Approaches to Consciousness

BRIAN L. LANCASTER is Professor of Transpersonal Psychology at Liverpool John Moores University, the first such post in the UK. He is also Deputy Head, Centre for Applied Psychology and Co-Director of the Consciousness and Transpersonal Psychology Research Unit at Liverpool John Moores University. His first book, Mind Brain and Human Potential (Element) won an international award. He has a high profile in the British Psychological Society as Founder Member of both the Section of Conscious and Experimental Psychology and Transpersonal Psychology. He has a considerable international reputation as a leader and innovator in these fields.

• PART ONE: TOWARDS A UNITARY DISCIPLINE OF CONSCIOUSNESS STUDIES PrefaceThe Big PictureA Common Purpose?PART TWO: APPROACHES TO CONSCIOUSNESS Spiritual and Mystical: Approaches: 1. Towards EmptinessNeurophysiological ApproachesCognitive and Neuropsychological ApproachesThe Approach of Depth PsychologySpiritual and Mystical Approaches: 2. Towards FullnessPART THREE: BEYOND WITHIN Together AgainReferences.

'With formidable erudition and the widest of perspectives, Brian Lancaster has written a challenging and potentially ground-breaking book on the relationship between scientific and mystical ideas of human consciousness. A humane scholar in the great tradition of William James, his work deserves to be read and discussed widely.' - Jonathan Sacks, Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth 'This is a work of penetrating scholarship that should do much to clarify the similarities and contradictions between mysticism and science. Brian Lancaster is one of the few authorities with the breadth of knowledge and understanding in both fields to attempt this clarification, and his book will become required reading for all those who hope for a more humane and holistic alternative to the materialist-reductionist philosophy that has for too long dominated Western thought.' - Professor David Fontana, Fellow of the British Psychological Society and Distinguished Professor, University of Cardiff 'A major contribution to the innovative and fertile dialogue between neuroscientists and contemplatives.' - Matthieu Ricard, Official Interpreter for the Dalai Lama 'A truly groundbreaking work!' - Professor Jorge Ferrer, Core Faculty, California Institute of Integral Studies, San Francisco 'This volume is a subtle, scholarly attempt to integrate neurophysiological and psychological with spiritual and mystical approaches to the mystery of consciousness, thereby to consolidate consciousness studies as a fully legitimate and unitary discipline.' - Julian Candy, Journal of Consciousness Studies '...a far better summary of current thinking than most books about consciousness.' - Susan Blackmore, University of the West of England, UK