The_AT Neuroscience_NN1 of_IO Religious_JJ Experience_NN1 This_DD1 book_NN1 will_VM examine_VVI religion_NN1 through_II the_AT eyes_NN2 of_IO this_DD1 Self_NN1 ._. 
There_EX are_VBR ,_, of_RR21 course_RR22 ,_, many_DA2 ways_NN2 to_TO study_VVI religion_NN1 ,_, but_CCB I_PPIS1 believe_VV0 an_AT1 approach_NN1 to_II religion_NN1 through_II the_AT lens_NN1 of_IO the_AT Self_NN1 will_VM prove_VVI especially_RR fruitful_JJ because_CS one_MC1 of_IO religion_NN1 's_GE major_JJ self-proclaimed_JJ aims_NN2 is_VBZ the_AT salvation_NN1 of_IO the_AT individual_JJ Self_NN1 ._. 
Despite_II the_AT Self_NN1 's_GE great_JJ dignity_NN1 and_CC worth_NN1 ,_, it_PPH1 is_VBZ treated_VVN by_II religion_NN1 as_CSA conflicted_VVN and_CC in_II31 need_II32 of_II33 salvation_NN1 ._. 
The_AT sacred_JJ texts_NN2 of_IO both_DB2 the_AT theistic_JJ and_CC nontheistic_JJ forms_NN2 of_IO religion_NN1 explicitly_RR claim_VV0 that_CST they_PPHS2 provide_VV0 a_AT1 "_" way_NN1 "_" or_CC set_NN1 of_IO practices_NN2 that_CST will_VM eventuate_VVI in_II individual_JJ salvation_NN1 ._. 
Thus_RR ,_, by_II studying_VVG religion_NN1 through_II the_AT eyes_NN2 of_IO the_AT individual_JJ Self_NN1 ,_, we_PPIS2 will_VM be_VBI taking_VVG religion_NN1 's_GE own_DA claims_NN2 about_II itself_PPX1 seriously_RR ._. 
A_AT1 second_MD reason_NN1 for_IF studying_VVG religion_NN1 through_II the_AT eyes_NN2 of_IO the_AT Self_NN1 is_VBZ that_CST ,_, on_II the_AT face_NN1 of_IO it_PPH1 ,_, many_DA2 religious_JJ forms_NN2 and_CC practices_NN2 are_VBR about_II transformations_NN2 of_IO the_AT Self_NN1 ._. 
This_DD1 focus_NN1 on_II transformation_NN1 of_IO the_AT Self_NN1 ,_, of_RR21 course_RR22 ,_, follows_VVZ logically_RR from_II religion_NN1 's_GE claim_NN1 that_CST the_AT Self_NN1 is_VBZ in_II31 need_II32 of_II33 salvation_NN1 ._. 
Many_DA2 religious_JJ rituals_NN2 ,_, practices_NN2 ,_, texts_NN2 ,_, and_CC institutions_NN2 are_VBR very_RG clearly_RR oriented_VVN toward_II transforming_VVG the_AT individual_NN1 from_II one_MC1 state_NN1 or_CC status_NN1 into_II another_DD1 state_NN1 or_CC status_NN1 ._. 
For_REX21 example_REX22 ,_, many_DA2 religions_NN2 in_II ancestral_JJ or_CC traditional_JJ societies_NN2 practiced_VVD rites_NN2 of_IO initiation_NN1 that_CST would_VM transform_VVI an_AT1 adolescent_NN1 into_II an_AT1 adult_NN1 ._. 
Religions_NN2 both_RR East_ND1 and_CC West_ND1 provide_VV0 a_AT1 multitude_NN1 of_IO individual_JJ devotional_JJ practices_NN2 that_CST allow_VV0 an_AT1 individual_JJ to_TO communicate_VVI with_IW and_CC receive_VVI guidance_NN1 from_II a_AT1 God_NN1 and_CC that_CST help_VV0 to_TO inspire_VVI confidence_NN1 ,_, resilience_NN1 ,_, and_CC courage_NN1 ._. 
Other_JJ ritual_JJ practices_NN2 include_VV0 healing_VVG an_AT1 individual_NN1 who_PNQS has_VHZ become_VVN sick_JJ ,_, forgiving_VVG an_AT1 individual_NN1 who_PNQS has_VHZ become_VVN lost_VVN ,_, and_CC comforting_VVG an_AT1 individual_NN1 who_PNQS has_VHZ become_VVN bereft_JJ ._. 
Many_DA2 of_IO the_AT prayers_NN2 ,_, rituals_NN2 ,_, devotional_JJ practices_NN2 ,_, chants_NN2 ,_, and_CC hymns_NN2 found_VVN in_II all_DB the_AT world_NN1 religions_NN2 are_VBR formulated_VVN in_II the_AT voice_NN1 of_IO the_AT individual_JJ "_" I._NP1 "_" Thus_RR ,_, our_APPGE focus_NN1 on_II the_AT Self_NN1 when_CS studying_VVG religion_NN1 has_VHZ face_NN1 validity_NN1 ._. 
Whatever_DDQV else_RR it_PPH1 is_VBZ ,_, religion_NN1 is_VBZ very_RG much_DA1 about_II transforming_VVG the_AT Self_NN1 and_CC is_VBZ addressed_VVN to_II the_AT needs_NN2 of_IO the_AT Self_NN1 ._. 
A_AT1 third_MD benefit_NN1 of_IO looking_VVG at_II religion_NN1 through_II the_AT eyes_NN2 of_IO the_AT Self_NN1 is_VBZ that_CST the_AT method_NN1 will_VM require_VVI that_CST we_PPIS2 give_VV0 due_JJ regard_NN1 to_II the_AT role_NN1 of_IO the_AT brain_NN1 in_II the_AT shaping_NN1 of_IO religious_JJ experiences_NN2 ._. 
There_EX is_VBZ no_AT human_JJ Self_NN1 that_CST is_VBZ not_XX embodied_VVN ._. 
Because_CS no_AT body_NN1 can_VM function_VVI without_IW a_AT1 brain_NN1 ,_, there_EX is_VBZ no_AT human_JJ Self_NN1 without_IW the_AT brain_NN1 ._. 
Consequently_RR ,_, no_AT account_NN1 of_IO religion_NN1 's_GE impact_NN1 on_II the_AT Self_NN1 will_VM be_VBI complete_JJ without_IW an_AT1 account_NN1 of_IO how_RRQ the_AT brain_NN1 helps_VVZ to_TO shape_VVI expression_NN1 of_IO both_DB2 religion_NN1 and_CC the_AT Self_NN1 ._. 
Obviously_RR ,_, this_DD1 does_VDZ not_XX mean_VVI that_CST both_DB2 the_AT Self_NN1 and_CC religion_NN1 are_VBR only_JJ products_NN2 of_IO the_AT brain_NN1 ._. 
Rather_RR ,_, it_PPH1 means_VVZ that_CST the_AT brain_NN1 matters_NN2 ._. 
It_PPH1 counts_VVZ ._. 
To_TO fully_RR understand_VVI religious_JJ experience_NN1 ,_, particularly_RR at_II the_AT individual_JJ level_NN1 ,_, we_PPIS2 will_VM need_VVI to_TO take_VVI into_II account_NN1 the_AT brain_NN1 regions_NN2 that_CST support_VV0 religious_JJ expression_NN1 ._. 
In_II the_AT West_ND1 ,_, the_AT contrary_JJ idea_NN1 that_CST matter_VV0 and_CC embodiment_NN1 do_VD0 not_XX matter_VVI was_VBDZ an_AT1 old_JJ Gnostic_JJ idea_NN1 that_CST the_AT Church_NN1 Fathers_NN2 fought_VVN against_II and_CC refuted_VVN in_II the_AT first_MD centuries_NNT2 of_IO the_AT Common_JJ Era_NN1 ._. 
Despite_II the_AT ancient_JJ roots_NN2 of_IO the_AT debate_NN1 ,_, there_EX are_VBR still_RR some_DD authors_NN2 who_PNQS argue_VV0 that_CST the_AT body_NN1 and_CC brain_NN1 do_VD0 not_XX matter_VVI or_CC at_RR21 least_RR22 are_VBR of_IO no_AT real_JJ importance_NN1 relative_II21 to_II22 "_" things_NN2 of_IO the_AT spirit_NN1 ,_, "_" like_II culture_NN1 ._. 
A_AT1 careful_JJ examination_NN1 of_IO religion_NN1 's_GE impact_NN1 on_II the_AT Self_NN1 will_VM demonstrate_VVI the_AT crucial_JJ importance_NN1 of_IO the_AT brain_NN1 in_II shaping_VVG religious_JJ experience_NN1 and_CC that_CST the_AT old_JJ Gnostic_JJ position_NN1 on_II "_" matter_NN1 "_" and_CC embodiment_NN1 is_VBZ scientifically_RR untenable_JJ ._. 
Religions_NN2 promote_VV0 the_AT continuous_JJ transformation_NN1 of_IO the_AT Self_NN1 by_II encouraging_VVG the_AT use_NN1 of_IO private_JJ religious_JJ practices_NN2 and_CC participation_NN1 in_II the_AT central_JJ rituals_NN2 of_IO the_AT religious_JJ tradition_NN1 ._. 
What_DDQ are_VBR private_JJ religious_JJ practices_NN2 ?_? 
Examples_NN2 include_VV0 (_( but_CCB are_VBR not_XX limited_VVN to_II )_) prayer_NN1 ;_; meditations_NN2 ;_; mental_JJ exercises_NN2 involving_VVG the_AT imagination_NN1 ;_; confessing_VVG sins_NN2 before_II God_NP1 and_CC forming_VVG resolutions_NN2 and_CC goals_NN2 concerning_VVG better_JJR behaviors_NN2 ;_; reading_VVG and_CC studying_VVG scriptural_JJ texts_NN2 ;_; taking_VVG a_AT1 daily_JJ moral_JJ inventory_NN1 or_CC reviewing_VVG behaviors_NN2 as_II31 well_II32 as_II33 generating_JJ resolutions_NN2 and_CC plans_VVZ to_TO improve_VVI behaviors_NN2 ;_; private_JJ rituals_NN2 and_CC devotional_JJ practices_NN2 ;_; reading/studying_VVG nonscriptural_JJ religious_JJ texts_NN2 ;_; praying_VVG with_IW beads_NN2 and_CC other_JJ handheld_JJ reminders_NN2 ;_; praying_VVG repetitive_JJ prayers_NN2 ;_; and_CC adopting_VVG ritual_JJ gestures_NN2 and_CC postures_NN2 such_II21 as_II22 kneeling_VVG and_CC "_" making_VVG the_AT sign_NN1 of_IO the_AT cross_NN1 ._. "_" 
I_PPIS1 assume_VV0 a_AT1 neutral_JJ stance_NN1 with_II31 regard_II32 to_II33 the_AT possible_JJ transcendent_JJ source_NN1 of_IO the_AT urge_NN1 to_TO engage_VVI in_II religious_JJ practices_NN2 ._. 
I_PPIS1 further_RRR assume_VV0 that_CST any_DD sociocultural_JJ practice_NN1 that_CST reliably_RR produces_VVZ a_AT1 religious_JJ experience_NN1 is_VBZ a_AT1 "_" religious_JJ practice_NN1 ._. "_" 
All_DB of_IO the_AT above_JJ examples_NN2 of_IO religious_JJ practices_NN2 produce_VV0 transient_JJ religious_JJ experiences_NN2 ._. 
I_PPIS1 therefore_RR need_VV0 to_TO define_VVI what_DDQ a_AT1 religious_JJ experience_NN1 is_VBZ ,_, and_CC here_RL I_PPIS1 rely_VV0 on_II the_AT Wildman_NP1 and_CC Brothers_NN2 treatment_NN1 of_IO the_AT topic_NN1 (_( Wildman_NP1 &;_NULL Brothers_NN2 ,_, 1999_MC )_) ._. 
For_IF Wildman_NP1 and_CC Brothers_NN2 ,_, religious_JJ experiences_NN2 are_VBR a_AT1 subset_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 broader_JJR range_NN1 of_IO "_" ultimacy_NN1 experiences_NN2 "_" (_( UE_NP1 )_) --_NN1 roughly_RR those_DD2 experiences_NN2 that_CST point_NN1 to_II ultimate_JJ concerns_NN2 and_CC elicit_VV0 our_APPGE most_RGT intense_JJ engagement/_NN1 commitment_NN1 ._. 
Wildman_NP1 and_CC Brothers_NN2 use_VV0 a_AT1 number_NN1 of_IO sources_NN2 ,_, including_II first-person_JJ accounts_NN2 ,_, phenomenological_JJ analyses_NN2 ,_, the_AT judgments_NN2 of_IO experts_NN2 in_II religious_JJ discernment_NN1 ,_, neural_JJ and_CC psychological_JJ correlates_NN2 ,_, and_CC the_AT wisdom_NN1 of_IO generations_NN2 as_CSA captured_VVN in_II the_AT theological_JJ ,_, ethical_JJ ,_, and_CC spiritual_JJ literatures_NN2 ,_, to_TO identify_VVI the_AT distinguishing_JJ characteristics_NN2 of_IO UEs_NP2 ._. 
Focusing_VVG on_II the_AT characteristics_NN2 of_IO religious_JJ experiences_NN2 ,_, they_PPHS2 note_VV0 that_CST such_DA experiences_NN2 can_VM be_VBI discrete_JJ (_( short-term_JJ ,_, single_JJ instance_NN1 )_) experiences_NN2 or_CC extended_VVN (_( long-term_JJ )_) experiences_NN2 ._. 
Elements_NN2 of_IO discrete_JJ UEs_NN2 include_VV0 sensory_JJ alterations_NN2 ,_, self-alterations_NN2 ,_, a_AT1 sense_NN1 of_IO supernatural_JJ presence_NN1 ,_, and_CC cognitive_JJ and_CC emotional_JJ changes_NN2 ._. 
Elements_NN2 of_IO extended_JJ UEs_NN2 include_VV0 existential_JJ potency_NN1 ,_, social_JJ engagement_NN1 ,_, transformation_NN1 of_IO character_NN1 ,_, and_CC transformation_NN1 of_IO beliefs_NN2 ._. 
When_RRQ experiences_NN2 are_VBR associated_VVN with_IW a_AT1 number_NN1 of_IO these_DD2 markers_NN2 of_IO discrete_JJ and/or_CC extended_VVD UEs_NN2 in_II the_AT context_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 socially_RR or_CC normatively_RR defined_VVN "_" religious_JJ "_" practice_NN1 ,_, and_CC when_CS the_AT experiences_NN2 are_VBR further_RRR associated_VVN with_IW emotional_JJ engagement/commitment_NN1 as_CSA defined_VVN by_II Wildman_NP1 and_CC Brothers_NN2 (_( 1999_MC )_) ,_, then_RT we_PPIS2 are_VBR likely_RR dealing_VVG with_IW authentic_JJ religious_JJ experiences_NN2 ._. 
The_AT essential_JJ points_NN2 here_RL are_VBR that_DD1 what_DDQ most_DAT people_NN would_VM call_VVI a_AT1 religious_JJ practice_NN1 is_VBZ typically_RR associated_VVN with_IW what_DDQ most_DAT people_NN would_VM call_VVI a_AT1 religious_JJ experience_NN1 and_CC that_CST these_DD2 experiences_NN2 can_VM be_VBI reasonably_RR well_RR defined_VVN using_VVG the_AT Wildman_NP1 and_CC Brothers_NN2 criteria_NN2 ._. 
God_NP1 concepts_NN2 are_VBR concepts_NN2 about_II supernatural_JJ agents_NN2 ._. 
Supernatural_JJ agents_NN2 are_VBR often_RR (_( although_CS not_XX invariably_RR )_) beings_NN2 with_IW Minds_NN2 like_II ours_PPGE but_CCB no_AT bodies_NN2 ._. 
Most_RGT often_RR the_AT Minds_NN2 of_IO supernatural_JJ agents_NN2 are_VBR more_RGR powerful_JJ than_CSN ours_PPGE ._. 
When_CS there_EX is_VBZ a_AT1 high_JJ God_NN1 who_PNQS rules_VVZ over_RP lesser_JJ spiritual_JJ entities_NN2 in_II the_AT supernatural_JJ realm_NN1 ,_, this_DD1 high_JJ God_NP1 often_RR has_VHZ a_AT1 mind_NN1 so_RG powerful_JJ that_CST He_PPHS1 or_CC She_PPHS1 can_VM know_VVI virtually_RR everything_PN1 one_PN1 is_VBZ thinking_VVG or_CC doing_VDG ._. 
A_AT1 high_JJ God_NN1 who_PNQS is_VBZ also_RR a_AT1 "_" full_JJ strategic_JJ access_NN1 agent_NN1 "_" knows_VVZ everything_PN1 you_PPY have_VH0 ever_RR thought_VVN or_CC done_VDN or_CC everything_PN1 you_PPY will_VM ever_RR do_VDI or_CC think_VVI ._. 
These_DD2 "_" full_JJ strategic_JJ access_NN1 agents_NN2 "_" again_RT point_VV0 to_II the_AT intimate_JJ relationships_NN2 that_CST exist_VV0 between_II religion-related_JJ matters_NN2 and_CC the_AT Self_NN1 ._. 
Only_RR in_II the_AT realm_NN1 of_IO religion_NN1 will_VM we_PPIS2 find_VVI an_AT1 agent_NN1 who_PNQS ostensibly_RR knows_VVZ the_AT Self_NN1 so_RG thoroughly_RR and_CC completely_RR ._. 
Where_RRQ do_VD0 God_NP1 concepts_NN2 come_VV0 from_II ?_? 
One_MC1 possibility_NN1 is_VBZ that_DD1 supernatural_JJ agents_NN2 actually_RR exist_VV0 and_CC that_CST our_APPGE intuitions_NN2 about_II them_PPHO2 are_VBR largely_RR accurate_JJ ._. 
I_PPIS1 set_VV0 aside_RL that_DD1 possibility_NN1 for_IF now_RT and_CC focus_VV0 on_RP potentially_RR simpler_JJR solutions_NN2 to_II the_AT problem_NN1 ._. 
Another_DD1 possibility_NN1 is_VBZ that_DD1 supernatural_JJ agent_NN1 concepts_NN2 are_VBR products_NN2 of_IO the_AT human_JJ Mind_NN1 gone_VVN awry_RL ._. 
Boyer_NP1 (_( 2001_MC )_) and_CC other_JJ cognitively_RR oriented_VVD anthropologists_NN2 and_CC psychologists_NN2 (_( Atran_NP1 ,_, 2002_MC ;_; Barrett_NP1 ,_, 2000_MC )_) have_VH0 helpfully_RR suggested_VVN that_CST our_APPGE conceptions_NN2 of_IO supernatural_JJ agents_NN2 are_VBR constructed_VVN out_II21 of_II22 the_AT inferential_JJ machinery_NN1 that_CST draw_VV0 on_II normal_JJ folk_NN psychological_JJ processing_NN1 routines_NN2 concerning_II actions_NN2 performed_VVN by_II ordinary_JJ agents_NN2 such_II21 as_II22 persons_NN2 and_CC animals_NN2 ._. 
God_NP1 concepts_NN2 are_VBR said_VVN to_TO be_VBI "_" minimally_RR counterintuitive_JJ ._. "_" 
They_PPHS2 depart_VV0 from_II everyday_JJ ideas_NN2 about_II persons_NN2 only_RR slightly_RR ._. 
A_AT1 god_NN1 is_VBZ a_AT1 person_NN1 who_PNQS has_VHZ no_AT body_NN1 and_CC who_PNQS can_VM read_VVI your_APPGE mind_NN1 in_II such_DA a_AT1 way_NN1 as_CSA to_TO know_VVI all_DB that_CST there_EX is_VBZ to_TO know_VVI about_II you_PPY ._. 
A_AT1 "_" hyperactive_JJ agency_NN1 detection_NN1 device_NN1 ,_, "_" coupled_VVN with_IW the_AT tendency_NN1 to_TO imagine_VVI minimally_RR counterintuitive_JJ agents_NN2 and_CC the_AT innate_JJ human_JJ tendency_NN1 to_TO assume_VVI that_CST the_AT mental_JJ is_VBZ nonphysical_JJ ,_, all_DB lead_VV0 to_II the_AT propensity_NN1 to_TO postulate_VVI supernatural_JJ agents_NN2 ._. 
Some_DD experimental_JJ evidence_NN1 suggests_VVZ that_CST subjects_NN2 are_VBR ,_, in_II fact_NN1 ,_, better_RRR able_JK to_TO remember_VVI minimally_RR counterintuitive_JJ agents_NN2 (_( Barrett_NP1 ,_, 2000_MC ;_; Boyer_NP1 ,_, 2001_MC )_) ._. 
Although_CS prayer_NN1 is_VBZ one_MC1 of_IO the_AT constants_NN2 of_IO religion_NN1 ,_, the_AT practice_NN1 of_IO praying_NN1 varies_VVZ tremendously_RR in_II form_NN1 and_CC content_NN1 (_( repetitive_JJ mantras_NN2 ,_, praise_VV0 ,_, petition_NN1 ,_, worship_NN1 ,_, thanksgiving_NN1 ,_, etc_RA ._. )_) 
(_( Geertz_VV0 ,_, 2008_MC )_) ._. 
When_RRQ people_NN pray_VV0 or_CC when_CS they_PPHS2 engage_VV0 in_II religious_JJ ceremonies_NN2 or_CC rituals_NN2 ,_, they_PPHS2 talk_VV0 in_II a_AT1 more_RGR formalized_JJ style_NN1 of_IO language_NN1 ._. 
There_EX is_VBZ also_RR a_AT1 generalized_JJ displacement_NN1 of_IO agency_NN1 from_II the_AT pray-er_NN1 or_CC from_II the_AT people_NN in_II the_AT congregation_NN1 and_CC onto_II the_AT deity_NN1 ._. 
This_DD1 displacement_NN1 process_NN1 is_VBZ marked_VVN in_II the_AT language_NN1 used_VVN in_II religious_JJ rituals_NN2 ._. 
We_PPIS2 will_VM review_VVI those_DD2 specialized_JJ characteristics_NN2 of_IO religious_JJ language_NN1 later_RRR in_II this_DD1 chapter_NN1 ,_, but_CCB first_MD we_PPIS2 must_VM ask_VVI why_RRQ religious_JJ language_NN1 is_VBZ associated_VVN with_IW special_JJ forms_NN2 of_IO language_NN1 and_CC language_NN1 use_NN1 ._. 
One_MC1 reason_NN1 why_RRQ religious_JJ language_NN1 is_VBZ peculiar_JJ is_VBZ that_CST the_AT addressee_NN1 of_IO religious_JJ language_NN1 (_( God_NP1 )_) is_VBZ special_JJ ._. 
How_RRQ do_VD0 you_PPY talk_VVI to_II God_NP1 ?_? 
Most_DAT people_NN have_VH0 never_RR seen_VVN God_NP1 or_CC a_AT1 god_NN1 and_CC even_CS21 if_CS22 they_PPHS2 had_VHD the_AT superior_JJ status_NN1 of_IO God_NP1 would_VM require_VVI special_JJ forms_NN2 of_IO address_NN1 ._. 
In_II any_DD case_NN1 ,_, for_IF most_DAT people_NN ,_, language_NN1 addressed_VVN to_II a_AT1 god_NN1 entails_VVZ speaking_VVG to_II an_AT1 invisible_JJ interlocutor_NN1 who_PNQS may_VM or_CC may_VM not_XX respond_VVI clearly_RR ._. 
Many_DA2 religion_NN1 scholars_NN2 believe_VV0 that_CST religious_JJ rituals_NN2 are_VBR a_AT1 major_JJ source_NN1 of_IO the_AT world_NN1 's_GE religions_NN2 (_( i.e._REX ,_, that_DD1 religion_NN1 is_VBZ rooted_VVN in_II ritual_NN1 )_) ._. 
Whether_CSW this_DD1 is_VBZ the_AT case_NN1 ,_, there_EX is_VBZ little_RR doubt_VV0 that_CST attaining_VVG a_AT1 better_JJR understanding_NN1 of_IO religious_JJ rituals_NN2 may_VM give_VVI us_PPIO2 a_AT1 better_JJR understanding_NN1 of_IO religion_NN1 in_RR21 general_RR22 ._. 
In_II recent_JJ years_NNT2 ,_, anthropological_JJ and_CC cognitive_JJ approaches_NN2 to_II ritual_JJ behaviors_NN2 and_CC ritual_JJ form_NN1 have_VH0 registered_VVN some_DD remarkable_JJ advances_NN2 (_( Bloch_NP1 ,_, 1974_MC ;_; Humphrey_NP1 &;_NULL Laidlaw_NP1 ,_, 1994_MC ;_; Lawson_NP1 &;_NULL McCauley_NP1 ,_, 1990_MC ;_; Lienard_NP1 &;_NULL Boyer_NP1 ,_, 2006_MC ;_; McCauley_NP1 &;_NULL Lawson_NP1 ,_, 2002_MC ;_; Rappaport_NP1 ,_, 1999_MC ;_; Seaquist_NN1 ,_, 2006_MC )_) ._. 
I_PPIS1 will_VM try_VVI to_TO build_VVI on_II these_DD2 advances_NN2 by_II systematically_RR examining_VVG psychological_JJ and_CC cognitive_JJ effects_NN2 of_IO ritual_JJ behavior_NN1 on_II the_AT individual_NN1 ._. 
To_TO forecast_VVI my_APPGE conclusions_NN2 regarding_II the_AT nature_NN1 and_CC functions_NN2 of_IO ritual_NN1 ,_, I_PPIS1 find_VV0 that_CST ,_, with_II31 respect_II32 to_II33 its_APPGE effects_NN2 on_II the_AT individual_NN1 ,_, religious_JJ rituals_NN2 often_RR involve_VV0 a_AT1 reduction_NN1 in_II agency/volition_NN1 ._. 
The_AT individual_JJ sets_NN2 aside_RL his_APPGE or_CC her_APPGE own_DA immediate_JJ intentions_NN2 and_CC instead_RR performs_VVZ actions_NN2 stipulated_VVN by_II others_NN2 --_NN1 such_II21 as_II22 gods_NN2 and_CC ancestors_NN2 ,_, long_RR ago_RA ._. 
Religious_JJ rituals_NN2 also_RR constrain_VV0 the_AT decentering_JJ process_NN1 in_II such_DA a_AT1 way_NN1 as_CSA to_TO facilitate_VVI selection_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 new_JJ more_RGR powerful_JJ Self_NN1 ._. 
In_II nonreligious_JJ contexts_NN2 ,_, this_DD1 reduction_NN1 in_II agency_NN1 and_CC its_APPGE associated_JJ communal_JJ actions_NN2 during_II ritualistic_JJ activities_NN2 has_VHZ the_AT overall_JJ effect_NN1 of_IO enhancing_VVG cooperative_JJ social_JJ interactions_NN2 and_CC reducing_VVG the_AT potential_NN1 for_IF aggression_NN1 within_II the_AT group_NN1 ._. 
An_AT1 example_NN1 of_IO these_DD2 sorts_NN2 of_IO effects_NN2 is_VBZ the_AT case_NN1 of_IO cross-cultural_JJ politeness_NN2 conventions_NN2 in_II social_JJ interactions_NN2 ._. 
To_TO observe_VVI politeness_NN2 conventions_NN2 ,_, you_PPY put_VV0 aside_RL your_APPGE agenda_NN1 for_IF a_AT1 moment_NN1 and_CC perform_VV0 a_AT1 ritual_JJ display_NN1 that_CST signals_VVZ your_APPGE willingness_NN1 to_TO consider_VVI the_AT other_NN1 's_GE comfort_NN1 or_CC point_NN1 of_IO view_NN1 ._. 
According_II21 to_II22 the_AT Tukulor_NN1 weavers_NN2 in_II Africa_NP1 ,_, weaving_NN1 has_VHZ its_APPGE origins_NN2 in_II the_AT spirit_NN1 world_NN1 ,_, whence_RRQ the_AT craft_NN1 was_VBDZ acquired_VVN by_II an_AT1 ancestor_NN1 and_CC handed_VVD down_RP to_II man_NN1 in_II the_AT time_NNT1 of_IO myth_NN1 ._. 
The_AT weavers_NN2 attribute_VV0 their_APPGE skill_NN1 and_CC their_APPGE designs_NN2 to_II knowledge_NN1 acquired_VVN from_II jinn_NN1 of_IO the_AT forest_NN1 ._. 
Stout_NN1 (_( 2002_MC )_) studied_VVD adze_NN1 makers_NN2 of_IO the_AT village_NN1 of_IO Langda_NP1 in_II Indonesian_JJ Irian_NP1 Jaya_NP1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 found_VVD that_CST adze-making_JJ skill_NN1 is_VBZ acquired_VVN through_II a_AT1 period_NN1 of_IO apprenticeship_NN1 at_II the_AT feet_NN2 of_IO a_AT1 master_NN1 that_CST may_VM last_VVI five_MC years_NNT2 or_CC more_RRR ._. 
Stout_NN1 shows_VVZ that_CST "_" Adze_VV0 production_NN1 is_VBZ itself_PPX1 a_AT1 social_JJ phenomenon_NN1 ,_, defined_VVD as_RG much_DA1 by_II personal_JJ and_CC group_NN1 relations_NN2 ,_, social_JJ norms_NN2 ,_, and_CC mythic_JJ significance_NN1 as_CSA by_II specific_JJ reduction_NN1 strategies_NN2 and_CC technical_JJ terminology_NN1 "_" ._. 
Religious_JJ ritual_NN1 permeated_VVD the_AT lives_NN2 of_IO traditional_JJ peoples_NN2 and_CC likely_RR permeated_VVD the_AT lives_NN2 of_IO ancestral_JJ populations_NN2 ._. 
Given_VVN the_AT integration_NN1 of_IO stone_NN1 tool-making_NN1 technologies_NN2 into_II the_AT religious_JJ rituals_NN2 of_IO the_AT tribe_NN1 ,_, it_PPH1 is_VBZ reasonable_JJ to_TO assume_VVI that_DD1 ritual_NN1 influenced_VVN the_AT development_NN1 of_IO technical_JJ intelligence_NN1 in_II human_JJ beings_NN2 ._. 
The_AT effects_NN2 of_IO religious_JJ rituals_NN2 on_II early_JJ hominids_NN2 and_CC early_RR human_JJ beings_NN2 ,_, therefore_RR ,_, must_VM have_VHI been_VBN tremendous_JJ ._. 
These_DD2 rituals_NN2 created_VVD craftsmen_NN2 and_CC warriors_NN2 ,_, they_PPHS2 created_VVD reverence_NN1 for_IF traditional_JJ ways_NN2 and_CC a_AT1 sense_NN1 of_IO the_AT past_NN1 ,_, they_PPHS2 healed_VVD ,_, and_CC they_PPHS2 enhanced_VVD group_NN1 cohesion_NN1 ._. 
Ritual_NN1 was_VBDZ and_CC is_VBZ central_JJ to_II human_JJ life_NN1 ._. 
