The Road Less Traveled: A New Psychology of Love, Traditional Values and Spiritual Growth

Chapter 9 asserts that if you’re feeling stuck in your adult life, it is best to examine how you might have transferred outdated lessons from childhood to your current experiences. Peck defines “transference” as the act of shifting inappropriate behavioral models from childhood into adulthood. While transference can be unconscious, it can have negative impacts on the psyche. For example, the wife of one of Peck’s clients left him because he was distant and disengaged. The client had a habit of distrusting everyone, which began in childhood because the client never trusted his parents. Once the client realized this, he redrew his outdated life map and started changing his outlook on his relationships. Peck asserts that redrawing life maps helps people to avoid transference, embrace reality, and increase self-discipline.

In Chapter 10, Peck notes that to dedicate yourself to the truth, you must be open to criticism, challenges, and advice. He asserts that the best way to pursue truth and growth is to enter psychotherapy and expose yourself to scrutiny in order to facilitate more effective self-exploration. Other ways to pursue truth and growth are to be open and aware in all social interactions. If you want others to engage with you honestly, you must prioritize honesty—even if it might expose you to criticism.