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Spirit Tech: The Brave New World of Consciousness Hacking and Enlightenment Engineering Hardcover – May 18, 2021
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Featuring a Foreword by Mikey Siegel, founder of Consciousness Hacking.
Technology can now control the spiritual experience. This is a journey through the high-tech aids for psychological growth that are changing our world, while exploring the safety, authenticity and ethics of this new world.
We already rely on technology to manage our health, sleep, relationships, and finances, so it’s no surprise that we’re turning to technological aids for the spiritual journey. From apps that help us pray or meditate, to cybernauts seeking the fast track to nirvana through magnetic brain stimulation, we are on the brink of the most transformative revolution in the practice of religion: an era in which we harness the power of “spirit tech” to deepen our experience of the divine.
Spirit tech products are rapidly improving in sophistication and power, and ordinary people need a trustworthy guide. Through their own research and insiders’ access to the top innovators and early adopters, Wesley J. Wildman and Kate J. Stockly take you deep inside an evolving world:
- Find out how increasingly popular “wearables” work on your brain, promising a shortcut to transformative meditative states.
- Meet the inventor of the “God Helmet” who developed a tool to increase psychic skills, and overcome fear, sadness, and anger.
- Visit churches that use ayahuasca as their sacrament and explore the booming industry of psychedelic tourism.
- Journey to a mansion in the heart of Silicon Valley where a group of scientists and entrepreneurs are working feverishly to bring brain-based spirit tech applications to the masses.
- Discover a research team who achieved brain-to-brain communication between individuals thousands of miles apart, harnessing neurofeedback techniques to sync and share emotions among group members.
Spirit Tech offers readers a compelling glimpse into the future and is the definitive guide to the fascinating world of new innovations for personal transformation, spiritual growth, and pushing the boundaries of human nature.
- Print length400 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherSt. Martin's Press
- Publication dateMay 18, 2021
- Dimensions6.57 x 1.4 x 9.56 inches
- ISBN-101250274931
- ISBN-13978-1250274939
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"[Ideal] for those interested and curious in the ever-changing landscape of spiritual and religious practice...written for the layperson and remains accessible throughout...The future of religious and spiritual experience is already here, and it looks like Spirit Tech." ―The Presbyterian Outlook
"[The] book offers a dizzying panorama of transcranial brain stimulation, neurofeedback devices, digitized community, sacralized virtual reality, psychedelic rituals, and AI-powered gurus. As specialists in the scientific study of religion― Wildman and Stockly explore this techno revolution in elegant detail." ―Joe Allen for Salvo
"Wildman and Stockly’s revealing introduction to this brave new world of transcendent tech will give both pious pioneers and defenders of traditional religiosity something to consider." ―Publishers Weekly
“Prepare for lift-off. Spirit Tech is a critical look at the cutting-edge intersection of science and consciousness, where experiences once called “mystical” are now being reproduced in the lab, with technology, and all bets are off as to what the future holds.” ―Steven Kotler, New York Times bestselling author and executive chairman of the Flow Research Collective
"Wesley and Kate are uniquely qualified to guide us, with wisdom and rigor, into the wild new world of technology and spirit. This will be a landmark work in the emerging wonderland of techno-spiritualities." ―Dr. Patrick McNamara, neuroscientist, Boston University School of Medicine
"Spirit Tech is a marvelously readable and often mind-blowing introduction to new frontiers in spiritual exploration. We find science fiction made flesh, here among us, now. Prepare to have your brain rewired." ―David Voas, head of the department of social science at University College of London
“A thought-provoking treasure of information and reflections on multiple tools that may accelerate the processes of personal development and spiritual awakening.” ―William A. Richards, Ph.D., Johns Hopkins Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research and author of Sacred Knowledge
"Wesley J. Wildman and Kate Stockly make it clear that a brave new world is upon us, as high tech entrepreneurs develop "God helmets," virtual reality landscapes and churches, and concoct high-tech drugs and other technologies to induce spiritual states and heightened consciousness. Wildman and Stockly offer a fascinating exploration of this emerging high-tech spirituality and its ethical implications." ―Fred Nadis, author of Star Settlers: the Billionaires, Geniuses, and Crazed Visionaries out to Conquer the Universe
"This fascinating book takes a fresh look at religion and spirituality, through a closer examination of “spirit tech” ― e.g., technologies that enhance spiritual experiences, ranging from those trying to “hack” spirituality through traditional shamanistic substances like ayahuasca, to others using cutting edge technologies like magnetic brain stimulation to simulate ecstatic experiences. We suddenly find ourselves in this Brave New World of spirituality which warrants a closer examination of both its impacts and ethics. This well-researched and well-written tome is a necessary guidebook for readers seeking spirituality in the digital era, as well as for religious leaders contemplating ways to attract digital natives whose interest in “church” has waned, as glittering cell phones and social media enchant them instead." ―Julie M. Albright, digital sociologist and author of Left to Their Own Devices: How Digital Natives Are Reshaping the American Dream
"Dr. Wildman and Dr. Stockly bring creativity, insight and wisdom to their ongoing exploration of life at the border of science and faith." ―Rev. Dr. Robert Allan Hill, Dean of Marsh Chapel, Boston University.
"Spirituality, technology, neuroscience, data, values, culture―every time you think you could not throw more complex ideas into a conversation, in walk Kate and Wesley. They bring a fresh voice to the examination of an emerging industry that mixes high tech science with ancient wisdom. Look to Spirit Tech to challenge all your assumptions about the future of spirituality as well as the consciousness and wellness movements." ―Kippy Rudy, Chief Development Officer, Center for Mind and Culture
“Spirit Tech is especially helpful for the “spiritual but not religious” who want to navigate new spiritual techniques, choose more wisely, and avoid problematic outcomes. It is also useful for the committed religionists who don’t have the time, expertise or resources it takes to become an expert meditator or mystic, but nevertheless want to find a way to improve their spiritual lives. For the daring spiritual explorer, this is an essential guide-book to take along on the journey.” ―Linda Mercadante, Ph.D., Distinguished Research Professor, Emerita, Methodist Theological School in Ohio and author of Belief without Borders: Inside the Minds of the Spiritual but not Religious (Oxford Univ. Pr.)
About the Author
KATE J. STOCKLY, Ph.D. is a research fellow at the Center for Mind and Culture. In addition to Spirit Tech, she is co-author of High on God: How Megachurches Won the Heart of America, which analyzes the embodied bio-socio-cultural aspects of megachurch practices.
Product details
- Publisher : St. Martin's Press (May 18, 2021)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 400 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1250274931
- ISBN-13 : 978-1250274939
- Item Weight : 2.31 pounds
- Dimensions : 6.57 x 1.4 x 9.56 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #1,232,834 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #764 in Computer Hacking
- #773 in Cognitive Neuroscience & Neuropsychology
- #2,452 in Video & Computer Games
- Customer Reviews:
About the author
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Wesley J. Wildman (1961-present) was born in Australia and moved to the United States in 1987. Since 1993 he has been a professor at Boston University, in the Philosophy, Theology, and Ethics Department within the School of Theology. With a PhD in philosophy of religion, he teaches and writes in related areas, including in religion and science issues--especially the scientific study of religion. To support the scientific study of religion and to create an avenue for meaningful social change, he co-founded the Center for Mind and Culture (mindandculture.org).
Most of his writing is for academic specialists (yawn) but he is also working to communicate academic research to a wider public. To that end, he maintains numerous websites, including ScienceOnReligion.org, LiberalEvangelical.org, and SpectrumsProject.org, which reflect different aspects of his intellectual and outreach interests. Complete lists of his books and the websites he maintains are on his home page (wesleywildman.com).
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- Reviewed in the United States on July 6, 2021It is a very academic book. It took focused concentration and determination to get through it, and I feel I need to continue studying it to understand it fully. I'm a good reader. This is a new branch of science with as many factors to study as there are human brain cells. I'd love the same information given in laymen's terms, how it can help me, the patient. I sent both my doctors the link to the book.
Though challenging, I appreciate this area of research so much. In this book are many things I look forward to exploring. I'm very glad that scientists are looking at consciousness and spiritualism as a valid and practical space for scientific inquiry, and that there are many tools and devices to help us become our best, most brilliant selves.
I will also say to the future reader, if it seems like a very long book, the chapters portion ends at about 57% through. There are appendixes, table of contents, footnotes, evidence, a list of other books on all the topics mentioned.
The author did more than their due diligence. Thank you so much.
- Reviewed in the United States on June 23, 2021There are tons of new and groundbreaking technologies out there, each of which promotes itself as the most transformative. It can be hard to get a dispassionate look at how these techniques work and what they do. I found Spirit Tech to be a thoughtful and careful guide through this wild terrain.
- Reviewed in the United States on June 2, 2021Some people will love this book but I am not one of them. It is supposed to be a cutting edge look at various methods one might use to connect more deeply with their "inner selves" This includes various forms of brain stimulation through machines that zap your brain with various waves, virtual reality and in the final chapters drugs - mostly natural but some manufactured (LSD). The authors' thesis is that these methods could help people cope with personal issues and allow them to get the benefits of years of meditation in much less time. I am a well adjusted person and I don't need to waste my time on this stuff. Also, Why does the co author Kate J Stockly get no credit in this listing?
- Reviewed in the United States on January 13, 2024I couldn't get through the first chapter-the condescending, snobby, gossipy tone of the narrater was obnoxious. I wouldn't listen to a friend who talked down to me like this-never mind an audiobook. Wish I could return.
- Reviewed in the United States on June 11, 2021If you are looking for practical information to help you incorporate spiritual technology into your life then this book is not for you. If you enjoy long narratives of low information density about some of the research currently being done in the field then this is exactly what you are looking for. The book does have some interesting parts but overall it's not worth purchasing.