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Happiness, Suffering, & Transcendence Quartet #2
The Soul's Upward Yearning: Clues to Our Transcendent Nature from Experience and Reason (Happiness, Suffering, and Transcendence)
Since the early twentieth century, scientific materialism has so undermined our belief in the human capacity for transcendence that many people find it difficult to believe in God and the human soul. The materialist perspective has not only cast its spell on the natural sciences, psychology, philosophy, and literature, it has also enthralled popular culture, which offers very little to encourage the "soul's upward yearning."
There are many signs of the widespread loss of confidence in our ability to soar upward, and these have been noted by thinkers as diverse as Carl Jung (psychiatrist), Mircea Eliade (historian of religion), Gabriel Marcel (philosopher), and authors C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. Their observations were validated by a 2004 study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry that linked the absence of religion with a marked increase in suicide, meaninglessness, substance abuse, separation from family members, and other psychological problems.
Thus, the loss of transcendence is negatively affecting an entire society. It is stealing from countless individuals their sense of happiness, dignity, ideals, virtues, and destiny.Ironically, the evidence for transcendence is greater today than in any other period in history. The problem is, this evidence has not been compiled and made widely available--a challenge Father Spitzer aspires to meet with this book.
Father Spitzer's work provides a bright light in the midst of the darkness by presenting traditional and contemporary evidence for God and a transphysical soul from several major sources. It shows that we are transcendent beings with souls capable of surviving bodily death; that we are self-reflective beings aware of and able to strive toward perfect truth, love, goodness, and beauty; that we have the dignity of being created in the very image of God. If we underestimate these truths, we undervalue one another, underlive our lives, and underachieve our destiny.
There are many signs of the widespread loss of confidence in our ability to soar upward, and these have been noted by thinkers as diverse as Carl Jung (psychiatrist), Mircea Eliade (historian of religion), Gabriel Marcel (philosopher), and authors C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. Their observations were validated by a 2004 study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry that linked the absence of religion with a marked increase in suicide, meaninglessness, substance abuse, separation from family members, and other psychological problems.
Thus, the loss of transcendence is negatively affecting an entire society. It is stealing from countless individuals their sense of happiness, dignity, ideals, virtues, and destiny.Ironically, the evidence for transcendence is greater today than in any other period in history. The problem is, this evidence has not been compiled and made widely available--a challenge Father Spitzer aspires to meet with this book.
Father Spitzer's work provides a bright light in the midst of the darkness by presenting traditional and contemporary evidence for God and a transphysical soul from several major sources. It shows that we are transcendent beings with souls capable of surviving bodily death; that we are self-reflective beings aware of and able to strive toward perfect truth, love, goodness, and beauty; that we have the dignity of being created in the very image of God. If we underestimate these truths, we undervalue one another, underlive our lives, and underachieve our destiny.
375 pages, Paperback
First published October 3, 2015
84 people are currently reading
348 people want to read
About the author
Robert J. Spitzer
29 books108 followersRobert J. Spitzer, SJ, Ph.D., is a Jesuit priest, philosopher, and educator, and retired President of Gonzaga University (Spokane, WA).
Fr. Spitzer is currently the president of the Magis Center of Faith and Reason and the Spitzer Center for Ethical Leadership.
http://www.magisreasonfaith.org/
Fr. Spitzer is currently the president of the Magis Center of Faith and Reason and the Spitzer Center for Ethical Leadership.
http://www.magisreasonfaith.org/
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
November 10, 2017
This is 5 star for those wanting a comprehensive, albeit slow read (2 months in my case), on the phenomenological evidence, science, and philosophy of the existence of god, a topic which becomes more personal as one gets on in years such as myself. Spitzer is to my mind the modern Thomas Acquinas in all of this and very convincing, in the process taking on the primary counter view coming from Dawkins.
My particular takeaway from this is that if science and religion both seek the truth, at some point they start coming back together else one becomes less relevant. We are perhaps at the onset of that coming together process, and Spitzer definitely brings science and religion closer together. Mysterious dark matter and dark energy, which make up some 95.1% of the universe, will force the issue since in understanding this new physicality which is dark and therefore not directly observable, faith (i.e. faith that dark matter and energy exist) precedes further knowledge - as in religion.
My particular takeaway from this is that if science and religion both seek the truth, at some point they start coming back together else one becomes less relevant. We are perhaps at the onset of that coming together process, and Spitzer definitely brings science and religion closer together. Mysterious dark matter and dark energy, which make up some 95.1% of the universe, will force the issue since in understanding this new physicality which is dark and therefore not directly observable, faith (i.e. faith that dark matter and energy exist) precedes further knowledge - as in religion.
July 5, 2016
This is book two of a to be published 4 volume set. Book 3 is also available.
It is just astounding the various areas he covers in this book. Various studies on the history of religion and what this can teach us regarding the numinous experience. Epistemology and what we can learn from how we learn and how this points to God. Our desire for truth and how we naturally expect that there are answers and that the world is intelligible. Proofs for the transphysical and a look at what is called the “hard problem of self-conciousness”. Along the way there is plenty of philosophy and physics. Some of this is summarized from his book New Proofs for the Existence of God: Contributions of Contemporary Physics and Philosophy.
This is not exactly light reading. Fr. Spitzer though is good at explaining his material and provides the right amount of repetitiveness to help you to remember and to grasp the content. Still you certainly have to put some effort into reading this book to get the most out of it. I was able to grasp most of it so that pretty much means most people will also be able to do so. This series of books is quite geeky and covers a large range of human knowledge. I just loved how this particular book swamps you with lots of things to consider regarding our transcendent nature.
It is just astounding the various areas he covers in this book. Various studies on the history of religion and what this can teach us regarding the numinous experience. Epistemology and what we can learn from how we learn and how this points to God. Our desire for truth and how we naturally expect that there are answers and that the world is intelligible. Proofs for the transphysical and a look at what is called the “hard problem of self-conciousness”. Along the way there is plenty of philosophy and physics. Some of this is summarized from his book New Proofs for the Existence of God: Contributions of Contemporary Physics and Philosophy.
This is not exactly light reading. Fr. Spitzer though is good at explaining his material and provides the right amount of repetitiveness to help you to remember and to grasp the content. Still you certainly have to put some effort into reading this book to get the most out of it. I was able to grasp most of it so that pretty much means most people will also be able to do so. This series of books is quite geeky and covers a large range of human knowledge. I just loved how this particular book swamps you with lots of things to consider regarding our transcendent nature.
May 7, 2018
Really difficult read on the existence of God from philosophical, scientific, mathematical and experiential (Near Death Experiences) perspectives.
Really simple short summary: nothing (in our universe) comes from nothing; something (in our universe) must come from something (beyond our universe)
Even very sophisticated and educated scientists and philosophers have trouble conceiving of a reality external to our space time continuum and its laws, both known and as yet unknown.
There is much we don’t understand even within our universe.
But its structure is beautiful and open to research and investigation. Which must be one sign of a kind and loving God
Really simple short summary: nothing (in our universe) comes from nothing; something (in our universe) must come from something (beyond our universe)
Even very sophisticated and educated scientists and philosophers have trouble conceiving of a reality external to our space time continuum and its laws, both known and as yet unknown.
There is much we don’t understand even within our universe.
But its structure is beautiful and open to research and investigation. Which must be one sign of a kind and loving God
February 3, 2020
I got this book years ago, started reading it and almost immediately put it down. Boring. Fast forward three-five years. Picked it up again, instantly engrossed.
Weird how that works. This is one of the more comprehensive books outlining the possibility of life after death that I've recently read. I took so many notes and it led me to read so many other good things. Well worth it and I'm glad I bought it all those years ago on a whim.
Make no mistake, it's a hard read. But I got through the boring bits because I knew I'd be rewarded with something intensely interesting in the next chapter. It'll be one I refer to again and again over the years.
Weird how that works. This is one of the more comprehensive books outlining the possibility of life after death that I've recently read. I took so many notes and it led me to read so many other good things. Well worth it and I'm glad I bought it all those years ago on a whim.
Make no mistake, it's a hard read. But I got through the boring bits because I knew I'd be rewarded with something intensely interesting in the next chapter. It'll be one I refer to again and again over the years.
December 21, 2016
Intellectual Heavy Lifting
Father Spitzer always puts together intellectually dense material to ponder. This book has changed the way I look at my fellow men.
Father Spitzer always puts together intellectually dense material to ponder. This book has changed the way I look at my fellow men.
May 3, 2024
Glimpses of transcendence can be rare, but life-changing. These moments may be variously experienced as an awe-struck sensation of the grandeur of the universe, an inner, reflective quietude amid the frenzy of daily life, an overwhelming awareness of the unity of all things, or indeed other sublime or otherworldly feelings. They may arrive in a flash and vanish just as quickly, or it might take years of study and prayer to achieve them. However they impinge upon us, they are always welcome—hence the title of this book, “The Soul’s Upward Yearning.”
Robert Spitzer, former president of Gonzaga University and Founder of the Magis Center for Reason and Faith, presents this as an installment in his “Happiness, Suffering, and Transcendence” quartet of books. In it, he examines the universal human sense of and quest for a connection to some transcendent reality. To do so, he first establishes that this “yearning” is indeed an attribute of human consciousness, the subject of both mystical expression and academic study. Here, he examines the works of humanistic and philosophical scholars such as Rudolf Otto, Mircea Eliade, and William James.
But where does this desire for attachment for transcendent reality come from? Since it is as much a feeling as a thought, it seems unlikely to be the product of materialistic brain states. The tacit underlying assumptions are that human beings all have:
1) An awareness of the realized and unrealized possibilities of the whole reality, and
2) An awareness of the complete intelligibility of the whole of reality.
That is, the reason we are drawn to higher reality is that we perceive that there is one, and that it is something we can experience and understand. These innate sensibilities, Spitzer argues, come from divine origin.
As proof of this assertion, he borrows heavily from the Canadian theologian Bernard Lonergan, whose formulations, distilled to its essential premise, holds that “If the totality of reality is intelligible, then God exists." Because God created the template for our spirituality, which drives us to apply reason to seek Him, then he must exist as “the unrestrictedly intelligible necessary reality that is the cause of everything else in reality.”
Although vastly simplified for immediate purposes, I think this fairly represents the argument. To me, though, the intelligibility of the universe is very much in question. I think there is much that we are utterly incapable of understanding. Still, Spitzer makes a lucid and compelling argument.
The book then deviates into a discussion of near-death experiences, by way of establishing the possibility of the existence of a transpersonal soul. Although Spitzer admits to “some trepidation” in undertaking this discussion, he goes on to elucidate the most rational and, indeed, scientific argument I’ve heard that human beings are endowed with some immaterial entity that we might think of as a soul. In examining this claim, he cites several articles from the scientific “Journal of Near Death Studies.” Who knew such a thing existed? Not me.
Next, Spitzer undertakes, in some philosophical and scientific detail, to explain the mechanisms by which the immaterial soul inhabits and interacts with the material body. In my view, consciousness is so incompletely understood that any argument along these lines invariably takes place in the realm of metaphysics. That’s not to say it’s wrong, just unprovable. But it does bring me back to the point that I am not convinced that reality—including souls—is entirely intelligible.
These arguments are esoteric and technical. However, I do not question Spitzer’s premise that the loss of an appreciation of transcendence has many negative ramifications in society. Whether you believe in God or not, this loss can be perceived by the individual as “something missing.” I don’t think you need to be a believer to find that this book can reorient you toward seeking a higher power.
Robert Spitzer, former president of Gonzaga University and Founder of the Magis Center for Reason and Faith, presents this as an installment in his “Happiness, Suffering, and Transcendence” quartet of books. In it, he examines the universal human sense of and quest for a connection to some transcendent reality. To do so, he first establishes that this “yearning” is indeed an attribute of human consciousness, the subject of both mystical expression and academic study. Here, he examines the works of humanistic and philosophical scholars such as Rudolf Otto, Mircea Eliade, and William James.
But where does this desire for attachment for transcendent reality come from? Since it is as much a feeling as a thought, it seems unlikely to be the product of materialistic brain states. The tacit underlying assumptions are that human beings all have:
1) An awareness of the realized and unrealized possibilities of the whole reality, and
2) An awareness of the complete intelligibility of the whole of reality.
That is, the reason we are drawn to higher reality is that we perceive that there is one, and that it is something we can experience and understand. These innate sensibilities, Spitzer argues, come from divine origin.
As proof of this assertion, he borrows heavily from the Canadian theologian Bernard Lonergan, whose formulations, distilled to its essential premise, holds that “If the totality of reality is intelligible, then God exists." Because God created the template for our spirituality, which drives us to apply reason to seek Him, then he must exist as “the unrestrictedly intelligible necessary reality that is the cause of everything else in reality.”
Although vastly simplified for immediate purposes, I think this fairly represents the argument. To me, though, the intelligibility of the universe is very much in question. I think there is much that we are utterly incapable of understanding. Still, Spitzer makes a lucid and compelling argument.
The book then deviates into a discussion of near-death experiences, by way of establishing the possibility of the existence of a transpersonal soul. Although Spitzer admits to “some trepidation” in undertaking this discussion, he goes on to elucidate the most rational and, indeed, scientific argument I’ve heard that human beings are endowed with some immaterial entity that we might think of as a soul. In examining this claim, he cites several articles from the scientific “Journal of Near Death Studies.” Who knew such a thing existed? Not me.
Next, Spitzer undertakes, in some philosophical and scientific detail, to explain the mechanisms by which the immaterial soul inhabits and interacts with the material body. In my view, consciousness is so incompletely understood that any argument along these lines invariably takes place in the realm of metaphysics. That’s not to say it’s wrong, just unprovable. But it does bring me back to the point that I am not convinced that reality—including souls—is entirely intelligible.
These arguments are esoteric and technical. However, I do not question Spitzer’s premise that the loss of an appreciation of transcendence has many negative ramifications in society. Whether you believe in God or not, this loss can be perceived by the individual as “something missing.” I don’t think you need to be a believer to find that this book can reorient you toward seeking a higher power.
August 7, 2024
Spitzer challenges the prevailing materialistic worldview, which often reduces human beings to mere biological organisms, devoid of spiritual depth. He posits that our longing for meaning, purpose, and connection to something greater than ourselves is a fundamental aspect of human nature. This "upward yearning," as he terms it, is a powerful indicator of our soul's transcendent orientation.
The author masterfully weaves together insights from various disciplines to support his thesis. He draws on the works of philosophers like Plato and Augustine, as well as contemporary thinkers such as Carl Jung and C.S. Lewis, to illuminate the human soul's capacity for transcendence. He also explores the implications of scientific discoveries, particularly in the fields of consciousness and near-death experiences, to suggest the possibility of a non-physical dimension to human existence.
A significant strength of the book lies in its accessibility. Spitzer avoids overly technical language, making his arguments comprehensible to a wide audience. He also intersperses his analysis with personal anecdotes and reflections, grounding the abstract concepts in concrete human experiences. This approach makes the book engaging and thought-provoking.
While The Soul's Upward Yearning provides a compelling case for the existence of the soul, it is important to note that it primarily focuses on the Western philosophical and religious traditions. A more comprehensive exploration of diverse cultural and spiritual perspectives could enrich the argument. Nevertheless, the book offers a valuable contribution to the ongoing dialogue about the nature of human consciousness and the search for meaning.
In conclusion, The Soul's Upward Yearning is a thought-provoking work that invites readers to contemplate the deeper dimensions of human existence. By presenting a compelling case for the soul's transcendent nature, Spitzer offers a refreshing counterpoint to the prevailing materialistic worldview.
The author masterfully weaves together insights from various disciplines to support his thesis. He draws on the works of philosophers like Plato and Augustine, as well as contemporary thinkers such as Carl Jung and C.S. Lewis, to illuminate the human soul's capacity for transcendence. He also explores the implications of scientific discoveries, particularly in the fields of consciousness and near-death experiences, to suggest the possibility of a non-physical dimension to human existence.
A significant strength of the book lies in its accessibility. Spitzer avoids overly technical language, making his arguments comprehensible to a wide audience. He also intersperses his analysis with personal anecdotes and reflections, grounding the abstract concepts in concrete human experiences. This approach makes the book engaging and thought-provoking.
While The Soul's Upward Yearning provides a compelling case for the existence of the soul, it is important to note that it primarily focuses on the Western philosophical and religious traditions. A more comprehensive exploration of diverse cultural and spiritual perspectives could enrich the argument. Nevertheless, the book offers a valuable contribution to the ongoing dialogue about the nature of human consciousness and the search for meaning.
In conclusion, The Soul's Upward Yearning is a thought-provoking work that invites readers to contemplate the deeper dimensions of human existence. By presenting a compelling case for the soul's transcendent nature, Spitzer offers a refreshing counterpoint to the prevailing materialistic worldview.
January 12, 2018
Incredible book. In the world of mental workouts, reading this was equivalent to P90X, but it was totally worth it. Spitzer uses ontology, epistemology, philosophy, science, metaphysics, and basic common sense to formulate a very convincing argument for humanity’s transcendental capacities and desires. He asserts that as we push the limits of the study of the human brain as well as the known universe around us, it is becoming harder and harder to explain it all from a purely materialistic, physicalist point of view.
I’ll admit I was intimidated by this book when I first went through the table of contents, but Fr. Spitzer does a great job of recapping and building on all of his arguments in a way that it made it relatively easy for me to follow along. The Soul’s Upward Yearning is the most intelligent argument I’ve read to date on both the existence and characteristics of the Catholic idea of God. I would suggest this book to anyone who might be struggling with belief in “life after death” so to speak, as well as any believer hoping to strengthen their understanding of who God is.
I’ll admit I was intimidated by this book when I first went through the table of contents, but Fr. Spitzer does a great job of recapping and building on all of his arguments in a way that it made it relatively easy for me to follow along. The Soul’s Upward Yearning is the most intelligent argument I’ve read to date on both the existence and characteristics of the Catholic idea of God. I would suggest this book to anyone who might be struggling with belief in “life after death” so to speak, as well as any believer hoping to strengthen their understanding of who God is.
January 25, 2020
Really excellent read, an account of the reality of the divine soul and existence of God that any non-believer would find difficult to emerge from unchanged. This Volume serves as a great addition to the work of Volume I, and I look forward to diving into Vol III in time. A bit tough to slog through at times, but still the sort of book that is accessible to anybody, so long as they’re willing to do a bit of heavy lifting along the way. I would genuinely like to read the work of someone who disagrees with Fr Spitzer’s, assuming they were willing and able to rise to the same level as he writes on and not give in to contemporary atheistic platitudes.
November 16, 2022
This book is really good. It’s philosophical and you have to take your time with it. Normally I’m a fast reader but I had to take my time with this book. It’s not meant to be read and get shelved right after finishing it. It has to be digested.
You will find a wild ride from the spiritual experiences to near-death-experiences. For me the highlights were the chapter about Lonergans proof of god and gödels enigma.
Not so easy to read and digest but absolutely worth it.
It’s a masterpiece and I recommend I highly.
You will find a wild ride from the spiritual experiences to near-death-experiences. For me the highlights were the chapter about Lonergans proof of god and gödels enigma.
Not so easy to read and digest but absolutely worth it.
It’s a masterpiece and I recommend I highly.
April 7, 2019
The Phd next to the authors name is there for a reason.
This is as detailed and as comprehensive argument for the existence of God as you are ever going to find. Newman, Augustine are cited and the arguments presented by Dawkins and Hawking are rebutted. There is a lot of science here to back up his points.
By no means an easy read but it is a very impressive work.
This is as detailed and as comprehensive argument for the existence of God as you are ever going to find. Newman, Augustine are cited and the arguments presented by Dawkins and Hawking are rebutted. There is a lot of science here to back up his points.
By no means an easy read but it is a very impressive work.
March 2, 2020
As part of a 4 book series, this particular volume resonated with me. Unlike some of the other guides I tried to incorporate into a CCD class (confirmation class for Catholic young people) I was leading, this book made a real impact.
February 11, 2024
An excellent book. Of particular interest was Father Spitzer’s discussion on ‘quantum neurology’, something I’d never before encountered. I’d certainly recommend this book and at some point I’d like to read the other books from the quartet.
October 13, 2017
Whew, that took alot of thinking and concentration to read. I still had a hard time understanding some parts. Fr. Spitzer is a genius.
November 2, 2021
Most of this book was way over my head, but I certainly could understand his argument that we are made to respond to a Transcendent Creator.
April 7, 2024
The souls upward yearning
As with the first book in the series it was very thought provoking. I was able to understand most of the series.
As with the first book in the series it was very thought provoking. I was able to understand most of the series.
February 28, 2017
Spitzer is a great systematiser; he paints grand pictures in broad brush strokes, themselves made up of excerpts of the work of diverse and fascinating thinkers. This makes his work fascinating to read, but inevitably one is left with he feeling that each element of his argument really requires far more detailed treatment than it is actually given. One might say that this is simply one of the pitfalls of any work with this kind of scope, but Spitzer writes in a somewhat Thomist style; using a lot of repetition and repeatedly recapping every argument. One cannot help but feel that this space would be better used filling in some of the rather large logical leaps that he occasionally makes, or on more detailed rebuttal of potential counter arguments.
Despite this failing, he is always worth reading; if only as a prompt to explore the work he discusses in more detail. Some of his arguments are truly innovative, as is the way in which he combines the work of different authors from seemingly unconnected traditions.
Despite this failing, he is always worth reading; if only as a prompt to explore the work he discusses in more detail. Some of his arguments are truly innovative, as is the way in which he combines the work of different authors from seemingly unconnected traditions.
November 13, 2016
Very good but also quite academic and possibly hard to read for an average reader. Fr. Spitzer does an excellent job of defining the proof that God must exist and that we are made to be with Him.
June 4, 2017
Surprisingly intellectual. It was pretty much an overview of everything I learned in all my philosophy classes. Admittedly I skimmed through some sections, but some parts were really interesting.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews