Contemporary Spiritualities: Social and Religious Contexts (Issues in Contemporary Religion).

Spirituality can be understood within both a religious and secular context. Fuelled by the controversy that surrounds different understandings of human identity and notions of progress, knowledge and truth in modernist and postmodernist contexts, the concept of spirituality is a hotly contested topic of debate as to its relevance within contemporary culture and its meaning within religious traditions. This book aims to inform readers on this debate and contextualize it within these different frames of reference. It approaches the topic of spirituality with an identification of the major influences on contemporary thinking and presents a coherent framework of understanding that links divergent thinking into a common goal. Writings range across different thinkers and practitioners within established religious tradition, contemporary movements and those who operate within psychological and 'secular' understandings. Focusing on the question 'what does it mean to be human?' this engaging study attempts to overcome the divide between secular and religious understandings of spirituality.. Annotation Focusing On The Question What Does It Mean To Be Human? This Engaging Study Attempts To Overcome The Divide Between Secular And Religious Understandings Of Spirituality. Influential Writers And Thinkers: A Retrospective Reconsideration And A Contemporary Contextualization / Clive Erricker -- Mysticism And Contemporary Society: Some Teilhardian Reflections / Ursula King -- Bede Griffiths And The One Universal Reality / Shirley Du Boulay -- Thomas Merton: Monk For The Contemporary World / Danny Sullivan -- Thomas Merton: Monk For The Contemporary World / Danny Sullivan -- Jiddu Krishnamurti And The Open Secret / Clive Erricker -- The Dalai Lama: Dimensions Of Spirituality / Geshe Thupten Jinpa -- Carol Christ: Feminist Spirituality And Narrative Theology / Ruth Mantin -- Faith Communities: Spiritual Divesity, Hope And Tension In The Modern World / Clive Erricker -- In The Realm Of The Deathless: The Thai Buddhist Forest Retreat Order / Clive Erricker -- A Society In Transition: Iskcon's Spiritual Path / Anna S. King -- The Amish: Case Study Of A Religious Community / Richard Stevick -- 'until The Power Of The Lord Comes Down': African American Pentecostal Spirituality And Tarrying / David D. Daniels Iii -- Taizé: A Global And Postcolonial Theology Of Community / Liam Gearon -- The Diaspora Of The Khoja Shia̓ Ithnasheeries / Clive Erricker --street Spirituality: A Narrative Case Study Of A Street Community / Jane Erricker. Edited By Clive Erricker And Jane Erricker. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 238-244) And Indexes.

Spirituality is most often understood as a religious term remote from the social interactions of everyday life and from political motivations. This volume seeks to show that this is an erroneous view and that, unless we attend to the spiritual as a motivating force in the lives of individuals and communities, we shall misconceive the nature of social change and political complexity and lack awareness of the value of writing and thinking on the subject in relation to contemporary issues. In a world dominated by globalization and late-capitalist free-market economics we face a situation of increasing complexity in human affairs. In this context, diverse notions of the spiritual in relation to culture and identity are critical forces that require careful attention.

Contemporary Spiritualities is an innovative study based on research into the significance of influential writers and thinkers and diverse communities. It seeks to map influences on the notion of the spiritual in relation to the cultural and religious plurality of contemporary society. It also promotes the importance of attending to spirituality in both academic and a socio-politcal context.

Clive Erricker is Reader in the Study of Religions at University College Chichester.
Jane Erricker is Principal Lecturer and Director of Research in the School of Education at King Alfred's College, Winchester.