What do the whimsical writings of Dr. Seuss have in common with near-death experiences? The answer is that nonsense writing and spiritual experiences seem to defy all logic and yet they both can make a powerful personal impact. In this book, New York Times bestselling author Dr. Raymond Moody shares the groundbreaking results of five decades of research into the philosophy of nonsense, revealing dynamic new perspectives on language, logic, and the mystical side of life. Explore the meaningful feelings that accompany nonsense language and learn how engaging with nonsense can help you on your own spiritual path. Discover how nonsense transcends classical logic, opening the doorway to new spiritual and philosophical breakthroughs. With dozens of examples from literature, comedy, music, and the history of religion, this book presents a unique new approach to the mysteries of the human spirit.
Exploring the Power of Nonsense for Personal Growth and Spiritual Insight
In his latest book, "Making Sense of Nonsense," renowned psychiatrist and near-death experience (NDE) researcher Dr. Raymond Moody delves into the fascinating world of nonsensical language and its profound impact on the human experience. Drawing on his own research and insights from a wide range of fields, including literature, philosophy, and psychology, Moody argues that nonsense is not simply meaningless gibberish but rather a powerful tool for unlocking new ways of thinking, feeling, and being.
A Bridge Between Science and Spirituality
One of the central themes of the book is the idea that nonsense can serve as a bridge between the realms of science and spirituality. Moody suggests that while traditional logic and reason govern the material world, nonsense taps into a deeper, more intuitive level of consciousness that resonates with spiritual experiences. He draws parallels between the nonsensical elements of NDEs and the playful, illogical nature of works like Lewis Carroll's "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" and Dr. Seuss's children's books.
The Transformative Power of Play
Moody emphasizes the importance of playfulness and silliness in accessing this deeper level of awareness. He argues that engaging with nonsense can help us break free from rigid thought patterns and open ourselves up to new possibilities. This, in turn, can lead to personal growth, greater creativity, and a deeper connection to the universe.
The Book's Structure and Content
The book is divided into three parts, each exploring a different aspect of nonsense. Part one delves into the nature of nonsense itself, examining its history, its various forms, and its relationship to language and logic. Part two focuses on the transformative power of nonsense, exploring its impact on creativity, spirituality, and personal growth. Finally, part three offers practical ways to incorporate nonsense into our lives, through activities such as reading nonsense literature, writing our own nonsense poems or stories, and simply allowing ourselves to be more playful and silly.
Strengths and Weaknesses
One of the book's strengths is its accessibility. Moody writes in a clear and engaging style, making complex ideas about nonsense and consciousness easy to understand for a general audience. The book is also packed with interesting examples from literature, music, and art, which help to illustrate his points and make the reading experience enjoyable.
However, some readers may find the book's reliance on anecdotal evidence and personal experiences to be unconvincing. Moody does not provide much scientific evidence to support his claims about the benefits of nonsense, which may leave some readers skeptical. Additionally, the book's focus on spirituality may not appeal to readers who are more interested in the psychological or cognitive aspects of nonsense.
Overall, "Making Sense of Nonsense" is a thought-provoking and engaging exploration of the power of nonsense. While some readers may find its claims debatable, there is no doubt that the book offers a fresh and intriguing perspective on this often-overlooked aspect of human experience. Whether you're a fan of Lewis Carroll and Dr. Seuss, or simply curious about the ways in which nonsense can shape our lives, this book is well worth a read.
In addition to the points mentioned above, here are some other interesting takeaways from the book:
- Nonsense can be a powerful tool for breaking down ego and promoting self-awareness.
- Engaging with nonsense can help us to better understand and appreciate the mystery of existence.
- Nonsense can be a source of joy, laughter, and connection, both with ourselves and with others.
If you're interested in learning more about the power of nonsense, I encourage you to pick up a copy of "Making Sense of Nonsense" and take a journey down the rabbit hole. You might just be surprised at what you find there.
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Raymond A. Moody, American Philosopher, Psychiatrist, Physician, and Author 
Exploring the Frontiers of Life and Beyond
Raymond A. Moody Jr. was born on June 30, 1944, in Porterdale, Georgia. He is an American philosopher, psychiatrist, physician, and author, most widely known for his books about afterlife and near-death experiences (NDEs), a term that he coined in 1975 in his best-selling book Life After Life.
Moody's research explores personal accounts of subjective phenomena encountered in near-death experiences, particularly those of people who have apparently died but been resuscitated. He has widely published his views on what he terms near-death-experience psychology.
Early life and education
Moody was born in Porterdale, Georgia, the son of an agnostic surgeon. He earned a BA (1966), an MA (1967), and a PhD (1969) in philosophy from the University of Virginia. He also obtained a PhD in psychology from the University of West Georgia, then known as West Georgia College, where he later became a professor in the topic. In 1976, he received an M.D. from the Medical College of Georgia.
Career
After obtaining his M.D., Moody worked as a forensic psychiatrist in a maximum-security Georgia state hospital. In 1998, Moody was appointed chair in Consciousness Studies at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Near-death research
While an undergraduate at the University of Virginia in 1965, Moody encountered psychiatrist, Dr. George Ritchie, who told Moody about an incident in which he believed he had journeyed into the afterlife while dead for nearly nine minutes at the age of 20 (which Ritchie would later recount in his book, Return From Tomorrow, published in 1978). Moody began documenting similar accounts by other people who had experienced clinical death and discovered that many of these experiences shared common features, such as the feeling of being out of one's body, the sensation of traveling through a tunnel, encountering dead relatives, and encountering a bright light. In 1975, Moody published many of these experiences in his book, Life After Life, in which he coined the term "near-death experience."
In an interview with Jeffrey Mishlove, Moody shared his personal conclusions about his research into near-death experiences:
I don't mind saying that after talking with over a thousand people who have had these experiences, and having experienced many times some of the really baffling and unusual features of these experiences, it has given me great confidence that there is a life after death. As a matter of fact, I must confess to you in all honesty, I have absolutely no doubt, on the basis of what my patients have told me, that they did get a glimpse of the beyond.
Later research
Inspired by the Greek psychomanteums where the ancient Greeks would go to consult the apparitions of the dead (which Moody had read about in classic Greek texts that he encountered while a student at the University of Virginia), Moody built a psychomanteum in Alabama, which he calls the Dr. John Dee Theater of the Mind. By staring into a mirror in a dimly lit room, Moody claims that people are able to summon visions of spiritual apparitions (see mirror gazing).
Moody has also researched past life regression and believes that he personally has had nine past lives.
Criticism of Moody's near-death research
Barry Beyerstein, a professor of psychology, has written that Moody's alleged evidence for an afterlife is flawed, both logically and empirically. The psychologist James Alcock has noted that Moody "...appears to ignore a great deal of the scientific literature dealing with hallucinatory experiences in general, just as he quickly glosses over the very real limitations of his research method."
Moody has been described as a "strong personal believer" in the paranormal. His methods have drawn criticism from the scientific community as many of the personal reports he collected on NDEs were given by the patients themselves, months and even years after the event. Terence Hines commented "such reports are hardly sufficient to argue for the reality of an afterlife."
The philosopher Paul Kurtz has written that Moody's evidence for the NDE is based on personal interviews and anecdotal accounts and there has been no statistical analysis of his data. There also is the question of interpreting such data as has been published assuming that the factual matter is objectively correct; according to Kurtz, "there is no reliable evidence that people who report such experiences have died and returned, or that consciousness exists separate from the brain or body."
It can allow us to see the world in whole new ways.
The author’s linguistic detailed approach provides the understanding word by word.
Philosophical paradigms are changed.
This book was written for the ages and so take as much as you can from it.
Serious focus on it will change your life.
Very thorough and fun.
In the last 30 or so pages he finally gets down to discussing the "bottom lines" of the book, which if you're like me is what you would be buying this book for in the first place. And even then he does so VERY underwhelmingly.
Overall, this book reads like exactly what it is: a book written by a philosophy professor summarizing a class that he has taught, knowing that he has at least a certain guaranteed readership because he can force his students to buy it. Only the first 30 and last 30 pages bear much interest, and all of the stuff in the middle feels like he was just trying to fill pages. It definitely doesnt achieve what he claims, and the stuff that he advertises about it, ie., "bridging science and spirituality," is practically not addressed in the book at all.
I would not recommend this book.
