The Corruption of Reality

This groundbreaking volume examines our sometimes strained grasp of reality and sheds new light on three subject areas that continue to fascinate researchers: religion, hypnosis and psychopathology.The Corruption of Reality challenges many of the ideas in all three disciplines and paves the way for an exciting, far-reaching and unified theory of conscious and unconscious behavior. Schumaker argues that, despite their apparent differences, religion, hypnosis, and psychopathology are all expressions of the unique human ability to modify and regulate reality in ways that ultimately serve the individual and society. In turn, these same behaviors can be traced to the brain's remarkable capacity to process information along multiple pathways, thus allowing the person to manipulate reality in strategic directions aimed at improved coping. He includes a historical and cross-cultural analysis showing how reality reconstruction takes place, and outlines the shortcomings of current psychotherapeutic approaches as well as the promising trends toward a spiritualization of psychotherapy.Rigorously argued, this book challenges traditional ideas and paves the way for a far-reaching unified theory of conscious and unconscious behavior. -CHAOS!Schumaker has taken complex material and made it accessible to the lay-person. Readers of any religious, or non-religious, persuasion will find this book worthwhile, enlightening reading. -Amarillo News-GlobeHoping for something better for our society, Schumaker offers ideas to revitalize our sick Western culture, one of which proposes a new religion embodying current knowledge about our peculiar personal/global relationship. Controversial? Sure, but just about every new idea is controversial at the outset. There's a lot for an open mind to consider here. -Hypnotherapy TodaySchumaker's views and findings on the roles of ritual and perception in our lives and in our views of reality are fascinating. -Booklist