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The Varieties of Spiritual Experience: 21st Century Research and Perspectives
A cutting-edge guide to the psychology and neuroscience of spiritual experiences
Spiritual experiences have occurred within people around the world and throughout history, up to and including the present day. The founders of every major religion described them, philosophers since antiquity have pondered them, and according to recent polls, about 30% of people still report them. A century ago, philosopher and psychologist William James famously analyzed accounts of these experiences and raised questions for future scientific study. What triggers these events? How are the brain and body affected? How do these brief moments have such lasting effects? Now, modern science has some answers.
This book invites readers into contemporary psychology and neuroscience laboratories around the world to learn about these elusive yet profound inner events. As it explores phenomena ranging from divine revelations to paranormal experiences to life-changing experiences of unity, findings from modern science are illustrated with a diverse set of personal accounts from believers and non-believers alike, plunging readers into deeply personal and sometimes transformative moments. Written by two renowned scientists in the field, this book is a deep exploration of the psychology and neuroscience of a range of profoundly meaningful experiences.
Spiritual experiences have occurred within people around the world and throughout history, up to and including the present day. The founders of every major religion described them, philosophers since antiquity have pondered them, and according to recent polls, about 30% of people still report them. A century ago, philosopher and psychologist William James famously analyzed accounts of these experiences and raised questions for future scientific study. What triggers these events? How are the brain and body affected? How do these brief moments have such lasting effects? Now, modern science has some answers.
This book invites readers into contemporary psychology and neuroscience laboratories around the world to learn about these elusive yet profound inner events. As it explores phenomena ranging from divine revelations to paranormal experiences to life-changing experiences of unity, findings from modern science are illustrated with a diverse set of personal accounts from believers and non-believers alike, plunging readers into deeply personal and sometimes transformative moments. Written by two renowned scientists in the field, this book is a deep exploration of the psychology and neuroscience of a range of profoundly meaningful experiences.
440 pages, Hardcover
Published September 1, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 21, 2023
تنوع تجربه های روحانی
نویسنده این کتاب را براساس تنوع تجربه های روحانی ویلیام جمیز نوشته است. که پشتوانه تحقیاتی متعددی دارد.
داشتن تنوع تجربه های روحانی نشانه سلامت روان و تقویت کننده روابط بین فردی می باشد البته تا جایی که تعقل و روشنگری را در کنار خویش داشته باشد.
دکتر آذرخش مکری(روانشناس) این کتاب را با جزییات بیشتر بررسی کرده است:
لینک تلگرام:
https://t.me/DrAzarakhshMokri/1300
لینک کست باکس:
https://castbox.fm/vb/588207950
نویسنده این کتاب را براساس تنوع تجربه های روحانی ویلیام جمیز نوشته است. که پشتوانه تحقیاتی متعددی دارد.
داشتن تنوع تجربه های روحانی نشانه سلامت روان و تقویت کننده روابط بین فردی می باشد البته تا جایی که تعقل و روشنگری را در کنار خویش داشته باشد.
دکتر آذرخش مکری(روانشناس) این کتاب را با جزییات بیشتر بررسی کرده است:
لینک تلگرام:
https://t.me/DrAzarakhshMokri/1300
لینک کست باکس:
https://castbox.fm/vb/588207950
August 16, 2022
A groundbreaking and immersive read on the science of mystical experiences. This book is a fascinating exploration of life's most extraordinary (and unexplainable) moments. What I appreciated is how the authors expertly weave psychology and neuroscience together with aspects of philosophy to make a previously nebulous topic more concrete. A must read for anyone interested in being on the cutting edge psychedelics, spirituality, and altered states of consciousness. It's a refreshingly thoughtful read in a time when pop-psychology and pseudo-psychology reigns.
January 15, 2024
About fifteen years ago I remember reading an article about the use of brain science to study religious experiences and was fascinated. I thought then that if I ever went back to get another academic degree, it would be something in that field. But beyond that initial interest I never did follow up.
So it was good to read this review of all the current research and hear about promising ideas for the future.
So it was good to read this review of all the current research and hear about promising ideas for the future.
January 10, 2024
In this generous 120-years-on update of William James’ Varieties two things stand out. How little ( despite learning so much ) we’ve really learnt in over a century about ourselves, our minds, what we are. And how astonishingly, surprisingly, eerily lucky we are that the experiences described are usually so kind to us.
March 14, 2023
One of the best books I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews