The Road Less Traveled: A New Psychology of Love, Traditional Values, and Spiritual Growth
by M. Scott Peck
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This is my "must read" pick in the realm of psychology/self-help. The author gives his definitions of "discipline" and "love", discusses whether or not religion is helpful for mental health, and then offers his explanation for the meaning of life. It's not a light read.
The book was written decades ago by a psychologist, so by today's standards I suspect it may seem a bit dry and technical, lacking some of the modern "pop psychology" feel. Personally...more
The book was written decades ago by a psychologist, so by today's standards I suspect it may seem a bit dry and technical, lacking some of the modern "pop psychology" feel. Personally...more
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"Dr." Peck's first doorstop. Inexplicably, this sorry waste of time and paper remained on the NYT Bestseller list for something like ten years. (I don't know why I'm surprised, actually -- this is the same country that elected George W. Bush twice.) If you were unfortunate enough to buy this, or have it given to you as a gift, do yourself a favor now: put this one the shelf right beside that other pop-pseudo-psychology piece of shit Michelle Remembers. Leave them both within spitting d...more
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11 comments
Read in May, 2007
recommends it for:
everyone
The only reason I haven't finished reading this great book is because I gave my copy to a stranger who was going through a personal crisis and had a more immediate need than I for its contents. I will say, even though I haven't finished the book, that it's totally re-shaped the way I think about love (as action versus feeling).
TRLT blends ideas from Eastern and Western psychology and provides a sort of road map of thought for anyone who wants to live life more fully and deepen their relation...more
TRLT blends ideas from Eastern and Western psychology and provides a sort of road map of thought for anyone who wants to live life more fully and deepen their relation...more
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Read in September, 2007
I love that M. Scott Peck writes in a similar, although less intense and less extreme, style as C.S. Lewis. I like that he is fluent in the languages of spirituality and psychotherapy. I get the sense that he is more intent on the exploration and discovery of "truth" than on pushing his own ideological or theological agenda. I love the "tone" of this book...his writing voice comes across as wise, gentle, full of strength, and not afraid to describe the complex, often painful,...more
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Read in March, 2004
A very insightful book authored by a psychologist/psychiatrist who reveals the secrets to fulfilling, healthy, meaningful and lasting relationships. It really makes you see yourself and others in a different light, as well as words and concepts we think we understand. His hallmark argument is that we so often view love as a noun instead of a verb... as something that just happens to us or doesn't happen to us, instead of an ongoing task we must work at...that work, that action-is love. In fact...more
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Read in January, 1990
The very first words in this book opened my eyes: "Life is difficult." Nobody had ever told me that before. It went on to say that when life doesn't turn out the way we expected it to, that's really no disaster. That's just the way it is.
I was looking for some spirtual guidance at the time, having gone through a divorce and feeling somewhat like a shipwreck washed up on a desert island shore, and this book spoke to me, in real words, about how life really is. About acceptance. ...more
I was looking for some spirtual guidance at the time, having gone through a divorce and feeling somewhat like a shipwreck washed up on a desert island shore, and this book spoke to me, in real words, about how life really is. About acceptance. ...more
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I loved the ideas in this book. It's phsychological theories rang pretty true for me. I need to read it again and think about it a little longer. I first listened to it on a car trip and maybe didn't get as much out of it as I could. But it ultimately helped me see that I have much more potential than I give myself credit for, and that it's important to explore and learn. It also put a lot of other books and ideas into perpsective for me that made them all fit together nicely. It's only pr...more
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Have you ever really thought about what love is? This book provides a thorough, discerning, holistic, and accurate description of what it means to love. Peck bases his observations on decades of psychotherapy practice and anecdotes from real people's lives. His discussion of love - "the will to extend oneself for the purpose of nurturing one's own or another's spiritual growth" - hits hard and rings true, pushing readers to question their own behaviors and life goals and to re-evaluate...more
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recommends it for:
anyone
This book is by now a classic in the field of psychology. Yet, it's written for a mainstream audience and goes through some of the basic tenets of psychological theory (e.g. attachment, individuation, boundaries, delayed gratification) but does so through the lense of spiritual growth. Peck is an excellent writer and fine therapist who is sensitive to the issues of spirituality. The case examples and stories in the book really bring his concepts and ideas together. This is a book that I woul...more
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Read in January, 1992
I cherish this book and give praise to Scott Peck for writing this masterpiece, a wealth of knowledge and wisdom.
The first time I read it I was in my early 30's. It changed my life, encouraged me to live authentically and with courage. when your raising a family one needs to follow their conscience and make tough decisions. Peck teaches and encourages this process. I have followed up with Peck's subsequent books in the last few years.
I recomend this to any adult searching for a better li...more
The first time I read it I was in my early 30's. It changed my life, encouraged me to live authentically and with courage. when your raising a family one needs to follow their conscience and make tough decisions. Peck teaches and encourages this process. I have followed up with Peck's subsequent books in the last few years.
I recomend this to any adult searching for a better li...more
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For anyone who has issues....need I say more? The first 2/3 of this book (I didn't care for the last 1/3 at all when he gets into religion) is really thoughtful and helpful when it comes to sorting out your "issues". Issues with family, issues dealing with your strengths/weaknesses and habits, and more. I re-read this often, as every time I read it, I seem to get a different answer/lesson that fits my concerns.
This book has stayed with me, and helped a great deal with overcomi...more
This book has stayed with me, and helped a great deal with overcomi...more
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Read in January, 2008
recommended to Jennie by:
my mom
I read this book to make my mom happy. Her church book group was reading it, and she got all stoked about it after reading the first section. It was a fairly bland combination of basic common sense (self-discipline is good, laziness is bad), pseudo-spiritual psychobabble (your unconscious mind is God!), and the occasional moral zinger (open marriage is the only real form of marriage). Overall, I was unimpressed, but I wasn't begging the Lord for the 6 hours of my life back, either. I never e...more
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Read in July, 2007
recommends it for:
anyone interested in understanding themselves
Okay, so parts of this book can seem heretical. And I am definitely not endorsing the religiosity of the author, but once3 you move past that, this book is life-changing. The ideas about discipline and love were especially eye-opening. A great read, not the kind of book you should read in a day, more the slow, chewing kind.
Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be
chewed and digested: that is, some books are to be read only in parts,
others to be read, but no...more
Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be
chewed and digested: that is, some books are to be read only in parts,
others to be read, but no...more
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Read in January, 2001
I have read this book three times and reference it often. I love his simplistic points like: "Once we truly know that life is difficult-once we truly understand and accept it-then life is no longer difficult. Because once it is accepted, the fact that life is difficult no longer matters."
This is what sucked me in and left me glued to my couch until I finished it. The Bible states this quite clearly. Yet, we foolishly gravitate to the churches that promise prosperity, wealth and...more
This is what sucked me in and left me glued to my couch until I finished it. The Bible states this quite clearly. Yet, we foolishly gravitate to the churches that promise prosperity, wealth and...more
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Read in January, 1991
recommends it for:
Know thy selvers
I actually read People of the Lie first, where I first discovered the word, "narcissism," and how, left unchecked, it can destroy relationships. Self-help is not my favorite genre--it's to literature what psychedelic paintings are to spirituality--but I have to make an exception in this case. It didn't stay on the New York Best Seller's List for years for nothing. Even if that's not your barometer for good reads, this book is all the moralistic reprimands and daily inspirations one ...more
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Read in April, 2008
Please read this book. I have underlined and gone back to re-read something on almost every page. Peck is a psychiatrist who speaks to the lay person about life and how to live it in a healthy and constructive way. He slowly but surely, in a beautifully paced manner, presents the topic of love, which underlies true health... I have a few pages left and I just don't want to read them because then the book will be over. But it is definitely the kind of book that I will be re-reading and carrying a...more
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This is a great book, one of the few great books about relationships, love and psychology. It sounds very "new age" but isn't. It's actually very well-written, touches on a lot of different topics, is very down to earth, and makes you think. It begins with a great line - something like "life is painful" - very straightforward, but amazingly hopeful and upbeat. It reminds me of all the lessons I have learned along the way, and quite frankly, keeps me honest. I try to read it...more
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Read in July, 1995
recommends it for:
those looking to grow mentally and spiritually
this book pointed me in a totally different direction with regard to how I was living my life. It was an eyeopener in that I could relate to so much of it and it helped explain why I wasn't moving on the way I wanted to in terms of growth. It was challenging and provocative and I return to it when I find life difficult or people just annoying! It doesn't always give me the answer I expect but it does expand my views of my perceived problem where often I am the problem not the other person! V...more
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I was recommended this title during a rather low point in my life, and it certainly was literally having common sense drummed into your head. The writer explains the dilemnas of life in simple language, because he's 'been there, done that'. His own medical background affirms his credibility. I re-read this book for inspiration and reminders (opening up a chapter at random) whenever I feel down. I passed my copy to my sister, who is also searching for answers to her own questions. It's the one bo...more
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Read in November, 2003
recommends it for:
EVERYONE!
This book was and still is one that I go back and will read just a page and it will inspire me for the rest of the day, no matter the page. There are not great enough words to describe how incredible this book is and the impact it makes. I have had several family members and some friends read it and they feel the same way. It is not a self help book, but it does explain people and relationships in a way that no one else can and even why you ultimately make the decisions you do; I read it every y...more
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