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Religion & science, Religious
Why does God survive, flourish even, in our secular age? This book recognizes that religion and science, two different ways of making sense of the world, are indeed irreconcilable. It does not seek to fit either one into the world view of the other. Instead it argues that we need to embrace this incompatibility, and recognize that this mystery stems from essential facts about the psychological make up of the human being. The book draws on two sources of data to advance its argument; the findings of cognitive science about the limitations and characteristics of the way in which our brains are wired up, and experience; experience documented by revered mystics of the past, and experience of people of our time who have ventured into the borderland between mysticism and madness. We need a more sophisticated understanding of spirituality to recognize how our yearning for the sacred can be abused and exploited, whether by dangerous fundamentalism or cynical capitalist advertising. We need a truer understanding of non ordinary states of experience to treat those labelled as psychotic with justice, and to appreciate the hold that drugs of abuse have in our addicted society. Absolutely first class! It came into the cant put it down category so I have read it cover to cover. Ian Mowll, coordinator of GreenSpirit, the network for creation spirituality I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this. It is groundbreaking territory, fascinating, good, topical and relevant. Janice Hartley, Secretary of The Spiritual Crisis Network Development Group Isabel Clarke is a clinical psychologist, working in the NHS with people with severe mental health problems. She has published on psychosis and spirituality in a professional context, and studied medieval history.
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It's an intense, provocative read, and I imagine there are plenty of people who would find it uncomfortable. It may be too spiritual for the rationalists, too analytical for those who want unfettered wonder and magic. For those who have feet in both camps and thrive on both ways of relating to the world its a wonderful read. This is not a Druid book - it is not about Druidry, specifically, but it is about spirituality in the broadest sense. It is a book that offers powerful language and concepts for exploring spiritual experience in a thinking and feeling way. It's one of those books I think everyone ought to read. ~ Bryn Colvin, Druid Network
A review can only give a slight flavour of the book. The themes are so huge and the extensive material summarised so lucidly that the reviewer is lost in admiration. The argument is developed in a measured way and engages the reader's interest as the story unfolds. The general seriousness is lightened by the inclusion of folk song lyrics. I unreservedly recommend this book. ~ Dorothy Buglass, Universalist
While the main part of the text of the book comprises a carfully structured exposition, thus appealing to the Propositional subsystem, the frequent insertion of poems,songs and CD recommendations provides plenty of nourishment for the Relational. ...This should surely be a fun programme as well as a wise one. ~ Julian Candy, Network Review
Absolutely first class!It came into the can't put it down category so I have read it cover to cover. ~ Ian Mowll, Co-ordinator of GreenSpirit, the network promoting creation spirituality.
I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this. It is groundbreaking territory, fascinating, good, topical and relevant. ~ Janice Hartley, Secretary of The Spiritual Crisis Network Development Group
