. But I digress.
I first read The Master Game in the late 1970's. It made a lot of sense to me then. It's been good to revisit it in this new edition. I can see how deRopp's ideas have influenced me over the years. The writing style is very much of the period in which it was written, which to me feels like a sweet contrast in tone with more current pop psychology/spiritual guidance/self-help books (it's all three of those categories, in my opinion). It is hard for me to sort out how much of my enjoyment of it is sentimental, and how much is based on its objective qualities; therefore I have not been recommending it to my friends and students---just quietly enjoying it on my own while I sit under the Oak Tree where the residents of the Church of the Earth eventually learned to make peace with the bees.
That said, I acknowledge that Robert deRopp has a place among the ancestors of the various lineages that have guided my development, and for this I am grateful to him.
19 people found this helpful
Helpful
ByDavid Getzschmanon April 15, 2016
"The Master Game: Pathways to Higher Consciousness" may have been written in the 1950s, but it is astonishing in its relevance to the present.
de Ropp frames human existence in terms of the games man plays, grouping them into object games (the pursuit of wealth, fame, and resources) and meta games (the pursuit of beauty and truth), and identifying the Master Game (the pursuit of enlightenment) as the only one worth playing.
I've found his candor and utter disdain for object games and organized religion really refreshing, and he is as eloquent on the drug experience as he is honest about how it will not lead to enlightenment.
I haven't read anything with this much enthusiasm in years!
de Ropp frames human existence in terms of the games man plays, grouping them into object games (the pursuit of wealth, fame, and resources) and meta games (the pursuit of beauty and truth), and identifying the Master Game (the pursuit of enlightenment) as the only one worth playing.
I've found his candor and utter disdain for object games and organized religion really refreshing, and he is as eloquent on the drug experience as he is honest about how it will not lead to enlightenment.
I haven't read anything with this much enthusiasm in years!
5 people found this helpful
Helpful
ByJennifer Wherretton July 17, 2016
He's absolutely right! This book is extraordinarily revealing and provides valuable insight into human psychology and the human psyche. I highly recommend it, although it is not light reading. You can actually look back over human history and see the different, often dangerous games that have been played out. This book provides the insight into those different games humans play and the reasons for those games. More importantly, though, which game do we, as individuals, tend to play? And why?
3 people found this helpful
Helpful
Bykirtida gautamon September 21, 2017
This is not some stupid new age BS book. It is one of the best books on Creative Psychology. The author knows his subject and presents it in matter-of-fact manner.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
ByThomas M. Mcgovernon September 25, 2015
This is the book that I read in 1970 that started me on the path of self-development. It was written by a bio-chemist and is based loosely on the Gurdjieff system, but it includes information from many traditions. You might think of it as a "Self-realization 101" book.
2 people found this helpful
Helpful
ByJoshuaon October 23, 2014
I believe this is worth reading no matter how advanced your practice is. Ideas influencing your practice compound over time and this has become one of my favorite books ever. I've read a lot of Trungpa and his teachings utilized external theater, but i've always had a hard time integrating such teachings due to a resentment of not feeling genuine. This book has given me a better perspective on the subject and one that i can more readily utilize daily.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
ByAmazon Customeron September 17, 2016
I picked up the original edition of this book at a used book store in 1975 when I was 19 years old. I read it, and it has had a profound influence on my life ever since! :) I'm pleased it is back in print. I feel all young adults need to read this book to put everything about life in perspective! It is a game changer! I'm rereading it forty one years later, and it is still very enlightening! Highly recommended!
One person found this helpful
Helpful
ByMatthew Simpsonon July 10, 2017
Top 10 book of all-time. Major takeaways having to do with the pitfalls that can arise when alters states of consciousness. Such a blessing.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
ByJoeyon June 27, 2015
This is my favorite "self help" book to date. Robert hit the nail right on the head and what you read is immediately applicable. His description of attention and awareness changed my life. I tell all my friends about this book.
This book amazing.
This book amazing.
3 people found this helpful
Helpful
ByLyra Kindon June 24, 2017
I had read this when I was in college and a couple times after. So I got this copy as a gift for someone younger than I. I highly recommend it as a useful starting point for navigating a life-long journey.
Helpful
