Lifting the Veil of Mental Illness: An Approach to Anthroposophical Psychology

William Bento

Jan 2004 · SteinerBooks

About this ebook

Mental illnesses are too often seen only in abstract terms. In keeping with this, mainstream psychology, which seldom acknowledges the psyche or soul, relies increasingly on pharmaceutical treatment.

In his unique approach to anthroposophical psychology (or "psychosophy"), William Bento views imbalances of the human soul in an experiential and human way. Basing his views on the work of Rudolf Steiner, Bento looks not only at the human body, soul, and spirit, but also at the way the whole environment of physical phenomena, life forces, and spirit beings affects us as individuals. Going well beyond our immediate, earthly surroundings, the author considers the cosmic effects of sun, planets and stars, offering a holistic view of the human soul.

This book is a valuable and accessible addition to the field of anthroposophical psychology and to the study of Spiritual Science in general.

CONTENTS:

• Psychotherapy in the Light of Anthroposophy
• Obsessions, Compulsions, and Addictions: Disorders of Our Time
• The Myths of Depression and Mania
• Psychosis or Initiation?
• The Human Heart: Source and Substance of the Holy Grail

About the author

William Bento, PhD, worked in the field of human development for more than thirty years. He was a recognized pioneer and a published author in psychosophy (soul wisdom) and astrosophy (star wisdom), and traveled extensively as a speaker, teacher, and consultant. Dr. Bento was the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs at Rudolf Steiner College in Fair Oaks, California, and worked as a transpersonal clinical psychologist at the Center for Living Health in Gold River, California. He also guided social therapy seminars for Camphill Communities for more than twenty years. Dr. Bento was also the author of Holy Nights Journal and Meditation Cards & Booklet on the Eightfold Path and a frequent contributor to Journal for Star Wisdom. He died June 5, 2015.