The great within : the transformative power and psychology of the spiritual path / Han F. de Wit.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Wit, H. F. de, author.

Contributor:

Class of 1924 Book Fund.

Standardized Title:

Verborgen bloei. English

Language:

Dutch

English

Subjects (All):

Wit, H. F. de. Contemplatieve psychologie.

Wit, H. F. de.

Contemplatieve psychologie (Wit, H. F. de).

Psychology, Religious.

Contemplation.

Physical Description:

xv, 340 pages ; 22 cm

Edition:

First edition.

Place of Publication:

Boulder : Shambhala, 2019.

Summary:

"A book for anyone who wants to understand the psychological nature of contemplative practice as a transformative process. Do we really understand what contemplative practices, such as mindfulness, actually do? What changes when we practice mindfulness or use images as the focus of our contemplative practice? How is our psychology--thoughts, beliefs, imagination, and emotions--both used and transformed along the spiritual path? Are there shared understandings of this transformative process across the spiritual traditions? To answer these questions, Han F. de Wit takes us into the mind of the spiritual practitioner to show how contemplative practices work to transform our "ordinary" psychology dominated by confusion and self-interest to one open to wisdom and compassion. With Buddhism as the framing tradition, the result is a highly experience-based explanation of the development processes of spiritual transformation. Informed by a practitioner who experiences it and a psychologist steeped in Western psychology, a compelling case is made for a new "contemplative psychology" rooted in a deep appreciation for our "humanness"--our potential for flourishing--to which all contemplative practices are orientated. The Spiritual Path is a helpful companion on the spiritual path, as well as a sourcebook to both psychologists and teachers of contemplative practices"-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Contemplative psychology

Perceiving reality and the metaphor of the way

The development of ego

Mind and knowledge in contemplative psychology

On the way

The disciplines of thought

The disciplines of mindfulness

The disciplines of insight

The disciplines of action and speech

Development and guidance.

Notes:

"[I]ts first version was published in 1999 by the Duquesne University of Pittsburgh and translated from Dutch by Henry Jansen"-- Author's acknowledgements.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Local Notes:

Acquired for the Penn Libraries with assistance from the Class of 1924 Book Fund.

ISBN:

9781611806816

161180681X

OCLC:

1065771817