From Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Murphy_%28author%29
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dick_Price
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aldous_Huxley
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humanistic_psychology
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transpersonal_psychology
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gestalt_therapy
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_potential_movement
The Human Potential Movement came out of the social and intellectual milieu of the 1960s and was formed to promote the cultivation of extraordinary potential believed to be largely untapped in most people. The movement is premised on the belief that through the development of human potential, humans can experience an exceptional quality of life filled with happiness, creativity, and fulfillment. A corollary belief is often that those who begin to unleash this potential will find their actions within society to be directed towards helping others release their potential. The belief is that the net effect of individuals cultivating their potential will bring about positive social change at large.
Esalen
The Esalen Institute was formed by Michael Murphy and Dick Price primarily as a center for the study and development of human potential, and is considered to be the geographical center of the movement today. Aldous Huxley gave lectures on the “Human Potential” at Esalen in the early 1960s and his ideas are also considered fundamental to the movement.
An important early influence on Esalen was George Leonard, a magazine writer and editor who was conducting research for an article on human potential. Leonard claims that he came up with the phrase “Human Potential Movement” during a brainstorming session with Murphy. He and Murphy then popularized the idea in bestselling books. Leonard has worked closely with Esalen ever since and in 2005 was its president.
