The Varieties of Spiritual Experience
The Varieties of Spiritual Experience

Author: David B. Yaden

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Published: 2022

Total Pages: 441

ISBN-13: 019066567X

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

"In the midst of life's many ordinary moments, some experiences feel extraordinary. They can mark inflection points in one's life, after which one is never quite the same. Most brief experiences capable of making a long-lasting impact involve obvious changes in one's outward circumstances, like a birth, a death, a marriage, or an illness. Yet some life-changing moments seem to come wholly from another source, appearing as mental states or altered states of consciousness either from deep within a person's mind or, perhaps, from a source beyond the self. These experiences have been called by different names over time: spiritual, religious, mystical, peak, or self-transcendent, and people around the world and throughout history have experienced them, up to and including the present day. The sacred texts of every major religion describe these moments, philosophers since the ancient Greeks have pondered them, and according to recent Gallup polls (2003), well over 30% of contemporary Americans have experienced them"--

The Varieties of Scientific Experience
The Varieties of Scientific Experience

Author: Carl Sagan

Publisher: Penguin

Published: 2006-11-02

Total Pages: 316

ISBN-13: 1101201835

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

“Ann Druyan has unearthed a treasure. It is a treasure of reason, compassion, and scientific awe. It should be the next book you read.” —Sam Harris, author of The End of Faith “A stunningly valuable legacy left to all of us by a great human being. I miss him so.” —Kurt Vonnegut Carl Sagan's prophetic vision of the tragic resurgence of fundamentalism and the hope-filled potential of the next great development in human spirituality The late great astronomer and astrophysicist describes his personal search to understand the nature of the sacred in the vastness of the cosmos. Exhibiting a breadth of intellect nothing short of astounding, Sagan presents his views on a wide range of topics, including the likelihood of intelligent life on other planets, creationism and so-called intelligent design, and a new concept of science as "informed worship." Originally presented at the centennial celebration of the famous Gifford Lectures in Scotland in 1985 but never published, this book offers a unique encounter with one of the most remarkable minds of the twentieth century.

The Varieties of Religious Experience
The Varieties of Religious Experience

Author: William James

Publisher: The Floating Press

Published: 2009-01-01

Total Pages: 824

ISBN-13: 1877527467

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Harvard psychologist and philosopher William James' The Varieties of Religious Experience: A Study in Human Nature explores the nature of religion and, in James' observation, its divorce from science when studied academically. After publication in 1902 it quickly became a canonical text of philosophy and psychology, remaining in print through the entire century. "Scientific theories are organically conditioned just as much as religious emotions are; and if we only knew the facts intimately enough, we should doubtless see 'the liver' determining the dicta of the sturdy atheist as decisively as it does those of the Methodist under conviction anxious about his soul. When it alters in one way the blood that percolates it, we get the Methodist, when in another way, we get the atheist form of mind."

Religious and Spiritual Experiences
Religious and Spiritual Experiences

Author: Wesley J. Wildman

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2011-01-06

Total Pages: 321

ISBN-13: 1139495240

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

What is the value of religious and spiritual experiences within human life? Are we evolutionarily programmed to have such experiences? How will emerging technologies change such experiences in the future? Wesley Wildman addresses these key intellectual questions and more, offering a spiritually evocative naturalist interpretation of the diverse variety of religious and spiritual experiences. He describes these experiences, from the common to the exceptional, and offers innovative classifications for them based on their neurological features and internal qualities. His account avoids reductionistic oversimplifications and instead synthesizes perspectives from many disciplines, including philosophy and natural sciences, into a compelling account of the meaning and value of religious and spiritual experiences in human life. The resulting interpretation does not assume a supernatural worldview but incorporates religious and spiritual experiences into a positive affirmation of this-worldly existence.

Selected Writings
Selected Writings

Author: William James

Publisher: Everymans Library

Published: 1995

Total Pages: 372

ISBN-13: 9780460875578

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Brother of novelist Henry James, William James held views embodied in the tendency to subordinate logical proof to intuitive conviction. He was a vigorous antagonist of the idealistic school of Kant and Hegel, and an empiricist who made empiricism more radical by treating pure experience as the very substance of the world. Taking writings from The Principles of Psychology, Essays in Radical Empiricism and The Meaning of Truth amongst other publications, this edition offers a comprehensive selection of James's writings.

The Varieties of Religious Experience (Complete Edition)
The Varieties of Religious Experience (Complete Edition)

Author: William James

Publisher: Good Press

Published: 2023-12-01

Total Pages: 436

ISBN-13:

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

William James' 'The Varieties of Religious Experience (Complete Edition)' provides a comprehensive exploration of the diversity of religious experiences individuals encounter. Written in a clear and accessible style, James delves into the psychological and philosophical aspects of religion, offering insights into the nature of mystical experiences, conversion, and the relationship between religion and science. Drawing from a wide range of religious traditions and personal narratives, James presents a nuanced understanding of spirituality that remains relevant in contemporary debates. This seminal work is a key text in the study of psychology of religion and the philosophy of spirituality. As a psychologist and philosopher, William James was deeply interested in the human mind and the nature of spiritual experiences. His background in both fields provided him with a unique perspective on the complexities of religious phenomena. With 'The Varieties of Religious Experience,' James sought to bridge the gap between subjective experiences and objective analysis, making a significant contribution to the understanding of spirituality. I highly recommend 'The Varieties of Religious Experience (Complete Edition)' to readers interested in exploring the psychological and philosophical dimensions of religion. James' insightful observations and thoughtful analysis make this book a timeless classic that continues to inspire scholars and seekers alike.

Wired For God?
Wired For God?

Author: Charles Foster

Publisher: Hodder

Published: 2011-12-08

Total Pages: 282

ISBN-13: 1444722050

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Human religious experiences are remarkably uniform; many can be pharmacologically induced. Recent research into the neurology of religious experience has shown that, when worshipping or praying, a certain part of the brain, apparently dormant during other activities, becomes active. What does all this mean for those of faith and those with none? In this fascinating book barrister Charles Foster takes a survey of the evidence - from shamans to medieval mystics, to out-of-body experiences and epilepsy, via Jerusalem and middle-class Christianity - and assesses its significance. Written in short, accessible chapters, this is a fascinating tour of religious and mystical experiences and their relation to human physiology.

The Varieties of Spiritual Experience
The Varieties of Spiritual Experience

Author: David B. Yaden

Publisher:

Published: 2022

Total Pages:

ISBN-13: 9780190665692

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

"In the midst of life's many ordinary moments, some experiences feel extraordinary. They can mark inflection points in one's life, after which one is never quite the same. Most brief experiences capable of making a long-lasting impact involve obvious changes in one's outward circumstances, like a birth, a death, a marriage, or an illness. Yet some life-changing moments seem to come wholly from another source, appearing as mental states or altered states of consciousness either from deep within a person's mind or, perhaps, from a source beyond the self. These experiences have been called by different names over time: spiritual, religious, mystical, peak, or self-transcendent, and people around the world and throughout history have experienced them, up to and including the present day. The sacred texts of every major religion describe these moments, philosophers since the ancient Greeks have pondered them, and according to recent Gallup polls (2003), well over 30% of contemporary Americans have experienced them"--

Discover Your Spiritual Type
Discover Your Spiritual Type

Author: Corinne Ware

Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

Published: 1995-03-01

Total Pages: 156

ISBN-13: 1566995094

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

From Urban T. Holmes's spiritual typology and her own experience as a spiritual director and pastoral counselor, Ware provides a framework for people to name and understand their spiritual experience-in much the same way the Myers-Briggs typology provides a framework for understanding personality types. Readers explore four spiritual types--head, heart, mystic, and Kingdom--and exercises allow individuals and groups to assess their type. Additional information for clergy to use this tool with congregations is included, which will help them gain greater understanding of how members learn about, worship, and celebrate God--and why there may be tension about such issues as the form or content of the worship service.