Neurophenomenology and Its Applications to Psychology

This book explores the meaning and import of neurophenomenology and the philosophy of enactive or embodied cognition for psychology. It introduces the psychologist to an experiential, non-reductive, holistic, theoretical, and practical framework that integrates the approaches of natural and human science to consciousness. In integrating phenomenology with cognitive science, neurophenomenology provides a bridge between the natural and human sciences that opens an interdisciplinary dialogue on the nature of awareness, the ontological primacy of experience, the perception of the observer, and the mind-brain relationship, which will shape the future of psychological theory, research, and practice.​​

“A much welcome, if not over-due, translation of neurophenomenological principles—which have previously remained limited to philosophical discourse—to some of the central concerns of psychologists. Exploring how the mind is embodied in emotion, learning, and self-reflection, this volume is a fitting tribute to the pioneering work of Taylor and Varela.” Larry Davidson, Ph.D.Professor of PsychiatrySchool of Medicine and Institution for Social and Policy StudiesYale University, New Haven, CT“This volume accomplishes the elegant and timely synthesis of phenomenology, transpersonal and humanistic-somatic psychologies as they apply to contemporary neuroscience. Both beginners and more advanced scholars will benefit greatly from studying the applications of neurophenomenology to psychology in this book.” Aaron L. Mishara, Ph.D, Psy.D.Associate ProfessorDepartment of Clinical PsychologySofia University, Palo Alto, CA“A heady mix of articles that elucidates the 'hard problem' of mind/brain interrelations and travels some distance in closing the circle of psychology on neuroscience. It is true: William James over a century ago was 150 years ahead of his time.”  Edward Mendelowitz, Ph.D.Adjunct ProfessorSchool of Psychology and Interdisciplinary InquirySaybrook University, San Francisco, CA"Dr. Gordon's psychoneurointracrine model is eclectic and interdisciplinary. It reveals the mind-brain interface, the growth-oriented dimension of the person, and the myth-making dimension of human experience. My colleagues and I were aware of this process when we wrote about "personal myths" or existential life beliefs, stressing their roots in an individual's biochemistry. Her model has considerable explanatory value, providing a way to bridge the explanatory gap between the mind and the brain, how the mind develops not only meaning, but one's sense of well-being, and - ultimately - how the notion of "self" emerges from this complex system."  Stanley Krippner, Ph.D.Professor of Psychology and Integrative InquirySaybrook UniversitySan Francisco, CA"Susan Gordon has produced a timely book with her new volume on Neurophenomenology. Neurophenomenology is a hot topic within philosophy and neuroscience, yet its assimilation within mainstream psychology is lagging. This book attempts to bridge the gap between philosophical neurophenomenology and such psychological domains as cognition, emotion, learning, pedagogy, meditation, and psychoneuroimmunology. The book also establishes the kinship of neurophenomenology with humanistic psychology, William James’ radical empiricism, and transpersonal psychology."Don Moss, Ph.D.Dean, College of Integrative Medicine and Health SciencesChair, School, of Mind-Body MedicineSaybrook UniversityOakland, CAThe Humanistic Psychologist, 43(1)

Susan Gordon, Ph.D., Core Adjunct Professor, Department of Psychology, National University, La Jolla, CA Research Director, Southbury Clinic for Traditional Medicines, Southbury, CT, invited Postdoctoral Fellowships: L'Institut des Systèmes Complexes Paris Île-de-France (ISC-PIF); Centrede Recherche en Epistémologie Appliquée (CREA) (École Polytechnique), Research Affiliate, Harvard College Library and Bibliothèque François Mitterrand.