Overview of Theology/Transatheism
Overview
[edit | edit source]Transatheism is a branch of atheism that acknowledges the commonality of superstitions around the world and their usefulness in human psychological well being, self awareness, and motivation for the individual.
Transatheism down-plays the usefulness of religion, beyond its transitory and sometimes revolutionary social side effects and religions use of alliances to create local social cohesion. Personal explorations directed toward understanding the true biological, physiological and psychochemical responses associated with the historical methodologies of spirituality are favoured over traditional mysticism. Transatheism further explains the overwhelming prevalence of mythology and superstition among humankind by noting the common physiological processes inherent in the human species as a whole. Hence the presence of 'God' or deities in transatheism is not thought of in terms of religion but in terms of existing and measurable biochemical mechanisms linked to the processes of the various methods of spirituality and the response of the human organism to those. Individual perceptions of supernatural beings tend to reflect the subconcious ego of the individual. These perceptions tend to be further moulded by structural social mores and doctrine.
Personal spirituality is promoted and encouraged by transatheists as a means of developing the stimulus-response mechanisms of the brain associated with such practices. Exactly what techniques the individual uses to attain spiritual stimulation are left to the individual. It is the net holistic result that is considered most important in the development of a balanced human psyche.
Religion in transatheism is categorised with clan or tribal behaviours and hierarchal social organisation. These are not considered part of spirituality but rather mere social alliances based on common social and physical practice, possibly resulting in spiritual stimulation.
Simple transatheist exercises
[edit | edit source]How to Make Yourself Happy
[edit | edit source]The complete body is a connected organism. Nothing can happen to one part of the body without affecting another part of the body. The facial muscles are directly connected to the emotional centres of the brain. Changing your facial muscles changes your brain chemistry.
To modify ones personal feeling of well being one can hold a smile for a period of several minutes. Practicing this two or three times throughout the day may improve ones long term sense of well being. Select a quiet spot away from distractions and disruptions to practice smiling. Smile for a few minutes just before sleep to improve restfulness. Smile in the morning for a few minutes after waking to set the emotional tone for the day.
Human beings are social organisms. Volunteer or join a club or community group to meet people with similar interests. Concentrate on developing long term friends for chatting. Listen to what others have experienced and how they feel. Listening to others stimulates the brain and can provide experiential information and perspective.
How to Calm Anxiety
[edit | edit source]The brain perceives a fake laugh in the same way as it perceives a real laugh. Use laughter to combat anxiety. When anxiety begins to appear, force a big fake laugh. Repeat this for several minutes, or if inspired use real laughter.
Use daily physical exercise to calm anxiety. Cardiovascular exercise stimulates endorphens, and can help balance other hormones in the body and brain. Physical exercise also reduces excess glycogen in the body and stimulates the internal organs which is beneficial for the brain. Smiling while exercising may provide additional benefits.
Reduce exposure to visual strobes such as television, and computers. High frequency strobing lights may have effects on natural brain wave rythmns.
Get a change of scenery and learn new things. Stimulating your brain to think of other things by learning or helping out in the community may help to break the biochemical cycle of anxiety.
Contemplate, appreciate, and verbalize the goodness of others, the world and yourself. This can be perceived or performed as praying or singing if one lacks a learned mental reference for contemplation.