Insanity And Divinity

How close is spirituality to psychosis? Covering the interrelation of psychosis and spirituality from a number of angles, Insanity and Divinity will generate dialogue and discussion, aid critical reflection and stimulate creative approaches to clinical work for those interested in the connections between religious studies, psychoanalysis, anthropology and hagiography. Bringing together an international range of contributors and covering many different types of religious experience, this book presents its theme in three parts: Psychoanalysis, belief and mysticism Anthropology, history and hagiography Psychology, psychosis and religious experience. Each section includes discussion of the hinterland between madness and religious experience from the perspective of a number of religions, autobiographical accounts of those who have experienced a psychosis in which spirituality played a key part and a comprehensive review of the position of psychology research into the meaning and function of spirituality in relation to the psychoses. Insightful, enlightening and wide-ranging, Insanity and Divinity is ideal for clinicians, academics and chaplains working in clinical settings.

How close is spirituality to psychosis? Covering the interrelation of psychosis and spirituality from a number of angles, Insanity and Divinity will generate dialogue and discussion, aid critical reflection and stimulate creative approaches to clinical work for those interested in the connections between religious studies, psychoanalysis, anthropology and hagiography. Bringing together an international range of contributors and covering many different types of religious experience, this book presents its theme in three parts: Psychoanalysis, belief and mysticism Anthropology, history and hagiography Psychology, psychosis and religious experience. Each section includes discussion of the hinterland between madness and religious experience from the perspective of a number of religions, autobiographical accounts of those who have experienced a psychosis in which spirituality played a key part and a comprehensive review of the position of psychology research into the meaning and function of spirituality in relation to the psychoses. Insightful, enlightening and wide-ranging, Insanity and Divinity is ideal for clinicians, academics and chaplains working in clinical settings.

"Have you seen such men--peculiar, raving, foam-mouthed, and straitjacketed--throwing themselves mercilessly at white padded walls . . . ?" Such men are said to be insane. But there is more to insanity than the images depicted in film and planted in our minds by popular media. Insanity is a condition that affects us all. Unsoundness of mind disrupts our ability to think clearly and to form knowledge about the world. Our understanding is dangerously incomplete and our minds are corrupt. We are all insane. How then can we ever hope to know our world? Is it possible to form justified true beliefs about anything? What possibility, if any, do we have of escaping this condition of madness that keeps us from the light of knowledge? In Insanity, Jonah Haddad explores these very questions by introducing the main problems of the theory of knowledge and by offering a response to our madness--a response grounded in God, the ultimate Knower.

First Book in Insanity & Divinity SeriesFrom the Blog Book of Throes. An exploration of ideas, from Philosophy, Psychology, Art, Religion, Mysticism & Life. Guaranteed to amuse, bemuse and abuse, your senses, intellect, feelings & intuition. But with the best of intentions!!! Be warned this vol, is not an easy read, but if you heed the call, then it will reveal more than conceal. Enjoy.

This is a follow up to the first book in the Insanity & Divinity series. It follows a similar format, in that there are no page numbers, but the entries are highlighted and dated so you the reader don't feel totally lost.I believe that books of this nature, are meant to be dipped into, and read as you would an ancient text. Seeing what you want to see, and understanding what you are prepared to accept.Saying that I have tried to use generous spacing, so the arguments read better, and the thread is more prominent, but as I'm rather biased, I can't say that I have succeeded with my experiment by throwing out the rule book.The main thrust of the book, is both philosophical and psychological, being my prime passions, but there are other branches of investigation, for those who maybe put off with these two concerns.All told I believe the book to be an honest representation of a period in my life, where I was still trying to find a voice for my head, heart and hand. As such, I may have revealed more than I realized worthy of attention, and run the risk of being too self-indulgent.But I was being honest, and did try to give a fair account of what matters to me, and still does. I only hope I have not taken too many liberties, or over stayed my welcome. But, never the less, feel that presenting a book of varied interests, may actually allow you to entertain the desire to read the other books in the series, which are in fact broken into categories. Like Religion, Spirituality, Philosophy, Psychology, Contemplation and Autobiography.In the end I pray that you enjoy the book, get some reward for reading it, and come to see that above all Hope sustains us, and always will.

From the Blog Book of Throes. An exploration of ideas, from Philosophy, Psychology, Art, Religion, Mysticism & Life. Guaranteed to amuse, bemuse and abuse, your senses, intellect, feelings & intuition. But with the best of intentions. Be warned this vol, is not an easy read, but if you heed the call, then it will reveal more than conceal.Enjoy.

Second Book in Insanity & Divinity SeriesFrom the Blog Book of Throes. An exploration of ideas, from Philosophy, Psychology, Art, Religion, Mysticism & Life. Guaranteed to amuse, bemuse and abuse, your senses, intellect, feelings & intuition. But with the best of intentions!!! Be warned this vol, is not an easy read, but if you heed the call, then it will reveal more than conceal. Enjoy.

From the Blog Book of Throes. An exploration of ideas, from Philosophy, Psychology, Art, Religion, Mysticism & Life. Guaranteed to amuse, bemuse and abuse, your senses, intellect, feelings & intuition. But with the best of intentions. Be warned this vol, is not an easy read, but if you heed the call, then it will reveal more than conceal. Enjoy.

This is my First book, and I must say it has been a bit of an adventure. Sometimes I felt like Ulysses and other times I felt like Dante. I was privy to all manner of insights and secrets that I tried to capture over the better part of ten years.Although the journey really began for me in March 1990, when I had an experience, that left me shattered and broken, enlightened and reborn.I don't say this lightly or in jest, it was what it was, an awakening and a call from a force I knew was outer worldly.But as this is a book of musings, observations and insights. It is rather disjointed, but gives a flavor of the process from innocence and naivety to understanding and acceptance.Not so much from the world, but from myself and my divine feminine.I leave it to you Gentle Reader, to make do what you will of these musings. But I hope that you can come away with a little knowledge a little entertainment and a little awareness, of just how wonderful Life is.I remain forever, your faithful servant

Christianity Without Insanity: For Optimal Mental/Emotional/Physical Health, by Boyd C. Purcell, Ph.D., is about love-based vs. fear-based Christianity [includes a chapter on other major religions]. This book, per the subtitle, is based on the truth of holistic health inherent in psychopathology which Dr. Purcell has taught at a university graduate college. Dr. Lewis Whaley, an oncologist, endorsed this author's previous book, Spiritual Terrorism, with this statement. "As a physician, I can validate Dr. Purcell's understanding of psychopathology. The anxiety which religion, or any other factor, generates has the potential to depress the human immune system, affect every organ, and impair bodily functions." The apostle John captured the essence of the dynamics of psychopathology in these comforting, encouraging, and inspiring words: "Beloved, I wish above all things that you may prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers" (III John 2). No person's soul can prosper and, therefore, no one can be in optimal holistic health if one is living in fear of eternal torture in hell for oneself and/or loved ones. Do you know the symbolic meaning of the mixed metaphor, "salted with fire," of which few people have even heard? If not, you owe it to yourself to read this solidly Biblically-based book. One can believe in Christian Universalism (CU), not in spite of what The Holy Bible teaches, but because of exactly what The Holy Bible teaches about sin, salvation, and hell. Based on Biblical and historical facts, Jesus clearly taught CU—both implicitly and explicitly—just as surely as the grass is green, the sky is blue, God is in heaven, and Christ is Lord!