Wisdom Seekers

Subtitled 'the rise of the new spirituality', this is a remarkably comprehensive overview of the field, which also serves as a general introduction to many significant thinkers and important trends of thought. At the outset, the author reflects that the new age movement may be the future face of Western religion as a 'fusion of experiential and transformative spiritual practices grounded in the perennial wisdom traditions of both East and West.' This is of course a stark contrast to the attitudes of regressive fundamentalism. It also embraces new insights in science and psychology while transcending sceptical materialism. Interestingly, the book begins with Swedenborg, who is followed by Mesmer, Blavatsky and Gurdjieff. Next comes psychology with William James, Freud, Jung, Adler and Reich. The development of the transpersonal movement is described with variations including Maslow, Perls, Murphy; then the role of psychedelics with Huxley, Watts, Leary and the flower power of the 1960s.

The holistic perspective features psychosomatic aspects of disease and the self-help movement including Maxwell Maltz, who started as a plastic surgeon before realising the key importance of self-image and going on to found Psychocybernetics. There are also sections on channelling, meditation, mythology and feminism. The relationship between science and spirituality is discussed, including the work of James Lovelock, Rupert Sheldrake, Ken Wilber and David Bohm. As those of us in the field are aware, the understanding of death has also been transformed by people such as Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, Ian Stevenson and Robert Monroe. I have recommended that my daughter, who intends to read psychology, reads this book to give a wider context to her study, and it can be recommended to curious and intelligent young people. The movement as a whole is important in supplementing existing scientific understanding and developing a living spirituality, all within a perspective of unity and diversity. We are engaged in the important process of widening horizons and acquiring a more global perspective, perhaps even in formulating a wisdom society. This book is an important guide to this overall process.