A Chaotic Life: The Memoirs of Stanley Krippner, Pioneering Humanistic Psychologist

Abstract

A Chaotic Life is a three-volume series in which Stanley Krippner (b.1932), a well-known American parapsychologist (and much more), recounts his life from his childhood, recalling his university years, recounting his reactions to various episodes of the Second World War and passages from his adult life.Krippner has visited more than one hundred countries and has interacted with cultures and people all over the world.A Chaotic Life mentions his interactions with historical figures such as Martin Luther King Jr and the architect Frank Lloyd Wright, as well as with American film stars.As regards parapsychology, his principal interest has been in altered states of consciousness, especially dreams.Krippner is a prolific author, having authored and co-authored more than forty books, and has about a thousand publications to his name.This paternalistic figure has accompanied much of the growth of parapsychology, especially in Argentina, but also in Brazil, Chile, and Mexico, countries he has frequently visited.Since he has visited almost every country in Latin America, Krippner can perhaps be recognized as a natural ambassador for parapsychology and other avant-garde 'psychologies' such as psychedelic facilitated psychotherapy and hypnosis facilitated psychotherapy.Through his efforts, Krippner has sponsored the entry of dozens of young Latin Americans into many psychological associations, including the Parapsychological Association, through letters of recommendation, which earned him the nickname 'Uncle Stan'.Krippner is not only a part of the history of parapsychology in the West, his charismatic personality has impacted at least three generations, and he has often functioned as an intercultural bridge.Besides Latin America, Krippner has served as 'ambassador' to China and India, presenting lectures and workshops at several universities, often helping to organize new institutional programs.Krippner was introduced to things psychic at the age of fourteen when he was suddenly aware that an uncle was dead-and his uncle had, in fact, just died.This experience made him interested in parapsychology.When a student