{"id":309,"date":"2013-06-23T14:33:35","date_gmt":"2013-06-23T14:33:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.joeldiana.com\/?page_id=309"},"modified":"2013-08-20T21:41:59","modified_gmt":"2013-08-20T21:41:59","slug":"praise-for-the-guru-papers","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.joeldiana.com\/?page_id=309","title":{"rendered":"Complete Reviews"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

The Guru Papers<\/span>
<\/em>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Masks of Authoritarian Power<\/span>
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/em>by Joel Kramer & Diana Alstad<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\r\n

New Review<\/strong>\u00a0by\u00a0<\/strong>Julian Walker<\/strong>\u00a0\u2014<\/strong>ElephantJournal.com\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/span>(6\/21\/12)<\/span><\/span><\/span>
<\/span>“<\/b>The Dark Side of Spirituality:<\/a>\u00a0<\/b>The Guru Papers<\/em>\u00a0Unmasks Sacred Cows! – A Map to Spiritual Empowerment”<\/b>
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\"Guru<\/a>
\u201cEasily 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\u2026. 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.\u201d\u00a0
\u2014\u00a0<\/strong>San Francisco Chronicle Sunday Book Review<\/strong>\u00a0<\/em>\u00a0(pdf of complete review)<\/a><\/p>\r\n

\u201cThorough, wide-ranging analysis of the way power has historically been maintained \u2026.Purports to be no less than a diagnosis of what\u2019s 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\u2026.authoritarianism is not merely a political phenomenon. It\u2019s part of the way we think.\u201d\u00a0\u2014\u00a0The New Mexican<\/em>\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0(pdf of complete review)<\/a><\/p>\r\n

“…A profoundly important critique of the covert authoritarianism of both Eastern and Western religions — and of such allegedly secular cultural values as unconditional love…and 12-step programs….I hope many people will read this extraordinarily rich and complex book. The authors are calling for a profound change in the basic philosophy of our culture…for a morality that integrates and values both sides of the self…the selfless and self-centered….This book can make an important contribution to that change, if enough people read it and take it to heart and mind.”
\u2014 Liberty<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0(good overview by Sharon Presley) \u00a0pdf of complete review<\/a><\/p>\r\n

\u201cUndertake[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\u2026steadfast and unapologetic….Offers both affirmation and optimism.\u201d
\u2014 Creative Loafing\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0pdf of complete review<\/a><\/p>\r\n

\u201cOne of the most deeply insightful works of our time\u2026.Nearly every page crackles with statements that…provoked one \u2018Aha!\u2019 after another\u2026.The most reasonable \u2026picture of the evolution of religious ideas to date, and brilliant sections on love and control, and\u2026addiction.\u201d\u00a0
\u2014 Richard Heinberg’s Muse Letter<\/strong>\u00a0<\/em>\u00a0pdf of complete review<\/a><\/p>\r\n

\u201cThe potential to shift readers\u2019 minds in a deep way\u2026.onto something big\u2014possibly even the root of human error. It can actually change the way one views the world\u2026. Elegantly articulates many of [our]\u2026unformed thoughts\u201d\u00a0
\u2014\u00a0Synapse\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0(pdf of complete review)<\/a><\/p>\r\n

\u201cOne of the most important books for the 21st century \u2026Elegantly identifies the masks that power uses to hide its abuses. It’s about time!\u201d\u00a0
\u2014 Point Reyes Light\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0by Ford Greene, anti-cult attorney \u00a0pdf of complete review<\/a><\/p>\r\n

\u201cDelivers what it promises\u2026Describ[es how]\u2026 overt and covert authoritarianism can intrude into social, political, and religious beliefs and interfere with normal personality development\u2026.Part II explores subtle, indirect forces in values and beliefs\u2026concealed in what people assume and take for granted\u2026.Merits wide readership\u2026highly recommended.\u201d<\/em><\/i>
\u2014 Cultic Studies Journal<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0<\/i><\/b>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/i><\/b>complete review<\/a>\u00a0–\u00a0International Cultic Studies Association<\/p>\r\n

…[The addiction chapter’s] interesting thesis is that in any so-called self-destructive repetitive behavior, one is never truly out of control, but rather divided parts of oneself are fighting for control. As a long time researcher…of addiction, I found [their chapter] a refreshing analysis of predominant theories of substance abuse. [Their] own model of the divided psyche, and “why it feels good to be bad” was not only original but resonant.” \u00a0
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0(from Dr. Marsha Rosenbaum’s review of the chapter on addiction)<\/em>
<\/a>\u2014 Journal of Psychoactive Drugs<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0 \u00a0pdf of complete review<\/a><\/p>\r\n

Review<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0focusing on the addiction chapter \u00a0(2012)
\u2014<\/strong> <\/em>by Charles Dollins,\u00a0drug and alcoholism counselor at LifeRing Secular Recovery<\/p>\r\n

\u201cCrystal-clear.\u2026[Goes] deeply into the inherent paradoxes in much of world religion\u2026[explains] with blistering clarity why we get seduced.\u201d
\u2014 Whole Earth Review \u00a0<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0pdf of complete review<\/a><\/p>\r\n

\u201cVery important\u2026Simply and elegantly written, I predict that this will prove to be one of the most helpful books on psychological oppression of the decade.\u201d
\u2014 Creation Spirituality<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0\u00a0pdf of complete review<\/a><\/p>\r\n

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