As Scholar-in-Residence for over 25 years at the Kripalu Center, Stephen Cope has spent decades investigating—and writing about—the integration of body, mind, and spirit and the rich complexity of our relationships with others, and with ourselves. A central truth that arises from his work is this: human beings are universally wired for one thing—vital connection with one another.

Deep Human Connection [in hardcover the book was titled Soul Friends] blends science, scholarship, and storytelling, drawing on his own life as well as the histories of famous figures—from Eleanor Roosevelt to Charles Darwin to Queen Victoria—whose formative relationships shed light on the nature of friendship itself.

It is the central premise of this book that there are six forms of human connection that we must have in order to grow, to thrive, to develop, and to live fully. Much of our spiritual, psychological, and even physical growth takes place in the context of, and as a result of, these special relationships. And I believe that through recognizing and understanding the nature of these connections, we can more skillfully shape who we become.
 

The six mechanisms of transformation, then, as I have described them, are: Containment, Twinship, Adversity, Mirroring, Mystic resonance, and Conscious partnership.

Integrating his practice, meditation, study, and life experience, Cope takes a fresh eye to the idea of connectivity and the human spirit. He’s unsparingly honest and irresistibly readable.

Most of us will have many friends throughout our lifetimes—friends of all shapes, sizes, and callings. Many of these are wonderful, meaningful friendships. Some are difficult. But some magic few of these are connections that have gone right to our soul. These five or seven or ten friendships have been powerful keys to determining who we have become and who we will become.

“For centuries, writers interested in the soul have reflected on friendship as the foundation of all love. Stephen Cope’s contribution is penetrating, subtle, and beautiful… A very special book.” —Thomas Moore, author of Care of the Soul