Author Examines Relationship Between Human Spirituality, Behavior

An Illinois-based author has released his compilation of independent research on spiritual approaches to mental illness and psychology. In "A Spiritual Hypothesis: An Inquiry into Abnormal and Paranormal Behavior," Daniel Punzak delves into the connection between human spiritual makeup and behavior and emphasizes the importance of spirit-focused psychotherapy in the treatment of trauma.

A result of 45 years of study, Punzak's book draws on his extensive research on near-death experiences, dissociative identity disorder, shamanism, mysticism and Eastern concepts of spirituality. Through this, Punzak hypothesizes that a person's psyche is comprised of two components, a soul and a Spirit. The soul can be compromised by traumatic life events with emphasis on childhood abuse. The eternal Spirit can also function in a healing mode but is more involved in creativity in both scientific and artistic fields.

"Mental illnesses and criminal behaviors are often the result of past traumas, or 'soul fragmentation,' as I refer to it in 'A Spiritual Hypothesis,'" Punzak said. "This sort of spiritual injury can be corrected with properly administered psychotherapy which can address criminal behavior as well as personal issues such as depression and addiction. My hope is that this book can serve as a step toward understanding the human spirit beyond what empirical sciences currently dictate."

Through "A Spiritual Hypothesis," Punzak proposes a shift in modern attitudes toward treatment of mental illnesses and behavioral abnormalities from a pharmaceutical approach to a spiritually therapeutic approach. In this, Punzak also emphasizes the Spirit's critical importance to remedying other major world issues, such as climate change and environmental degradation.

"A Spiritual Hypothesis: An Inquiry into Abnormal and Paranormal Behavior"
By Daniel Punzak
ISBN: 978-1-5246-5238-8 (hardback); 978-1-5246-5237-1 (paperback); 978-1-5246-5236-4 (electronic)
Available at the AuthorHouse Online Bookstore, Barnes & Noble and Amazon

About the author
Daniel Punzak spent many years as an environmental engineer before retiring and holds a bachelor's degree in engineering from Carnegie Mellon University. Punzak has spent more than four decades independently researching near-death experiences, dissociative identity disorder, mystical experiences and shamanism. He currently resides in Springfield, Ill.

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