Excellent thought provoking book.

What shines though most in this book is the non-biased, humble, and practical approach of the author. Overall, this book was a refreshing take on how to approach life. It seeks to merge secular and spiritual wisdom. In my opinion, I think it leans too far into the spiritual at times, but not enough to make me dislike the book.

The Road Less Traveled and Beyond: Some Thoughts

by M. Scott Peck


The books subtitle is “Spiritual Growth in an Age of Anxiety” and while the book is almost 25 years old are we any less anxious? Pandemic, climate change, political deadlock would all tend to let us thing that things are getting worse. Yet, one line in the book rings true: “Indeed, we might think on our more optimistic days of Utopia as having already started, albeit barely.”
I tend to take the viewpoint that no society has ever been as successful as ours – the most tangible benefits, for the greatest number of people, with more time for leisure, hobbies, travel, and family, yet. Yet. Yet we are all greatly stressed. We all complicate simple things and look for simple answers for complex issues. We have no time for thinking as we are too busy doing. Who has time to sharpen the saw when there is so much wood to cut?
Why?
The book makes strong arguments for the need to achieve “a deeper awareness of how to live rich, fulfilling lives in a world fraught with stress and anxiety.” For the same society that has provided so much for so many have the capacity for destruction – slowly or quickly – like we have never before seen. “The survival of our civilization may well depend upon whether our institutions can evolve into sustainable communities and hence become ongoing learning organizations.”

The author shares a lifetime of profound ‘scientific’ insight with a deep and wisdom on spirituality. He has addressed millions via his books and lectures and while he is no longer amongst us on this earth, perhaps he is still encouraging us along. Scott Peck talks about decision making that should lead to ethical choices for the betterment of society. He deals with good and evil; the need to overcome narcissism; the necessity of community and the importance of love.

Dr. Peck also shares thoughts and guidance on growing old, the journey towards death, the need to learn and the need to share. You do not need to like all of the talk to leave with some wise and profound lessons. The reading and pondering of The Road Less Traveled and Beyond is an adventure worth undertaking, and especially poignant during this New Normal.

Happy Reading.
Lino Matteo ©™
Twitter @Lino_Matteo
https://linomatteo.wordpress.com/2021...

What a gem of a book. It closely looks at discipline and how from a young age its developed through our parents influence, transference and environment. It also looks at the characteristics and reasons for not being discplined. Its simply states that people without discipline are not able to delay gratification, don't take responsibility, having an unrealistic view of the world and cannot balance their lives.

Psychoanalysis is a process that an individual has to take I believe to better understand his own reality or the map that they have in their head while trying to make it a better one through a therapist.

In the second part the author explains or tries to define love or what is not love. Some surprising definitions and myths about love squashed so hard you will re think the word love all over again. Listening was also discussed and advice is given how to listen to your spouse and children, very useful I thought. The correlation between love and listening as the author would put it " Love in action "

This book is about growth and self examination through the mind of a psychoanlisis, you will understand how they work what they do for you and how they help people. It is truly an ART fixing people's realities only is accomplished by LOVE. The author wrote this book for other psychotherapist that are studying psychoanalysis. He is indirectly helping them to grow spiritually. In addition this book looks at how to deal with religion when using psychoanalysis with patients. In some way its enlightening to read other people's stories with religion and how it helped them and dramatically also destroyed their lives. You will also find a good analysis about religion and science and how each team perceives one another.

I really think this book should be taught in schools. Should be part of schools curriculum. It will allow future generations to discuss their realities and question religion for their own benefit and will most definitely make them know how to love.

Thank you for taking the time to read my review.


Dr Peck, Rest in peace, you have gifted the world a great gift. Your Love is evident in every page of this book. Thanking you is not enough rather spreading your book and explaining it to other is the least one can do.