The Road Less Traveled: A New Psychology of Love, Traditional Values and Spiritual Growth

Its a good read book, was quite good wasnt expecting much at the begaining. But its the one i loked in a years

This book is a bridge between psychology and spirituality. I wish I had read it earlier. It is divided into four parts: 1. DISCIPLINE - Brilliant and a totally different take on what discipline actually is - love. 2. LOVE - Again mind blowing and myth busting take on true love - and the myth of romantic love. This is the longest part of the book and obviously very emotionally challenging to read. If there was a course on love in school, it would look somewhat like this book. 3. GROWTH and RELIGION - The concept that everyone has a religion because everyone has some belief system - even atheists or agnostics. This chapter gives specific examples on how religion can hinder someone's spiritual journey or how it can heal someone's spiritual journey and put them on a fast track. This being the shortest chapter, I wish there were more examples but it has good insights anyway. 4. GRACE: I commend the author's tact in dealing with this subject - of God and grace in terms of the unconscious and consciousness. This part is what deals with the purpose and meaning of life, and how to find it or how to let it come to you- the paradox of life. Overall, here's my take - if there was one book, just one, to teach us the basics of how to live a life (and not just a living), it would be this book. No school or university can give academic degrees in love, courage and wisdom- this book is the crash course. The book is a series of examples of people in therapy with the author and his insights on their progress or lack thereof and what makes them heal faster or what hinders the healing. Recommended for - anyone dealing with anxiety, stress, depression, panic attacks, existential crisis, moral dilemmas, etc. and for - anyone who thinks they are in total control of their life - physical, emotional, spiritual, it might shake up the control aspect a bit, but totally worth it. Everyone needs some therapy if they have survived childhood. ;) [I bought a paperback copy of the book by Random House, the print and binding are okay, but the fonts are small and it's easy to get lose sight of line while reading.]

All good, just the font is too small...

This is really amazing book really motivational and will give you different perspective to love and life

Knew about this book from a co-worker in 2003. Bought it a decade or so later. No regrets.

An amazing that changed my world-view.

The book very elegantly captures the reason behind the mental issues that are part of our personalities. When did the issues started to originate and how it grows are explained for many case studies. It is a must read for people who are having some personal issues and they seek some psychological insight into those problems. I highly recommend it.

Author has done great work explaining the love, care, religion, and spiritual aspects by his own opinion. Well I am not 100% in favor of some explanation of religion and spiritual subjects because it differes from own experience.

This book is amazing and healing. I have had a previous one and wore it out by reading it so often. Each time I read it I get further Revelation. Highly recommend it!

Amazing book, will put you on a life-changing journey towards recovery from trauma, understanding yourself and others better, becoming disciplined, attuned to yourself, and a better human being

It allowed me to have a glimpse of the "big picture" and draw a sketch of a possible path to follow. It does not give plain answers but a rather original (to me) way to approach life in general. When you have a map in your mind it is certainly easier to travel through life and make conscious as well as unconscious decisions that lead you to where you're heading. I was a bit worried about the last chapters on a religion-like approach but i must say i found it very interesting. It does not "sell" you a religion or religion-like approach, it is simply pragmatic as something that cannot really be totally understood... Yet.

Very interesting read. I haven't finished the book yet but am thoroughly enjoying it and find it packed with useful info. Highly recommended.

The author discourses about the elements of spiritual growth, and presents his concept of love as "effort towards one's spiritual growth." The book is filled with examples from his vast experiences as a psychoanalyst. Highly recommended for everyone who wants to love. =] (As a side-note, despite being overtly Christian, he is very mindful of the different facets of religiosity and throughout most of the book presents unbiased (at least as far as possible) discussions.)