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More Than Allegory: On Religious Myth, Truth and Belief
by
This book is a three-part journey into the rabbit hole we call the nature of reality. Its ultimate destination is a plausible, living validation of transcendence. Each of its three parts is like a turn of a spiral, exploring recurring ideas through the prisms of religious myth, truth and belief, respectively. With each turn, the book seeks to convey a more nuanced and comp
...more
Paperback, 264 pages
Published
April 29th 2016
by Iff Books
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Start your review of More Than Allegory: On Religious Myth, Truth and Belief

Having read all of Bernardo’s books I can say this is the second most important book after ‘’Why Materialism Is Baloney’’ from a personal point of view.
In the first two chapters Kastrup berates the deprived materialists’ myths, he implies that reality is a ‘dream’ of a disembodied individuals, who are collapsed segments of mind-at-large that ‘wake up’-become lucid- inside the dream. In part three he introduces a modern religious myth, and each chapter in part three relates a part of its story o ...more
In the first two chapters Kastrup berates the deprived materialists’ myths, he implies that reality is a ‘dream’ of a disembodied individuals, who are collapsed segments of mind-at-large that ‘wake up’-become lucid- inside the dream. In part three he introduces a modern religious myth, and each chapter in part three relates a part of its story o ...more

It is a very interesting book and does speak to our modern language and thought structure. It explains things easily and clearly and is not a tortuous read like Hillman or Corbin. Kastrup has a vast in depth knowledge of what he is talking about and also has an understanding of what the other side would say or which questions a sceptic or someone on the fence might pose him. It is a great introductory book for people interested in myth, truth and belief - which leads to what I do not like in thi
...more

May 03, 2020
James
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
know-when-read,
spirituality-and-religion
I just discovered Bernardo Kastrup, and this is the first book of his I've read. The argument, that everything exists in mind and not outside anywhere, is familiar to me. In fact, through my study of Blake, the Christian mystics and other traditions plus via my own exploration of things, I would absolutely affirm that this is the case. The strength of Kastrup is that he takes the argument back to the materialist academy and pushes the point on their academic terms. At this he is remarkably succe
...more

Underneath all of our rational beliefs, there is always a belief that is irrational. Underneath all our myths of fables and religion, there is a truth that all myths point towards.
In the absence of past and future, we have do uncover the present. Only in the present, we can find the greatest gift. Only in the present, we can believe the myth and it can become the Truth.
I found the style, content, and context of this book very enjoyable to read.
Some excerpts I enjoyed:
-Meaning and emotion canno ...more
In the absence of past and future, we have do uncover the present. Only in the present, we can find the greatest gift. Only in the present, we can believe the myth and it can become the Truth.
I found the style, content, and context of this book very enjoyable to read.
Some excerpts I enjoyed:
-Meaning and emotion canno ...more

I was unsure of giving this book 3 or 4 stars. The first two parts, while written legibly and simply, still had me confused...As if the structure of some sentences was counter intuitive and I had to slow down. I ended up giving it four stars because I do think it's a book people should read- as people should read more books about the nature of myth and our place within reality. Note: I enjoy these topics and ideas and therefore very open to them.
I enjoyed the last part of the book because I had ...more
I enjoyed the last part of the book because I had ...more

This is simply the most important book I have read thus far.
Kastrup’s brave and compelling ideas are a beacon for those of us who are lost in a forest of conflicting beliefs, torn in two directions by intellect and intuition. He has even cut a trail for us, marked with reason, myth, and a small portion of transcendent poetry. He explains the rift between the reality we know and the one our soul craves; demonstrates the harmony of myth, truth, and belief; and reveals the paradox of life: to disce ...more
Kastrup’s brave and compelling ideas are a beacon for those of us who are lost in a forest of conflicting beliefs, torn in two directions by intellect and intuition. He has even cut a trail for us, marked with reason, myth, and a small portion of transcendent poetry. He explains the rift between the reality we know and the one our soul craves; demonstrates the harmony of myth, truth, and belief; and reveals the paradox of life: to disce ...more

This is the real deal. Not just intellectual gymnastics nor grandstanding philosophical concepts designed to illustrate a superb ego at large, while simultaneously disparaging others (i.e 'the god delusion' & 'why evolution is true'). It's written succinctly, yet detailed eloquently, keeping the layman (me) in mind. The content is rich and alluring, all the more so because of its inherent resonance to those of us truly open and curious about 'truth.' The logical rigor so evidently laid out only
...more

I will read anything by Kastrup. This is my second favorite of his works, after "Meaning in Absurdity." Kastrup gathers momentum with his anti-materialist pose and deep philosophy rooted in idealism. I was attracted to this book because of the forward by Jeffrey Kripal, as well as the references to Patrick Harpur's work in the opening chapters, (both of whom I will read also anything by).
...more

A valuable insight in myths, truth and belief. Eventually it builds up into a concept for our lives. It is self explainitory. Bernardo gave us a way to see our lives to a new and better metaphore. I sincerly think this will one day lead to a better me. One who has some insights into God and the meaning of our lives.

Paradigm Shift
Bernardo has put words in my mouth that my tongue long sought to express. I examine my beliefs and my mind in a new light that is both challenging and refreshing. I wait now for science, as it did with Einstein's thought experiments, to further confirm and validate this view.
...more
Bernardo has put words in my mouth that my tongue long sought to express. I examine my beliefs and my mind in a new light that is both challenging and refreshing. I wait now for science, as it did with Einstein's thought experiments, to further confirm and validate this view.
...more

In this book the author argues that the universe is one big system of conciousness. Although he made some good point , I wasn't convinced. That being said , I don't necessarily think hes wrong. I'm going to continue reading on the subject.
...more

Just discovered Bernardo Kastrup 2 days ago. Already bought two of his books. This is the first I've read. He's the guy I've been looking for. He's Joseph Campbell for quantum physicists. Philosophy, mythology, neuroscience, physics, AI, stir and cook. Yummy.
...more

Mind bending and mind blowing
I first heard Bernardo Kastrup being interviewed on a Podcast. He was discussing the nature of reality in a way like I had never heard it put. He was actually resurrecting religious myths and telling us that the ancient myths reveal deep eternal truths. This is something I had sensed so I had to get the book.
I had no deep how deep the rabbit hole went though. Much more than just a book on religious myths, this book tackles the notions of time and space as illusions, ...more
I first heard Bernardo Kastrup being interviewed on a Podcast. He was discussing the nature of reality in a way like I had never heard it put. He was actually resurrecting religious myths and telling us that the ancient myths reveal deep eternal truths. This is something I had sensed so I had to get the book.
I had no deep how deep the rabbit hole went though. Much more than just a book on religious myths, this book tackles the notions of time and space as illusions, ...more

Sep 08, 2016
David
rated it
liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
21st-century,
academic,
anthropology,
biology,
cultural-anthropology,
fringe,
fringe-science,
futurism,
ai,
mythology
Interesting philosophical journey in the first two parts of the book, but descends into a Huxley-like-quest in the last.
Many of the ideas the average reader will find in the work of the American mythographer Joseph Campbell.
Not a bad read, but a little longer than it needed to be and ideas that are relevant but not terribly engaging.
Kastrup's style needs a little punching up as well.
Rating: 3 out of 5 Stars ...more
Many of the ideas the average reader will find in the work of the American mythographer Joseph Campbell.
Not a bad read, but a little longer than it needed to be and ideas that are relevant but not terribly engaging.
Kastrup's style needs a little punching up as well.
Rating: 3 out of 5 Stars ...more
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Bernardo Kastrup's work has been leading the modern renaissance of metaphysical idealism, the notion that reality is essentially mental. He has a Ph.D. in philosophy (ontology, philosophy of mind) and another Ph.D. in computer engineering (reconfigurable computing, artificial intelligence). As a scientist, Bernardo has worked for the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) and the Philip
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“We now find our gods not on the altar, but in the bottle of alcohol, the football match on television, the new pair of shoes and the arms of the casual lover.”
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“A religious myth infuses ordinary aspects of life with enchantment and significance: accidents and coincidences become invested with hidden purposes; our actions in the world acquire the importance of a cosmic mission; our suffering becomes the carrier of critical insights; even objects and people around us acquire a numinous aura.”
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