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The conscious mind defines human existence. Many consider the brain
as a computer, and they attempt to explain consciousness as
emerging at a critical, but unspecified, threshold level of complex
computation among neurons. The brain-as-computer model, however,
fails to account for phenomenal experience and portrays
consciousness as an impotent, after-the-fact epiphenomenon lacking
causal power. And the brain-as-computer concept precludes even the
remotest possibility of spirituality. As described throughout the
history of humankind, seemingly spiritual mental phenomena
including transcendent states, near-death and out-of-body
experiences, and past-life memories have in recent years been well
documented and treated scientifically. In addition, the
brain-as-computer approach has been challenged by advocates of
quantum brain biology, who are possibly able to explain,
scientifically, nonlocal, seemingly spiritual mental states.
Exploring Frontiers of the Mind-Brain Relationship argues against
the purely physical analysis of consciousness and for a balanced
psychobiological approach. This thought-provoking volume bridges
philosophy of mind with science of mind to look empirically at
transcendent phenomena, such as mystic states, near-death
experiences and past-life memories, that have confounded scientists
for decades. Representing disciplines ranging from philosophy and
history to neuroimaging and physics, and boasting a panel of expert
scientists and physicians, including Andrew Newberg, Peter Fenwick,
Stuart Hameroff, Mario Beauregard, Deepak Chopra, and Chris Clarke
the book rigorously follows several lines of inquiry into
mind-brain controversies, challenging readers to form their own
conclusions-or reconsider previous ones. Key coverage includes:
Objections to reductionistic materialism from the philosophical and
the scientific tradition. Phenomena and the mind-brain problem. The
neurobiological correlates of meditation and mindfulness. The
quantum soul, a view from physics. Clinical implications of
end-of-life experiences. Mediumistic experience and the mind-brain
relationship. Exploring Frontiers of the Mind-Brain Relationship is
essential reading for researchers and clinicians across many
disciplines, including cognitive psychology, personality and social
psychology, the neurosciences, neuropsychiatry, palliative care,
philosophy, and quantum physics. "This book ... brings together
some precious observations about the fundamental mystery of the
nature of consciousness ... It raises many questions that serve to
invite each of us to be more aware of the uncertainty of our
preconceptions about consciousness ... This book on the frontiers
of mind-body relationships is a scholarly embodiment of creative
and open-minded science." C. Robert Cloninger, MD Wallace Renard
Professor of Psychiatry, Genetics, and Psychology, Washington
University School of Medicine St. Louis MO
The conscious mind defines human existence. Many consider the brain
as a computer, and they attempt to explain consciousness as
emerging at a critical, but unspecified, threshold level of complex
computation among neurons. The brain-as-computer model, however,
fails to account for phenomenal experience and portrays
consciousness as an impotent, after-the-fact epiphenomenon lacking
causal power. And the brain-as-computer concept precludes even the
remotest possibility of spirituality. As described throughout the
history of humankind, seemingly spiritual mental phenomena
including transcendent states, near-death and out-of-body
experiences, and past-life memories have in recent years been well
documented and treated scientifically. In addition, the
brain-as-computer approach has been challenged by advocates of
quantum brain biology, who are possibly able to explain,
scientifically, nonlocal, seemingly spiritual mental states.
Exploring Frontiers of the Mind-Brain Relationship argues against
the purely physical analysis of consciousness and for a balanced
psychobiological approach. This thought-provoking volume bridges
philosophy of mind with science of mind to look empirically at
transcendent phenomena, such as mystic states, near-death
experiences and past-life memories, that have confounded scientists
for decades. Representing disciplines ranging from philosophy and
history to neuroimaging and physics, and boasting a panel of expert
scientists and physicians, including Andrew Newberg, Peter Fenwick,
Stuart Hameroff, Mario Beauregard, Deepak Chopra, and Chris Clarke
the book rigorously follows several lines of inquiry into
mind-brain controversies, challenging readers to form their own
conclusions-or reconsider previous ones. Key coverage includes:
Objections to reductionistic materialism from the philosophical and
the scientific tradition. Phenomena and the mind-brain problem. The
neurobiological correlates of meditation and mindfulness. The
quantum soul, a view from physics. Clinical implications of
end-of-life experiences. Mediumistic experience and the mind-brain
relationship. Exploring Frontiers of the Mind-Brain Relationship is
essential reading for researchers and clinicians across many
disciplines, including cognitive psychology, personality and social
psychology, the neurosciences, neuropsychiatry, palliative care,
philosophy, and quantum physics. "This book ... brings together
some precious observations about the fundamental mystery of the
nature of consciousness ... It raises many questions that serve to
invite each of us to be more aware of the uncertainty of our
preconceptions about consciousness ... This book on the frontiers
of mind-body relationships is a scholarly embodiment of creative
and open-minded science." C. Robert Cloninger, MD Wallace Renard
Professor of Psychiatry, Genetics, and Psychology, Washington
University School of Medicine St. Louis MO
This book examines the best available empirical evidence regarding
one of the most challenging and pervasive questions throughout
ages, cultures, and religions: the survival of human consciousness
after death. It begins with a contextual overview of belief in
personal survival and refutes misguided historical and
epistemological arguments against the notion of survival after
death (e.g., irrational, purely religious, impossible to be
addressed by science, that has been proved false by neuroscience).
The book provides an overview of the scientific evidence regarding
the survival of human consciousness after death, focusing on
studies on mediumship, near-death and out-of-body experiences, and
reincarnation.Featured topics of coverage include: The belief in
life after death in the contemporary world as well as in the
history of religions and philosophy. The key misguided arguments
and prejudices against the academic study of afterlife survival.
What constitutes empirical evidence for survival after death? The
main explanatory hypotheses alternative to survival after death.
The chief cultural barriers to a fair examination of the available
evidence for survival of consciousness after death. Science of Life
After Death is an essential resource for researchers, professors,
and graduate students as well as clinicians, therapists, and other
professionals in developmental and clinical psychology;
spirituality, religious. and consciousness studies; psychiatry;
neuroscience / neurology; phenomenology / philosophy; complementary
and alternative medicine; and all interrelated disciplines.
Religiosity and spirituality (R/S) represent a very important
factor of daily life for many individuals across different cultures
and contexts. It is associated with lower rates of depression,
suicide, mortality, and substance abuse, and is positively
correlated with well-being and quality of life. Despite growing
academic recognition and scientific literature on these connections
this knowledge has not been translated into clinical practice. Part
of the expanding Oxford Cultural Psychiatry series, Spirituality
and Mental Health Across Cultures is a timely exploration of the
implications of R/S on mental health. Written and edited by 38
experts in the fields of spirituality and mental health from 11
countries, covering a wide range of cultural and geographical
perspectives, this unique resource assesses how mental health
relates to world religions, agnosticism, atheism, and spiritualism
unaffiliated with organised religion, with a practical touch.
Across 25 chapters, this resource provides readers with a succinct
and trustworthy review of the latest research and how this can be
applied to clinical care. The first section covers the principles
and fundamental questions that relate science, history, philosophy,
neuroscience, religion, and spirituality with mental health. The
second section discusses the main beliefs and practices related to
world religions and their implications to mental health. The third
reviews the impact of R/S on specific clinical situations and
offers practical guidance on how to handle these appropriately,
such as practical suggestions for assessing and integrating R/S in
personal history anamnesis or psychotherapy.
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