Guseltseva M.S. Book review. Fatemi S. The Psychology of Inner Peace: Discovering Heartfulness. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2021

Discussed by Ph.D. S.M. Fatemi psychology of the inner peace is based on an in-depth understanding of humanness and its innerness. This psychology seeks to lead modern man to an understanding of the unity of planetary life, to the common deep roots of the people inhabiting the planet, as well as to comprehend ways to achieve harmony of the inner peace. Criticizing the European and American intellectual traditions in psychology for excessive rationalism and pragmatism, S.M. Fatemi contrasts the Western approach with ideas about humanness, spirituality and heartfulness, developed in the context of Eastern philosophical, religious and mystical teachings. The book takes a new look at the concepts of “heart” and “heartfulness”, which are presented in psychology only as metaphorical constructs. S.M. Fatemi shows that the focus of psychology on cognitive achievements, linearity, analyticity and causality often overlooks difficult-to-objectify, but extremely important for the development of humanity phenomena: compassion, mercy, benevolence and kindness. Although these psychological qualities are the very essence of humanism, modern psychology lacks an approach that puts humanness at the forefront. According to S.M. Fatemi, such a direction in psychology can be the psychology of peace. The word “peace” has two meanings in Russian: the universe, global world, the way of existence of humanity united on the planet, the living and social space of human development, as well as peace as a state of mind, tranquility and peace of mind, peaceful coexistence of individuals and entire nations, avoidance of hostility, conflicts and wars. In his book, S. Fatemi proves that the conscious cultivation of a special psychological quality of a person – heartfulness – ultimately contributes to world peace.

Key words: peace, psychology of the inner peace, humanness, spirituality, heartfulness, human development

For citation: Guseltseva, M.S. (2024). Book review. Fatemi, S. The Psychology of Inner Peace: Discovering Heartfulness. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2021. New Psychological Research, No. 1, 159–181. DOI: 10.51217/npsyresearch_2024_04_01_08

Acknowledgment

The article was carried out within a State assignment, project FNRE-2024-0016.