The Fundamentalist Mind:
How Polarized Thinking Imperils Us All

by Stephen Larsen

We are all fundamentalists whether we acknowledge it or not. We were born into a world of myth and metaphor and have come to internalize the stories we were told as children as the literal interpretations of much greater and deeply symbolic lessons. When we fall into such patterns, according to author and psychotherapist Stephen Larsen, we lose all flexibility and freedom of thought. We become split by dualistic thinking—bad versus good; black versus white—and are weighted down by definitive, concretistic principles and behaviors that alienate us from one another. Dr. Larsen explains that we can avoid such pitfalls by identifying our “inner fundamentalist” and becoming more open-minded individuals.

In Fundamentalist Mind, Dr. Larsen follows suit with famed 20^th century mythologist Joseph Campbell, citing both the creative potential and destructive power of myth. We can use myths as metaphors to guide us in our everyday lives. However, when we perceive myth as literal truth we cross a dangerous threshold. We see a severe example of this transgression with the religious extremists who feel justified in committing acts of violence in the name of God. By differentiating between reality and myth and continuing to question rigid thought patterns, Dr. Larsen says we encourage our own psycho-spiritual growth.

This book will help people of all religious, political, and social persuasions understand their inner fundamentalist. Dr. Larsen even provides exercises that help us identify negative thinking and teach us how to live more flexible, thoughtful lives. Liberal Christians, Buddhists, Gnostics, born-again pagans, as well as followers of transpersonal psychology and esoteric studies will all find much food for thought here, but this work is for anyone interested in becoming a fair and balanced person.

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Synopsis

The events of 9/11 and the ensuing conflicts in the Middle East have demonstrated how fundamentalist thinking, by all involved, can cause suffering on a global scale. In this careful study, Stephen Larsen examines the psychological roots of fundamentalism. Fundamentalist thinking occurs, says Larsen, when people read metaphors literally and being certain becomes more important than anything else. Larsen explains how our brains can be hardwired to believe this way. Any one of us can fall prey to inflexible, black-or-white thinking. Larsen provides a guide on how to recognize fundamentalist thinking in ourselves and in others so that we can curb negative tendencies and create a more compassionate and peaceful world, one person at a time.

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