The Way of the Psychonaut Vol. 2: Encyclopedia for Inner Journeys

The Way of the Psychonaut #2

by Stanislav Grof

The Way of the Psychonaut is one of the most important books ever written about the human psyche and the spiritual quest. The new understandings were made possible thanks to Albert Hofmann’s discovery of LSD—the “microscope and telescope of the human psyche”—and other psychedelic substances. This comprehensive work is a tour de force through the worlds of psychology, psychotherapy, Holotropic Breathwork, maps of the psyche, birth, sex, and death, transpersonal experiences, psychospiritual death and rebirth, reincarnation, karma, mystical states, archetypes, spiritual emergency, art, artists, and higher creativity. Although written in his late eighties, Psychonaut is possibly Grof’s greatest contribution. The commanding breadth and depth of knowledge is astounding, the tone of his writing easy and accessible, and the narratives brightened with intriguing personal accounts, amusing anecdotes, and brilliant case studies. Grof reviews the history of depth psychotherapy, the important revisions that are needed to make it more effective, and why the inner quest is such an essential activity. Arguably one of the fathers of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, its most experienced practitioner, and deeply deserving of a Nobel Prize in medicine, he has successfully unveiled a new and sweeping paradigm in self-exploration and healing. The vast and useful knowledge in this book is sure to be an invaluable and treasured resource for all serious seekers.
The second volume of this encyclopedia focuses on the observations and experiences from the research of holotropic states that indicate an urgent need for a radical revision of some basic assumptions of mainstream psychiatry and psychology. It also suggests the areas in which these changes are needed and describes their nature.

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction, Spirituality, Philosophy, Health

356 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 1, 2019

About the author

Stanislav Grof is known for his early studies of LSD and its effects on the psyche—the field of psychedelic psychotherapy. Building on his observations while conducting LSD research and on Otto Rank's theory of birth trauma, Grof constructed a theoretical framework for pre- and perinatal psychology and transpersonal psychology in which LSD trips and other powerfully emotional experiences were mapped onto one's early fetal and neonatal experiences. Over time, this theory developed into an in-depth "cartography" of the deep human psyche.

Following the legal suppression of LSD use in the late 1960s, Grof went on to discover that many of these states of mind could be explored without drugs by using certain breathing techniques in a supportive environment. He continues this work today under the title "Holotropic Breathwork".

Grof received his M.D. from Charles University in Prague in 1957, and then completed his Ph.D. in Medicine at the Czechoslovakian Academy of Sciences in 1965, training as a Freudian psychoanalyst at this time. In 1967, he was invited as an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, United States, and went on to become Chief of Psychiatric Research at the Maryland Psychiatric Research Center where he worked with Walter Pahnke and Bill Richards among others. In 1973, Dr. Grof was invited to the Esalen Institute in Big Sur, California, and lived there until 1987 as a scholar-in-residence, developing his ideas.

Being the founding president of the International Transpersonal Association (founded in 1977), he went on to become distinguished adjunct faculty member of the Department of Philosophy, Cosmology, and Consciousness at the California Institute of Integral Studies, a position he remains in today.

Grof was featured in the film Entheogen: Awakening the Divine Within, a 2006 documentary about rediscovering an enchanted cosmos in the modern world.

Reviews

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second volume of Grof's magnum opus and it does not disappoint! In this volume, Grof continues to yield the secrets that he has learned over the course of decades of research on psychedelics and holotropic breathwork. Grof illustrates the emerging paradigm shift of transpersonal psychology with vivid and entertaining examples from his work. Towards this goal, we are introduced to holotropic (moving towards wholeness) states of consciousness and the concept of archetypes, drawing on the work of CJ Jung and other transpersonal theorists. Grof applies the concept of archetypes, as he has developed it in his work, towards a deep understanding of human creativity, violence, greed, the fear of death and dying and finally he provides a believable road map to ultimate breakthroughs in consciousness and true spiritual awakening. Grof draws on examples of research on near death experiences, the work of modern transpersonal theorists, cultural anthropology and the history of world religions to make a strong case for this new view of the transpersonal and proposes how the use of psychedelics along with the wise and considered management of set, setting, ritual and integration may help usher in a transformation in human consciousness, just in time to help solve some of humanities most pressing problems. I am on board.

[L.D. Beers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stanislav Grof's The Way of the Psychonaut Volume One: Encyclopedia for Inner Journeys is an essential guide for anyone interested in exploring the depths of their inner world. This book provides a comprehensive overview of the various techniques and methods used to explore altered states of consciousness, such as meditation, psychedelics, and holotropic breathwork. It also includes detailed descriptions of Grof's own research into non-ordinary states of consciousness and his theories about the nature of reality. With its clear explanations and vivid illustrations, this book is an invaluable resource for anyone looking to embark on their own inner journey.

[Calvin · Rating 5 out of 5]

My fourth Grof volume. I'm really starting to eat this stuff up. He really does apply a scientific lens to fields that most dismiss without a second thought. Just an incredible body of research during a time when the rest of science snears from the sidelines. Time for science to shift paradigms...

[Santtu Heikkinen · Rating 5 out of 5]

With an impressive final chapter (discounting Tarnas' epilogue, which was very interesting as well) synthesizing much of our global mystical heritage into what feels like a particularly successful description of 'perennial philosophy', the second volume of Grog's overall highly interesting encyclopedia is perhaps even better than the first. Combining chapters on various areas such as thanatology, synchronicity, archetypal dynamics of the collective unconscious, and the metaphysics of perennial philosophy, the second volume is certainly juicy and I think would work as a great introduction to many of these concepts. For me the personal highlight is in the end, where Grof really goes heavily into the overall structure of mystical insight and what kind of view on world, life and meaning it tends to involve. A beautiful description of many wonderful, important insights, and a beautiful call-to-arms for all-inclusive love and a sense of reverential awe towards reality and life.

Thank you Stan for this work. May it not be the final one.

[Tom Weismantel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this volume’s explanations of the roots of human violence and greed, spiritual emergency, higher creativity, and mysteries of death and rebirth. Really fascinating and obviously well-researched writing. Some of Grof’s ideas seem a bit out there for me, but all the information presented is at least food for thought. The man is very experienced, passionate, and educated.

[Vovka · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty out there -- some might call it "woo woo" -- but these volumes (1&2) are an important historical document of efforts at the frontier of trying to define consciousness and the healing that comes from mind journeys, so the unevenness is to be expected. I learned a ton from it, and would expect trip sitters, researchers, and psychedelic healers to be versed in these topics.

[Joel Fields · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the 2nd Volume as well! Great stuff!

[Joshua Friesen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grof good.