Mad and divine : spirit and psyche in the modern world /

In this intriguing little collection of essays, Kakar (a psychoanalyst in India) brings together East and West in exploring aspects of the mad and divine. Kakar examines the interplay of psyche and spirit in varying contexts, providing an honest assessment of the lives of 20th-century Indian mystic Osho (Bhagwan Rajneesh), Drukpa Kunley (a 16th-century Buddhist saint), and Mahatma Gandhi. Kakar covers Freud, religious rituals, healing traditions of psychoanalysis, and the continuing ethical considerations in the guru/disciple relationship, and he concludes with a lovely piece on spirit and psyche. The author explores serious topics with a bit of levity but never loses his mystical touch. He does not shy away from controversy yet treads lightly when discussing the lives of complicated "crazy wisdom" masters. Making important distinctions between neurotic hallucination and mystical vision, Kakar looks at spirit and psyche from various perspectives, drawing on the wisdom of philosophers, writers, theologians, and so on. Kakar's flowing, easy-to-read style opens the book to a broad audience. Those interested in East/West psychology, the spiritual journey, or the human side of the "enlightened" will appreciate this book. Summing Up: Recommended. All readers. J. Bailey Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute