Philip Sheldrake

Spirituality: A Guide for the Perplexed (eBook, ePUB)

• Format: ePub

Produktbeschreibung

'Spirituality' is a word that is used increasingly these days yet it is often ill-defined. What exactly is spirituality? Is it distinct from religion and can we separate it from beliefs and traditions? Does spirituality mainly focus on spiritual experiences and practices or is it something more? This book suggests that, while there may be common features in the use of the word, 'spirituality' is not a single reality. Different 'spiritualities' reflect particular religious or philosophical viewpoints, as well as the cultural contexts in which they arise and develop.

Spirituality: A Guide for the Perplexed provides students and general readers with a reliable and comprehensive guide to 'spirituality' as an area of study, religiously, historically, philosophically and in the social sciences. It explores the tools that are used to study the subject and to interpret spiritual classics (whether these are written texts or other forms such as art) from different times and cultures. Attention is paid to spirituality in a variety of religious and non-religious forms in their own terms and comparatively. However, for the sake of simplicity greatest attention is given to the study of spirituality within a religious perspective with illustrations drawn from texts, personalities and themes associated with five major world religions, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism. The book concludes with an exploration of spirituality in contemporary perspective - in particular how spirituality is currently employed in areas such as health-care, education and business among other examples.

Produktdetails

• Verlag: Bloomsbury eBooks UK
• Seitenzahl: 192
• Erscheinungstermin: 25. September 2014
• Englisch
• ISBN-13: 9781441157164
• Artikelnr.: 41107610

Autorenporträt

Philip Sheldrake is Senior Research Fellow at the Cambridge Theological Foundation, UK, and Director at the Institute for the Study of Contemporary Spirituality at Oblate School of Theology, San Antonio, USA. He is author of a dozen books, editor of the New Westminster Dictionary of Christian Spirituality (2005) and is a Past President of the International Society for the Study of Christian Spirituality.

Inhaltsangabe

Introduction
Part 1: Definitions and Methods of Study
1. What is Spirituality?
2. How Do We Study Spirituality?
3. Spirituality and Mysticism
4. Spirituality, Beliefs and Spiritual Practice
Part 2: Leading a Spiritual Life
5. Jewish Spirituality
6. Christian Spirituality
7. Muslim Spirituality
8. Hindu Spirituality
9. Buddhist Spirituality
Part 3: Secular Approaches to Spirituality
10. Secular Spirituality and Contemporary Perspectives
Bibliography
Index

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Introduction
1: Types and traditions
2: Spirituality as experience
3: Spirituality as way of life
4: Spirituality in society
5: Spirituality versus religion?
Conclusion

Rezensionen

Philip Sheldrake offers here the type of distilled overview of spirituality which only an exceptionally accomplished expert can provide. He ranges from the more classical forms of spirituality that are associated with religious traditions - Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, to those which are more hidden or "esoteric" - Anthroposophy, Theosophy, Rosicrucianism, Freemasonry, non-traditional Kabbalah, Spiritualism and on to those which are secular or atheist. The result is an invaluable resource that will empower those who wish to critically discuss spirituality in the academy, the public square or the temple. Bernadette Flanagan, Co-Editor of Spiritual Capital (2012), Director of Research, All Hallows College, Dublin City University, Ireland

"This volume would be an excellent text for the upper-level or seminary student. Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through professionals/practitioners." (Choice, 1 October 2013)

"[Sheldrake's] grasp of the key figures and movements within the western Christian tradition is consistently sure-footed, and the book will be very useful for those seeking an accessible one-volume introduction to the subject by an acknowledged authority ... This is an excellent book and can be safely recommended to students and others alike." Theology (of the previous edition)

"Wonderfully encapsulates the complex manner in which the term spirituality has taken on various meanings within the Christian tradition ... Those who are interested in learning more about the major movements in the Christian tradition are sure to find this book a wonderful introduction into learning more about thinkers who have ardently longed to attain wisdom." The Heythrop Journal (of the previous edition)

"One gets the sense that Sheldrake knows and loves his subject, and more importantly, wants to share his knowledge with others. I strongly recommend this book." Anglican Theological Review (of the previous edition)