'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. This book aims to provide students and general readers with a reliable and comprehensive guide to 'spirituality' as an area of study, religiously, historically 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 the Christian tradition. 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.
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Introduction 1. What is Spirituality? 2. Methods and Study 3. Spirituality and Mysticism 4. Spirituality and Ethics 5. Spirituality and History 6. Spirituality and Interpretation 7. Spirituality and Belief 8. Spirituality and Philosophy 9. Spirituality and Social Sciences 10. Spirituality and Contemporary Perspectives Bibliography Index
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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.
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Seeks to address the often misunderstood concept of Spirituality, which is often incorrectly used interchangeably with that of religion.
Bloomsbury's Guides for the Perplexed are clear, concise and accessible introductions to thinkers, writers and subjects that students and readers can find especially challenging - or indeed downright bewildering. Concentrating specifically on what it is that makes the subject difficult to grasp, these books explain and explore key themes and ideas, guiding the reader towards a thorough understanding of demanding material.
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Produktdetaljer

ISBN
9781441180926
Publisert
2014-09-25
Utgiver
Vendor
Bloomsbury Academic USA
Vekt
426 gr
Høyde
216 mm
Bredde
138 mm
Aldersnivå
G, 01
Språk
Product language
Engelsk
Format
Product format
Innbundet
Antall sider
216

Forfatter

Biographical note

Philip Sheldrake is Senior Research Fellow at Cambridge Theological Foundation, UK, and Professor in the School of Theology, Religion and Islamic Studies, UWTSD, UK. He is author of the New Westminster Dictionary of Christian Spirituality (2005) and is member of the promotions committee of The Society for the Study of Christian Spirituality.