The Psychology of Personal Growth

Websites

Gabor Mate – expert on trauma theory and interventions
Mindfulness-Based Self Compassion with Dr Kristin Neff
Positive Psychology
Psychology Today
Scientific American Mind
Verywell Mind

A site suggested by a reader: http://www.psychologymastersprograms.com

Articles

Summary of research on wellbeing from the Templeton Foundation

Books

  • Brown, B. (2020) The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are. Center City, MN: Hazelden Publishing
  • Earley, J. and Weiss, B. (2020) Freedom from Your Inner Critic: A Self-Therapy Approach. Boulder, CO: Sounds True
  • Gibson, L.C. (2010) Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents: How to Heal from Distant, Rejecting or Self-Involved Parents. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications.
  • Licata, M. (2020) Healing Space, A: Befriending Ourselves in Difficult Times. Boulder, CO: Sounds True.
  • LePera, N. (2022) How to Meet Your Self – the Workbook for Self Discovery, London: Orion Spring.
  • Smith, J. (2022) Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before? London: Penguin Random House

Podcasts

  • The Adult Chair – listen to the first few episodes to get the key idea
  • Dear Therapists – a great opportunity to hear two therapists in action with their clients

Transpersonal Psychology

Most forms of psychotherapy concentrate on improving mental health by addressing underlying beliefs, emotions, and somatic symptoms rooted in past experience. Transpersonal therapy goes beyond this by including our spiritual needs – such as the need for meaning, the need to feel we are working for a higher purpose and, in some cases, developing a sense of transcendence or connection to mystery. For more information about transpersonal psychology see this page in Psychology Today.

Websites

Books

  • Assagioli, R. (1990). Psychosynthesis: A Manual of Principles and Techniques (2nd ed.). Wellingborough: Crucible.
  • Assagioli, R. (2007) Transpersonal Development. Findhorn: Smiling Wisdom
  • Bolen, J.S., (2014). Goddesses in Everywoman. 30th Anniversary ed. New York: HarperCollins
  • Bolen, J.S. (2014) Gods in Everyman. New York: HarperCollins
  • Firman, J. and Gila, A. (1997) The Primal Wound. Albany, NY: State University of New York Press.
  • Hardy, J., (1996). A Psychology with Soul – Psychosynthesis in Evolutionary Context. London: Woodgrange Press.
  • Psaris, J. (2020) Hidden Blessings: Midlife Crisis As a Spiritual Awakening. Oakland, CA: Sacred River Press.
  • Sorenson, K. (2016) The Soul of Psychosynthesis. The Seven Core Concepts. Kentaur Forlag.
  • Stein, M. (1998) Jung’s Map of the Soul: An Introduction. Chicago, Ill: Open Court.

Podcasts

Spirituality

Many people are put off by the word ‘spirituality’, associating it with either organised religion or weird New Age practices. For me, spirituality consists of the inner journey to find the soul, your true ‘essence’ or deeper self. This is combined with the outer journey to manifest love in action. The spiritual journey in part consists of learning to differentiate your essence from your personality or ego. Once we learn to meet our own needs from our inner spiritual resources, we achieve a deep peace that enables us to operate in the world in love and power. This can be within the context of a religion or not (I do not belong to any organised religion). In essence, spirituality is the ongoing quest for Self.

Websites

Books

  • Hanson, Rick with Mendius, R. (2009) Buddha’s Brain: The Practical Neuroscience Of Happiness, Love, And Wisdom The Practical Neuroscience of Happiness, Love, and Wisdom. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger (The science of meditation rather than a handbook of how to do it).
  • Hawkins, D. (2013) Letting Go: The Pathway of Surrender. Dublin: Veritas.
  • Red Hawk (2015) Self Remembering: The Path to Non-Judgmental Love: a Practitioner’s Manual. Prescott, AZ: Hohm Press
  • Red Hawk (2009) Self Observation: The Awakening of Conscience: An Owner’s Manual. Prescott, AZ: Hohm Press
  • Singer, M. (2007) The Untethered Soul: the journey beyond yourself. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications
  • Tift, B. (2015) Already Free: Buddhism Meets Psychotherapy on the Path of Liberation. Boulder, CO: Sounds True
  • Tolle, E. (2004) The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment. Novato, CA: New World Library.
  • Walsh, R. (2000) Essential Spirituality: The 7 Central Practices to Awaken Heart and Mind. El Dorado, KS: Trade Paper Press.

Podcasts

Power

There are not many books written on power in organisations. Some of the most popular books are written from the perspective of how to manipulate and control others (the 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene, The Art of War by Sun Tzu). There are, however, a lot of books on ‘influence’ which I see as a sub-set of power. For me, power is the ability to get people to act, think, feel and believe in accordance with your goals (which may be good – think Martin Luther King, or destructive). Power is never absolute and it is always fluid. No-one has complete power and no-one has no power as Victor Frankl, writing of his experiences in a Nazi concentration camp attests. The most important source of power is your connection to Self (or soul or deeper self). When you are connected to Self, you feel strong, confident and rooted. You act with curiosity, conviction and authority. You know when to stand your ground, assert boundaries and when to listen and compromise.

“Power without love is reckless and abusive, and love without power is sentimental and anaemic”. Martin Luther King.

Websites

  • Steven Bartlett, I like Steven Bartlett. He combines a sense of personal power with a deep interest in ethics, personal growth, entrepreneurialism and, increasingly, spirituality.
  • The Daedalus Trust, an organisation dedicated to studying the hubris syndrome in leadership.
  • Daniel Goleman, world-renowned psychologist and author of Emotional Intelligence
  • Jeffrey Pfeffer, Professor of Organizational Behavior, Stanford University. Professor Pfeffer has written extensively about power in organisations.
  • Jim Sidanius, Professor of Psychology at Harvard University. Originator of social dominance theory.

Books

  • Cialdini, R. B. (2021) Influence, New and Expanded – The Psychology of Persuasion. New York: Harper Business.
  • Goleman D (2006) Social Intelligence. London: Hutchinson. A good handbook to improve network power.
  • Greene, R. (1998) The 48 Laws of Power. London: Profile Books. You will probably be shocked when you read this but it will expand your understanding of the power games played, often by people you know, in organisations.
  • 10 Cents and Greene, R. (2010) The 50th Law. London: Profile Books.
  • Kahane A (2004) Solving Tough Problems: An Open Way of Talking, Listening and Creating New Realities. San Francisco: Berrett-Kohler. A fascinating exploration of the author’s successes and failures in influencing stakeholders to bring about peace in some of the most challenging conflicts.
  • Pfeffer, J.(2022) 7 Rules of Power: Surprising – But True – Advice on How to Get Things Done and Advance Your Career. London: Swift Press.
  • Pfeffer, J. (1993) Managing with Power: Politics and Influence in Organizations. Boston, MA: Harvard Business Review Press.

Podcasts