The Spectrum of Consciousness by Ken Wilber

The Spectrum of Consciousness Reviews

• 
  Arash Aghevli

  Have no idea where to begin when discussing this book. In the first few chapters, Wilbur summarizes everything I had ever read about psychology and philosophy. In the next section, he creates one of the most comprehensive frameworks for understanding how almost every school of philosophy, psychology and metaphysical understandings of the universe fit together. Finally, he lays out his vision of how all of these forms of understanding evolve outward from one end of the spectrum to another through a process of fragmentation, and how we can reverse the process through involution. Unreal, and one of the most pivotal books of my life.
• 
  Carla

  Ah...one of my favorite books. This book changed my life. It answers a lot of questions about life's mysteries in this universe. It is truly fascinating, and encourages personal growth. Based in science, transpersonal psychology is a beautiful subject combining science, religions, and the metaphysical.
• 
  Peggy Warren

  A very worthwhile book, but not a casual read. Author goes into great depth about non-dualism from many angles. Background in eastern philosophies and/or psychology would probably be helpful. Getting through this book was a bit of a struggle for me, as I'm very unfamiliar with much of the vernacular. Thought provoking nonetheless, with some very illuminating viewpoints.
• 
  Robin Tobin (On the back porch reading)

  Deep thorough look at all the different developmental stages, levels, and lines of many different systems and developmental programs... What are their common denominators and how do we use all this like a roadmap to the inner and outer development of our being... Ken Wilber is one of a kind...
• 
  Kitap

  "It is on the question of interpretation of internal experiences that Wilber's system falters. Wilber fails to defend the validity of his practice of interpreting these internal experiences as epistemologically sound means of gaining access to valid knowledge about the true nature of extra-pyschic reality. Similarly, he fails to provide convincing arguments to explain why his interpretation of those experiences should be considered more valid than the theist's quite different interpretations of the same internal experiences. Finally, he fails to demonstrate why the non-dualist religious experience should be considered superior to the religious experience of theists, an experience which asserts and values the otherness of God. From this epistemological issue, other issues follow: the de-valuation of the personal, the separation of the ethical and the spiritual, Wilber's selective, non-representative use of sources, and others. The future status of Wilber's work and the field of transpersonal psychology will in part be a product of how successfully Wilber responds to these and other challenges from non-transpersonalist commentators." - George Adams,
  "A Theistic Perspective on Ken Wilber's Transpersonal Psychology," Journal of Contemporary Religion, Vol. 17, No. 2, 2002
• 
  Gabriel Eggers

  Absolutely transformational! A unification of our understanding of the landscape of consciousness bridging across modern psychological theories of all school, as well as the comtemplative traditions of the world and beyond. I still can't believe that this was written almost 5o years ago by a 26 year old man. Reading this book provoked a profound interest in developmental psychology in me and helped supply me with the tools to understand a whole range of experiences and phenomenon that I had previously dismissed or overlooked.
• 
  Ender Yemenicioglu

  If you have once experienced "It", the whole book makes sense, if not, you might think it is full of bs. I am a scientist and was a non-believer of everything which I cannot explain with a materialistic world view. I have started doing tai chi and meditation because of health aspects and relaxation. One day I experienced the "connection" during a meditation. It was absolutely terrifying for me, because I could not explain it with my existing knowledge, but it was as real as I am. My whole belief system collapsed because I didn’t know what to do with this new information. Thanks to this book I can assign it as a level of consciousness (transpersonal band as written by Ken Wilber) and begin to understand it. And now the whole Batiniyya and Tasawwuf tradition of my culture makes sense to me. I heard maybe countless times the Alevi song begins with the text “I am the mirror of the whole universe, since I am a human being”, but I ignored it as a religious mumbo jumbo. But now I can comprehend the meaning finally. This is a book, which might change lives literally.
• 
  Ricardo Acuña

  Es un libro que me pareció excelente, con muchos conceptos profundos de psicología y desarrollo de conciencia. Sin duda de mis favoritos. Presenta un análisis comparativo de las diferentes escuelas de oriente y occidente que concilia los modelos del desarrollo psicológico y de la conciencia. Y por si fuera poco, concilia también las diferentes escuelas psicológicas occidentales, poniendo muy claro el enfoque terapéutico de cada una en el modelo del espectro de la conciencia. En lo personal uno de los aspectos mas valiosos, es poder ver que todas las escuelas son verdaderas desde la perspectiva del nivel del espectro al que atienden. Todos los caminos del desarrollo de la conciencia llevan al mismo punto de no-dualidad. Me parece que contiene muchos códigos de significado para ser descubiertos, que cada quien podrá o no comprender, según la posición en el espectro que ocupemos, nuestros condicionamientos y conocimientos.
• 
  Domagoj Bodlaj

  Since discussion on consciousness cannot be based purely on logical and scientific discourse, it must deploy vague language of analogies, imagery, "what it feels like" descriptions and sometimes poetic figures. Having this in mind, the book still didn't trigger my bs detector, which i feel is somewhat sensitive. It did tingle at the moments, but I ascribed that to the nature of the subject and the neccessary use of the previously mentioned instruments. Wilbers comprehensive theory on consciousness seems to make a decent amount of sense
• 
  James Lowery

  I'm going to be honest I just couldn't finish this book. I made it to chapter 6 and just couldn't read anymore. The crux of the book is made in the first two chapters, then everything after that is simply repeating and rewording those two chapters while rehashing and using quotes from about ten authors, if that, used throughout the entire book. If you have an extremely poor memory or attention span this might suit you but I found it beyond annoying.
• 
  Arman

  Simply enlightening. An evocative tale of the evolution of human consciousness from the initial thought to the neurosis caused by suppression and projection of our Shadow. A must-read for philosophy and psychology enthusiasts.
• 
  Luciano Lisiotti

  Finally finished !
  
  It’s a heavy book but quite interesting, with lots of interesting points.
  
  To be read in your mother language, because it’s not an easy book to read!
• 
  Austin

  Ken is extremely thorough and integrative. A bright mind of our time.
• 
  Nadia

  Phew. What to say. Fascinating concepts, impressive synthesis. The first half of the book is a mess. A repetitive series of tautologies bookended by long quote after quote that are rarely explicated. It doesn't help that he uses phrases he coins himself like "centaur awareness." I nearly didn't make it through those weeds. But once I made it to "Involution" I found myself really appreciating it.
  
  As a psychiatrist and psychotherapist, I appreciated the concepts.
• 
  Andrew

  this is the book which put ken wilber at the forefront of the transpersonal movement. a book which lays the groundwork for his more specialized books which have been written since. wilber does not look at the universe through any specific lens but rather offers the first glimpse of his integral approach.
• 
  Giovanni Bianco

  O Espectro da Consciência é um clássico do pensamento transpessoal. Apesar de Wilber, primeiramente, ter se desligado do carácter retrorromâtico da obra e, depois, desligado-se do próprio campo da transpessoal, o livro ainda é cheio de insights profundos e já demonstra o brilhantismo integrador do autor, manifestado desde muito jovem.
• 
  Hope Gwilyams

  Let Ken Wilber, a noted Buddhist scholar, walk you through the many levels of human consciousness -- both those you already know and those you can aspire to.
• 
  Ricche Khosasi

  at first I was in very bad headache reading this book, but after some attempt and anguish, there comes some consciousness
• 
  Jim Carnicle

  This book is meant to be a meditation that is practiced and evolves.
• 
  Paz Luz

  A book for awakening...