A Playful Spirit

The great narratives of religion and nationhood were battered in the twentieth century by the dual forces of globalization and postmodernism. In the uncertainty of broken traditions, many people looking for God retreated into a regressive fundamentalism, and others abandoned themselves to nihilism and cynicism. But is there another way? In this volume, esteemed sociologist and therapist Mark W. Teismann offers a fresh approach to spiritual pursuits, one that neither relies upon absolutes nor leaves seekers in a void of disbelief. This approach is to consider the exercise of spirituality as a type of play. Teismann takes the reader on a whirlwind ride through the different aspects of play and how they relate to spirituality. Teismann draws on classical philosophers, memories of childhood, developmental science, poets, and his long career as a psychotherapist to create a deep understanding of how the spirit of play informs our moral pursuits and spiritual yearnings. A conclusion and epilogue summarize the book’s tenets and touch on Mark Teismann’s battle with cancer and how the practices of meditation and play accompanied him on his spiritual journey in the context of an incurable disease. The book’s appendix gives interested readers a detailed description of how to approach the practice of meditation.

A Playful Path, the new book by games guru and fun theorist Bernard De Koven, serves as a collection of ideas and tools to help us bring our playfulness back into the open. When we find ourselves forgetting the life of the game or the game of life, the joy of form or the content, the play of brain or mind, body or spirit, this book can help us return to that which our soul is heir.

In this witty, scholarly book edited by his two sons, Professor Rudolph Altrocchi introduces some of the worlds most skillful and humorous authors whose purpose was to enrich our lives through smiles and laughter, guided by a playful spirit, the key ingredient of high quality humor. Altrocchi, an American citizen born and brought up in Italy, graduated from Harvard, earned his Ph.D. at Harvard and taught at Harvard, Columbia, Chicago and Brown before becoming Chairman of the Dept. of Italian at Berkeley from 1928 to 1949, creating the largest and best Italian Department in the country. Professor Altrocchis captivatingly humorous analysis focuses not only on humor in Italian culture and literature but also on basic elements of humor in the human species.

Teismann embarks on a whirlwind ride through different aspects of play and how they relate to spirituality. Drawing on classical philosophers, memories of childhood, developmental science, poets, and his long career as a psychotherapist, he explores how the spirit of play informs our moral pursuits and spiritual yearnings.

From Today Show contributor, Meredith Sinclair, comes this ultimate resource for awakening your playful spirit, jumpstarting your relationships, and upping your happiness quotient. In our age of digital addiction, many of us have lost our ability to be spontaneous. More parents are complaining that they no longer even remember how to play…with their children, their spouse, and even with their own friends. Don’t fret! In Well Played, expert Meredith Sinclair helps families relearn what used to come naturally and shows how to find happiness through play. For children, playing comes naturally…or at least it used to. But today that kind of easy-going fun is harder to come by, for both kids and their parents. With hectic lifestyles and constant technology overload, families have simply forgotten how to play. The solution? Relearn how to integrate fun and creative play into our day-to-day lives. Well Played will show you how to simplify your overscheduled lives with plenty of original and entertaining ideas, including: Why a disco ball is an essential kitchen appliance Lip Sync Battle, family edition Parent-child slumber parties…don’t forget the popcorn! Party like it’s 1949 with old-school table games 12 dates that are way better than dinner and a movie Stop helicopter parenting yourself—find things that thrill and slightly alarm you all at the same time! Grown-up field trips to slap on your schedule Packed with fun and engaging line drawings, entertaining DIY projects, and hundreds of lists and tips on capturing the game-changing joy of goofing off, Well Played is an indispensable guide for families to incorporate quality fun and playtime into our daily lives.

Follow artist Tammy Hudgeon, wild spirited self taught artist, seriously playful introvert, empath,and HSP on her growth filled journey of creative exploration. Along the way she shares deep personal insights, her ongoing exploration of self discovery and self acceptance through her art practice and her love of sacred studio time. Immerse yourself in the raw and sophisticated, vividly alive art images and journal spreads that accompany and amplify the heart and soul of her story.

Bedtime Stories For Kids-Short Bedtime Stories Series Do you want to make your child fall asleep faster at night? Do you want your child to learn mindfulness while reading beautiful short stories? In this book, you will find a collection of stories written to help children enter a place of dreams and eventually drift off to sleep. These stories are intended to stir their imaginations in such a way that the transition from fantasy and adventure into dreamland will be a seamless one. Best of all, your children will be able to get a good night’s sleep and wake up feeling refreshed and happy. The chapters are designed to take you and your family on an exciting adventure through different situations, laden with imagination and surprises, while also attempting to disseminate valuable lessons about important principles, such as family, home, wrongdoing, and numerous other themes. While each story is unique, the underlying purpose of each remains the same: to confer on readers some degree of insight into moral behaviour and proper conduct. Through the careful application of allegory, the stories contained herein are intended not only to engage and captivate but also to serve as thought-provoking tools by which your children might avail themselves of one of mankind’s most powerful attributes: thoughtfulness and self-reflection. In addition, each story uses colourful and imaginative characters, settings, and situations to create an environment that will not only help children become interested in the story itself but also serve as a vehicle to convey a moral lesson. Plus, the stories in this book seek to create traditions and memories that will create everlasting moments that your children will treasure for the rest of their lives. These are the kind of moments that your children will surely love to share with their children someday, too. So, let’s jump right in and take a trip into a magical world from which your children will drift off in their sleep. Don’t be surprised if they don’t want to wake up after having such beautiful dreams. Dreamland is a cherished place for children of all ages. After all, it is a place where kids can truly let their imaginations flourish. This book includes: Bedtime stories that will truly captivate the young mind of your child Fun stories about animals, adventures, and legends A valuable lesson for each story In addition: They will put down their phones. This is a good way to encourage your child to go to sleep by listening to the scripts. Each story will enhance your child’s imagination and thinking. And Much More... Are you excited? Do you want to read more? Would you like your child to learn and relax, falling asleep in peace? Get our book now!

Stop negative thoughts, assuage anxiety, and live in the moment with these fun, easy games from improv expert Clay Drinko. If you’ve been feeling lost lately, you’re not alone! Even before the Covid-19 pandemic, Americans were experiencing record levels of loneliness and anxiety. And in our current political turmoil, it’s safe to say that people are looking for new tools to help them feel more present, positive, and in sync with the world. So what better way to get there than play? In Play Your Way Sane, Dr. Clay Drinko offers 120 low-key, accessible activities that draw on the popular principles of improv comedy to help you tackle your everyday stress and reconnect with the people around you. Divided into twelve fun sections, including “Killing Debbie Downer” and “Thou Shalt Not Be Judgy,” the games emphasize openness, reciprocation, and active listening as the keys to a mindful and satisfying life. Whether you’re looking to improve your personal relationships, find new meaning at work, or just survive our trying times, Play Your Way Sane offers serious self-help with a side of Second City sass.