Sacredsecular Contemplative Cultural Critique

"What would it mean to conceive of the sacred as a source of knowledge that is as vital as the secular? What insights does a contemplative approach yield in analyzing neoliberal globalisation or Hindu fundamentalism? Is a dew drop sacred or is it secular? In today's charged atmosphere many believe that the sacred is best kept firmly apart from the realm of the secular. SacredSecular: contemplative cultural critique offers a contrasting view. It argues that the two are indivisible and can productively interweave in illuminating key contemporary issues. Essays investigate the quotidian (trash, cut flowers), the philosophical (advaita, karma), the economic (work, globalisation) and the political (war, violence). Mani invites us to rethink the prevailing view that secularism is the only progressive response to religious authoritarianism. SacredSecular proposes a conceptual approach in which body, mind, heart, nature, matter and spirit are not merely equals, but equally crucial to crafting an inclusive vision and practice. This book addresses several audiences: scholars of contemporary Indian society and culture, spiritual practitioners striving to integrate their practice with their politics and what it portends for our collective future."--Page [4] of cover.

Year

2009

Language

English

Publisher

Routledge India

Editions

1

Pages

223

ISBN

9780415484480

Data source: Wikidata