Sustainable Spirituality

This book aims to examine sustainability and spirituality philosophically with ethics as the balancing force. The goal is to reveal the important intersection between sustainability and spirituality by using spirituality as the invisible guiding hand in the quest for sustainability. The editors and contributors examine old social and economics dilemmas from a new perspective in order to provide alternative approaches to economic and social development. The enclosed contributions cover a broad range of topics such as sustainable development and human happiness, contemporary spirituality, environmental ethics and responsibility, and corporate social responsibility. In addition, the title features real-world case studies and discussion questions that inspire self-reflection and theoretical and empirical deliberation in academic courses and business seminars. Contemporary approaches to economic and social development have failed to address humankind's abiding need for spiritual growth. For material development to be sustainable, spiritual advancement must be seen as an integral part of the human development algorithm. While the policy makers and governments can play their respective role, each one of us has to consciously adopt spirituality and sustainability as a way of life. This book will rely on the spiritual power of individuals to heal themselves and the environment. Featuring interdisciplinary perspectives in areas such as science, marine biology, environmental policy, cultural studies, psychology, philosophy, ecological economics, and ethics, this book will provide extensive insights into the complimentary fields of spirituality, sustainability and ethics.

This groundbreaking book explores the inherent interconnectedness of sustainability and spirituality, acknowledging the dependency of one upon the other. John E. Carroll contends that true ecological sustainability, in contrast to the cosmetic attempts at sustainability we see around us, questions our society's fundamental values and is so countercultural that it is resisted by anyone without a spiritual belief in something deeper than efficiency, technology, or economics. Carroll draws on the work of cultural historian and "geologian" Thomas Berry, whose eco-spiritual thought underlies many of the sustainability efforts of communities described in this book, including particular branches of Catholic religious orders and the loosely organized Sisters of the Earth. The writings of Native Americans on spirituality and ecology are also highlighted. These models for sustainability not only represent the tangible link between ecology and spirituality, but also, more importantly, a vision of what could be.

Looking beyond the materialistic boundary of the conventional development paradigm, this book identifies our spiritual underdevelopment which is being reflected as self-centeredness and greed, as the root cause of conventional development's failure to alleviate poverty and inequality, achieve sustainability and deliver happiness to humanity.

This is a poignant and inspirational guide for a journay toward ecological spirituality and sustainable culture. Each chapter contains an essay and spiritual practices designed for both group and individualized reflection.

Looking beyond the materialistic boundary of the conventional development paradigm, this book identifies our spiritual underdevelopment which is being reflected as self-centeredness and greed, as the root cause of conventional development's failure to alleviate poverty and inequality, achieve sustainability and deliver happiness to humanity.

All of us will, in one form or another, experience hardship and misfortune. The common plight of humanity is the experience of adversity, suffering, sickness, or other difficulties. Life can seem strenuous and unreasonably hard and challenging. Our faith is constantly tried and tested. But the pain we experience, the trials we undertake are never wasted opportunities. They will increase our spiritual education and help us develop patience, faith, fortitude and humility. Life's trials will help us build our characters, purify our hearts, enlarge our souls, and make us kinder and more caring children of God. The development of sustainable spirituality draws us toward living with compassion so that all people on this planet may be sustained. Sustainable spirituality creates an understanding of the underlying connection between the spiritual practice which provides meaning and purpose in our lives and the rest of humanity. Sustainable spiritual practices offer us a deep inner conviction as well as an encompassing compassion for all of God's other children on Earth. In this book you will: Learn the 3 critical areas of preparation. Discover the 3 pillars of spiritual sustainability. Realize the difference between religion and spirituality. Learn the 5 keys to develop personal sustainability practices. Examine 8 spiritual sustainability goals. Learn how to remain calm amid the convulsions of the Earth. Uncover the foundation for finding world peace. Discover how to satisfy spiritual thirst and hunger. Learn the keys to becoming an energized Christian. Learn the 4 obstacles to realizing pure love. Learn the 3 faith-factors that affect your spiritual sustainability. Sustainable spirituality recognizes a deep bond between the people on this planet and understands that all life is worthy of reverence. It allows us to live healthy, harmonious lives on earth, respecting the inter-connected life of the planet and provides a sense for understanding the fundamental foundation that we are all children of God."