Stanislav Grof and Non-Ordinary Consciousness

Stanislav Grof is a pioneering psychiatrist and a founder of transpersonal psychology. He is also noted for his use of innovative therapies such as non-ordinary states of consciousness to help heal, grow, and obtain insight into the inner mind. He has also contributed to the field of psychology and the personal development field through his many books and other writings.

Background of Stanislav Grof

Stanislav Grof was born in Prague, Czechoslovakia on July 1, 1931. He studied at Charles University in Prague where he received his M.D. He further trained as a Freudian psychoanalyst and received a Ph. D. from the Czechoslovakian Academy of Sciences. After completing his extensive training, he accepted a position at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine as an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry. Later he worked at Maryland Psychiatric Research Center as the Chief of Psychiatric Research.

A few years later Stanislav Grof moved across the country to work with the Esalen Institute, where he was allowed to develop his theories and ideas. In 1977, Grof accepted a faculty position in the Department of Philosophy, Cosmology, and Consciousness with the California Institute of Integral Studies. He still holds that position as of 2012.

The Teachings of Stanislav Grof

Stanislav Grof teaches there are two types of consciousness. One is the ordinary consensus reality he calls 'hylotropic' and the other is non-ordinary consciousness called 'holotropic.' While mainstream psychiatry considers these non-ordinary states to be psychosis or mental disorders, Stanislav Grof sees them as natural mystical connections with the divine.

Early in his career, Stanislav Grof performed research with LSD as a way to stimulate states of non-ordinary consciousness. His studies in this area ended when LSD became illegal, but he teaches psychedelics could play an important role in consciousness evolution and healing of mental disorders.

Stanislav Grof has also developed other means of reaching non-ordinary consciousness besides using psychedelics such as holotropic breathwork.

The Books Of Stanislav Grof

Stanislav Grof has written over 150 papers that have been published in scientific journals. He has also written books for the professional community and for the general public. These are some of the personal development books by Stanislav Grof that would be of interest to spiritual seekers and those interested in mind expansion.

• "Holotropic Breathwork: A New Approach to Self-Exploration and Therapy" was written by Stanislav Grof and his wife Christina. It describes the experiences of 30 years of research and practice with a special type of therapeutic breathing that induces altered states of consciousness that allows for emotional and mental healings to take place.

• "Beyond the Brain: Birth, Death, and Transcendence in Psychotherapy" is a book by Stanislav Grof that explains his position on the state of modern psychiatry. He challenges the current Western view of how the brain works and takes issue with the definition of mental illness in modern times. Grof relates stories of his research into non-ordinary states of consciousness using psychedelics and other means, and relates how these states could be natural, particularly since they are accepted as normal in other cultures.

• "Spiritual Emergency: When Personal Transformation Becomes a Crisis" was written by Stanislav Grof and his wife Christina. In this book, Grof describes the difference between a spiritual emergency and genuine mental collapse. When identified and treated in a supportive measure, rather than being confused with a mental disorder and medicated or controlled, a spiritual emergency can result in a profound personal transformation.

• "The Stormy Search for the Self: A Guide to Personal Growth through Transformational Crisis" is another book co-authored by Christina and Stanislav Grof. This personal development book helps readers identify when they are experiencing a spiritual opening, or growth. The crisis or transformation that accompanies such a happening can be mistaken for mental disorder, particularly if mystical events occur. Rather than being alarmed, disoriented, and seeking institutionalization, the Grofs suggest understanding the true cause of the turmoil and treating it supportively so the transformation can complete itself and bring with it spiritual growth.

• "When the Impossible Happens: Adventures in Non-Ordinary Reality" is a book where Stanislav Grof describes the various occurrences in non-ordinary consciousness. Grof recounts experiences from his research such as encounters with aliens, demons, deities, feelings of connectedness with the universe, past life memories, and out of body experiences.

• "The Adventure of Self-Discovery: Dimensions of Consciousness and New Perspectives in Psychotherapy and Inner Exploration" describes the psychedelic alternative developed by Stanislav Grof to the exploration of the psyche. He also provides readers with his views on mysticism, shamanism, psychedelic states, and psychotic breakdowns.

• " LSD: Doorway to the Numinous: The Groundbreaking Psychedelic Research into Realms of the Human Unconscious" takes a look into the role of LSD and other psychedelics as a psychiatric treatment. Grof also explores the states of consciousness produced by LSD and compares the similarities between them and near death experiences, shamanism, and mystical states.

• "Psychology of the Future: Lessons from Modern Consciousness Research" is a presentation of the views of Stanislav Grof and how they relate to the future of psychiatric treatment. He stresses the importance of embracing a holotropic brain view and being more accepting of altered state experiences rather than labeling them as mental illness.

• "The Ultimate Journey: Consciousness and the Mystery of Death" takes a look at birth and death and how people face the experience of dying.

• "LSD Psychotherapy (The Healing Potential of Psychedelic Medicine)" reveals the truth about the LSD research conducted in the 60s and how it came to an end after public outcry and the illegalization of LSD. Grof suggests LSD and other psychedelics could play an important role in psychiatric treatment.

• "The Cosmic Game: Explorations of the Frontiers of Human Consciousness" provides readers with a metaphysical look into the mind and non-ordinary consciousness. In it, Stanislav Grof relates stories from his research with patients and subjects over the years. He offers personal development advice mixed with spiritual insight and philosophical ideas.

The Work Of Stanislav Grof

Stanislav Grof maintains a website where spiritual seekers can watch his videos, read articles, and listen to interviews he has given. Grof continues to work and be active in his field. He regularly lectures and holds workshops in holotropic breathwork. He founded the Association for Holotropic Breathwork International that holds events around the world and instructs facilitators to carry on the work.



The Personal Development Guy's Self Improvement Ezine (FREE)
Would you like to keep in touch - and get high-level tips and special bonuses? Then please sign up for my self improvement newsletter The Personal Development Guy's Self Improvement Ezine. It is totally FREE.
Enter Your E-mail Address
Enter Your First Name (optional)
Then

Don't worry — your e-mail address is totally secure.
I promise to use it only to send you The Personal Development Guy's Self Improvement Ezine.



I LOVE Your Support
If you've found the free personal development content on this website useful, please click the Donate button. Your donation will help me to keep producing free, high-level self improvement information. I am VERY GRATEFUL for your support!
PayPal is one of the largest payment processors on the Internet. When you click the Donation Button, you can make a donation of your choice on an encrypted and secure page.

Thank you very much!





Inspirational Quotes, Poems and Funny Short Stuff
If you want, you can also get your personal development, spirituality and general wisdom in an ultra light version - or even add your own wisdom to the site. Just go to the other sister of this website at:

Quotescoop.com
- World's Best and YOUR Best Quotes, Poems and Short Funny Stuff

Quotescoop.com is also known as:
(http://www.inspirational-quotes-short-funny-stuff.com).
This is where you might go for a quick 'fix' of wisdom and humor. A special treat is that this site has forums for you to present your own wisdom and humor in the form of inspirational short funny quotes, jokes, notes, letters, stories, SMS text messages and poems. Share your wisdom and witticisms with the world!




High-Level Positive Parenting Advice and Deep Insights
Positive Parenting Ally is the parenting equivalent of the Personal Development Guy. This is where you go if you want really deepen your understanding of parenting, empower your kids and make everyday life more easy and joyful.

Positive-Parenting-Ally.com
- Parenting advice for the conscious, open-minded parent!


Back to the top of this page about Stanislav Grof and Non-Ordinary Consciousness

Where Would You Like to Go Next?

To see what has been added to this site recently (plus offers, etc.), check out Blog & News at thePersonalDevelopmentGuy.com

To share your own short self improvement ideas, tips, musings, quotes, stories, spiritual jokes, etc. (and read the short ideas, etc. others have shared) jump to Shared Blog: Self Improvement Ideas

Jump to the Personal Development Guy Homepage
Jump to Self Help Books.

 

List of articles about self help books listed alphabetically: Alfred Adler, Barbara De Angelis, Maya Angelou BiographyArjuna ArdaghRichard Bandler, Brandon Bays, Alain de Botton, Gregg Braden Brene Brown, Les Brown, Leo Buscaglia, Tony BuzanAndrew Carnegie Biography, Carlos Castaneda, Pema Chodron, Deepak Chopra, Deepak Chopra Books Paulo CoelhoStephen CoveyPeter DruckerT. Harv Eker, Masary Emoto, Timothy Ferriss, Debbie Ford Viktor FranklMahatma Gandhi, Gangaji, Shakti Gawain, Kahlil Gibran, Daniel GolemanAmit GoswamiAlex Grey, Stanislav Grof, David Hawkins, Louise Hay, Hermann Hesse, Esther Hicks and Jerry Hicks, Napoleon Hill, Susan Jeffers, C G Jung, Jon Kabat-Zinn, Byron Katie, Robert Kiyosaki, Bruce Lipton, Ramana Maharshi, J W Marriott, Abraham Maslow, John Maxwell, Drunvalo Melchizedek, Anthony de Mello, Anthony De Mello Quotes, Dan Millman, Bruce Moen, Robert Monroe, Michael Newton, Daniel Pink, Dave Ramsey, Ayn Rand BooksJames RedfieldCheryl Richardson, Anthony RobbinsAnthony Robbins Books Carl Rogers, Jim Rohn, Marshall Rosenberg, Geneen RothDon Miguel Ruiz, Robin Sharma, Barbara SherGeorge Soros Biography, George Soros Quotes,   Eckhart Tolle, Brian Tracy Books, Neale Donald Walsch, , Joe Vitale, Lyall Watson, Alan Watts, Stuart Wilde, Marianne Williamson, Larry WingetGary Zukav, Best Self Help Books, Self Help Books for Women
site search by freefind






The Baron of Death (Luna)





ebook how to be yourself