Description
Book SynopsisApplying recent psychological and neuropsychological studies of emotions, Erika Wilson explores the role of emotions in major Eastern, Western, and primal religions, as well as in some contemporary spiritual movements. The book tries to answer the following questions: What kinds of emotions and spiritual experiences arise in individuals and groups during prayer, conversions, rituals, meditations, and other spiritual practices? Which positive emotions are valued most in a particular religion or spiritual movement? How do these attitudes relate to their respective historical context? And finally, how does each religious or spiritual teaching recommend handling negative emotions?
Trade ReviewErika Wilson’s text is an important contribution to an understanding of the psychology of religion. It offers remarkable insights into the role and valuation of feeling in a number of religions and spiritual movements. . . . This work is highly recommended for both students and professionals in psychology and religious studies as well as for the general reader. -- Robert S. Ellwood, (University of Southern California)
. . . Erika Wilson takes us on an original trip through spiritual experiences [and] the religions’ respective valuation of particular positive emotions . . . [and] negative emotions. Perhaps newest of all in a book on religion is her inclusion of the discoveries of cognitive psychologists and neuroscientists on religious experiential phenomena. -- John P. Crossley, Ph.D., emeritus professor of religion, University of Southern California
In [this book], Erika Wilson displays her commanding grasp of, on the one hand, the latest developments in psychology of religion and neuropsychology, and, on the other, of the emotions people experience in . . . spiritual practices across cultures. . . . It is a magnum opus and a wonderfully helpful gift to the study of religion and human experience. -- Franz Metcalf, Ph.D., author and lecturer of religious studies, California State University, Los Angeles
Table of ContentsPreface Foreword Chapter 1: Emotions and Spirituality in the Religions of the World Chapter 2: The Divine, the Self, Soul, Emotions, Consciousness, and the Spiritual Journey in Religions, Spiritual Movements, the Social Sciences, and the Neurosciences Chapter 3: Spiritual Experiences, Spiritual Disciplines, Emotions, and the Sciences Chapter 4: Emotions, Symbols, Sacred Writings, Prayer, Rituals, Spiritual Disciplines, and Spiritual Experiences Chapter 5: Positive and Negative Emotions, Free Will, Conversions, Conscience, Ethics, and Social Activism in Religions and Spiritual Movements Chapter 6: Negative Emotions, Evil, Suffering, Prejudice, Violence, War, and Peace in Religions and Spiritual Movements Chapter 7: Emotions and Spirituality in Primal Religions Chapter 8: Emotions and Spirituality in Eastern Religions Chapter 9: Emotions and Spirituality in Western Religions Chapter 10: Emotions and Emotional Issues in Religions and Spiritual Movements—Some Conclusions Bibliography
