The Great Within

A book for anyone who wants to understand the psychological nature of contemplative practice as a transformative process.

Renowned psychologist Han de Wit explores the psychology found in age-old contemplative traditions and takes us deep into the mind of the spiritual practitioner. Using Buddhism as a framework, and drawing insights from several world religions, he demonstrates how contemplative practices can open us up to our own wisdom and compassion. The result is a vivid illumination of the process of spiritual transformation and an important contribution to contemporary psychology and psychotherapy.“A fascinating, inventive contribution to spiritual psychology.”—Daniel Goleman, author of Emotional Intelligence

“The Great Within is an invaluable guide for contemplative practitioners, psychotherapists, spiritual teachers—indeed, for anyone wanting to go deeper in the path of their own becoming.”—Marilyn Schlitz, author of Living Deeply and Death Makes Life Possible

“This book is a major contribution to the psychology of spirituality. In a clear and comprehensive way, it explores the psychological insights that can be discovered in the spiritual traditions and that aim at cultivating the essence of our humanness.”—John Welwood, author of Love and Awakening

“A deeply mature vision of the spiritual heart of our human nature and the transformative path to human flourishing. The Great Within qualifies as a classic that will endure.”—Tilden Edwards, Founder of the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation, and author of Embracing the Call to Spiritual DepthHAN F. DE WIT received his PhD in psychology from the University of Amsterdam in 1977. In 1983, as a visiting scholar at Naropa University, he started a research program that brought him international acclaim as a founder of contemplative psychology. Trained as a Buddhist teacher by Chögyam Trungpa and Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche, he is also involved through his writings in the dialogue of Buddhism with Western psychology, philosophy, and religion.