Embodied witness to alternative spirituality seekers

Clifford, Ross; Johnson, Philip E.

doi:10.1080/1756073x.2019.1598685

Cited by 4 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…It appears that in most religions, the formative role of practices frequently takes precedence over carefully constructed doctrinal formulations. 48 This particular point is further highlighted when examining the complex process of conversion.…”

Section: The Pedagogy Of Embodied Theologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Externalizing Faith: Countering Individualism Through an Embodied Emphasis

Aždajić

2021

Studia Liturgica

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While the importance of an embodied theology has been recognized, in light of recent literature that sees a growing modern-day shift from emancipated individuality to ideological individualism, the aim of this article is to deepen the theological reflection on the urgent need for a more intentional embodied emphasis. This strategic approach is particularly significant, since in spite of the current challenge there remains a tendency toward a disembodied, anti-liturgical orientation that prioritizes words and cognition, locating theological truth on the inside of the autonomous individual thinking subject, who remains free to either accept or reject its propositional content. Drawing from relevant literature that provides a conceptual framework, this article argues that especially in today’s context, an overt emphasis on the externalization of faith and the embodiment of theological normatives performed together in community offers more promising pedagogical effectiveness. A bodily focus is principally important since it provides an experiential platform for the communal enactment and consequent appropriation of religious knowledge, thus potentially circumventing the present challenge of increasingly rigid individualism.

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Section: The Pedagogy Of Embodied Theologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Externalizing Faith: Countering Individualism Through an Embodied Emphasis

Aždajić

2021

Studia Liturgica

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“…In Christian circles, yoga, which also comes from Eastern religions, is similarly a source of inspiration to live the Gospel message more deeply. The way was opened by the French Benedictine Jean-Marie Déchanet, who was the first to publish a book on the meeting of yoga and Christianity (Déchanet 1964). Following his lead, Christian yoga practitioners have formed networks, for example through the association Christians Practicing Yoga, in order to reflect on the challenges and benefits of such an encounter.…”

Section: The Contribution Of Postural Yoga To An Embodied Christian Spiritualitymentioning

confidence: 99%

What Can Postural Yoga Contribute to an Embodied Christian Spirituality? An Analysis of the Strengths and Weaknesses of Postural Yoga in the Light of Kashmir Śivaism

Blée

2022

Religions

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In this article, I propose to examine how the practice of āsanas (postural yoga) offered in Western yoga studios might contribute to an embodied Christian spirituality. I will do this with reference to Kashmir Śivaism, which links postural yoga to the “way of action” (kriyopāya) and considers it to be ‘inferior’ to the two other paths to supreme liberation, that of energy (śāktopāya) and that of will (śāmbhavopāya). In my critique of the widespread contemporary emphasis on postutral yoga, I will point out both its strengths and its weaknesses, and reaffirm the role of the body in our relationship with God.

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“…Thus, the body does not merely transport information to the mind for analysis but becomes a profound receptor of discernment. An explicit emphasis on bodybased learning for attaining meaningful spiritual understanding has invariably comprised the principal pedagogical strategy and lies at the core of most lived religions, where the formative role of practices takes precedence over doctrinal formulations (Clifford & Johnson, 2019). This perspective reveals additional insights of the paramount importance of an embodied learning process that serves as an implicit medium of cognition, enabling practitioners to learn to believe intellectual content through concrete action.…”

Section: Insights From Lived Religion On Salvation and The Good Lifementioning

confidence: 99%

We want the good life now

Aždajić¹

2022

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While late-modern people in contemporary western societies may be curious about salvation and have questions regarding the hereafter, they clearly long to achieve human flourishing here and now. To obtain this goal, special prominence is given to the affective dimension, embodied spiritual practices and personal experiences. At the same time, the Church in the west continues to insist on prioritizing cognitive word-based pedagogies and offers merely a marginal emphasis on experiential bodily participation. This strategy that highlights content over purpose has largely resulted in a diminished impact considering the significantly changed religious landscape. Consequently, this paper intends to offer relevant insights from lived religion with its explicit emphasis on enacted theology as a communal source for catechetical instruction and the whole-body prioritization for a salvific encounter with God. Reflecting on these important aspects contributes to a more contextual and holistic understanding of how the Church can promote the good life now, while increasing its practical effectiveness in its traditional proclamation of God’s salvation for the world.

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Embodied witness to alternative spirituality seekers

Cited by 4 publications

References 15 publications

Externalizing Faith: Countering Individualism Through an Embodied Emphasis

Externalizing Faith: Countering Individualism Through an Embodied Emphasis

What Can Postural Yoga Contribute to an Embodied Christian Spirituality? An Analysis of the Strengths and Weaknesses of Postural Yoga in the Light of Kashmir Śivaism

We want the good life now

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