Emotions and Spirituality in Religions and Spiritual Movements

By (author) Erika Wilson

Publication date:

19 July 2012

Length of book:

220 pages

Publisher

University Press of America

Dimensions:

229x151mm
6x9"

ISBN-13: 9780761859505

Applying 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?

Preface

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

Erika 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.