The Human Odyssey

Navigating the Twelve Stages of Life

Thomas Armstrong

• Publisher: Ixia Press
• Year: 2019
• Print ISBN:
  9780486831800
• eBook ISBN:
  9780486838885
• Topic: Psychology
• Subtopic: Developmental Psychology
• Index: Psychology

"This is truly a major contribution — brilliant, beguiling, and as broad in concept as it is deep." — Jean Houston, PhD, author of The Possible Human

Thomas Armstrong, Ph.D., an award-winning educator and expert on human development, offers a cross-cultural view of life's entire journey, from before birth to death to the possibilities of an afterlife. Dr. Armstrong cites both clinical research and anecdotal evidence in a comprehensive view of the challenges and opportunities we face at every stage of our development. His accessible narrative incorporates elements of history, literature, psychology, spirituality, and science in a fascinating guide to understanding our past as well as our future.
 
"Absolutely remarkable. The Human Odyssey is written with lively scholarship and contains great depth and breadth, a wide range of fascinating materials, and many useful resources. It's a kind of 'everything book.'" — George Leonard, "the granddaddy of the consciousness movement" (Newsweek) and author of The Transformation and The Ultimate Athlete

"The Human Odyssey provides readers with a fresh approach to developmental psychology. Dr. Armstrong has included a spiritual dimension of human growth that is lacking from most accounts but which is essential for a complete understanding of the human condition. It is a splendid, brilliant work." — Stanley Krippner, Ph.D., former president of the Association for Humanistic Psychology, author of Personal Mythology: The Psychology of Your Evolving Self, and co-editor of The Psychological Impact of War Trauma on Civilians:  An International Perspective
 
"This is a thoroughly researched and beautifully written account of the story of human development. Drawing on the most recent scientific studies, as well as literature and films, mythology and major spiritual traditions, Armstrong shows the way to a truly integrated understanding of the complexities of the human life cycle." — Ralph Metzner, Ph.D., author of Maps of Consciousness and The Unfolding Self, co-author (with Timothy Leary and Richard Alpert) of The Psychedelic Experience, which was the inspiration for the Beatles' song "Tomorrow Never Knows"
 
"I loved this book. What a vast terrain it covers! I enjoyed the way it wove into each developmental stage a rich array of materials from Greek myths, Martin Buber, psychology, rituals, spirituality, and so many wonderful stories. As people read this book, they will be much more aware of the different stages of life and how they impact all of us personally and collectively." — Barbara Findeisen, President, The Association for Pre- & Perinatal Psychology and Health and creator of the documentary film, The Journey to Be Born, featured on Oprah  

"Thomas Armstrong's The Human Odyssey is an extraordinary book; an intellectual feast.  Armstrong has amassed and integrated an amazing amount of information from developmental and transpersonal psychology, modern consciousness research, biology, anthropology, mythology, and art, and created an extraordinary guide through all the stages of the adventure of human life. While the rich content of this book will impress professional audiences, it's clear and easy style makes it quite accessible to the general public." — Stanislav Grof, M.D., former Chief of Psychiatric Research, Maryland Psychiatric Research Center; author of Realms of the Human Unconscious, Beyond the Brain: Birth, Death, and Transcendence in Psychotherapy and Adventures in Self-Discovery 

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Dedication
• Contents
• PREFACE
• ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
• INTRODUCTION-Starting Your Incredible Odyssey
• CHAPTER 1-Prebirth: The Undiscovered Continent
• CHAPTER 2-Birth: Through the Tunnel
• CHAPTER 3-Infancy: Legends of the Fall
• CHAPTER 4-Early Childhood: The Magical Mystery Years
• CHAPTER 5-Middle Childhood: Entering the Civilized World
• CHAPTER 6-Late Childhood: Becoming a Part of the Crowd
• CHAPTER 7-Adolescence: Adventures in the Twilight Zone
• CHAPTER 8-Early Adulthood: Building an Independent Life
• CHAPTER 9-Midlife: Moving through Muddy Waters
• CHAPTER 10-Mature Adulthood: Scaling the Peaks
• CHAPTER 11-Late Adulthood: Approaching the Horizon
• CHAPTER 12-Death and Dying: Crossing the Bridge
• CHAPTER 13-Beyond Death: Travel to Other Lands
• CONCLUSION-Planting Your Oar in the Sand
• APPENDIX A-Films to Illuminate the Times of Your Life
• APPENDIX B-Books to Help throughout the Life Span
• APPENDIX C-Organizations That Support Human Development
• NOTES
• PERMISSIONS
• INDEX