Classical Spirituality in Contemporary America

Classical Spirituality in Contemporary America PDF Author: Michael Pittman
Publisher: A&C Black
ISBN: 1441165231
Category : Body, Mind & Spirit
Languages : en
Pages : 258

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Book Description
An exploration of the relationship between major contemporary spiritual movements, such as Sufism and Esoteric Christianity, and the work of Gurdjieff.

Classical Spirituality in Contemporary America

Classical Spirituality in Contemporary America PDF Author: Michael Pittman
Publisher: A&C Black
ISBN: 1441165231
Category : Body, Mind & Spirit
Languages : en
Pages : 258

Get Book

Book Description
An exploration of the relationship between major contemporary spiritual movements, such as Sufism and Esoteric Christianity, and the work of Gurdjieff.

Classical Spirituality in Contemporary America

Classical Spirituality in Contemporary America PDF Author: Michael S. Pittman
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 1441185453
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 256

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Book Description
G.I. Gurdjieff (d. 1949) remains an important, if controversial, figure in early 20th-century Western Esoteric thought. Born in the culturally diverse region of the Caucasus, Gurdjieff traveled in Asia, Africa, and elsewhere in search of practical spiritual knowledge. Though oftentimes allusive, references to Sufi teachings and characters take a prominent position in Gurdjieff's work and writings. Since his death, a discourse on Gurdjieff and Sufism has developed through the contributions as well as critiques of his students and interlocutors. J.G. Bennett began an experimental 'Fourth Way' school in England in the 1970s which included the introduction of Sufi practices and teachings. In America this discourse has further expanded through the collaboration and engagement of contemporary Sufi teachers. This work does not simply demonstrate the influence of Gurdjieff and his ideas, but approaches the specific discourse on and about Gurdjieff and Sufism in the context of contemporary religious and spiritual teachings, particularly in the United States, and highlights some of the adaptive, boundary-crossing, and hybrid features that have led to the continuing influence of Sufism.

Religion in Contemporary America

Religion in Contemporary America PDF Author: Charles H. Lippy
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1135070210
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 290

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Book Description
This book provides a fresh, engaging multi-disciplinary introduction to religion in contemporary America. The chapters explore the roots of contemporary American religion from the 1950s up to the present day, looking at the major traditions including mainline Protestantism, the evangelical-pentecostal surge, Catholicism, Judaism, African-American religions and new religious movements. The authors ask whether Americans are becoming less religious, and how religious thought has moved from traditional systematic theology to approaches such as black and feminist theology and environmental theology. The book introduces religion and social theory, and explores key issues and themes such as: religion and social change; politics; gender; sexuality; diversity; race and poverty. Students and instructors will find the combination of historical and sociological perspectives an invaluable aid to understanding this fascinating but complex field.

The Soul of Classical American Philosophy

The Soul of Classical American Philosophy PDF Author: Richard P. Mullin
Publisher: State University of New York Press
ISBN: 0791480011
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 190

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Book Description
Introduces the spiritual ideas of three major American philosophers.

Western Sufism

Western Sufism PDF Author: Mark Sedgwick
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 019997764X
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 369

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Book Description
Western Sufism' is sometimes dismissed as a relatively recent "new age" phenomenon, but in this book, Mark Sedgwick argues that it actually has very deep roots, both in the Muslim world and in the West. In fact, although the first significant Western Sufi organization was not established until 1915, the first Western discussion of Sufism was printed in 1480, and Western interest in some of the ideas that are central to Sufi thought goes back to the thirteenth century. Sedgwick starts with the earliest origins of Western Sufism in late antique Neoplatonism and early Arab philosophy, and traces later origins in repeated intercultural transfers from the Muslim world to the West, in the thought of the European Renaissance and Enlightenment, and in the intellectual and religious ferment of the nineteenth century. He then follows the development of organized Sufism in the West from 1915 until 1968, the year in which the first Western Sufi order based not on the heritage of the European Middle Ages, Renaissance and Enlightenment, but rather on purely Islamic models, was founded. Later developments in this and other orders are also covered. Western Sufism shows the influence of these origins, of thought both familiar and less familiar: Neoplatonic emanationism, perennialism, pantheism, universalism, and esotericism. Western Sufism, then, is the product not of the new age but of Islam, the ancient world, and centuries of Western religious and intellectual history.

Reality, Spirituality and Modern Man

Reality, Spirituality and Modern Man PDF Author: David R. Hawkins, M.D./Ph.D.
Publisher: Hay House, Inc
ISBN: 1401945511
Category : Body, Mind & Spirit
Languages : en
Pages : 448

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Book Description
This is the seventh book in a progressive series based on the revelations of consciousness research. It describes in detail how to discern not only truth from falsehood but also the illusion of appearance from the actual core of reality. The text explains how to differentiate perception from essence, and thereby enables the reader to resolve the ambiguities and classical riddles that have challenged mankind for centuries and baffled the best minds in history. While modern technologies have provided a phethora of new toys and conveniences, the basic problems of daily existence remain. This book provides the tools to survive and regain fundamental autonomy and inner harmony while living with the complexities of the modern world.

Leisure and Spirituality (Engaging Culture)

Leisure and Spirituality (Engaging Culture) PDF Author: Paul Heintzman
Publisher: Baker Academic
ISBN: 1441245499
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 352

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Book Description
This addition to the award-winning Engaging Culture series explores the link between leisure and spirituality, offering a Christian perspective on leisure concepts and issues in contemporary society. Paul Heintzman, a respected scholar and experienced recreation practitioner, interacts with biblical, historical, and contemporary leisure studies sources to provide a comprehensive understanding of leisure. He also explains the importance of leisure for spiritual growth and development. This work will appeal to professors and students as well as practitioners in the recreation and leisure services field, youth and college pastors, and camp ministries.

Varieties of American Sufism

Varieties of American Sufism PDF Author: Elliott Bazzano
Publisher: State University of New York Press
ISBN: 1438477929
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 304

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Book Description
From Rumi poetry and Sufi dancing or whirling, to expressions of Africanicity and the forging of transnational bonds to remote locations in Senegal, Sri Lanka, and Turkey, Varieties of American Sufism immerses the reader in diverse expressions of contemporary Sufi religiosity in the United States. It spans more than a century of political, cultural, and embodied relationships with Islam and Muslims. American encounters with mystical Islam were initiated by a romantic quest for Oriental wisdom, flourished in the embrace of Eastern teachings during the countercultural era of New Age religion, were concretized due to late twentieth-century possibilities of travel and immigration to and from Muslim societies, and are now diffused through an explosion of cyber religion in an age of globalization. This collection of in-depth, participant-observation-based studies challenges expectations of uniformity and continuity while provoking stimulating reflection on a range of issues relevant to contemporary Islamic Studies, American religions, multireligious belonging, and new religious movements.

Living Sufism in North America

Living Sufism in North America PDF Author: William Rory Dickson
Publisher: SUNY Press
ISBN: 143845757X
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 291

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Book Description
Offers an overview of Sufism in North America. In this book, William Rory Dickson explores Sufism as a developing tradition in North America, one that exists in diverse and beguiling forms. Sufism’s broad-minded traditions of philosophy, poetry, and spiritual practice infused Islamic civilization for centuries and drew the attention of interested Westerners. By the early twentieth century, Sufism was being practiced in North America. Today’s North American Sufism can appear either explicitly Islamic or seemingly devoid of Islamic religiosity. Dickson provides indispensable background on Sufism’s relation to Islamic orthodoxy and to Western esoteric traditions, and its historical development in North America. The book goes on to chart the directions that North American Sufism is currently taking, directions largely chosen by Sufi leaders. The views of ten North American Sufi leaders are explored in depth and their perspectives on Islam, authority, gender, and tradition are put in conversation with one another. A more detailed picture of North American Sufism emerges, challenging previous scholarly classifications of Sufi groups, and highlighting Sufism’s fluidity, diversity, and dynamism. “Living Sufism in North America is the first book of its kind to bridge the gap between Sufi studies and the study of North American contemporary religious movements. As such, it is a comprehensive, pioneering work of potential interest to a wide array of scholars in the field of contemporary religion.” — Patrick Laude, author of Pathways to an Inner Islam: Massignon, Corbin, Guenon, and Schuon

Jewish Mysticism and the Spiritual Life

Jewish Mysticism and the Spiritual Life PDF Author: Lawrence Fine
Publisher: Turner Publishing Company
ISBN: 1580235883
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 281

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Book Description
Leading scholars and teachers share their favorite texts of the Jewish mystical tradition—many available in English for the first time—and explore why these materials are meaningful and relevant to us today. New in paperback! In this unique volume, some of Judaism's most insightful contemporary thinkers bring the words of sages past to bear on the present. They explore how we can become closer to God through our relationships with others, our observance at home and our actions in the world, asking: What do mitzvot have to do with mysticism? Is spirituality selfish? Can mysticism enhance community? Organized thematically, each section focuses on how mysticism engages and complements the dimensions of religious life, including studying Torah, performing mitzvot and observing halakhah. Contributors: Yehonatan Chipman • Mimi Feigelson • Lawrence Fine • Eitan Fishbane • Michael Fishbane • Nancy Flam • Everett Gendler • Joel Hecker • Shai Held • Melila Hellner-Eshed • Barry W. Holtz • Jeremy Kalmanofsky • Judith A. Kates • Lawrence Kushner • Ebn Leader • Shaul Magid • Ron Margolin • Daniel Matt • Haviva Pedaya • Nehemia Polen • Neal and Carol Rose • Or N. Rose • Zalman Schachter-Shalomi • Jonathan P. Slater • Gordon Tucker • Sheila Peltz Weinberg • Chava Weissler