Evolutionary Advantages of Intense Spiritual Experience in Nature

Bibliographic Data

ID12901442
AuthorsTerry Louise Terhaar (University of California, Santa Cruz, corresponding author)
Year2009
Volume3
Issue3
Pages303-339
Publication date2009-11-16
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal for the Study of Religion Nature and Culture (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1749-4907 • E-ISSN: 1749-4915
PublisherEquinox Publishing (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1558/jsrnc.v3i3.303
OpenAlexW2029125814
LanguageEN
Citations received9

Although records of intense spiritual experiences in nature exist throughout history, the phenomenon remains a little-investigated question. This article is the first in a series describing empirical findings on intense spiritual experiences in nature. Three data points were established including: 1) a cognitive analysis of forest attitude research interviews; 2) a cognitive analysis of nature authors who write about forests; and 3) a broad review of literature drawn primarily from research in neuroscience, psychology, medicine, consciousness studies, and philosophy. The findings suggest that intense spiritual experience in nature has two variations: mystical and traumatic experience. The positive (mystical) and negative (traumatic) variation share seven physiological and psychological characteristics, with each characteristic providing adaptive, evolutionary advantages. Although partial and preliminary, the data offers compelling evidence demonstrating the existence of certain basic properties of the role of nature in intense spiritual experience. The findings suggest that natural selection may favor intense spiritual experiences in nature

Cognition · Cognitive psychology · Consciousness · Epistemology · Mysticism · Phenomenon · Religious experience · Spirituality · Animal and Plant Science Education · Medicine · Paranormal Experiences and Beliefs · Philosophy · Psychology · Religion, Ecology, and Ethics · Social Psychology

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