Neuroscience and the Fruit of the Spirit

'This is a really cool book. Virtue meets theology meets neuroscience meets personal growth. As one makes the journey through the book, one learns how fundamental dispositions that lead to a life living the fruit of the Spirit are made possible by this remarkable brain of ours. With exercises at the end of each chapter, this is a book that can be truly transformative. You will not simply know more about yourself, you will be more fully the self that God intended.' The Very Rev. Ian S. Markham, PhD Dean and President of Virginia Theological Seminary and Professor of Theology and Ethics 'I recommend this fascinating book to all who agree with St. Ignatius-’Our one desire and our one choice should be this: we want and we choose whatever will allow God’s life to be deepened in us.’ Bryan Spoon has crafted a beautiful integration of neuroscience, the study of emotions, and Christian Scripture and teaching. I will surely use these ideas not only for my own growth but also to enrich adult formation classes.'The Rev. Janice Hicks, BCC Eldercare Chaplain and coauthor of Redeeming Dementia: Spirituality, Theology, and Science 'A creative intersection of Christian thought and neuroscience that offers powerful and pragmatic tools to help you nurture the true self that you deserve.' Jeffrey M Schwartz, MD  Research Psychiatrist and coauthor of You Are Not Your Brain and The Wise Advocate 'Neuroscience and the Fruit of Spirit is a sure guide for understanding the physiological basis for spirituality and ethical behavior. Drawing from his own experience as an Episcopal priest and hospital chaplain, Bryan Spoon offers a dialogue between modern neuroscience and the Bible to reveal the physiological changes that occur when life is centered on love, joy, peace and other fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). He expertly shows how our spiritual practices can literally reshape the brain and lead us to health and wholeness. I strongly recommend this work for both individual and group study.' Wilburn T. Stancil, PhD Professor Emeritus of Theology at Rockhurst University, Kansas City, Missouri  3