Dr. Kelly Neff

As a psychologist. Dr. Kelly has always been interested in the signs, symbols and archetypes of the Divine. Over the last 5,000 years, inspired leaders and saints of all the great spiritual traditions have produced a rich collection of writings describing the transcendent states they have experienced. They have used poetry, prose, and sacred art to illuminate their experiences. Andrew Vidich's book Love is a Secret draws on all the great traditions, from Taoism to Christianity, from Sufism to Judaism, to describe the psychology of humankind's deepest spiritual encounters. Today, we will discuss the ten distinct psychological states common to all religious experience. A study of the specific characteristics of each state reveals that sages from widely different theologies, times and cultures have experienced Divine love in remarkably similar ways.