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 |
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Contents
Introduction | 1 |
Seekers and Gurus in the Modern World 117 | 17 |
Theosophy and Its Heirs | 37 |
Copyright | |
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activities alternative spirituality Amsterdam Annie Besant archetype argues Ascona Avalon Bath become belief Blavatsky Bowman Britain Buddhist C.W. Leadbeater celebration Celtic Celtic Christianity cent centre century ceremonies Christianity church and chapel claim consciousness contemporary spirituality counterculture cult culture D.H. Lawrence Dion Fortune divine Druid Druidry energy esoteric example experience exploration expression expressivism Festival Findhorn Gandhi gender George MacLeod Glastonbury Glastonbury Thorn Goddess groups growth gurus H.P. Blavatsky healers healing Heelas high magic holistic human potential ibid ideas individual influence inner interest involved Iona Community J.G. Bennett Jung lives London MacManaway magical practices magicians mainstream massage means meditation modern mystical myth nature Neo-pagan NRMs occult organisations Paganism pilgrimage popular practitioners Priestess psychic psychology Puttick ritual sacred sect secular seekers shamanism social Sociology source of significance Sutcliffe symbol term Theosophical Society therapy Today tradition vegetarian vernacular religion Western Wicca workshops York