The Guru Papers

The Guru Papers
     Masks of Authoritarian Power
           by Joel Kramer & Diana Alstad

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. 

Book Description  download pdf

To Order the Book or E-Book:  

Amazon    iTunes   Barnes & Noble    Powell’s    GooglePlay   Indiebound

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  (pdf of complete 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  (pdf of complete 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 President of 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  (pdf of complete review)