Experience William James'

The Varieties of Religious Experience

with Original Commentary by

John Kaag and Bessel van der Kolk

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About The Rebinders The Book The Author

The Varieties of Religious Experience

Rebound by John Kaag and Bessel van der Kolk

In a world increasingly divided between scientific materialism and religious dogmatism, William James’s The Varieties of Religious Experience offers a refreshing middle path. Written by Harvard’s first psychology professor in 1902, this groundbreaking work examines religious and mystical experiences through a psychological lens while treating them with genuine respect. James focuses not on theological debates but on how these intense personal moments shape human consciousness and behavior.

James invites readers into the minds of those experiencing conversion, mysticism, and saintliness, using rich case studies rather than abstract arguments. He distinguishes between “healthy-minded” optimists and “sick souls” who struggle with existential darkness, exploring how both temperaments navigate their spiritual journeys. Throughout, James demonstrates remarkable empathy for the varied ways humans experience what they consider divine.

Trauma expert Bessel van der Kolk and philosopher John Kaag bring contemporary perspectives to James’s century-old insights, creating a dialogue between modern psychology and classic pragmatism. Their commentary reveals why this text remains essential reading—not just for understanding religion, but for comprehending the full spectrum of human experience in all its complexity and contradiction.

“What I love about William James is his willingness to take the complexity of the universe, the complexity of who we are as human beings and the complexity of the world that we live in, which no single formula will ever be able to capture.”
- John Kaag and Bessel van der Kolk

This is the most creative and interesting book-related AI tech I've seen so far, and I'm happy to see big-name authors leading by example with their openness to exploring generative uses of this technology.

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William

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I've been reading Thus Spoke Zarathustra on Rebind, and it's magical. It's suddenly difficult to imagine reading without having this ongoing discussion where I can ask a hundred questions.

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The Grain