This is an accessible book that introduces the relationship between spirituality and psychology. The author sets out what spirituality is, the values it represents and how it contributes to mental health and wellbeing. He then illustrates how knowledge of spirituality can provide deeper understanding of people's problems and can help aid recovery.

This book is written for those who ask difficult questions: What is the nature of human reality? What is the purpose of human life? What is love? What is reality? What is the secret of happiness? Do we have free will? Is transcendence real? Through case histories, in-depth analyses, and practical examples, the book offers new ways of addressing these and other important questions. 'The Psychology of Spirituality' demonstrates that life can, in fact, be good, happy and fruitful, and that we human beings are, indeed, noble beings only if we knew.

Widely regarded as the definitive reference, this volume comprehensively examines the psychological processes associated with religion and spirituality. Leading scholars from multiple psychological subdisciplines present developmental, cognitive, social psychological, cultural, and clinical perspectives on this core aspect of human experience. The forms and functions of religious practices and rituals, conversion experiences, and spiritual struggles are explored. Other key topics include religion as a meaning system, religious influences on prosocial and antisocial behavior, and connections to health, coping, and psychotherapy. New to This Edition *Two chapters on cross-cultural issues. *Chapters on spiritual goals, emotional values, and mindfulness. *Reflects significant theoretical and empirical developments in the field. *Many new authors and extensively revised chapters. *Robust index amplifies the volume's usefulness as a reference tool.

What does it mean to be enlightened or spiritually awakened? In The Leap, Steve Taylor shows that this state is much more common than is generally believed. He shows that ordinary people — from all walks of life — can and do regularly “wake up” to a more intense reality, even if they know nothing about spiritual practices and paths. Wakefulness is a more expansive and harmonious state of being that can be cultivated or that can arise accidentally. It may also be a process we are undergoing collectively. Drawing on his years of research as a psychologist and on his own experiences, Taylor provides what is perhaps the clearest psychological study of the state of wakefulness ever published. Above all, he reminds us that it is our most natural state — accessible to us all, anytime, anyplace.

The Psychology of Religion and Spirituality: From the Inside Out, by Timothy Sisemore, provides and introduction to the field of the psychology of religion and spirituality utilizing a mixed method approach allowing persons of faith (and one who is an atheist) to give voice to their experience to supplement the quantitative research that has been done in the field. This text honors the value of religion and spirituality in the lives of the majority of humans while acknowledging the weakness and problems that come with faith as well.

Spirituality is increasingly accepted as integral to human psychology, vital for physical and mental health. The Psychology of Spirituality is an accessible book that introduces the relationship between spirituality and psychology. The author sets out what spirituality is, the values it represents and how it can contribute to mental health and wellbeing. He then illustrates how knowledge of spirituality can provide a deeper understanding of people’s problems and can help them develop resilience and aid recovery. With reference to a new holistic or ‘psycho-spiritual’ paradigm, the book then covers stages of spiritual development: from having natural spiritual awareness in early childhood to the waning of interest in later childhood; largely conforming to group mentality in adolescence before discovering individuality; and then the final journey towards full personal and emotional maturity. Finally, the author outlines practical advice on how to explore and make use of spirituality, covering a range of spiritual skills and practices, including meditation and contemplation. Each chapter includes case examples and exercises to explore the ideas covered. This book will be compelling reading for psychologists, psychiatrists, chaplains, healthcare professionals, students, and anyone wanting to understand better the role of spirituality and psychology in the lives of all.

We are all unique individuals created in the image of God, and yet we struggle daily to live our lives as part of a community, be it a family, a workgroup, or even a church group. This paradox, like the four others illustrated in Paradox: the Psychology of Spirituality, along with all of the relationships we have and the ways in which they run often cause significant psychological and emotional difficulties that prevent us from living productively in community situations. These issues also hinder the development of our spirituality, our ability to recognize our place as sacred beings and our fulfillment in the depth of our relationship with God. This is a workbook that accompanies the textbook of the same name and is used to journal the journey toward greater fulfillment through questions and self reflection.