《Grace and Grit》, the new book by Ken Wilber, founder of integral theory, has been published by Kimyoungsa. It records the period from his wife Treya's cancer diagnosis to her death, serving both as an account of her illness and as a record of the spiritual practice the couple undertook as they lived through it. It is also based on the book that inspired the 2021 film 《Grace and Grit》. To mark its publication in South Korea, online book-club platform Gmeum will host a four-week group read with readers from 7 September.
An essay rather than a theory book: Ken Wilber's exceptional work
Most of Ken Wilber's books introduced in South Korea, including 《No Boundary》, 《A Brief History of Everything》 and 《Integral Meditation》, are theoretical works on integral psychology, meditation and spirituality. His books are also known for being difficult. This one is different. It is an essay in which the author opens up about his own life.
Ken and Treya met in their thirties and married soon afterwards. Just as they began married life, Treya was diagnosed with advanced cancer, and their marriage became one of treatment and caregiving. The book follows those five years. It records not only the time they spent trusting and relying on each other, but also the moments when they became irritated with one another.
Ken's writing interwoven with Treya's diaries
The format is distinctive, too. Ken Wilber's account is interwoven with diaries, letters and interviews left by Treya herself. It was the author's choice, intended to convey his wife's voice exactly as it was.
The day of the cancer diagnosis is recorded in two voices. Treya wrote that, when she was told the tumour was malignant, her body seemed to freeze and she could not even cry. Ken recorded how he went into an empty room and locked the door because he did not want his wife to see him crying. He wrote that he was afraid he would completely fall apart if he started.
The book also recounts what cancer patients need, which words can cause hurt and the difficulties faced by those providing care. It includes anecdotes from the couple's exchanges with intellectuals, religious figures, scientists and healers of the time.
A distinction between ‘disease’ and ‘illness’
The book comprises 22 chapters, including ‘Disease, Illness and the Meanings Wrongly Imposed’, ‘The Problem of Balance’, ‘The Inner Universe’, ‘Letting Go of Body and Mind’, ‘Who am I?’, ‘Psychotherapy and Spirituality’ and ‘What Is Genuine Help?’
Wilber distinguishes between disease and illness, and questions the meanings society imposes on the suffering experienced by patients. He also sets out his view of religion. He argues that exoteric religion, which says people must believe in myths literally to be saved, and esoteric religion, which is mystical and experiential, occupy different levels.
Tonglen, a Tibetan Buddhist practice, is also discussed at length. Wilber explains that the practice of giving oneself and accepting the suffering of others weakens the duality between subject and object. Once practitioners reach the stage of taking suffering upon themselves, he says, the distinction between self and other also breaks down. Another feature of the book is that his theory of spirituality is presented in conversational form.
“A deep and harrowing gaze into life and death”
Praise for the book followed. M. Scott Peck, author of 《The Road Less Traveled》, described it as an examination of life and death, love and the new birth of the soul. Publishers Weekly, the US publishing trade magazine, wrote that Wilber presents cancer as an opportunity to confront himself and grow — a ‘healing crisis’.
Joan Borysenko, who founded the Mind-Body Medicine Clinic at Harvard Medical School, said Treya's diary blends finely with Ken's writing, conveying her candour and vitality in full. The Buddhist magazine Tricycle named it a book that cancer patients and those who stand by them should read.
Ken Wilber, founder of integral theory
Ken Wilber is a leading thinker in transpersonal and integral psychology. While studying medicine and biochemistry, he read Laozi's 《Tao Te Ching》 and shifted towards Eastern and Western thought on psychology, religion and spirituality. His first book, 《The Spectrum of Consciousness》, written when he was 23, is regarded as a work that changed the paradigm for research into human consciousness.
Through roughly 25 books, he went on to develop an integral theory of the development and evolution of human consciousness. He is also a practitioner who has followed Zen and Tibetan Buddhist practices for many years, and is the founder of the Integral Institute and co-founder of Integral Life.
Four-week group read led by the editor in charge
The ‘group read’ on Gmeum will run for four weeks, from 7 September to 4 October. The reading is divided by week: chapters 1–5 in week one, chapters 6–10 in week two, chapters 11–15 in week three and chapters 16–22 in week four.
The group host will post questions and topics two or three times a week, and participants will share memorable passages and their thoughts. The editor responsible for producing 《Grace and Grit》 will host the group and answer questions about how the book was made. Gmeum certificates of completion will be issued to those who participate consistently.
Books will be awarded by lottery to applicants, with 10 copies being given away, but participation is possible even without winning. People can also join if they do not receive a book or after the group has started.
Applications: https://www.gmeum.com/gather/detail/3880
▶Apply for a complimentary book (10 copies awarded by lottery)
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdwhtNIUaI2Q_EGhCYxf8PPLAmgCW8NxDg6kXKJC5pIv_FI7g/viewform?usp=publish-editor
▶More information about the book
https://product.kyobobook.co.kr/detail/S000221047870