{"product_id":"the-mystic-mind-the-psychology-of-medieval-mystics-and-ascetics","title":"The Mystic Mind: The Psychology of Medieval Mystics and Ascetics","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review of The Mystic Mind a medieval historian and a professor of psychiatry team up to explore why and how medieval mystics entered altered states of consciousness. The bottom line: this book is for readers who want a scholarly yet accessible analysis that applies modern \u003cstrong\u003epsychological\u003c\/strong\u003e and biological research to historical religious practice. It is strongest as a cross-disciplinary study that uses a large database and case studies to connect practices like sleep deprivation and fasting to changes in brain function.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eInterdisciplinary approach:\u003c\/strong\u003e Combines historical scholarship and psychiatric insight to interpret mystical experiences with contemporary scientific frameworks, making complex ideas approachable.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eExtensive database:\u003c\/strong\u003e Draws upon over 1,400 medieval holy persons, giving arguments a broad empirical base rather than relying solely on anecdote.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDetailed case studies:\u003c\/strong\u003e In-depth studies of individual saints illustrate how specific practices such as mortification and laceration influenced subjective experience.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFocus on physiology:\u003c\/strong\u003e Explores how behaviors like sleep deprivation and extreme starvation relate to altered brain states, linking behavior and biology.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCritical of simple explanations:\u003c\/strong\u003e Examines and disputes political and gender-only interpretations of mysticism, offering a more nuanced view.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Mystic Mind is best suited to readers with an interest in \u003cstrong\u003emedieval history\u003c\/strong\u003e, religious studies, or the psychology of religious experience who appreciate careful evidence and interdisciplinary argument. Graduate students, clergy, and informed general readers will find the blend of database-driven analysis and close saintly biographies especially rewarding.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThose looking for a devotional or purely spiritual guidebook should look elsewhere; this is an analytical study rather than an inspirational manual. Likewise, readers seeking a lightweight popular history will find the book more rigorous and academic than a general-interest overview.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProvides a rare synthesis of historical and psychiatric perspectives that enriches understanding of medieval mysticism.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLarge sample size of over 1,400 subjects lends weight to its general conclusions about ascetic practices.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eConcrete case studies help readers connect broad claims to individual lives and practices.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe tone and depth may be dense for casual readers who prefer narrative history over analytic interpretation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThe Mystic Mind: The Psychology of Medieval Mystics and Ascetics\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAuthors\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eJerome Kroll, Bernard Bachrach\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eApproach\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eInterdisciplinary history and psychiatry\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSource material\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDatabase of over 1,400 medieval holy persons\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTopics covered\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMystical experience, mortification, sleep deprivation, starvation, brain function\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAudience\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScholars, students, informed general readers\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Mystic Mind is a thoughtful, evidence-rich study that successfully applies modern \u003cstrong\u003epsychological\u003c\/strong\u003e and biological perspectives to medieval religious practice. Its large database and focused case studies make it a valuable purchase for anyone seeking a rigorous, interdisciplinary account of how ascetic behaviors produced altered states and shaped religious life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes the book rely on modern science to explain mystical experiences?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. The authors use contemporary biological and psychological research alongside historical data to interpret how practices affected brain function.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this book suitable for non-specialists?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt is accessible to informed general readers but leans academic in tone; those wanting a light read may find it dense.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat primary sources inform the study?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe analysis is based on a large database of over 1,400 medieval holy persons complemented by detailed studies of individual saints.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Jerome Kroll, Bernard Bachrach","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48762227163355,"sku":"0415340500","price":180.54,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/51ua0K15T7L._SL1360.jpg?v=1778471759","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/the-mystic-mind-the-psychology-of-medieval-mystics-and-ascetics","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}