Glimpses of the Devil: A Psychiatrist's Personal Accounts of Possession,

Excellent book!

Peck wonders in this revealing book about his personal experience with two demon possessed individuals if he had previously overlooked demonic influence on other patients simply because he didn't believe in demons. It's a perceptive question. How does one recognize symptoms of a malady that one believes doesn't exist? In time Peck, a Christian as well as an influential pyschiatist, came to believe that demons do exist--and even conducted exorcisms. Even those who persist in doubting the existence of demons (or angels) might well appreciate the open mind with which Peck explored the question. Ruling out any theory a priori and refusing to examine any evidence is hardly an example anyone claiming his discipline is "scientific" should wish to set. Thankfully, Peck sets a good example in this regard. Also thankfully Peck presents his case humbly, sharing his conclusions but not insisting the reader agree with them. This is particularly commendable, as Peck is not a theologian and although he does believe the Bible's teachings on the supernatural, he often misunderstands the phenomenon he observed. Still, this book is highly recommended as a model of open minded inquiry, and a fascinating story of how a nominal Christian psychiatist was forced to inquire into issues that were outside his discipline and which challenge some of its most basic assumptions.

I haven't finished reading this yet. However, as someone whose perspective has evolved over the years, I'm excited, even relieved to see someone of stature write about this, someone with the degree and experience that Scott Peck has. When I first read Pecks other book, "People of the Lie" , it was tremendously helpful in understanding, accepting, and healing from the impact of the types of behaviors that he described and classified as Evil. I survived an attempted rape by a coworker, and to be honest, the aftermath and they way people responded to it,, was almost more damaging than the assault itself. It threw me into a deep depression and a struggle to understand how people who were supposed to love you or who were supposed to be your friends could behave in such a cold and unsupportive, blaming way. When I got to the final chapter, however, where Dr Peck discussed the Devil, I just couldn't push through it. This was where I drew the line in what I would "accept" as reality.Fast forward a decade of paranormal investigations and I'm not so sure any longer. I've had some incredible experiences that have blasted open my closed mind on what reality is. I don't expect anyone to take me at my word and blindly accept that my stories are true, unembelished, or not a figment of my imagination. I certainly would have thought "yeah, right!" If someone else were to tell me my experiences. That's the kicker. I get the doubt. I get the eye rolling. That was me. But Then I've Had These Experiences THAT have blown my eyes wide open and made me question the boundaries of reality, so to speak. We only see a small fraction of the light spectrum. We only hear a small fraction of sound. So our perceptions are limited. And society corners us into the realm of nutcase if we dare to believe in anything that is outside of certain parameters of accepted reality.We need to be open and lodge honest and proper scientific inquiry into these things that fall outside of what is considered established definitions of reality. To ignore a phenomenon that has been being described around the world for all of humanity is just beyond foolish. It is true that at this time we have no hard science about the nature of reality, ghosts or the Devil. But not having scientifically proven evidence is not the same as not having a phenomenon.Long story/review short, I'm now ready and eager to read about Dr Pecks experience with this subject. I wouldn't recommend this book for everyone, but I would recommend it for those who are ready. You'll know who you are.

If you like this type of subject, you’ll be interested.

This is a topic that I know something about, but I have not been able to find anything remotely "scientific" amongst those folks that have dealt with the subject. In short, psychiatrists are literally in the dark ages on this subject. In denial, with blinkers on. Not M Scott Peck. Even so, one needs to realise his strong Christian beliefs intrude, and his certainty that he is dealing with "Satan", Lucifer" or even "Judas" are the result. But I forgive him. Even if "demons" are all about lies, for some strange reason he believes the names they use. It is however truly great to read this book, and see how a sane psychiatrist went about resolving serious issues in two folks that would defy classic analysis. And as the process was videotaped, I doubt very much it is "over dramatised" In any event, being a great fan of this author, I do trust him to be accurate and truthful.There are other books on this subject, and in fact I read Malachi Martin's book "Hostage to the Devil" because of a recommendation by this author. I therefore found it a bit strange that AFTER Martin's death only, Peck seems willing to allow that that book may be "over dramatised". Still I guess since Malachi Martin was a personal friend, he was not likely to come clean till after his death. I am in fact pleased to hear him say it is over-dramatised, as that's what I felt too.If you want a fully rounded understanding of this subject, there are two more books you should read. "Remote Depossession" by Dr Irene Hickman, and "30 years amongst the dead", by Dr. Carl Wickland. Of course the latter is a spiritualist, and Irene an hypnotherapist. But if you read all these books, you will know that possession and obsession is real, the latter probably quite common, and that there are no demons, only evil dead humans causing us grief. And you will also learn that there are far easier ways of resolving these problems than spending four days with a team of folks, adopting the religious approach to exorcism. Try spirit releasement, it only takes an hour or so.

Me gusto!

Great book.

Excellent

Me gusta mucho Scott Peck. He leido otros libros suyos y respeto mucho su opinion. Habla de un aspaecto de la enfermedad mental no tenida en cuenta por muchos otros profesionales.

I waited for this book with much atticipation for 14 days and it did not dissappoint.It is written in a very honest manner and easy to read. The author is honest about what he understands and does not, and I think this makes it believible for readers who have had no experience of the unseen or supernatural realms. It is very informative for individuals that may find themselves forced to deal with demons. Some parts I found very funny! 10/10