Science and the Spiritual Quest

Science and the Spiritual Quest
Author: W. Mark Richardson
Publisher: Psychology Press
Total Pages: 310
Release: 2002
Genre: Philosophy
ISBN: 9780415257664

Addressing fundamental questions about life, this unique volume examines the way in which distinguished scientists of different faiths explore the connections between science, ethics, spirituality and the divine.

The Spiritual Quest

The Spiritual Quest
Author: Robert M. Torrance
Publisher: Univ of California Press
Total Pages: 387
Release: 2023-09-01
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0520920163

Robert Torrance's wide-ranging, innovative study argues that the spiritual quest is rooted in our biological, psychological, linguistic, and social nature. The quest is not, as most have believed, a rare mystical experience, but a frequent expression of our most basic human impulses. Shaman and scientist, medium and poet, prophet and philosopher, all venture forth in quest of visionary truths to transform and renew the world. Yet Torrance is not trying to reduce the quest to an "archetype" or "monomyth." Instead, he presents the full diversity of the quest in the myths and religious practices of tribal peoples throughout the world, from Oceania to India, Africa, Siberia, and especially the Americas. In theorizing about the quest, Torrance draws on thinkers as diverse as Bergson and Piaget, van Gennep and Turner, Pierce and Popper, Freud, Darwin, and Chomsky. This is a book that will expand our knowledge—and awareness—of a fundamental human activity in all its fascinating complexity.

The Awakened Brain

The Awakened Brain
Author: Lisa Miller
Publisher: Random House
Total Pages: 289
Release: 2021-08-17
Genre: Psychology
ISBN: 1984855638

A groundbreaking exploration of the neuroscience of spirituality and a bold new paradigm for health, healing, and resilience—from a New York Times bestselling author and award-winning researcher “A new revolution of health and well-being and a testament to, and celebration of, the power within.”—Deepak Chopra, MD Whether it’s meditation or a walk in nature, reading a sacred text or saying a prayer, there are many ways to tap into a heightened awareness of the world around you and your place in it. In The Awakened Brain, psychologist Dr. Lisa Miller shows you how. Weaving her own deeply personal journey of awakening with her groundbreaking research, Dr. Miller’s book reveals that humans are universally equipped with a capacity for spirituality, and that our brains become more resilient and robust as a result of it. For leaders in business and government, truth-seekers, parents, healers, educators, and any person confronting life’s biggest questions, The Awakened Brain combines cutting-edge science (from MRI studies to genetic research, epidemiology, and more) with on-the-ground application for people of all ages and from all walks of life, illuminating the surprising science of spirituality and how to engage it in our lives: • The awakened decision is the better decision. With an awakened perception, we are more creative, collaborative, ethical, and innovative. • The awakened brain is the healthier brain. An engaged spiritual life enhances grit, optimism, and resilience while providing insulation against addiction, trauma, and depression. • The awakened life is the inspired life. Loss, uncertainty, and even trauma are the gateways by which we are invited to move beyond merely coping with hardship to transcend into a life of renewal, healing, joy, and fulfillment. Absorbing, uplifting, and ultimately enlightening, The Awakened Brain is a conversation-starting saga of scientific discovery packed with counterintuitive findings and practical advice on concrete ways to access your innate spirituality and build a life of meaning and contribution.

Science and Religion in Quest of Truth

Science and Religion in Quest of Truth
Author: John Polkinghorne
Publisher: Yale University Press
Total Pages: 230
Release: 2011-01-01
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0300178395

From the vantage point of eighty years, a highly regarded scientist and theologian surveys the full spectrum of critical issues between science and theologyJohn Polkinghorne, an international figure known both for his contributions to the field of theoretical elementary particle physics and for his work as a theologian, has over the years filled a bookshelf with writings devoted to specific topics in science and religion. In this new book, he undertakes for the first time a survey of all the major issues at the intersection of science and religion, concentrating on what he considers the essential insights for each. Clearly and without assuming prior knowledge, he addresses causality, cosmology, evolution, consciousness, natural theology, divine providence, revelation, and scripture. Each chapter also provides references to his other books in which more detailed treatments of specific issues can be found.For those who are new to what Polkinghorne calls "one of the most significant interdisciplinary interactions of our time," this volume serves as an excellent introduction. For readers already familiar with John Polkinghorne's books, this latest is a welcome reminder of the breadth of his thought and the subtlety of his approach in the quest for truthful understanding.

Searching for Stars on an Island in Maine

Searching for Stars on an Island in Maine
Author: Alan P. Lightman
Publisher: Pantheon
Total Pages: 241
Release: 2018
Genre: Biography & Autobiography
ISBN: 1101871865

In this meditation on religion and science, Lightman explores the tension between our yearning for permanence and certainty, and the modern scientific discoveries that demonstrate the impermanent and uncertain nature of the world. As a physicist, he has always held a scientific view of the world. But one summer evening, while looking at the stars from a small boat at sea he was overcome by the sensation that he was merging with a grand and eternal unity, a hint of something absolute and immaterial. This is his exploration of these seemingly contradictory impulses, and the journey along the different paths of religion and science that become part of his quest. -- adapted from publisher info.

Healing the Rift

Healing the Rift
Author: Leo Kim
Publisher: Cambridge House PressInc
Total Pages: 288
Release: 2010-12-01
Genre: Body, Mind & Spirit
ISBN: 9780982139165

Outlines an organic chemist's long-standing efforts to bridge gaps between spirituality and twenty-first-century science, describing his experiences of working with cancer patients, his philosophies about the existence of God, and his beliefs about the universe's harmonious blending of mind and spirit.

The Spiritual Quest and the Way of Yoga

The Spiritual Quest and the Way of Yoga
Author: Swami Adiswarananda
Publisher: Turner Publishing Company
Total Pages: 274
Release: 2013-08-22
Genre: Health & Fitness
ISBN: 1594735514

Guidance for Your Spiritual Journey—from the Wisdom of Yoga and Vedanta “The ultimate goal of life is to discover the divinity within ourselves and in all beings and things. This will lead us to adore our true Self, adore our fellow beings, and adore the world that is but a reflection of Reality. This reunion with the Absolute—the core of our individual being as well as of the universe—is the true meaning of yoga.” —from chapter 13 The yoga way maintains that spiritual quest is not a matter of choice but a vital necessity for total well-being. This comprehensive guide for spiritual seekers of all faiths and backgrounds presents a roadmap to Self-knowledge, the goal of spiritual quest, and shows that reconnecting with the center of your being, your true Self, is real, tangible and attainable. Exploring the route to spiritual fulfillment through the teachings of Yoga and Vedanta, Swami Adiswarananda outlines the meaning of spiritual quest, the nature of and the preparations necessary for the journey and the milestones you will use to chart your progress. He also draws from the sacred texts of these time-tested traditions to address the vital questions that often trouble spiritual seekers, such as: Which spiritual path should I follow? How can I attain liberation? What are the dangers and obstacles on the spiritual path? How do I control the restless mind? Why are there many religions and what is the way to interfaith unity?

The Spiritual Science of the Vedas: An Advanced Exploration of Vedic Lore

The Spiritual Science of the Vedas: An Advanced Exploration of Vedic Lore
Author: Nithin Prakash Gukhool
Publisher: Lulu.com
Total Pages: 126
Release: 2019-05-10
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1483499847

The writings of the Vedic scriptures are so important that they can create a veritable paradigm shift in human society, having the power to uplift, purify, and integrate human consciousness. Nithin Prakash Gukhool highlights how the information era has resurrected ancient India in this advanced study of Vedic lore. He pieces together three aspects of Vedic knowledge: Vedic philosophy, the esoteric energy kuṇdalīnī unraveled within the Vedas, and cutting-edge Vedic science relevant to the modern world-especially students. He also shares his knowledge of meditation through his own spiritual awakening, expounding on the latest findings on the scientific contribution of the rishis. Throughout his analysis, he explores why Vedic teachings are so relevant today. Find out why Hinduism and the Vedas are not merely a religion but elegant, scientific pursuits-and embark on a quest for truth with the knowledge and insights in The Spiritual Science of the Vedas.

Adventures in the Spirit

Adventures in the Spirit
Author: Philip Clayton
Publisher: Fortress Press
Total Pages: 322
Release:
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1451416040

In Adventures in the Spirit, respected and influential theologian Philip Clayton argues that two major intellectual movements of our day-panentheism and emergence-are converging and that together they offer exciting new vistas for theological reflection. On the one hand, over the last decades many theologians have been re-conceiving the God-world relation panentheistically, affirming a radical indwelling of God within the world and the world within God. On the other hand, scientists have begun to abandon the reductionist ideology that characterized much of the modern period, with a new emphasis on emergence. Their study of how new, novel structures and entities arise throughout the evolutionary process yields a much more open-ended, holistic vision of reality, Clayton argues.

Practicing Science, Living Faith

Practicing Science, Living Faith
Author: Philip Clayton
Publisher: Columbia University Press
Total Pages: 274
Release: 2007
Genre: Biography & Autobiography
ISBN: 0231135769

Twelve scientists from diverse backgrounds and disciplines demonstrate that it is indeed possible for profound intellectuals to integrate the life of science with the life of faith. In honest and inspiring interviews, they describe the difficult though rewarding process of reconciling their faith with their science and reveal the ways in which the two spheres can not only coexist but also mutually enhance each other. Jane Goodall begins the conversation by emphasizing the importance of recognizing the "spark of spirit" that runs through all creatures, human and animal. Robert Pollack discusses his motivations for opening a major center for the study of science and religion at Columbia University. Khalil Chamcham, a Moroccan astrophysicist and devout Muslim, moves from the study of galaxy formation to a new dialogue between Islam and the West. Thomas Odhiambo, a Kenyan entomologist, helps to bring sustainable agriculture to sub-Saharan Africa by uniting African animist and Christian traditions, and Henry Thompson, a computer scientist, utilizes his Quaker practice in both his science and his work as a mediator. Thoughtful and compelling, these and other scientists recount a rich integration of science and religion in their practice, their experience, and their approach to their work. Some find a deep harmony between the life of faith and the practice of science, whereas others struggle with the ongoing tensions. These original interviews range across the metaphysical, ethical, and religious implications of cutting-edge research. Taken together, they offer a unique picture of how scientists make peace with their work and their spirituality.