Spirituality in the Flesh: Bodily Sources of Religious Experiences

208 Pages·2008·1 MB·English

by  Robert C. Fuller

Spirituality in the Flesh
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Spirituality in
the Flesh
Bodily Sources of Religious Experience
robert c. fuller
1
2008
1
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LibraryofCongressCataloging-in-PublicationData
Fuller,RobertC.,1952–
Spiritualityintheflesh:bodilysourcesofreligiousexperience/RobertC.Fuller.
p.cm.
Includesbibliographicalreferencesandindex.
ISBN978-0-19-536917-5
1. Body,Human—Religiousaspects. I. Title.
BL604.B64F852008
204'.2—dc22 2007044265
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Acknowledgments
This book illustratessomevery new approaches to the psychological
study ofreligion.I had thegood fortuneof studying thisfield some
thirty yearsagoattheUniversityofChicago under theable direction
of DonBrowning. Atthattime,the field revolved primarily around
theories emanating from personality theory (e.g., Freud,Jung,
Erikson,self psychology,objectrelations theory). Overthe next two
decades other scholarly projectsprevented me from keepingabreast
of new theoreticaltrends within academic psychology. Thus, when
Donaskedmetospeakataconferencehonoringhisprodigiouscareer
as ascholar, I decided to emulatehis professional energy by renew-
ing mycompetence in psychological theory.
IamfortunatetohaveexcellentcolleaguesinBradleyUniversity’s
Department ofPsychology. DerekMontgomery has patiently
tutored me in thetheoretical debates that currently animateboth
cognitive anddevelopmental psychology. Dave Schmitt,meanwhile,
has sparked considerable interest in recent work being donein such
fields as evolutionary psychology, attachmenttheory, and cognitive
science.I am mostappreciative of their guidance.
Other colleagues have proven steadyfriends.Claire Etaugh,
a developmental psychologist and mydean ofmanyyears,can be
countedon forsupport and encouragement. Kevin Stein, Doug
Crowe, Kevin Teeven, Chuck Stoner, Sam Fan, Craig Dahlquist, and
Dave Pardieck come quickly to mind amongthosewho have made
BradleyUniversity my academicfamilyfor thepastthree decades.
vi acknowledgments
And not to be omitted is Bradley’s assistantvice presidentfor university rela-
tions,mywife,Kathy,whoisformearadiantexampleof‘‘spiritedlivinginthe
flesh.’’
A final acknowledgment of gratitude is reserved for Cynthia Read of Ox-
fordUniversityPress.Herintellectandeditorialdutieshavecombinedtomake
her one of the most astute interpreters of religion in the world. To have her
support and counsel—as I have forfive books now—isa privilegeindeed.
Contents
1. Introduction, 3
The Body as Adaptive Agent
2. Religion and Natural Selection, 25
Fear, Anger, and Religious Territorialism
3. Wonder and the Moral Emotions, 51
The Genesis of Aesthetic Spirituality
4. The Chemistry of Consciousness, 75
Neuroscience and Metaphysical Illumination
5. Sexuality and Religious Passion, 99
The Somatics of Spiritual Transformation
6. Pain, Healing, and Spiritual Renewal, 131
Bodily Sources of Religious Innovation
7. Spirituality In/Of the Flesh, 153
Notes, 167
Index, 195
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Spirituality in the Flesh