The article on conceptual blending detailed an interesting feature of the human mind. I think this concept could be used quite easily when contemplating religion. But first, a quick example of conceptual blending.
Its very easy to blend two unrelated ideas or events. The article first uses the example of a boat race occurring in two different times. A modern boat was trying to beat a boat that made the same journey a hundred years previously. The excerpt used in the article made it seem like the two boats were racing each other at the same time. The blending of the two events happens almost unconsciously in human's mind.
The conceptual blending could be used in religious thought as a teaching device and also one to help interpret texts. Just as the french ski instructor in the article helped his pupil have good posture, so can a shaman or priest help teach with conceptual blending. For example: they could give metaphors for the best way to think of God as or perhaps who to act like in order to please a higher being. To assist in theological thought, conceptual blending an individual could contemplate the way in which the text they are reading helps them in their own lives. They can 'blend' the ideas in the text into themselves.
While I had never noticed how much conceptual blending I do in my thoughts, now that I am aware, it seems we are blending our world almost constantly.
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