En busca del ser : guía para el crecimiento personal

by Christina Grof, Stanislav Grof, Andrea Ferrari (Translator)

Many people are undergoing a profound personal transformation associated with spiritual opening. Under favorable circumstances, this process results in emotional healing, a radical shift in values, and a profound awareness of the mystical dimension of existence. For some, these changes are gradual and relatively smooth, but for others they can be so rapid and dramatic that they interfere with effective everyday functioning, creating tremendous inner turmoil. Unfortunately, many traditional health-care professionals do not recognize the positive potential of these crises; they often see them as manifestations of mental disease and repsond with stigmatizing labels, suppressive drugs, and even institutionalization.In The Stormy Search for the Self , Christina and Stanislav Grof, the world's foremost authorities on the subject of spiritual emergence, draw on years of dramatic personal and professional experience with transformative states to explore these "spiritual emergencies," altered states so powerful they threaten to overwhelm the individual's oridinary reality. This book will provide insights, assurances, and practical suggestions for those who are experiencing or have experienced such a crisis, for their families and friends, and for mental-health professionals. It is also a valuable guide for anyone involved in personal transformation whose experiences, though generally untraumatic, may still at times be bewildering or disorienting.

Genres: Spirituality, Psychology, Self Help, Nonfiction, Philosophy, Mental Health, Ebooks

Paperback

First published February 1, 1990

Reviews

[Mark Kaplan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book came into my life at the moment I was going through my own spiritual crisis and profoundly altered my perception of my self and the journey on was on.

[Abner Rosenweig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Filling a void in modern psychiatry, The Stormy Search for the Self suggests that an intense psychological episode is not necessarily pathological but often a form of "spiritual emergence" that, with proper guidance, can be a healthy, positive, transformative experience in a patient's life rather than a life-sentence of stigmatic labeling and damaging drugs.

By encouraging education and support over pathologizing and medicating, the Grofs suggest that patient guidance and helping people understand they are not alone is often what "emergence sufferers" need most.

The book situates its method in an emerging mind-based paradigm in physics and provides fascinating commentary on myth, psyche, religion, and the world in crisis along the way.

The book certainly strays far from traditional medicine and challenges the reader to have an open mind, but its unique insight deserves a greater audience. I suspect there are legions who would benefit from its alternative approach.

[Steve Woods · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book two decades ago, it meant something to me then (my review below) this time it provided answers and context, for a passage more visceral than my first passing. I feel more now than I think; thankfully! The journey continues

This is a truly fascinating book. For someone who has gone through what these people are labelling a spiritual emergency, and found the mental health system totally wanting in its capacity to offer any insight into what was happening or why the perspective offered here is cause for some consideration. My own understanding of the process as a fluid movement within that has a life of its own and seemingly no definite form but a sensed and definite purpose of revelation or transcendence is consistent with many of the ideas put forward here.

I have over many years in Se4 Asia also had some contact with other "more primitive" cultures and seen much that belies the rationality of the western view of the mind as mechanism.The culture that has developed in the west from its beginnings in the European age of enlightenment ha shifted from a wider context of connectedness in society, in tribe, in family prevalent in these "primitives" to the narrow consideration of everything through the prism of the individual, the the looking glass darkly that is selfish self interest, the driving force of a globalised consumerism. Get get get! Use use use! More more more!

In that headlong rush we are all getting sicker because there is that fundamental disconnect between our experience of our lives and the natural flow of the human spirit. The idea of spiritual emergency is not new however in the context of the world as it currently evolves it has gained importance since by our very nature the human need for transcendence will exert ever more strongly against the bonds that simply seek to com modify us all into consuming units. If the so called mental health professions are to offer anything but the deadening impact of ever more effective and expensive pharmaceuticals those who see themselves as professionals in that context must undertake a sea change in their thinking even if they are just to simply cope.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an accurate and useful introduction to spiritual emergencies. Even though I read the 'Spiritual Emergency' book by Grof, I found 'Stormy Search' to be a more useful tool for people looking to identify spiritual awakenings/emergencies, including friends and family, health professionals and even the people undergoing the changes themselves. I found this book, although giving positives and negatives of the potential experiences, was very hopeful in terms of how people can now relate to spiritual experience with the increased awareness of how it can affect people's lives. I was therefore left feeling inspired and positive that despite having difficulties with my own experiences, the journey could have more positive outcomes.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Insightful and thought-provoking. An intriguing read.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ah, how far from grace I've fallen, going from fastidiously reading psychiatry's DSM to reading a book that talks about chakras and the Kundalini awakening! I half-kid, sort of!

I would have never read this book in a million years even just a year ago, and if I had, I'd have hated it and written it off as complete pseudoscience. Part of me kind of still does; there's a lot in the book I kind of hand-wave off.

But I don't think you need to believe everything a book presents wholesale to still glean insights from it, either, so I'm actually pretty okay with accepting the overall spirit of the book (no pun intended), while not necessarily subscribing to the underpinning details.

Stanislav and Christina Grof posit the idea of "spiritual emergency," a transpersonal state where someone goes through a psychology crisis that shatters their sense of self and world around them, and potentially, if navigated through correctly, achieve a greater sense of awareness, purpose, and spirituality. It can be instigated by psychedelic drugs, or by near-death experiences, or illness, or just for no reason at all. It is called a "spiritual emergency" as a play on words, to imply one's spiritual self is emerging, while also noting it is also a time of genuine crisis. Crisis begets new beginnings. (The book notes the Chinese characters for "opportunity", 机会, are made up of the Chinese characters for "danger" and "opportunity," although when I googled this, it appears to be a myth perpetuated by none other than J.F.K.!).

A spiritual emergency can feature hallucinations, a sense of meeting a higher power, experience of rebirth/death, etc. Standard fare for psychedelics, I think, but, barring any drug use or near-death experience, it sounds an awful lot like the medical definition of psychosis. Grof admits as much. Where a spiritual emergency ends and a psychotic episode begins isn't entirely clear. As someone schooled in academic psychology with systemized diagnoses, this blurry distinction was hard for me to hold simultaneously in my head.

But it's fine! I could quibble about whether some people featured in the book had a mental illness, or not. It doesn't really matter. The reality is, as crunchy as "spiritual emergency" sounds, the general premise of what Grof describes does exist. People do, for whatever reason, subtly or overtly, have life experiences that force them to fundamentally rethink who they are and their purpose in life. Call it what you want, argue in a lab somewhere about what causes it. Who cares. Someone could hit rock bottom with alcoholism and start reconsidering everything in their life; someone brought up in a religious community could lose faith in God; someone could trip on acid and finally have a epiphanic radical forgiveness of their childhood self for being sexually abused after years of shame. All of those experiences, however caused, can be deeply life-changing and unmooring. Even "good" epiphanies can force you to reconsider your life and sense of self.

While on the whole, I subscribe to psychiatry, I'm also fairly jaded by the field--it's not a clear-cut field like, say, oncology or endocrinology--and, while some disorders, like bipolar disorder, are very clearly defined, many other diagnoses are defined not so much by biology, but rather, descriptive symptomology that is heavily influenced by the social mores of the day. Accordingly, I think much of the natural human experience is pathologized as a mental disorder (especially now, 30 years after this book was written). It's refreshing to see Grof radically accept psychological crises as a natural and exciting part of healing and being human. They are very careful not to deny the existence of psychiatric disorders, but also posit that there can be healing in leaning in and accepting psychological difficulty and working through the crisis, without labels. Suddenly, a "nervous breakdown" is reimagined as a a journey of self-discovery that is really hard, but can lead to positive change, if people are radically accepted and supported during the hard times. I can get behind that.

I don't believe in things like the Kundalini awakening, or chakras, or Jungian archetypes, etc. So I can't say I super bought into the details there. I do think they're theoretical frameworks, though. The details of a given framework don't matter particularly; the overall concepts, yes. So if I suspend my disbelief about those things' details and realisticness (is that a word? practical realism?), and instead focus on the overall ideas, they become more interesting and useful to me.

With my caveats out of the way, the tidbits that personally resonated with me:

1. Distinguishing religion and spirituality.
I've actually never really understood the difference between spirituality and religion. Wasn't spirituality a subset of religion, just less organized? The book had a brief paragraph that struck me--paraphrased, it noted that spirituality can be part of religion, and, in fact, organized religion crops up around spiritual concepts, codifying them. However, over time, organized religion can turn more into practicing the codified rules, completely divorced from spirituality, so the two concepts aren't actually very interrelated at all. (I think I'm explaining this poorly.) I absolutely cannot get my brain to yield to organized religion, and I don't think I ever will. I just do not believe in it, and, more than anything, I resist the concept of other people telling me how I should think and feel. Catholic priests who communicate with God on my behalf, definitely not for me! I can wrap my head around the concept of spirituality, because I associate that with an individual's own, unique relationship to being part of something bigger and cosmic. I don't know if I'm spiritual, but I like the idea in theory, and I like the idea a whoooooole lot more than the idea of some paternalistic Abrahamic god. (I don't mind if someone else believes in that, to be clear! I just personally cannot suspend disbelief for myself.)

2. Zen Buddhism
I got introduced to some Buddhist principles in October, and I think this is where my life philosophy is going. I love, love, love, love the concept Grof delineates of the Zen Circle: 0 degrees: one's perception of reality of good-bad, pleasant-unpleasant; 90 degrees, the realization everything comes from nothing and turns into nothing; 180 degrees, when you realize nothing really exists; 270 degrees, where everything conceivable is possible; then 360 degrees, where you return to reality, but without attachments, because nothing is real and yet everything is possible--nothing is real, nothing matters, but because nothing matters and nothing is real, everything is possible, and you can exist within the moment. Reality becomes subtly different, the same but differently textured. I want to learn more about this, because it is simply something my brain groks. There is no meaning to life, and that's scary; but if there is no meaning, we can define it for ourselves, unafraid of failing or loss. We need simply be.

3. The nuances of psychological crisis
I'm tired of mental health pathologizing. It makes you feel like a thing broken, a thing needing to be fixed. The Grofs never judge anyone for their struggles; they hold space. Crisis is opportunity to grow into something fuller, if it's guided the right way. I really appreciated that, however you choose to define "spiritual emergencies" or their cause, prevailing through psychological difficulty is often not linear, with lots of setbacks ... and if you're not in the right environment or headspace, you can simply remain stuck in distress. Psychological crisis does not mean an epiphany where it's all rainbows and sunshine, nor are you guaranteed to work your way out of it. You can remain depressed or angry or alcoholic forever if you avoid working through the struggle and pain.

Diagnosis, yadda yadda, yes, they do have their place. But providing empathic, nonjudgmental support? That's money right there. Healing is so much easier to achieve when your struggles are framed as part of a natural part of life and something that begets fruits down the line, vs. something wrong with you.

4. Lean in to fear and distress.
The natural inclination of most people is to run away from psychological distress. Avoid it. Deflect it. Minimize the pain. There is tremendous value in leaning into discomfort. Yeah, pain fucking sucks! But what is worse? Do you avoid the pain of amputation of a thumb and let your entire limb be consumed by gangrene slowly? Or do you take the plunge and bite the bullet and be happier for it and get on with your life? Which is more painful in the end? Often, taking the "lumped" pain all at once is, in fact, better than suffering in dribs and drabs. Lean in to the fear. See what happens.

I guess you could say this book isn't one I would recommend to the average person, nor would I have recommended it to past me. From an academic perspective, the book reads as a bit of psychobabble. But it's also one I can still rate 4 stars, because I'm at a point in my life where I can extract meaningful interesting bits from it. Not all literature is absolutely useful or good; some literature can only be appreciated by some, or at certain points in our lives when we're ready to hear it. 4 stars on merit that aspects of the book made me think. 2 stars a year ago, for sure; 4 stars today. It's all relative ;-)

[Steven H · Rating 5 out of 5]

A PERSPECTIVE ON ‘SPIRITUAL EMERGENCIES’ AS BEING ‘TRANSFORMATIVE’

Authors Christina and Stanslav Grof wrote in the Introduction to this 1990 book, “Spiritual development is an innate evolutionary capacity of all human beings… entire cultures have treated inner transformation as a necessary and desirable aspect of life… For some individuals, however, the transformational journey of spiritual development becomes a ‘spiritual emergency,’ a crisis in which the changes within are so rapid and the inner states so demanding that, temporarily, these people may find it difficult to operate fully in everyday reality. In our times, these individuals are rarely treated as if they are on the edge of inner growth. Rather, they are almost always viewed through the lens of disease and treated with technologies that obscure the potential benefits these experiences can offer… [This book] is for people whose lives are touched by spiritual emergency…

“It is also a guide for anyone who is involved in personal transformation… the lessons contained here are also applicable to those whose emergence, though relatively gentle, is nevertheless bewildering and, at times, uncomfortable… Christina’s exposure to spiritual emergency began with a powerful spontaneous spiritual awakening during the birth of her first child. This experience was followed by years of difficult and demanding mental, emotional, and physical states… Christina’s almost daily involvement in the transformational process forced us to learn many of the lessons that constitute the core of this book.” (Pg. 1-5)

They wrote in the first chapter, “‘Spiritual emergencies’ can be defined as critical and experimentally difficult stages of a profound psychological transformation that involves one’s entire being. They take the form of nonordinary stages of consciousness and involve intense emotions, visions and other sensory changes, and unusual thoughts, as well as various physical manifestations. These episodes often revolve around spiritual themes; they include sequences of psychological death and rebirth, experiences that seem to be memories from previous lifetimes, feelings of oneness with the universe, encounters with various metaphysical beings, and other similar motifs.” (Pg. 31)

They state, “In recent times, we live with the reality that our entire planet is threatened by nuclear destruction, and a great deal of fearfulness about the situation is appropriate. However, someone in a spiritual emergency may encounter a very vivid internal experience of a nuclear catastrophe, and the fear that arises at this stage can seem beyond personal anxiety. If a person faces such an apocalyptic inner event, it is frequently followed by a sequence of planetary or universal restructuring. He or she enters a new world, reintegrated and radiant, and the cosmos has been restored to a loving and benevolent order.” (Pg. 63)

They note, “Encounters with the divine regions during the process of spiritual emergence are extremely healing. Reaching them, one often feels positive emotions such as ecstasy, rapture, joy, gratitude, love, and bliss, which can quickly relieve or dissolve negative states such as depression and anger. Feeling oneself to be part of an all-encompassing cosmic network often gives a person who has problems with self-esteem a fresh, expanded self-image.” (Pg. 68)

They observe, “It is not surprising that a considerable increase in intuitive abilities and the occurrence of psychic or paranormal phenomena are extremely frequent concomitants of various forms of spiritual emergency. Practically any tie of transpersonal experience can under certain circumstances provide astonishing information that the individual could not have acquired in conventional ways and that appears to come from paranormal sources… many individuals report specific instance of extrasensory perception… remote viewing, precognition, telepathy, and other psychic phenomena… occasionally the influx of information from nonordinary sources becomes so overwhelming and confusing that it dominates the picture and becomes a major problem.” (Pg. 90-91)

Christina recounts, “My spiritual emergence preceded my addiction to alcohol, and yet the process of ‘hitting bottom’ with this disease and going into recovery was for some reason the key to resolving many of the dramatic problems that had occurred during the years of the Kundalini awakening. It has become very clear to me that both my spiritual crises and my alcoholism have been essential elements in my transformative process, although beforehand I would have imagined that addiction could have the profound positive impact on my life that it has had.” (Pg. 101)

They state, “We are usually limited in our perception of the world by the range of our senses and the configuration of the environment… Without ordinary senses, we can experience only what is happening here and now---in our momentary geographical location and at the present moment. In transpersonal states of mind, all these limitations appear to be transcended. We can experience ourselves as a play of energy or a field of consciousness that is not confined to a physical container… What we ordinarily perceive as elements separate from us… we can actually become and identify with in a transpersonal state.” (Pg. 151)

They explain, “Now comes the period when one returns to daily life, whether after a relatively subtle awakening or an all-encompassing crisis. What can one expect to feel during this time of transitions? … This period is the homecoming. People at this stage frequently experience a new home within themselves, an inner source of comfort and nourishment. They also discover or rediscover meaningful and comforting elements in the world around them, such as sustaining relationships with those who are close of familiar environments and activities.” (Pg. 212)

They conclude, “Because of the positive transformation it induces, spiritual emergence might play a significant role in the world if it could occur in a sufficiently large number of people. Many researchers in the field of transpersonal psychology believe that the growing interest in spirituality and the increasing incidence of spontaneous mystical experiences represent an evolutionary trend toward an entirely new level of human consciousness. Some go even further and seriously consider the possibility that this accelerated spiritual development reflects an effort on the part of the forces of evolution to reverse the current self-destructive course of the human race. This possibility throws new light on the need to create supportive networks for people undergoing crises of spiritual awakening.” (Pg. 237)

This book will be of keen interest to those studying the relations of ‘spiritual’ experiences and psychology.

[Giovanna · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought reading this book would be good for me considering my other studies. I feel like I got something out of this, but exactly what I haven't quite processed yet, except that I now know I've been through the Dark Night of the Soul, and came through it with new purpose and meaning (but only after some serious soul searching. And it confirmed what I already know to be true on other related topics mentioned in the book.

This wasn't really new information for me, even though it's technically the first of any Grof book I've read. So I mostly skimmed through and when I saw a header that resonated I read deeply.

I'd suggest this to anyone who's turned to focus on doing inner work for themselves, really, no matter where you are in the process. You'll surely find something helpful in here.

[Entheogenetic · Rating 4 out of 5]

A classic and after reading it, i understand why. Well written by people who actually know something of what they are writing about. I like the works of Stanislav in general and he didnt dissapoint with this book. I like the contributions by Christina Grof also.
It makes the road a little easier to travel when you read about other people going through similar experiences in life.
Reading this book let me know that there are therapists out there in this field who respect and understand the spiritual emergence even if most of them out there currently do not.

[Deirdre · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting book. More from the point of view of assuring people who believe in alternative views of reality that they aren't necessarily insane just seeing the world in a different way. Also interesting in that Mr (actually Dr) Grof is a qualified psychologist and recognises that persons going through this kind of problem may be labeled as clinically suffering from some form of mental illness when that is not the treatment they need.

[Kara Demetropoulos · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Stormy Search for the Self provides a comprehensive overview of the concept of "spiritual emergency" as another lens through which to view madness, namely mania, psychosis, and schizophrenia. The authors use firsthand accounts of people in crisis, particularly one of the authors, Christina Grof, as well as from the point of view of physicians, clinicians, and other healers working to support those in crisis. They tread carefully through these murky waters, doing their best to ensure that we aren't left with the impression that ALL mental crises are spiritual, and spend a good bit of time helping both the lay person and the professional differentiate between the two.

This is a great starter book for anyone unfamiliar with this concept, and it provides a good deal of jumping-off points for further resources and information. I'd consider this a should-read for anyone in on the spiritual path, but a MUST-READ for anyone who is a spiritual teacher or alternative healer. It is imperative that those of us who are acting as transcendental guides understand the very real perils associated with spiritual practice, and understand how to support those in our community who go "off the deep end", particularly when our predominant systems of "healthcare" are not equipped to provide adequate care either. No matter your spiritual or religious background or specialty, this is an important read.

Overall, informative, inspiring, and refreshing. This subject desperately needs more attention, and the book makes clear how urgent and necessary that need is. Read it, recommend it, keep it circulating, and let's all try to ensure that we ascend the mountain together, that no seeker is ever left behind.

[Silvio · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book that sees and hears you. I personally haven't experienced many/most of these characteristics of a spiritual crisis, but I can recognize them in others around me, and it helped me in understanding, and also preparing for my own crisis (if it wants to come). The book also got me really interested in holotropic breathing again, and holistic/transpersonal healing and therapy, too.

[N.D. Wisard · Rating 2 out of 5]

Holotropic breathwork (I mean Holotropic Breathwork™?) was trademarked at every mention. Gave the book a cheesy feel and made me wonder about the authors, who created the approach. Otherwise it was an interesting, quick read for someone with many questions about spirituality.

[Omar Castro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un acercamiento muy metodológico a un tema que para mucha gente puede ser charlatanería, y que sin embargo el autor desmenuza concienzudamente para dar explicaciones que suenan aceptables para quienes están dispuestos a profundizar en el tema de la espiritualidad.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very, very informative to those going through the dark night of the soul or spiritual emergence / emergency. Must have!

[Roan Kaufman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Like many of the books by Stan and Christina Grof, there are overall interesting perspectives related to the self--in particular as it relates to the use of psychedelics. However, this book and others by her and her husband lack specific, concrete tools to work through challenges. This book really falls short in providing anything new, that is not really covered in their other books.

[Nic · Rating 2 out of 5]

Holotropic breathwork (I mean Holotropic Breathwork™?) was trademarked at every mention. Gave the book a cheesy feel and made me wonder about the authors, who created the approach. Otherwise it was an interesting, quick read for someone with many questions about spirituality.

[Paolagonsales · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is written with the help of Stanislav Grof. It' s my first book, first point of long journey in self-identification.This book opens mind borders on many sides of our life and way of thinking.

[Daniel Cukier · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very unusual view of the human psique. I agree with most of the ideas.

[As Mongan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like I couldn't get on, on writer's skin

[Scott Hastie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essential reading for all seekers....