Rating:  Summary: An intriguing and stimulating read. Review: Peck believes that psychotherapists are God's gift to mankind, bringing them salvation on large platters, if only each person would take the time and spend the money to be psychoanalyzed for a sufficiently long time.Peck's views on love, evil, and God can be summarized as follows: Love is an act of will whereby we encourage the spiritual/mental growth of another. Laziness is the evil that exists in the world, either passively or actively discouraging spiritual/mental growth. Laziness is the original sin, the born-in problem that each of us must deal with and defeat to grow and mature. God is the collective unconsciousness of mankind and our individual unconscious is the gateway between our consciousness and God. God is the positive force in the universe that wants to see us grow spiritually. Our goal in life should be to become more God-like. Peck is too sure of his ideas to suit my taste. He is a populist psychologist and a lazy philosopher, but an interesting and stimulating read just the same. On one point I agree totally with Peck however -- that the traditional dogmas of religion must be rejected if we are to come to know God. Once we reject the old dogmas, and everything we have learned about God, then we can begin to know God. But Peck offers us a not so subtle dogma of his own, and the reader should be careful not to accept this new dogma as a replacement for the old.
Rating:  Summary: One of the Great Books of the Century Review: i'm the guy whose review appears towards the bottom of the list, the guy who was surprised only 3 reviews appeared before his. well, i'm pleased to see we're up to 31 reviews (even though i've "voted" twice!) i write this note with nothing less than sheer reverence for the author, and direct you all to the other "road" books; they truly deepen the experience. and here i'm talking about "futher along the road less traveled" and "the road less traveled and beyond" (from memory). thank you, dr.peck.
Rating:  Summary: falling in "love" Review: A new psychology of love, traditional values and spiritual growt
Rating:  Summary: A new psychology of love, traditional values and spiritual g Review: falling in "love"
Rating:  Summary: A Truly Life-Changing Experience Review: I first read "The Road Less Traveled" at a rather low point in my life. I needed something, but I wasn't sure what. This book was it! So many of Dr. Peck's insights really hit home. I felt he had written the book for and about me. For once I felt as if someone really understood me, and I felt that I understood myself and my life much better. This is no doubt due to the fact that love and spirituality are subjects which we all must deal with on some level. I suspect that those who don't like this book or don't "get it" are those who aren't ready to accept the messages it contains. The section about Love is one of the best writings on this subject I have ever read, and the author's thoughts on Grace will be of interest to many. Some may not agree with certain aspects of the book, e.g., religious views or the merits of psychiatry. But there is still enough thought-provoking content to interest the open-minded individual. I highly recommend this book to anyone seeking personal growth who has the courage to look at his or her life honestly.
Rating:  Summary: THE ROAD LESS TRAVELLED Review: This is an incredible book. It beautifully and clearly combines the Psyche with the spirit. I have read it many times and it continues to reveal more profound truths. Read this to transcend.
Rating:  Summary: gain the perspective of numerous journeys Review: Many of us have the opportunity to become experts in our own worlds - typically work. We see the same themes day in and day out. Peck has had the unique priviledge of observing and learning from his patients. Dr. Peck has offered to share his opportunities and wisdom by writing this book. I'd tried to read this book numerous times, it wasn't until I reached a crossroads in my own life that I was truly able to read the book -- and then I plowed through it in a week. One tip - don't just read the parts you think you want (i.e. LOVE) -- the book's wisdom lies in how all the pieces fit together... Dr. Peck - thanks!
Rating:  Summary: Only for those desperate enough to work on the hard stuff Review: TRLT is not for those looking for quick and easy answers to life. Dr. Peck makes no bones that life is indeed difficult and personal growth comes by working through it's tough situations. Others may be turned off by Dr. Peck's religious beliefs, I certainly did not agree with all of them. Dr. Peck does give a methodology for integrating one's personal beliefs and/or standards with sound psychology, something I had not seen before. Keep in mind that this book was written in 1978, a first step for Dr. Peck on his own RLT. It is interesting and heartening to watch his growth in his subsequent books, which he is refreshingly candid in sharing.
Rating:  Summary: PRETTY GOOD Review: This is the book that started it all: when I suffered from my worst ever crisis some seven years ago, it was one of the first books I read. TRLT is not exactly one of the best self-help books out there--Peck's weakest point is that although he gives good advice, he doesn't necessarily have command of what he's writing about--but it's definitely a good starting book for any self-help program. Some other great books, by the way, while you're at it --To Thine Own Self Be True, by Lewis M. Andrews and Even a Stone Can Be a Teacher, by Sheldon Kopp.
Rating:  Summary: THE BOOK THAT SPIT THE STRAIGHT RAW TRUTH OF LIFE Review: I've read a lot of books about life and stages of life that people claimed were awesome and were must read books. The books were all right but never really told the truth about life. Such as life is hard and during life we face challenge in each stage of our lives and once you get pass that life is easier and more understandable. Peck is the only author that tells the truth about life. A lot the problem that he faced and talked about I could relate to and if I couldn't I new some one who faced them problems. From reading this book it show me that I'm not the only one who faces problems in life. It's easier for a person to talk about situations they didn't encounter, but from what a friend may have told them. That is probable the reason why I can't relate to the authors. But with Scott Peck, I see that he has faced the same problems that everyday people faced and if he hasn't his patient have faced these problems. There was one section in this book that really influenced me. The section on Discipline this section dealt with Problems and managing time. I recommend this book to all people who are experience any problems in life this book is guaranteed to help you in any stage of your life that is experiences difficult situations.
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