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

Chapter 9 deals with the idea that the unconscious is a source of power, light, and guidance. Peck argues that the “collective unconscious is God” (282), the conscious mind is the individual, and the unconscious mind is the interface between the two. In his view, mental health problems arise from this interaction because the conscious mind often resists the wisdom of the collective unconscious. If you open yourself to the collective unconscious, you might open yourself to a more expansive experience of the world.

In Chapter 10, Peck acknowledges that systems of political and spiritual power govern the world. If an individual has political power, Peck holds that they will use violence or manipulation to get what they want. However, if an individual has spiritual power, they will use love to aid others’ growth. To empower yourself, prioritize your spiritual growth. You may find that the more you grow, the more isolated you become, as it is often difficult to find others who are as devoted to their growth as you are. Don’t lose heart, and remember that as you grow, you’re growing toward communion with God.

In Chapter 11, Peck argues that symptoms associated with mental illness can be forms of grace and are the mind’s way of alerting people that they need care. Those who are aware of these instances of grace can pursue healing, while those who do not will stunt their own growth and betterment. Peck references the Greek myth of Orestes as an example; in this story, Orestes ultimately acknowledges his deficiencies and finds redemption.

Chapter 12 states that although grace is an everyday occurrence, people must remain open to it and heed its wisdom. If people ignore instances of grace in their lives, they resist spiritual growth. Like love, growth requires will and action. Finally, Chapter 13 asserts people can both choose grace and be chosen by grace. This is an example of one of life’s paradoxes. It may be difficult to accept the grace you’ve been shown or to come to grips with the idea that you’ve been shown grace at all. Either way, if you acknowledge that grace is a paradoxical phenomenon, you might alleviate your internal unrest. Seeking guidance from a psychotherapist or mentor can also help you to show, accept, and choose grace.

Chapter Lessons

• You can find wisdom within yourself if you stay in tune with your unconscious mind, but avoid using logic to suppress your emotional and spiritual experiences.
• Political power is defined by domination and coercion, while spiritual power is a form of self-empowerment that is essential to the pursuit of the divine.
• Pay attention to inconsistencies in your behavior or thinking, as your mind has mysterious ways of communicating and compelling you toward healing.
• Staying open to change and grace increases one’s ability to evolve over time and to find guidance in their journey toward greater spiritual growth.
• Grace is contradictory and mysterious, but those who choose to accept it show great maturity, wisdom, and enlightenment.

Reflection Questions

• What forms of wisdom have you received from mysterious sources of late? Do you agree with Peck that this wisdom is representative of God or the divine?
• Who holds a position of spiritual authority in your life? What about this individual do you admire, and what lessons might you learn from them?
• How have mental health symptoms manifested in your life? What has been the most difficult aspect of listening to and learning from these symptoms?
• What two changes can you make in your life to maintain a more open mind? How might these changes make you more awake to grace in your life?
• How might accepting the paradoxical nature of grace, love, and spirituality revolutionize your view of yourself? How can a therapist or mentor help you reach a new perspective?