Description
In 200 spellbinding pages—including over 100 large, full-color illustrations—Modern Consciousness Research and the Understanding of Art takes readers on an enchanting tour of the human psyche and a visual tour of the artwork of H.R. Giger. In this book, Grof illuminates themes related to dreams, trauma, sexuality, birth, and death, by applying his penetrating analysis to the work of Giger and other visionary artists.
Endorsements
After Sigmund Freud, who introduced the unconscious, the libido, and guilt into the interpretation of art, and Carl Gustav Jung who introduced the collective unconscious and the archetypes, we now have Stanislav Grof who widens the horizons by bringing in the perinatal and the transpersonal dimensions of human experience. Grof is unquestionably the third giant in the psychological interpretation of art in the modern age. — Ervin László, Hungarian philosopher of science, systems theorist, and editor of World Futures: The Journal of General Evolution
In this unique illustrated volume, we marvel at the startling correlations between the healer’s insights and the artist’s visions. Both have given powerful expression to the apocalyptic violence and destructiveness seething beneath the surface of 20th century mass-mind mentality. In the recognition of these powerful unconscious processes, there is great hope that humanity may find a way back to a saner and healthier balance.– Ralph Metzner, Ph.D., psychotherapist and author of The Unfolding Self, The Well of Remembrance, and The Roots of War and Domination.
In this brilliant book, Stan Grof guides us through the human psyche, using his own unique and comprehensive map, illustrated here by the art of H. R. Giger. The result is a major contribution to the field of depth psychology, bringing together art and science to create a document that is both evocative and therapeutic. This book once again confirms Grof as a profound pioneer in the study of consciousness. – Wes Nisker, Buddhist meditation teacher and author of Buddha’s Nature: A Practical Guide to Discovering Your Place in the Cosmos
In Grof’s newest book, his insights into the mysterious sources of artistic inspiration and the enchanting power of great art are presented in the form of an engaging narrative covering the history of depth-psychological interpretations of art, a concise overview of Grof’s revolutionary and expansive‘ cartography of the psyche’ gleaned from decades of consciousness research, and a compelling analysis of the spell-binding effect of Giger’s visionary life-work. – Sean Kelly, Ph.D., Professor of Philosophy, Cosmology, and Consciousness at the California Institute of Integral Studies
Stan Grof, one of the consciousness pioneers of the 20th and 21st century, has been on the forefront of understanding the importance of art in our human evolution toward a more enlightened species. In his unparalleled work, he’s created techniques of transforming the shadows into the light, and pointed to art as one the greatest expressions of these alchemical processes. This book honors the profound contributions of the artist, and illuminates Stan Grof’s tremendous contribution to consciousness research. – Martina Hoffmann, visionary painter and sculptress
