The Natural Depth in Man

by Wilson Van Dusen

Psychologist Wilson Van Dusen explores the secret spaces of our inner world with clues drawn from his own personal experience, his work with mental patients, and his study of Eastern and Western philosophy. Drawing from the insights of Swedish visionary Emanuel Swedenborg, Van Dusen discusses self-reflection, dreams, hallucinations, and the mystical experience.

Genres: Psychology, Philosophy, Nonfiction

197 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1972

Reviews

[Travelightly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wilson Van Dusen is indeed a wise reporter on psychological life. He's 91 as of this writing. The book was written in 1972. I first read The Natural Depth in Man 40 years ago and he left a lasting impression with me on what it is to truly be a human being. I just reordered the book. I wish it were read and discussed in every high school psychology/sociology class. I don't remember Swedenborg being discussed so much, but it led me to follow up with reading Van Dusen's writings on him and to turn to the fascinating man that was Swedenborg.

What was most valuable for me was it really does, in a most accessible style, discuss many qualities of the depth of our human being. I don't remember it focusing on mystical elements of life as he discusses in his Swedenborg books. Here, he focusing more on the practical realities of our mortal being. One comment he made that I've always kept in mind throughout my life: if you ever wake up in a mental institution, don't argue with staff you don't belong there, that there must have been some horrible mistake; make yourself useful. It's the strongest evidence you are indeed sane. That seems to hold true amongst our everyday life. If you simply make your self useful to other people, most will look more favorably on you as a valuable contributor to their lives.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author, a clinical psychologist, pieces together clues drawn from his own personal experience, his work with mental patients, and his study of Eastern and Western philosophy, to guide the reader through the secret spaces of our inner world.

Imagine yourself observing mental patients in an asylum. You might grow to empathize with their plight. You might even be able to better understand and help better them if you could sympathize with them. Well this doctor took it to a whole other level. He intentionally had himself committed, took a dose of LSD, and lived among them, as one of them. The book contains this story as well and many other tales exploring different people and different modes of thought the brain is capable of.

In the author's own words: If one were locked up in an ancient castle for one's whole life – a castle full of artifacts, dungeons, endless rooms, art and books - one would spend much time exploring and recreating the lives of the inhabitants. We are locked up in such a mind-castle, yet we have explored little. Many know little more than a sitting room in the east wing and assume this is the whole."

[Michael Patton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book over forty-five years ago, so my memory of it isn't so clear. But "Natural Depth" was probably my first introduction to dream interpretation (which eventually became an important part of my life), so I'll give it five stars. Funny how, in my early twenties, I tasted so many things, but didn't develop a hunger for them until later on.

[Brendan]

Read parts of , ( why not just read Swedenborg ? )

[Sean Murray]

It is quite old, and there is/was still nothing new in this book, even then

[Bob Garlitz · Rating 5 out of 5]

essential