Descent Into The World (The Art of Living Trilogy, 2)

As the middle book of the Art of Living trilogy, "Descent into the World" deals with the second phase of inner development. It is the one hardest to pass through. In the first phase as we launch on our inner journey, hope sustains our spirits. In the third phase, as we draw closer to our destination, we see it distinctly ahead and the joy of anticipation arises. The second phase, however, requires that we return to face the world where we will do our final work. The Descent describes this harshest and driest time. Now the comforts of inward meditation leave us. We meditate but return to the world where we must overcome severe tests and avoid deep traps if we are to find in the end the redemption of love.

We search for truth in many ways---in science, religion, psychology, philosophy, career and daily life. The spiritual methods we use to do this still follow four main traditions---that of monk, fakir, yogi or householder. But whatever our path, without integrating the truths we find into a single approach to daily life, we're vulnerable to delusion. Splitting up our standards of quality seems to be the way that moderns are most often derailed in life. Puhek demonstrates the need for a "fifth way" that focuses on integration. This is an urgent need, considering the alienating, fracturing, and specialized peculiarities of the modern world. Puhek uses an approach designed to shake up the modern mind...with a view to transforming and elevating our modern lives.

If you value Peck, Merton, and Weil...the Mystic Saints, Gurdjieff or Idries Shah...you'll benefit from Puhek's books and the Fifth Way. Author biography: Ronald E. Puhek is a professor of Integrative Studies at Michigan State University, teaching there since 1966. He has written 16 books exploring the Fifth Way. Until recently, these works were part of a "samizdat" movement, spread by word of mouth and photocopier. Puhek also conducts an on-going seminar which has been meeting weekly for 30 years. Its goal is the search for "truth which can be lived in a modern age.