Read Online An Integral Guide to Recovery Twelve Steps and Beyond Guy du Plessis 9780990441953 Books

Product details Paperback 272 pages Publisher Integral Publishers; Large type / large print edition edition (February 2, 2015) Language English ISBN-10 0990441954

An Integral Guide to Recovery Twelve Steps and Beyond Guy du Plessis 9780990441953 Books Reviews

• What a rare gift to find an author in psychology who combines both carefully honed intellectual erudition with a vulnerable heart opened by life circumstance. Philosopher of science Michael Polanyi famously articulated the need for more open acknowledgment of the radical value inherent in “personal knowledge” --- the drawing together of subjective depth with objective definition. Integral theory pioneer Ken Wilber --- upon whom our author here, Guy du Plessis, draws so heavily --- offered a companion call for the necessity of combining personal authenticity as depth dimension alongside legitimacy, or the ability to communicate effectively to the person on the street. Suffice it to say that my dear and esteemed friend and colleague, Guy, well accomplishes these preceding directives. His mind and research are formidable and exhaustive, respectively. Yet it is the rooting of those very forces right down in the “smithy of the soul,” Guy’s own, which lends this current contribution such significance in the world of psychology. Psychology, writ large, surely must be inclusive of spirituality (even if critical of it); as well as healing (as in the addiction/recovery literature and attendant movements). Too often, I believe, psychology writers reduce away spirituality, on the one hand; or uncritically bypass psychological grounding in favor of moving too quickly, too facilely, into offering healing, on the other hand. Guy skillfully and tactfully avoids either extreme here. He gives full attention to a thoughtful, non-reductionistic interaction with resources from the spiritual and existential domains, while simultaneously bringing a richly balanced psychological perspective (aided by his brilliant and incisive thinking process) to incorporating as broad as imaginable an embrace of all that heals, specifically in addiction and recovery. My guess is that many who are fortunate enough to read Guy’s gift of a book here will themselves already be persuaded of the immense value in perceiving, intervening, and simply living integrally. However, it is my fondest wish that his book might also reach across into the minds and hearts of those who know addiction from the inside out; who long for a truly and soundly more holistic view, grounded in critical inquiry; and who have the courage to allow this new, powerful voice --- Guy’s --- to touch and transform them and the work they do. I bow to this good man’s incredible generosity of mind and soul in bringing to the streets a message that has been waiting far too long. Consider yourself blessed.
• Guy du Plessis wrote a practical, well organized book on substance abuse recovery. I was honored to have him as my mentor at a University I'm currently attending for my Masters in Science in a course on substance abuse. Guy du Plessis has a vast understanding of substance abuse, how our mind functions, traditional and non-traditional approaches to recovery. I found this book remarkably filled with spiritual approaches to wellness. This is a book that no only reaches those working through addictions, it's a great approach for any reader to interested in opening up to a life of thriving. Excellent read, excellent writer.
• Enjoyed the read. Learned a lot. Practical, but a little complex. Creating my integrated recovery program right after this review. Highly recommend!
• "Guy du Plessis does a wonderful job of contributing an Integral perspective to the 12-step traditions—the oldest and certainly among the most powerful ways to treat addiction. This book is highly accessible but never simplistic. In your author, you have one of the true pioneers and best guides in how to bring Integral into our healing. Use this book to broaden your horizons and open up whole new dimensions in what you thought recovery could be and how you can assist others with it."
  
  - Mark Forman, PhD, Author, A Guide to Integral Psychotherapy, Founder and Director, Certified Integral Therapist (CIT) Professional Training Program
• Guy du Plessis’ book is brilliant, and visionary, and provides a vastly practical guide to an Integral approach to recovery. A journey through the life-crushing despair and darkness of addiction to the light of life redeemed and the Self awakened. This book deserves its place in the emerging canon of Integral literature, and is a must-read for anyone interested in recovery, both personal and collective a road map to recovery in the 21st century.
  
  John Dupuy, M.A., author of Integral Recovery A Revolutionary Approach to the Treatment of Alcoholism and Addiction.
• An Integral Guide to Recovery is an absolute gem of a book. Written specifically for those in recovery from addiction or alcoholism, it shines a very illuminating light on how and why we become addicts -- and then it takes us through all the different aspects of our lives which we need to work on to make our recovery sustainable. Du Plessis includes helpful exercises and questions at the end of the chapters that will help keep us on track and honest with ourselves. This book is written with a lot of heart and I highly recommend it for anyone who is struggling with addiction or their recovery process, or knows someone who is.