Publishing next month in the UK and in November in the US, Spirituality: A Guide for the Perplexed, by Philip Sheldrake, provides students and general readers with a reliable and comprehensive guide to 'spirituality' as an area of study, religiously, historically, philosophically and in the social sciences. We talked briefly with the author about his new book:
1. What particular areas of religious studies interest you and why?
My particular interests are in the area of “spirituality”. I have taught and written about the theology and history of Christian spirituality for many years but more recently have become involved in interreligious dialogue and the role of spirituality in other religions. I’ve also been asked to speak to professional groups (e.g. in healthcare and in architecture) about what “spirituality” may add to the theory and practice of their work.
2. How would you describe your book in one sentence?
The book is written for general readers and students to provide a reliable guide to “spirituality” both in a range of religions and in non-religious forms.
3. When did you start researching for this book?
In one sense, many years ago! But, directly for this book, about four years ago.
4. What’s the meaning behind the title?
The subtitle suggests that the notion of “spirituality” is complex and is often ill-defined which makes it difficult to pin down. Yet spirituality fascinates many people these days. Hopefully the book makes the topic more approachable and coherent.
5. Which part of writing a book have you enjoyed most?
Probably I most enjoyed the profound challenge of dealing with so much varied material, coming to understand it myself and then shaping it into a coherent pattern without oversimplifying matters.
6. Any tips for people reading the book?
It is important to read Part 1, especially chapters 1 & 4, before anything else. That gives the vital background and definitions. After that it is possible to dip into the chapters of Parts 2 & 3 that interest you most. And don’t forget the additional “Suggested Reading” at the end if you want to do some more in-depth study of any particular area! I have only provided an introduction.
7. Where will your research go from here?
I am now working intensively on the theme of “spirituality and the urban” which I outlined briefly in Chapter 10.
8. If you could have dinner with one person, living or dead, who would it be?
This is a difficult question! Do I want to be entertained or to be able to quiz someone who tantalises me? If I went for the latter, I suspect I’d settled for Jesus Christ as the teacher, role model and revealer of the divine, who inspired what became Christianity. What does he think about religion and what we humans have done with it across time?! Also, according to the Christian gospels, Jesus regularly had meals with all kinds of people and so having dinner and being quizzed would be familiar to him!
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