The psychology of awakening is focused on showing ways to improve mental health through the psychological exploration of awakening. Awakening refers to the psychological shift that occurs through the realization of one’s nature as ultimate reality, which is beyond name, form, or definition. Awakening can also be thought of as a common point between terms such as enlightenment, nibbana, moksha, the Self, satori, nonduality, merging with the Tao, and the Ground. The book involves coverage of various domains of scientific literatures (especially within neuroscience/psychological sciences), certain practices within spiritual domains, where/how both converge, and pointers towards validating and experientially realizing what is covered in the text. The book is intended to be scientifically/empirically rigorous, aims to demystify certain concepts in a nonspeculative manner, and encourages advancement in how mental health is understood. Awakening is argued to be a legitimate psychologically based phenomenon that is worth further exploration within science because of the profound mental health benefits that are involved. The overall purpose of this book is to provide a sufficient knowledgebase that is grounded in both science and spirituality so that someone who wishes to learn/practice can experientially realize awakening on their own and find freedom from psychological suffering.
Chapter 1: Philosophical Stances, the Architecture of Psychological
Functioning, and Scientific and Spiritual Approaches to Understanding
Reality.
Chapter 2: Neuropsychology of the Cerebral Hemispheres.
Chapter 3:
Clinical Psychology Part I: Relational Frame Theory and Psychological
Flexibility.
Chapter 4: Clinical Psychology Part II: Mental Disorders.-
Chapter 5: Sensation and Perception.
Chapter 6: Consciousness.
Chapter 7:
Other Scientific/Philosophical Fields.
Chapter 8: Teachings of the Buddha.-
Chapter 9: Zen and Other Buddhist Topics.
Chapter 10: Hindu Philosophies and
Advaita Vedanta.- Chapter 11: Taoist Philosophies.
Chapter 12: Nonduality.-
Chapter 13: Where Science and Spirituality Converge: The Psychology of
Awakening.- Chapter 14: Core Points and Attaining an Experiential Realization
of Awakening.
Keith A. Happawana currently works in private practice as a board-certified clinical and forensic psychologist. His practice also provides a variety of experiential methods/trainings that are aimed towards experientially realizing awakening. Current research topics include the exploration of awakening towards the goal of alleviating human psychological suffering.
