Accompaniment, Community and Nature: Overcoming Isolation, Marginalisation and Alienation Through Meaningful Connection

Front Cover
Jessica Kingsley Publishers, Jan 21, 2020 - Religion - 224 pages

Has the art of accompaniment been lost in Western culture? Could non-judgemental accompaniment be the answer to rising levels of isolation and loneliness? Could spending time with others from different or marginalised backgrounds reduce feelings of 'otherness' and lead to a more open, trusting society?

Exploring the themes above, this welcoming book offers models of relationships, interdependence, and community for individuals who are marginalised from society. It emphasises the importance of being with people and time spent in physical activity and in the natural world, without demands being put on expressing feelings or even speaking out loud.

It draws on the author's own vast experience and work with those on the edge of society - including living in a Christian community which welcomes those in terms of crisis, living in a Palestinian village, working with adults with autism and as chaplain to Gypsies and Travellers - providing a varied, insightful and heart-warming view on the benefits of accompaniment.

 

Contents

Acknowledgements
9
Preface
11
Introduction
13
1 Alienation
19
2 Being in Community
37
3 Walking Alongside Others
67
4 Working Alongside Others
91
5 Crossing the Divide
115
6 Making Peace with Others
141
7 Living in Relationship with Our Planet
171
8 Coming Home to Ourselves and Finding Ourselves in Others
195
Appendix 1 Hints for Accompaniment
219
Appendix 2
221
References
223
Copyright

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About the author (2020)

Jonathan Herbert is ordained in the Church and currently a member of Hilfield Friary in Dorset, where he takes a role in leading the community, which welcomes people from many different walks of life to stay. He is also C of E chaplain to Gypsies and Travellers in Dorset and Wiltshire. He has lived and worked in many communities across England, Palestine and Africa.

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