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www.JoelDiana.com or JoelKramer-DianaAlstad.com |
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About The Guru Papers |
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THE GURU PAPERS demonstrates with uncompromising clarity that authoritarian control, which once held societies together, is now at the core of personal, social, and planetary problems, and thus a key factor in social disintegration. It illustrates how authoritarianism is embedded in the way people think, hiding in culture, values, daily life, and in the very ideals people try to live by. Thus our basic problems are not the inevitable outcome of “human nature,” but rather are shown to stem from deep authoritarian implants. This offers new grounds for hope. THE GURU PAPERS powerfully attests that unmasking and decoding hidden authoritarianism can disempower it, increasing the range of human freedom and possibility. The book also elegantly argues that this process is essential for human survival. Publisher: NORTH ATLANTIC BOOKS www.northatlanticbooks.com BOX 12327, BERKELEY, CA 94712 Distributor: RANDOM HOUSE 800-733-3000 ISBN 1-883319-00-5, $19.95 |
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Download The Guru Papers Post 9/11 by the authors: click here for .pdf Download “The Morality Wars” (Introduction to Part 2): click here for .pdf Table of Contents click here for .pdf Review Excerpts click here for .pdf: FROM THE BACK COVER: “Easily the most comprehensive, erudite, and timely book in print to explore authoritarianism in religion, institutions, power, the family, intimacy and sexual relations, and personal problems such as addiction.... Argue[s] persuasively that any system of values that places tradition and the past above the imperative to question the present is destined to become increasingly lethal." -- SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE SUNDAY BOOK REVIEW click here for entire review “Spells out…the dangers of becoming addicted to another's authority” – LONDON TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT “A thorough, wide-ranging analysis of the way power has historically been maintained.... Purports to be no less than a diagnosis of what’s wrong with the world and how, not merely to fix it, but to save it. Its thesis is elegant and nearly unlimited in its ramifications.... authoritarianism is not merely a political phenomenon. It’s part of the way we think.” -- THE NEW MEXICAN click here to read review “An exciting and provocative new concept about the origin and process of addiction. A must read for therapists and addiction counselors.” -- Ann McKain, past Pres. American Academy of Psychotherapists “The potential to shift readers’ minds in a deep way….onto something big—possibly even the root of human error. It can actually change the way one views the world…. Elegantly articulates many of [our]…unformed thoughts” -- SYNAPSE click here to read review * * * * * * * * * INSIDE THE BOOK — and more: “Provocative and thorough....Covers vast territory …raises all the vitally important questions….It should definitely be placed in the hands of anyone who has been, or is, or contemplates becoming involved with a guru or cult.” -- YOGA JOURNAL “Crystal-clear.…[Goes] deeply into the inherent paradoxes in much of world religion…[explains] with blistering clarity why we get seduced.” -- WHOLE EARTH REVIEW click to read review “Very important…Simply and elegantly written, I predict that this will prove to be one of the most helpful books on psychological oppression of the decade.” -- CREATION SPIRITUALITY click here to read review “Keen appreciation of developmental and evolutionary processses.” -- COMMON BOUNDARY “A contribution of the highest order….Of immense and immediate consequence….May [it] be widely read and discussed.” -- BRAIN/MIND BULLETIN “Undertake[s] the monumental task of reforming the very basis of civilization....their conjectures are certain to step on the toes of nearly every sacred cow at some point…steadfast and unapologetic....Offers both affirmation and optimism.” -- CREATIVE LOAFING click here to read review “An essential key to understanding…control and manipulation.” -- THE BOOKWATCH “One of the most compelling, ‘can’t put it down’ books [Reveals] the usually veiled authoritarianism embedded in the worldviews and values of [the] West.” -- COMMUNITIES * * * * * * THE GURU PAPERS: Masks of Authoritarian Power ISBN 1-883319-00-5, $19.95 trade paper, 1993 Social Issues/Psychology 385 pages, indexed Published by Frog, Ltd. (North Atlantic Books) |
The Guru Papers: Masks of Authoritarian Power THE GURU PAPERS has become ever more timely since it was published. It demonstrates with uncompromising clarity that authoritarian control, which once held societies together, is now at the core of personal, social and planetary problems, and thus a key factor in social disintegration. It illustrates how authoritarianism is embedded in the way people think, hiding in culture, values, daily life, and in the very morality people try to live by. Compelling arguments present authoritarianism as an age-old “social virus” at the core of civilization, transmitted to maintain power through generating fear and self-mistrust. People must then look to others for answers, meaning, and even salvation. THE GURU PAPERS predicted escalating global “morality wars,” which are nothing less than a worldwide battle for people’s minds. This struggle over basic values is about who has the right to decide what’s right and what gives anyone the right to do so? At its core, it’s about “truth”—which worldviews and viewpoints are more in touch with the reality of these times? The outcome of these morality wars will either free or block the intelligence necessary to resolve the global crises that technology has wrought. THE GURU PAPERS unmasks authoritarianism in such areas as relationships, cults, 12-step groups, religion, and contemporary morality. Chapters on addiction and love show the insidious nature of authoritarian values and ideologies in the most intimate corners of life, offering new frameworks for understanding and dealing with addiction and conflicts within intimacy. By exposing an “inner authoritarian” that people use to control themselves and others, the authors show why people give up their power, and how others acquire and maintain it. New perspectives are introduced on how and why following unchallengeable authorities or ideologies, including what is often considered sacred, has generated our current dysfunctional morality. Thus our basic problems are not the inevitable outcome of “human nature,” but rather are shown to stem from deep authoritarian implants. This offers new grounds for hope. THE GURU PAPERS powerfully attests that unmasking and decoding hidden authoritarianism can disempower it, increasing the range of human freedom and possibility. The book also elegantly argues that this process is essential for human survival. For descriptions of The Guru Papers, click on: Authors' Overviews of The Guru Papers: "The Guru Papers affects people personally and also has far-reaching social implications. Although its major thesis is straightforward, it is also multi-faceted with ramifications that spread far and wide….” The Guru Papers Post - 9/11: “Since 9/11/2001 The Guru Papers has become ever more timely and relevant to the growing threats to democracy, women, children, and a viable world. It points to the very things currently unfolding in our increasingly unstable and polarized world….” (by the authors) Reviews: The complete reviews linked to in “Review Excerpts” give a sense of the scope and relevance of The Guru Papers. In attempting to convey concisely its meaning and importance, each review offers an overview from a different perspective, revealing various facets of the book. Interviews: Click on these author interviews on The Guru Papers: “Question Authority" in Nexus (Boulder, CO) by Ravi Dykema (in-depth) “A Look at Hidden Authoritarianism” in Omni by Keith Harary NEW: Short Selections from The Guru Papers – “Why Focus on Authoritarianism” (Book Introduction) click here to read “Religion and Morality” & “Reexamining the Sacred” click here to read On gurus - Part 1 (very short) “The Assault on Reason” click here to read “Spiritual Hedonism” (in “Gurus & Sexual Manipulation”) click here On authoritarianism hidden in ideologies & values - Part 2 (very short) “What’s at Stake” click here to read “The Dark Side of Monotheism” click here to read From the Conclusion: “Symbol Systems & Power” click here to read On our new model of addiction in "Who Is in Control? -- The Authoritarian Roots of Addiction" (chapter on the divided self) click here for Journal of Psychoactive Drugs review Download "Oneness, Enlightenment & the Mystical Experience" -- key chapter critiquing the Oneness ideology click here to read ____________________________________________________ Quotes by authors “A powerful and magnificent book about our own individual integrity beyond any historic and self-appointed authority.” -- James Kavenaugh, God Lives: From Religious Guilt to Spiritual Freedom “One of the most deeply insightful works of our time….Nearly every page crackles with statements that...provoked one ‘Aha!’ after another….The most reasonable …picture of the evolution of religious ideas to date, and brilliant sections on love and control, and…addiction.” -- Richard Heinberg, MuseLetter click here for review “Deals with the most fundamental aspects of the Yin and Yang of human nature and the meaning of social community.” -- Philip Zimbardo, The Lucifer Effect “One of the most important books for the 21st century …Elegantly identifies the masks that power uses to hide its abuses. It's about time!” -- Ford Greene, anti-cult attorney Click for Greene's Pt. Reyes Light review “Anyone who reads The Guru Papers will be profoundly changed. Its ideas are like a medical laser beam vaporizing cancer cells, exposing the underlying healthy tissues of truth…[It]will serve to bring hope” -- Steven Hassan, Combatting Cult Mind Control “Brilliantly analytical, always probing, pushing at the edges of what we know, this adventurous book offers…an unflinching view of the structure and psychology of reality.” -- John Tytell, Naked Angels, Passionate Lives “A brilliant book….inspires new insights each time one re-reads it. [In]…opening the book randomly [I received] just the wisdom I needed to help me take my next step toward freedom.” -- Susan Campbell, Getting Real “X-ray analysis and laser precision [disclosing]… authoritarian structures….Expands consciousness of the consciousness journey itself, exposing its ever present darker side....They even offer a flashlight guide through this darkness. Uncompromising in its thesis…sparing no current idol, it is a poignant attack on the illusions of our time." -- Mike Arons, West GA College humanistic psychology professor “Alarming, enlightening, and riveting, scary in what it uncovers…Helps us understand society’s serious failures …Eminently readable...provide[se] us with powerful tools for building a better, more humane, society.” -- Merrill Joan Gerber, Gut Feelings “If one thoroughly absorbs the message…the questions raised by it are so profound…that they can never be put out of one’s mind.” -- Don Havis, Humanists __________________________________________________ |
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Copyright . Joel Kramer and Diana Alstad. All rights reserved.
