Bob Waxman Ph.D.

The Open Center · Philosophy & Religion

Spiritual aftereffects of incongruous near-death experiences: A heuristic approach by Waxman, Robert, Ph.D., Saybrook University, 2012, 180; 3552161

In this book, many theories, possibilities, predictions, and prophecies are discussed for the purpose of uncovering the true meaning behind the end of the Mayan Long Count Calendar. The Mayans had no intention of predicting the end of the world and their greatest secret has been suppressed for centuries. This book explains the ultimate meaning of 2...

An introduction to the main Kabbalistic concepts including: The Secrets of the Soul, The Four Worlds of Existence, What Happens After Death, The Journey of the Soul, What the Stars are Telling Us, The Language of Numbers, Hidden Symbols in the Torah, The Lost Books of the Bible and Man's Direct Connection to the One Divine Source.

This paper discusses social theories with religious motifs from Eastern and Western religions. Six sections are included; one for each theorist. Connecting themes are identified regarding the evolution of religious thought as a social phenomenon. Discussed are Emile Durkheim, William James, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., Jean B...

In Shamanism, the ecstatic experience connotes a state of bliss, transcendence, and communion with the sacred. Shamans utilize techniques such as journeying, trances, and altered states of consciousness to achieve ecstatic experiences. Psychologists contend that ecstatic experiences occur in the mind, not outside the body. Scientific studies focus...

The Age of Enlightenment (1650 CE – 1800 CE) introduced original modes of thinking about God, religion, and humanity’s spiritual relationship with nature. These illuminating ideas culminated in an ideology known as Deism which was primarily influenced by John Locke (1632 CE – 1704 CE). This paper focuses on events leading up to the formation of Dei...

Over the past 2500 years, the case for and against free will has been debated by some of the most brilliant minds in ancient and modern history. This paper discusses landmark theories and comparative views by five well-known philosophers. One definition of free will states it is an innate characteristic possessed by human beings. In juxtaposition,...

In 1859, Darwin's theories of natural selection and evolution began spreading rapidly around the world. Many individuals embraced evolutionary theory immediately, while others dismissed it for religious reasons. Darwin's conclusions were not in agreement with the Biblical account of creation, and God's role as creator was being questioned. For many...

Many similarities and correspondences are found in Jewish mysticism (Kabbalah) and Hindu mysticism (Vedanta-Advaita). In both traditions, the ultimate goal is to experience communion with a Divine Source. To reach this level of transcendence, each system speaks of an individualized soul with three characteristics that merge with a Godhead. Through...