An intriguing but not convincing melding of psychology and religion.
Cherry-picking the world’s religions to find useful practices for living better lives.
DeSteno, a professor of psychology at Northeastern and author of Emotional Success (2018) and other pop-psych works, addresses a largely secular audience with a call not to ignore religion but to make use of it. The author notes that throughout history, humans have used religious rituals to deal with the landmarks and changes of life and that modern society has much to learn from these examples. He advocates “religioprospecting,” a practice through which scientists and others can mine world religions for whatever benefits can be found within them. DeSteno succinctly explains his thesis: “The practice of religion, as opposed to its theological underpinnings, offers an impressive, time-tested array of psychological technologies that augment our biology—to help us solve problems that biological adaptation alone hasn’t. And as the nature of those problems changes through time, so do rituals and even religions themselves.” The author provides a wide overview of practices used by the world’s major religions in order to celebrate birth, prepare youth for adulthood, keep people healthy, take part in marriage, and look ahead to death and the afterlife, and he notes how religions “offer spiritual technologies that boost and repair our bodies and minds.” By divorcing rituals from their theological and institutional roots, the author believes society has a great deal to gain—though devout readers of any one faith will disagree. “What truly matters,” he explains, in relation to finding value in the Jewish grieving ritual of shiva, “isn’t the exact texts of the prayers, but the togetherness, the sensitivity, and the actions inherent in the ritual.” For seekers of general, broad spiritual wisdom, DeSteno’s mining of the world’s religions for the beneficial parts will be appealing, but readers who closely follow a specific faith tradition may be displeased with the author’s excursions.
An intriguing but not convincing melding of psychology and religion.Pub Date: Sept. 14, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-982142-31-5
Page Count: 256
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: July 23, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2021
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.
A compendium of charts, time lines, lists and illustrations to accompany study of the Bible.
This visually appealing resource provides a wide array of illustrative and textually concise references, beginning with three sets of charts covering the Bible as a whole, the Old Testament and the New Testament. These charts cover such topics as biblical weights and measures, feasts and holidays and the 12 disciples. Most of the charts use a variety of illustrative techniques to convey lessons and provide visual interest. A worthwhile example is “How We Got the Bible,” which provides a time line of translation history, comparisons of canons among faiths and portraits of important figures in biblical translation, such as Jerome and John Wycliffe. The book then presents a section of maps, followed by diagrams to conceptualize such structures as Noah’s Ark and Solomon’s Temple. Finally, a section on Christianity, cults and other religions describes key aspects of history and doctrine for certain Christian sects and other faith traditions. Overall, the authors take a traditionalist, conservative approach. For instance, they list Moses as the author of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible) without making mention of claims to the contrary. When comparing various Christian sects and world religions, the emphasis is on doctrine and orthodox theology. Some chapters, however, may not completely align with the needs of Catholic and Orthodox churches. But the authors’ leanings are muted enough and do not detract from the work’s usefulness. As a resource, it’s well organized, inviting and visually stimulating. Even the most seasoned reader will learn something while browsing.
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2005
ISBN: 978-1-5963-6022-8
Page Count: -
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 23, 2010
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
A sweet final word from an actor who leaves a legacy of compassion and kindness.
The late actor offers a gentle guide for living with more purpose, love, and joy.
Mixing poetry, prescriptive challenges, and elements of memoir, Heche (1969-2022) delivers a narrative that is more encouraging workbook than life story. The author wants to share what she has discovered over the course of a life filled with abuse, advocacy, and uncanny turning points. Her greatest discovery? Love. “Open yourself up to love and transform kindness from a feeling you extend to those around you to actions that you perform for them,” she writes. “Only by caring can we open ourselves up to the universe, and only by opening up to the universe can we fully experience all the wonders that it holds, the greatest of which is love.” Throughout the occasionally overwrought text, Heche is heavy on the concept of care. She wants us to experience joy as she does, and she provides a road map for how to get there. Instead of slinking away from Hollywood and the ridicule that she endured there, Heche found the good and hung on, with Alec Baldwin and Harrison Ford starring as particularly shining knights in her story. Some readers may dismiss this material as vapid Hollywood stuff, but Heche’s perspective is an empathetic blend of Buddhism (minimize suffering), dialectical behavioral therapy (tolerating distress), Christianity (do unto others), and pre-Socratic philosophy (sufficient reason). “You’re not out to change the whole world, but to increase the levels of love and kindness in the world, drop by drop,” she writes. “Over time, these actions wear away the coldness, hate, and indifference around us as surely as water slowly wearing away stone.” Readers grieving her loss will take solace knowing that she lived her love-filled life on her own terms. Heche’s business and podcast partner, Heather Duffy, writes the epilogue, closing the book on a life well lived.
A sweet final word from an actor who leaves a legacy of compassion and kindness.Pub Date: Jan. 24, 2023
ISBN: 9781627783316
Page Count: 176
Publisher: Viva Editions
Review Posted Online: Feb. 6, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2023
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