Spiritualities of Life New Age Romanticism and Consumptive Capitalism

by Heelas, Paul

• ISBN13: 9781405139373
• ISBN10: 1405139374
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2008-04-28
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Summary

This insightful and provocative journey through spiritual landscapes explores the ways in which spiritualities of life have been experienced and understood in Western society, and argues that today's myriad forms of holistic spirituality are helping us to find balance in face of the stifling demands of twenty-first century living. An enlightening book which explores the ways in which spirituality has been experienced, understood and valued in Western society Traces the development of modern spirituality, from the origins of Romanticism in the eighteenth century, through to the counter-cultural sixties and on to the wellbeing culture of today Explores the belief that modern spirituality is merely an extension of capitalism in which people consume spirituality without giving anything back Contends that much of the wide range of popular mind-body-spirit practices are really an ethically charged force for the 'good life', helping us to find balance in the demands of twenty-first century living Written by a leading figure working in the field of spiritualities of life Completes a trilogy of books including The Spiritual Revolution (2005, with Linda Woodhead) and The New Age Movement (1996), charting the rise and influence of spirituality today.

Author Biography

Paul Heelas is Professor in Religion and Modernity in the Department of Religious Studies at Lancaster University. For some thirty years he has published extensively, including The New Age Movement (Blackwell, 1996) and The Spiritual Revolution (Blackwell, 2005, with Linda Woodhead), and is one of the world’s leading authorities on the study of contemporary spiritualities.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. ix
Introduction	p. 1
Portraying Spiritualities of Life	p. 23
From the Romantics: The Repertoire	p. 25
Wellbeing Spirituality Today	p. 60
The 'Consuming Growth' Debate	p. 79
The Debate	p. 81
The Language of Consumption and Consumeristic Aspects of Mind-Body-Spiritualities of Life	p. 97
The Sacred and the Profane: Spiritual Direction or Consumer Preference?	p. 113
The Matter of Personal Significance: Profaned Superficiality?	p. 137
Work: Consumptive or Productive?	p. 151
To Work Beyond the Consuming Self	p. 165
A 'Fag Ending' of the Sacred or Fit for the Future?	p. 167
Inside Out	p. 195
Epilogue: Birthright Spirituality Beyond the West	p. 222
Evidence Indicative of Inner Life 'Beliefs'	p. 233
Notes	p. 236
References	p. 255
Name Index	p. 276
Subject Index: Some Main Themes and Arguments	p. 283
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