FUNDAMENTALIST MIND, THE by Stephen Larsen (9780835608503)
FUNDAMENTALIST MIND, THE by Stephen Larsen (9780835608503)
FUNDAMENTALIST MIND, THE (Book)
Stephen Larsen Release Date: January 2008 Format: Paperback Pages: 264 ISBN: 9780835608503 ISBN-10: 0835608506
We are all fundamentalists, whether we acknowledge it or not. We were born into a world of myth and metaphor and have come to internalise the stories we were told as children as the literal interpretations of much greater and deeply symbolic lessons. When we fall into such patterns, according to author and psychotherapist Steven Larsen, we lose all flexibility and freedom of thought. We become spilt by dualistic thinking bad versus good; black versus white and are weighed down by definitive, concretisitc principles and behaviours that alienate us from one another. Dr. Larsen explains that we can avoid such pitfalls by identifying our inner fundamentalist and becoming more open-minded individuals.
In PERILOUS RAPTURE, Dr. Larsen follows on from famed 20th century mythologist, Joseph Campbell, citing both the creative potential and destructive power of myth. We can use myths as metaphors to guide us in our everyday lives, however when we perceive myth as literal truth, we cross a dangerous threshold. We see a severe example of this transgression with the religious extremists who feel justified in committing acts of violence in the name of God. By differentiating between reality and myth and continuing to question rigid thought patterns, Dr. Larsen says we encourage our own psycho-spiritual growth.
This book will help people of all religious, political, and social persuasions understand their inner fundamentalist. Dr. Larsen even provides exercises that help us identify negative thinking and teach us how to live more flexible and thoughtful lives. Liberal Christians, Buddhist, Gnostics, born-again Pagans, as well as followers of transpersonal psychology and esoteric studies, will all find much food for thought here, but this work is for anyone interested in becoming a fair and balanced person.
