Integral Psychology: Yoga, Growth, and Opening the Heart

by Brant Cortright

A bold new view of the human psyche, integrating Eastern and Western approaches.

Integral Psychology connects Eastern and Western approaches to psychology and healing. Psychology in the East has focused on our inner being and spiritual foundation of the psyche. Psychology in the West has focused on our outer being and the wounding of the body-heart-mind and self. Each requires the other to complete it, and in bringing them together an integral view of psychology comes into view.

The classical Indian yogas are used as a way to see psychotherapy as behavior change or karma yoga; psychotherapy as mindfulness practice or jnana yoga; psychotherapy as opening the heart or bhakti yoga. Finally, an integral approach is suggested that synthesizes traditional Western and Eastern practices for healing, growth, and transformation.

Genres: Psychology, Religion, Philosophy

242 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Brant Cortright, Ph.D., is professor emeritus with the California Institute of Integral Studies and a clinical psychologist with a private practice in San Francisco and online. Author of four books, he has a practice as a coach/consultant on anxiety, depression, cognitive decline, and brain health. He gives workshops around the world and is a speaker at conferences. He lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Reviews

[c4ss1us [l1f3] · Rating 4 out of 5]

great introduction to integral yoga. i was hoping to get more depth and practical advice, but it's a more theoretical book, explaining the foundations of integral yoga.

[Anirudh Jain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary: Integrate western psychology with eastern philosophy to realize the self

[Iris Eisenlohr · Rating 5 out of 5]

For me a life changing book with a beautiful voice, in which I find wisdom anew every time I read it.