Human Living the Adventure Being of Life and And Love Becoming

by David G. Benner

Becoming fully human is a lifelong journey. It can also be an incredible adventure. Here internationally respected depth psychologist, spiritual guide, and personal transformation coach David Benner explores the mysteries of human being and becoming. Drawing on insights from science, philosophy, and forty years of experience integrating psychology and spirituality, he presents concrete steps for living in ways that move us toward wholeness. He also draws on mysticism, the perennial wisdom tradition, interfaith dialogue, and the contemplative Christian tradition, developing a robust spirituality that reveals how we can align ourselves with God's presence in the world.

Genres: Psychology, Spirituality, Nonfiction, Theology

174 pages, Paperback

First published January 19, 2016

About the author

David G. Benner (PhD, York University; postdoctoral studies, Chicago Institute of Psychoanalysis) is an internationally known depth psychologist, author, spiritual guide, and personal transformation coach. He currently serves as Emeritus Distinguished Professor of Psychology and Spirituality at the Psychological Studies Institute, Richmont Graduate University. He has authored or edited more than twenty books, including Soulful Spirituality and Strategic Pastoral Counseling

Reviews

[Nick Richtsmeier]

People who follow my reading history know I love David Benner. He has framed up some of the most transformational seasons of my life, and I have tracked with him as he has journeyed from the psychotherapy/discipleship space to what can now be described as a more contemplative mysticism.

I love meaty books. Books that are thorough and deep and demand something of the reader--either emotionally or intellectually, or both. This book, seemingly does neither. It is a great primer on the wisdom tradition and its ties to traditional Christianity while also giving the reader an entry-point into non-dualistic thinking.

But I find his sources more compelling. The books he references have made a stronger and more engaging case for the life he describes, but perhaps that is an issue of taste. I suspect many will find Benner's abbreviated and broad introduction into the deeper life of mystical spirituality refreshingly accessible, and perhaps that was his point.

[Keith]

In his book 'Human Being and Becoming' Dr. Benner does an incredible job of addressing a 'whole person' spirituality, integrating the good and the bad. i'm reminded of a saying i once heard, "Don't be done with your sin until you've learned what it has to teach you." Dr. Benner challenges the notion of a 'true self' and 'false self' and moves toward the 'whole self' which accepts all those parts as 'me'.

"Many aspects of human personhood seem to pull us in opposite directions until we see them in light of the larger whole within which they both play a crucial role in making us who we are." p. 55

Woven all through the writing is the underlying trust that God is for us and not against us. He has designed all things to move toward transformation and wholeness. We can trust God and the journey.

[Jennifer Jones]

I am pretty much in awe of how this book wove together ALL the topics I’ve been slowly piecing together over the past couple of years and explained it in such an easy, readable format. Aldous Huxley, Carl Jung, Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, Ken Wilber, Richard Rohr, Cynthia Bourgeault, Ilia Delio—these aren’t easy reads 😅 and somehow Benner merges all of these ideas in a way that feels completely readable. I’m just so impressed and inspired by his ability to do that.

[Boho Beannie]

School book. Wanted to like this more than I actually did

[Brian]

While this book contains some useful insights on depth psychology, love, and compassion, I disagree with his basic philosophical premise. Benner seems to embrace the perennial philosophy of Huxley rather than Christian orthodoxy.

[Rob O'Lynn]

I considered it for a textbook in a course that I am teaching this summer and opted to pass on it before I completely finished the book. While I resonate with Benner on several points of psychology and spirituality, there was one significant point on his understanding of the beginning of humanity that I had to disassociate with him on. While I accept a form of evolutionary creationism, I ultimately believe that God created humanity. We were intentionally made, even if it took millions of years to get us to the starting point described in Genesis. Benner, however, seems to separate from that belief, siding more with a "Big Bang" approach to the beginning of humanity, a view that I feel skews his typically spot-on understanding of humanity.

[Rob]

For me, this book fell flat. I appreciate Benner and his insights on being present to one's self, one's story, and one another. In this latest book he continues those themes, but this time the challenges were muted by attempts at breadth. I was encouraged by his challenges to be present and welcoming to "the other" and his desire to see us connected to a wisdom tradition, but would have appreciated greater challenges to push through the boundaries of the ego-driven self towards a more connected life to God and one another. Benner, is again, worth reflecting upon, but this is not his strongest book.

[Hannah]

Overall I have difficulty connecting with Benner's writing; it's meandering and largely abstract. I did appreciate his discussion of ideal decision making drawing upon both emotion and reason.

I received a free reviewer's edition of this book from NetGalley.

[Dan Brunner]

While I didn't agree with some of his theology--this book isn't for everyone--I found it one of the more integrative books I've read on the human journey in quite a while. Especially helpful was the chapter on personhood.

[Deanna]

Fabulous book. Benner is brilliant. Many great lines. Amazing message. Highly recommend.