#397. How to Benefit From Religion, Even as a Nonbeliever | David DeSteno
Dr. David DeSteno has embarked on a project he calls “religio-prospecting.” In other words, he has been looking at the scientific evidence that many ancient religious traditions can confer all sorts of benefits, whether you’re a believer or not. He points out that many secular people practice mindfulness, even if they’re not Buddhists. His question is - what’s the next mindfulness?
David DeSteno is a professor of psychology at Northeastern University, where he directs the Social Emotions Group, and the author of a new book called How God Works: The Science Behind the Benefits of Religion. This episode explores David’s desire to study the benefits of religious practice in a scientific way and the evidence behind such practices as: sitting shiva, gratitude, the Apache sunrise ceremony, and Japanese Shinto rituals around childbirth.
Subscribe by December 1 to get 40% off a Ten Percent Happier subscription! Click here for your discount.
Where to find David DeSteno online:
How God Works podcast, on Apple podcasts
Social Media:
Book Mentioned:
- How God Works: The Science Behind the Benefits of Religion
- “What Science Can Learn From Religion” (article from the New York Times)
Other Resources Mentioned:
