Introduction To Spirituality

It has been suggested that 'spirituality' has become a word that 'can define an era'. Why? Because paradoxically, alongside a decline in traditional religious affiliations, the growing interest in spirituality and the use of the word in a variety of contexts is a striking aspect of contemporary western cultures. Indeed, spirituality is sometimes contrasted attractively with religion, although this is problematic and implies that religion is essentially dogma, moralism, institutions, buildings, and hierarchies. The notion of spirituality expresses the fact that many people are driven by goals that concern more than material satisfaction. Broadly, it refers to the deepest values and sense of meaning by which people seek to live. Sometimes these values are conventionally religious. Sometimes they are associated with what is understood as 'the sacred' in a broader sense - that is, of ultimate rather than merely instrumental importance. This Very Short Introduction, written by one of the most eminent scholars and writers on spirituality, explores the historical foundations of the thought and considers how it came to have the significance it is developing today. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

With a decline in traditional religious belief, interest in spirituality has grown in Western cultures. The notion of spirituality expresses the fact that people are driven by goals that concern more than material satisfaction. Here, the author explores the historical foundations of spirituality and thinks about how it transforms lives.

Get a guided tour of the world of new age spirituality Ever wondered what channelling is? Or wanted to understand how meridians work? Maybe you've struggled with meditation, or found yourself contemplating your karma. Whatever you're curious about, whether it's breathwork, qigong, energy work or astrology, you'll discover more enlightening details within these pages. Dive into the world of spiritual practices and new age beliefs in this visual guide, packed full of simple explanations and practical exercises that you can begin using in your life right away. Emerge with a solid understanding of the basics of over 100 topics, including manifestation, life purpose, journaling, yoga, auras and Reiki. Other subjects you'll encounter in this book include: Soul mates and twin flames Angels and guides Vision boards Chakras Meridian tapping Intuition and psychic abilities Astral projection Shadow work Spiritual bypassing Clear explanations and practical guides Each topic begins with a simple, plain English explanation, and includes things like: Definitions of key concepts Concrete examples How things work Helpful diagrams Step-by-step processes Tips and traps Benefits and risks Common questions and finishes with simple, practical actions you can take to explore the topic further and begin applying it in your life. What this book is not This book is not complete: That's an impossible task, because spirituality can be very nebulous and is extremely subjective. This book is not deep: There's simply not enough space in a book like this to cover anything in depth. This book is not objective: Spirituality is a highly personal, subjective experience, so you may disagree with some ideas, and that's OK. This book is not right: Nobody has all the answers. Forget "right" and "wrong" and instead focus on figuring out what's right for you. What you will need To get the most out of this book, here's what you'll need: Pen and paper An open mind Plenty of time (and patience) Self-acceptance You may also find it helpful to skip concepts that are too "out there" right now and swap out words you don't like. Kickstart your spiritual exploration When you're done reading this book, you'll have a sold foundation for exploring the world of spirituality. You've satisfied your curiosity about one or more topics, and you've decided what to keep and what to ignore. You're also itching to explore one or more topics in more detail, using the many other amazing resources available to you. You're starting to construct a model of the world beyond the five senses, and you feel more equipped to take your life in the right direction for you. You're excited to apply the ideas and practices you've learned to your everyday experience, and craft a form of spirituality that works for you. Everyone's spiritual journey is unique, including yours. You get to choose what you believe, and what's true for you. No-one else gets to tell you what to think, what to feel or what choices to make, including me. You are free to pick and choose what you please from the pages of this book. Take what works for you, and ignore the rest. Every step you take on this journey is helping you grow, and there's no right or wrong way to do it. Move at the pace that works for you, and gradually you'll create your own unique approach to spirituality. Your approach won't look exactly like anyone else's and that's OK. In fact, that's exactly how it's supposed to be.

This text fills the need for a clear, informative, helpful andwell-written introduction to Christian spirituality. Includes a detailed guide to resources in spiritualityavailable on the Internet Written by a leading theological educationalist in a clear andaccessible manner Encourages active engagement with primary sources throughworked case studies

An Introduction to Spiritual Direction is a clear, nuanced and practical handbook for spiritual directors and directees that examines what it means to be spiritually whole and the process that gets us there. It is based in part on the two-year training course that the author conducts at Spiritual Direction Institute, the teachings of the depth psychologist, Carl Jung, and the Christian traditionalists, among them, St. Francis de Sales, Ignatius of Loyola, Teresa of Avila, and John of the Cross. It is further conjoined with sections on the qualities of the good director and directee, with fascinating forays into the nature of temperament and psychological type. The core of the book is devoted to its larger question, the actual growth and acquisition of spiritual wisdom, where the stages, pitfalls, remedies, rewards, as well as the importance of spiritual direction, especially during times of crises, are examined in numerous comprehensive sections. Dovetailed with chapter notes and questions, index, and extensive bibliography, An Introduction to Spiritual Direction deserves recognition by directors, directees, counselors, students and practitioners of psychology, and religious educators. It is a great starting point for spiritual exploration. +