Sacred Desire
Details and Description
Description
Is the call to spirituality embedded in human biology? Authors Nancy K. Morrison and Sally K. Severino draw on cutting-edge research, including the recent discovery of brain "mirror neurons" and the elucidation of the physiology of social affiliation and attachment, to make a bold case that we are, in fact, biologically wired to seek oneness with the divine. They have termed this innate urge "sacred Desire."
In their new book on the subject, Sacred Desire: Growing in Compassionate Living, Morrison and Severino, both highly esteemed academic psychiatrists, draw on neurophysiology, relationship studies, research on spiritual development, and psychotherapy to show how spirituality is intimately connected with our physical being. The authors offer several clinical examples of how recognizing sacred Desire can advance a person's healing and they provide an action plan for using Desire to move from fear to love of self, others, and all creation.
In addition to psychiatrists and neurophysiologists, who will undoubtedly welcome this significant contribution to their fields of study, Sacred Desire is sure to appeal as well to the much wider audience of spiritual seekers looking for intellectually and scientifically credible ways to understand spirituality in today's world.
Table of Contents
Foreword by Paula Huston / ix
Introduction / xi
1. Womb of Compassion: The Beginning of Life and Love / 3
2. The Grace of Gazing / 10
3. The Widening Boundaries of Life and Love / 23
4. Living in Sacred Desire / 34
5. The Distortion of Desire / 46
6. Beyond Distortion: Reconfiguring Our Past Today / 61
7. The Healing Power of Desire: Practical Steps to Loving Self and Others / 73
8. Redemptive Attuning: Desire’s Continuing Journey / 102
9. Incarnated Spirit: The Work of Restoring Community / 123
10. Toward a World of Compassion: Beginning to Live and Love Globally / 138
Glossary / 157
Acknowledgments / 161
Notes / 163
Index / 175
Endorsements and Reviews
Endorsements
Sacred Desire is an unexpected and extraordinary text. It is unexpected in that it travels far beyond an exploration of the fundamental theological and psychological issues of suffering and redemption—what poet Anne Bronte described so eloquently as "that secret labor to sustain with humble patience every blow; to gather fortitude from pain and hope and holiness from woe." Sacred Desire,/em> examines how our very biology creates the possibility of experiencing of the Divine, carefully bringing a more coherent understanding of seemingly incompatible truths derived from theological reflection and scientific inquiry. It is thus extraordinary in that it does nothing less than harmonize the human condition with human nature.
Reviews
Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith—Vol. 62, No. 2
As far as creating a framework for relationship and compassion building, the book is on target. Some of the examples of the remarkable spiritual transformation made by specific individuals are quite inspiring. It might sit comfortably alongside other books dealing with the “science” of compassion, such as those by the Dalai Lama, leader of Tibetan Buddhism. —Kenneth J. Zwier, M.D.
Shocker Spotlight—Wichita State University
In their book, they make the case that humans are biologically wire to “seek oneness with the divine.” The two authors have termed this innate urge “sacred desire.” Severino and Morrison are both academic psychiatrists, and use neurophysiology, relationship studies, research on spiritual development and psychotherapy to expound their thesis.
Spirituality and Health—Vol. 12, No. 5
A synthesis of science and spirituality, their work will satisfy those who seek a biological explanation for experiences of the divine and provide a basis for a dialogue between science and spirit that promises to be life-changing.
The American College of Psychoanalysts—Vol. XLII
For those readers looking for an honest effort at integration of spiritual and psychoanalytic ideas, this book is a definite read.
Translations
Asian-English