The Mystical Mind
Probing the Biology of Religious Experience
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The Mystical Mind: Probing the Biology of Religious Experience
How does the mind experience the sacred?
What biological mechanisms are involved in
mystical states and trances? Is there a
neurological basis for patterns in
comparative religions? Does religion have an
evolutionary function? This pathbreaking
work by two leading medical researchers
explores the neurophysiology of religious
experience. Building on an explanation of
the basic structure of the brain, the
authors focus on parts most relevant to
human experience, emotion, and cognition. On
this basis, they plot how the brain is
involved in mystical experiences. Successive
chapters apply this scheme to mythmaking,
ritual and liturgy, meditation, near-death
experiences, and theology itself. Anchored
in such research, the authors also sketch
the implications of their work for
philosophy, science, theology, and the
future of religion.
- Publisher Fortress Press
- Format Paperback
- ISBN 9780800631635
- Dimensions 6 x 9
- Pages 240
- Publication Date August 30, 1999
Endorsements
"The authors have over a number of years developed the best available neuropsychological theory of religion. However, it hasn't reached as many people as it deserves to. This book will be a welcome addition to the literature."
---Fraser Watts
University of Cambridge
---Fraser Watts
University of Cambridge
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Introduction
Chapter 1 -- The Brain and Central Nervous System
Chapter 2 -- The Basis for the Mystical Mind
Chapter 3 -- Why the Mind Creates Myth
Chapter 4 -- Ritual, Liturgy, and the Mind
Chapter 5 -- The Mind, Meditation, and Mysticism
Chapter 6 -- The Near-Death Experience as Mystical Phenomenon
Chapter 7 -- The Origin of Religion
Chapter 8 -- Neurotheology
Chapter 9 -- Consciousness and Reality
Chapter 10 -- Consciousness and Reality
Chapter 11 -- Metatheology and Megatheology
Epilogue
Introduction
Chapter 1 -- The Brain and Central Nervous System
Chapter 2 -- The Basis for the Mystical Mind
Chapter 3 -- Why the Mind Creates Myth
Chapter 4 -- Ritual, Liturgy, and the Mind
Chapter 5 -- The Mind, Meditation, and Mysticism
Chapter 6 -- The Near-Death Experience as Mystical Phenomenon
Chapter 7 -- The Origin of Religion
Chapter 8 -- Neurotheology
Chapter 9 -- Consciousness and Reality
Chapter 10 -- Consciousness and Reality
Chapter 11 -- Metatheology and Megatheology
Epilogue