The Cosmic Game

Explorations of the Frontiers of Human Consciousness

By: Stanislav Grof

Narrated by: Michael Butler Murray

Length: 10 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's summary

In this, his culminating work, the leading international figure in consciousness research masterfully synthesizes his vast findings, drawing not only upon psychedelic therapy and Holotropic Breathwork, but also from literature, cross-cultural studies, ancient mystical sources, and psychological data, resulting in a profound consolidation and articulation of what is now known about unordinary states of consciousness.

The Cosmic Game discusses the broadest philosophical, metaphysical, and spiritual insights gleaned in Grof's research concerning human nature and reality, addressing the most fundamental questions human beings have asked about the nature of existence since time immemorial.

Insights from research into unordinary states of consciousness portray existence as an astonishing play of the cosmic creative principle that transcends time, space, linear causality, and polarities of every kind and suggest an identity of the individual psyche in its furthest reaches with the universal creative principle and the totality of existence. This identity of the human being with the Divine is the ultimate secret that lies at the core of all great spiritual traditions.

©1998 State University of New York (P)2021 Tantor

An absolute must for…

The first book I read from Grof, he read. Which I loved. I always love hearing an author’s voice. Helps me hear their passion, tone and personality. It took a bit to get used to this narrator’s voice but the content is so delicious, I quickly forgot who was reading.

For therapist, psychologist, psychiatrist, doctors, anyone who care for people, this book is a great look at subjects that have been completely stripped from our culture.

For me, I am an entrepreneur and love these subjects as I have started working on mind/body/soul work.

Key highlights and new perspectives:
Evil
Reincarnation
Material Science
Breath work
And more

I had a few revolutions come out of this book.

Much respect for Grof and all the work him, his wife and team did over their lifetime. Should be regarded as a f*#king hero.

A Marvelous Dialogue of Psychedelic Experiences by a Titan of Consciousness

Auditing and Reading this Volume is Transformational for any serious Pioneer of consciousness. You will be awed, enthralled and delighted, as you seek new pathways of being and connecting with Heart, Mind, Body, Soul and the Life Force of the Universe.

Everything

There is no replacement for stan! A deep dive into a fascinating world of altered consciousness full of information gold ! Every book of Stans is beyond excellent , but The Cosmic Game is his sweetest icing yet to top the cake .

Must read !!!

One of the most important books I’ve read, giving me a solid overview and understanding of universal consciousness, as well as humanity’s relationship to and intricate co-creative part within ‘the cosmic game’.

Warning: Narrator cannot pronounce ANYTHING

This is a fascinating book by one of my favorite scholars, but this narrator is FIRED. He not only has trouble with the specialist vocabulary, but he pronounces many common words oddly. It's making it very hard to listen to.

Excellent Book - Worst Narrator EVER!

I love the topic, the writing is stellar, and the deep exploration of the work of this pioneer in consciousness research is fascinating. However, the narrator awful, and I'm returning it. Such a bummer.

I've managed to make it into Chapter 6, but only in spurts, because the narrator drives me nuts. He can't be bothered to learn how to pronounce many common words, or words relevant in this field like "Sat Chit Ananda" or "Esalen Institute." His odd reading style is very distracting. He plods along in monotone for a while, then inexplicably lilts his voice as if asking a question where no question is posed, as if to break up his own monotony. He reads without meaningful engagement in the topic, and is not willing to learn it's lingo. How this guy got a job as an audible reader is beyond my comprehension.

For that reason I cannot recommend this Audible title.

Excellent amalgamation of information

while I am familiar with most of the information presented, I appreciate how thoroughly the author explained everything with references to knowledge not only known to science but also the knowledge we as a society have forgotten but once knew in our distant past.

I was impressed by the narrators ability to pronounce words and names in other languages (particularly French), however there were a few moments where he paused at the wrong moment and messed up the intended grammar, which made me pause to process the actual structure of the sentences and what the author actually intended to communicate.

Overall, this book has summarized much of the truths I've come to discover on my own prior to reading/listening it. I was shocked when I realized it was originally published in 1997. A lot of the information provided is only just now being confirmed/accepted by science.

Great book covered with Velveeta

This book is fantastic. I bumped into it via Chris Bache’s work. Hoping for the same magic, i was sorely disappointed to hear this narrators cheesy voice. He read the book technically well, but there is a complete lack of conviction in his nasal tone. He would do well reading a book about finance or cooking. But not this topic. His voice is so banal I found my attention wandering and continually rewinding.

I’m wishing I’d just bought a hard copy. Recommend listening to LSD and the mind of the universe Diamonds from Heaven. The author reads it and this lends weight to a huge topic.

I going to ask for a refund.

Too Much Woo Woo

Saturated with quasi-supernatural anecdotes. Not suitable for those interested in practical reality or coming closer to understanding the nature of consciousness.

The narration vs the content

Stan Grof’s work in conjunction with my own psychedelic sessions has revealed a vast and amazing view of consciousness that has been transformative. This narration comes with a style and energy that does not complement the material, and feels like it diminishes the magnitude of the themes.