🕯️ Occult Philosophy

Zen and the Psychology of Transformation: The Supreme Doctrine (Revised)

✍️ Benoit, Hubert
Reader Score
4.6
(1 review)
$18.99
Temporarily out of stock

Currently unavailable

This book is sold out right now. Leave your email — we'll let you know if it comes back, and you'll get 10% off any book today.

In stock now — readers of this book also loved:

The Harmonic Origins of the World: Sacred Number at the Source of Creation -29%
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Heath, Richard
The Harmonic Origins of the World: Sacred Number at the Source of Creation
$18.99 $27.00
86
The Flowering Wand: Rewilding the Sacred Masculine
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Strand, Sophie
The Flowering Wand: Rewilding the Sacred Masculine
$18.99
86
The Royal Path of Shakti: The Erotic and Magical Techniques of Kaula Tantra
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Odier, Daniel
The Royal Path of Shakti: The Erotic and Magical Techniques of Kaula Tantra
$18.99
86
The Tradition of Natural Taoism: The Way of Free and Easy Wandering in Oneness
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Gregory, Jason
The Tradition of Natural Taoism: The Way of Free and Easy Wandering in Oneness
$18.99
86
The Doctrine of Awakening: The Attainment of Self-Mastery According to the Earliest Buddhist Texts (Original)
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Evola, Julius
The Doctrine of Awakening: The Attainment of Self-Mastery According to the Earliest Buddhist Texts (Original)
$18.95
86
The Trickster and the Paranormal -15%
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.4
1
Hansen, George P
The Trickster and the Paranormal
$26.99 $32.00
78
📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

Hubert Benoit's seminal work masterfully bridges the ancient wisdom of Zen Buddhism with the profound depths of Western psychological understanding. This revised edition invites readers to embark on a transformative journey, addressing life's most fundamental questions not through external doctrines, but through rigorous self-inquiry. It offers a unique framework for reconciling the conscious and unconscious aspects of the self, guiding individuals toward a state of genuine psychological and spiritual liberation. Benoit's insights illuminate the path to transcending conventional limitations and experiencing true inner freedom.

🕯️
Occult Philosophy

Praise for this book

“Should be read by everyone who aspires to know who he is and what he can do to acquire self-knowledge.”
— Aldous Huxley
🏛 Inner Traditions International 📅 1990 📖 264 pages 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9780892812721
Fun Fact
This revised edition of Benoit's work remains a cornerstone for those serious about integrating Eastern spiritual wisdom with Western psychological depth. It excels at offering intellectual rigor to the spiritual journey, making it an indispensable read for seasoned seekers. Those looking for light, practical meditation guides might find its philosophical and psychoanalytic depth challenging. However, for students of consciousness and profound self-inquiry, it stands as an illuminating, foundational text within the esoteric tradition, demanding and rewarding deep engagement.

📝 Description: Zen and the Psychology of Transformation: The Supreme Doctrine (Revised)

Man cannot live fully until he has considered the great questions of life. It is for this reason that we turn to Western psychology and metaphysics for help in solving our problems.

📑 What's inside

  1. Foreword
  2. by Aldous Huxley
  3. Author's Preface 1. On the General Sense of Zen Thought
  4. 2. 'Good' and 'Evil'
  5. 3. The Idolatry of 'Salvation'
  6. 4. The Existentialism of Zen
  7. 5. The Mechanism of Anxiety
  8. 6. The Five Modes of Thought of the Natural Man--Psychological Conditions of Satori
  9. 7. Liberty as 'Total Determinism'
  10. 8. The Egotistical States
  11. 9. The Zen Unconscious
  12. 10. Metaphysical Distress
  13. 11. Seeing into One's Own Nature--The Spectator of the Spectacle
  14. 12. How to Conceive the Inner Task According to Zen
  15. 13. Obedience to the Nature of Things
  16. 14. Emotion and the Emotive State
  17. 15. Sensation and Sentiment
  18. 16. On Affectivity
  19. 17. The Horseman and the Horse
  20. 18. The Primordial Error or 'Original Sin'
  21. 19. The Immediate Presence of Satori
  22. 20. Passivity of the Mind and Disintegration of our Energy
  23. 21. On the Idea of 'Discipline'
  24. 22. The Compensations
  25. 23. The Inner Alchemy
  26. 24. On Humility
  27. Epilogue Index

💎 Expert review

“
💎
Esoterica Books editorial team
Occult literature desk
Benoit offers a compelling, albeit dense, bridge between Zen Buddhism and Western psychology. The revised edition clarifies his seminal arguments regarding self-inquiry and the reconciliation of the self. However, readers seeking quick fixes or dogmatic religious guidance will find little here; this is not a book for those unwilling to engage in rigorous intellectual and spiritual labor. It demands active participation rather than passive consumption. While the insights are illuminating, the abstract nature may alienate casual readers. It suits only those prepared for a challenging, non-dogmatic exploration of consciousness without the crutch of traditional religious structures.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers seeking a rigorous path to genuine inner freedom will find profound value in this text. It is ideal for those who feel disconnected from external doctrines and crave a method of self-realization rooted in direct inquiry. Those interested in reconciling their conscious and unconscious minds will appreciate Benoit’s unique framework. The book serves as a guide for individuals ready to transcend conventional limitations through deep psychological insight. It appeals to seekers who want more than mere comfort, offering instead a transformative journey toward spiritual liberation. If you desire a synthesis of Zen wisdom and psychological depth to address life's fundamental questions, this revised edition provides the necessary tools for enduring change.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —
⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.6/5
★★★★★
If you are a serious seeker grappling with existential questions, yearning for a profound understanding of self, and ready to merge intellectual rigor with spiritual practice, this book is for you. It challenges and guides those prepared for deep introspective work.

Reader rating

4.6
Based on 1 reviews
5
0
4
1
3
0
2
0
1
0
E
Esoterica Books editorial team

Benoit offers a compelling, albeit dense, bridge between Zen Buddhism and Western psychology. The revised edition clarifies his seminal arguments regarding self-inquiry and the reconciliation of the self. However, readers seeking quick fixes or dogmatic religious guidance will find little here; this is not a book for those unwilling to engage in rigorous intellectual and spiritual labor. It demands active participation rather than passive consumption. While the insights are illuminating, the abstract nature may alienate casual readers. It suits only those prepared for a challenging, non-dogmatic exploration of consciousness without the crutch of traditional religious structures.

❓ Frequently asked questions

While it introduces Zen principles, Benoit's approach is deeply philosophical and psychological. Beginners might find it challenging, but it offers a rich, intellectually stimulating entry point for those seeking depth rather than surface-level instruction.
Unlike many practical meditation guides, Benoit's work prioritizes the psychological and philosophical underpinnings of Zen. It delves into the internal mechanisms of transformation, offering a theoretical framework to understand the 'why' and 'how' of spiritual awakening, rather than just the 'what' of practice.

📖 Who should read this

If you are a serious seeker grappling with existential questions, yearning for a profound understanding of self, and ready to merge intellectual rigor with spiritual practice, this book is for you. It challenges and guides those prepared for deep introspective work.

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Zen's Core Teachings

Benoit meticulously distills the profound philosophical underpinnings of Zen Buddhism, extending beyond mere meditative practices. He explores the nature of enlightenment, the concept of non-duality, and the direct experience of reality, rendering complex spiritual concepts accessible. This book emphasizes Zen as a path to direct insight into the fundamental nature of existence.

Psychological Integration

The author ingeniously weaves Western psychological principles into the fabric of Zen thought, demonstrating how a deep understanding of the psyche is crucial for spiritual advancement. He addresses internal conflicts, unconscious conditioning, and the ego's role in hindering true awareness, offering a framework to harmonize conscious and unconscious aspects for holistic growth.

Personal Awakening

At its heart, this work serves as a guide for profound personal transformation. Benoit outlines a systematic approach to transcend limiting beliefs and habitual patterns, leading the reader towards genuine freedom and self-realization. It is a call to embody higher states of consciousness, moving beyond intellectual understanding to lived experience and authentic awakening.

📜 Historical context

Published in the mid-20th century, Benoit's work emerged during a pivotal period when Western thought began to deeply engage with Eastern spiritual traditions. It stands as a pioneering effort in integrating psychoanalytic insights with Zen philosophy, contributing significantly to the burgeoning field of transpersonal psychology and the popularization of Zen in the West.

📚 Glossary

Zen
Transformation
Psychology

📔 Questions to reflect on

  1. How do my ingrained psychological patterns hinder my understanding of 'reality' as described by Zen principles?
  2. Reflect on a moment of 'sudden insight' or clarity you've experienced. How did it challenge your previous assumptions about yourself or the world?
  3. Consider the interplay between conscious intention and unconscious resistance in your personal growth journey. Where do you feel the most friction?

🏛 Books from this publisher Inner Traditions International

All books from this publisher →
The Secret Society of Moses: The Mosaic Bloodline and a Conspiracy Spanning Three Millennia -18%
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Barbiero, Flavio
The Secret Society of Moses: The Mosaic Bloodline and a Conspiracy Spanning Three Millennia
$26.95 $33.00
81
How the World Is Made: The Story of Creation According to Sacred Geometry
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
John Michell, Allan Brown
How the World Is Made: The Story of Creation According to Sacred Geometry
$40.00
86
The Elixir of Immortality: A Modern-Day Alchemist's Discovery of the Philosopher's Stone
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Cox, Robert E
The Elixir of Immortality: A Modern-Day Alchemist's Discovery of the Philosopher's Stone
$16.95
78
The Warrior Is Silent: Martial Arts and the Spiritual Path
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
Shaw, Scott
The Warrior Is Silent: Martial Arts and the Spiritual Path
$16.95
86
Becoming Osiris: The Ancient Egyptian Death Experience (Original) -34%
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
Rossini, Stéphane
Becoming Osiris: The Ancient Egyptian Death Experience (Original)
$16.95 $26.00
86
Secretos Sexuales: La Alquimia del Extasis = Sexual Secrets Douglas, Nik
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
Nik Douglas, Penny Slinger
Secretos Sexuales: La Alquimia del Extasis = Sexual Secrets Douglas, Nik
$26.95
86
Rumi's Four Essential Practices: Ecstatic Body, Awakened Soul
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
Johnson, Will
Rumi's Four Essential Practices: Ecstatic Body, Awakened Soul
$14.95
86
Medicina Con Plantas Sagradas: La Sabiduría del Herbalismo de Los Aborígenes Norteamericanos Buhner, Stephen Harrod
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
Stephen Harrod Buhner, Brooke Medicine Eagle
Medicina Con Plantas Sagradas: La Sabiduría del Herbalismo de Los Aborígenes Norteamericanos Buhner, Stephen Harrod
$19.99
86

You might also like

See more →
Yoga Spandakarika: The Sacred Texts at the Origins of Tantra -22%
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.8
1
Odier, Daniel
Yoga Spandakarika: The Sacred Texts at the Origins of Tantra
$16.95 $22.00
92
The Yoga-Sutra of Patañjali: A New Translation and Commentary (Original)
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.8
1
Feuerstein, Georg
The Yoga-Sutra of Patañjali: A New Translation and Commentary (Original)
$14.95
92
Soul Talk: The New Spirituality of African American Women (Original) -17%
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Hull, Akasha Gloria
Soul Talk: The New Spirituality of African American Women (Original)
$18.99 $23.00
86
The Rubais of Rumi: Insane with Love -24%
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Nevit O Ergin, Will Johnson
The Rubais of Rumi: Insane with Love
$18.99 $25.00
86
The Reality Overload: The Modern World's Assault on the Imaginal Realm
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Le Brun, Annie
The Reality Overload: The Modern World's Assault on the Imaginal Realm
$18.99
86
The Sufi Path of Annihilation: In the Tradition of Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi and Hasan Lutfi Shushud -59%
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Ergin, Nevit O
The Sufi Path of Annihilation: In the Tradition of Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi and Hasan Lutfi Shushud
$18.99 $47.00
86
The Harmonic Origins of the World: Sacred Number at the Source of Creation -29%
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Heath, Richard
The Harmonic Origins of the World: Sacred Number at the Source of Creation
$18.99 $27.00
86
A Theology of Love: Reimagining Christianity Through a Course in Miracles
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Smoley, Richard
A Theology of Love: Reimagining Christianity Through a Course in Miracles
$18.99
86
The Three Stages of Initiatic Spirituality: Craftsman, Warrior, Magician
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Millar, Angel
The Three Stages of Initiatic Spirituality: Craftsman, Warrior, Magician
$18.99
86

Have a question about this item?

Ask about the edition, condition, delivery or anything else — we reply by email or phone, usually within a day.

Esoteric Meaning

Concepts in this book

Psychology →
Home Genres
Cart
Wishlist