Beyond New Age: Exploring Alternative SpiritualitySteven Sutcliffe, Marion Bowman This book offers the first serious exploration of the many different aspects of alternative spirituality. While there is much talk of 'spirituality' now, no other collection has specifically addressed its many 'alternative' -non-ecclesiastical in the broadest sense - manifestations. The authors aim to open up a relatively unexplored and often quite hidden dimension of religion in the modern world through non-confessional, critical study. They establish both the vibrancy of contemporary experiments in alternative spirituality, as well as its historical pedigree. The broad range of subject matter includes magical ritual, independent seekers and gurus, the Theosophical movement, C. G. Jung, turn-of-the-century artistic and spiritual colonies, Iona and Glastonbury, alternative healing, and the influence of secular and humanistic thought. Readers of this fascinating book will gain an overall sense of the sociological, anthropological, historical and ethnographical perspectives on the study of religion and the many alternative forms of spirituality.Key features*International names contributing to this subject area*Increasingly important subject in courses in Religious Studies and Sociology*Wide range of voices in contributions |
Contents
Introduction | 1 |
Seekers and Gurus in the Modern World 117 | 17 |
Theosophy and Its Heirs | 37 |
Copyright | |
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Common terms and phrases
activities alternative alternative spirituality argues associated authority Bath became become belief body Britain called celebration Celtic cent centre century chapter Christianity church claim Community concerns connection consciousness contemporary continue course cult culture described draw early effect energy established example experience exploration expression fact feel Festival figures force Glastonbury Goddess groups growth hands healing holistic human ideas important individual influence inner institutions interest involved Iona Jung lives London magical major means movement myth nature noted offer organisations original Paganism particular popular potential practices present Princeton psychology religion religious remains ritual sacred secular seekers seen sense significance social society spiritual suggests symbol teachings term Theosophical therapy Today tradition truth turn understanding University University Press values various vernacular Western whole workshops York