Awakening to Awe

An inspiring and refreshing new concept through which to understand and appreciate lifes mysteries and to unleash aliveness; Schneiders guide to 'awakening to awe' offers meaningful psychological theory and sensible real-life examples of applying an 'awe' perspective to aging, recovery from drug abuse, and all aspects of everyday life. Readers will truly enjoy and be uplifted by the journey with Schneider as they embrace this new positive lens and make their own list of awesome experiences-from art, music, sport, nature, relationshipsto uncovering humor, surprise, emotion, and vastness of appreciation in life. -- Judy Kuriansky, Ph.D., author of The Complete Idiot's Guide to A Healthy Relationship Awakening to Awe is an intelligent and inspiring call to revive a sense of mystery. Kirk Schneider draws on the very best of psychological and spiritual thinkers and in plain language shows ways to re-invent this society spiritually. His ideas and style are perfectly suited to this all-important theme. -- Thomas Moore, author of Care of the Soul and Writing in the Sand A call from a master existentialist for the reinstatement of awe in daily living. We had it at birth; it will be with us at the hour of our death, if we could just open ourselves to it. Meanwhile, he reminds us, life still remains at once the great problem and the great mystery. -- Eugene Taylor, PhD, author of The Mystery of Personality: A History of Dynamic Systems (Springer, 2009) Those acquainted with Schneider's previous book, Rediscovery of Awe, will immediately recognize this as a valuable companion volume.a collection of narratives of significant depth by people whose lives embody the transformation process Schneider advocates.In Schneider's writing we hear the clear echo of Rollo May, his former teacher and colleague, but also the voices of Otto Rank and Ernest Becker. * Ernest Becker Foundation * Written by a leading American humanistic-existentialist psychologist based in San Francisco, it amplifies and brings up to date Rabbi Herschel's important view regarding the spiritual significance of awe. Though not explicitly aimed at Jews, this book in its own way is a wake-up call for everyone interested in revitalizing Jewish belief and practice. Well organized.The appendix in most books is largely superfluous; not so with Awakening to Awe. Drawing effectively on his background as a practicing clinical psychologist, Dr. Schneider identifies a variety of specific conditions that either foster or discourage our experience of humility, wonder, and amazement in everyday life. * National Jewish Post and Opinion * Kirk J. Schneider, Ph.D., is a leading spokesperson for contemporary humanistic psychology and is the Editor of the Journal of Humanistic Psychology. He is a pioneer in developing existential- integrative psychotherapy and in the application of awe-based consciousness to existential- humanistic psychotherapy. Awakening to Awe explores the nature and power of awe from Dr. Schneider's theoretical and therapeutic stance as well as through interviews of people transformed by their experience of awe..In Dr. Schneider's exploration of awe he emphasizes how awe connotes an openness to life as it is, with its mystery, with its depth, with its pain and joy. It can be 'awe-some' or 'awe-ful'. It is an invitation to value life as it is.I very much value this book and encourage both professionals and the general public to read it with an awe-based attitude. If you are not sure what an awe-based attitude means before your read it, you will by the time you are finished. * AHP Perspective Magazine * If the intention of the book was to help the reader remember, reflect, and reconnect to some of those special moments, it succeeded brilliantly....The material is well organized and presented logically....This book provides examples of how therapist and clergy can embark on a phenome

Kirk Schneider, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist and leading spokesperson for humanistic psychology. He is the author of eight books, current editor of the Journal of Humanistic Psychology, adjunct faculty at Saybrook Graduate School, and vice president of the Existential-Humanistic Institute.

Preface Introduction: Awe-Wakening Part I. Our Awe-Depleted Age 1. What Keeps Us from Venturing? 2. The Stodgy Road to Awe 3. The Awe Survey: Format and Background Part II. Awe-Based Awakening: The New Testaments to Spirit 4. Awakening in Education 5. Awakening from Childhood Trauma 6. Awakening from Drug Addiction 7. Awakening through Chronic Illness 8. Awakening in Aging 9. Awakening through Humor Part III. Toward an Awe-Based World Awakening: Guideposts to an Awe-Informed Life 10. Awe-Wakening in the Everyday 11. The Societal Challenge Conclusion