The Observing Self: Mysticism and Psychotherapy

Rating:
Summary: Potential Remains Unexplored
Review: I was attracted to this book by a very short but highly intriguing article written by Dr. Deikman in a recent mental health publication. Finishing the book left me with the same feeling I have when I've gone to see a movie on the virtues of a great preview, only to find that all the good parts of the movie were contained in the preview. The article brilliantly teases at the notion of a connection between mysticism and psychotherapy, but the books's treatment of it is superficial at best. While I agree with Dr. Deikman's assertion that mystical techniques can probably not be directly employed in psychotherapy, I would have been happier if he had at least been willing to issue a critique of major psychotherapeutic techniques in light of what he's learned from mystical traditions.

This book rests on an odd paradox. It seems intended to challenge academic thinkers traditionally hostile to any consideration of mysticism in typically analytical contexts. A noble goal, perhaps, but what incentive would someone with this perspective have to want to read this book? For those of us open to the possibility of a connection and hence most likely to be willing to read about it, we find in this book rudimentary concepts that are much better treated elsewhere. An unfortunate no-man's-land for an author whose interests and passions clearly deserve better...

Rating:
Summary: Potential Remains Unexplored
Review: I was attracted to this book by a very short but highly intriguing article written by Dr. Deikman in a recent mental health publication. Finishing the book left me with the same feeling I have when I've gone to see a movie on the virtues of a great preview, only to find that all the good parts of the movie were contained in the preview. The article brilliantly teases at the notion of a connection between mysticism and psychotherapy, but the books's treatment of it is superficial at best. While I agree with Dr. Deikman's assertion that mystical techniques can probably not be directly employed in psychotherapy, I would have been happier if he had at least been willing to issue a critique of major psychotherapeutic techniques in light of what he's learned from mystical traditions.

This book rests on an odd paradox. It seems intended to challenge academic thinkers traditionally hostile to any consideration of mysticism in typically analytical contexts. A noble goal, perhaps, but what incentive would someone with this perspective have to want to read this book? For those of us open to the possibility of a connection and hence most likely to be willing to read about it, we find in this book rudimentary concepts that are much better treated elsewhere. An unfortunate no-man's-land for an author whose interests and passions clearly deserve better...

Rating:
Summary: Splendid Book
Review: Just read it! Intellectually and spiritually cleansing. It's a Flylady 27-fling-boogie for the soul, an open door into sanity.

Rating:
Summary: a good book
Review: Mr Deikman has got a very good mind and this book is a book with great clarity and depth together but I think one needs a lot more to understand the subject of observing self/mysticism.