This thesis is a study of self-knowledge in the writings of Catherine of Siena. The introductory chapter clarifies the kind of self-knowledge she is describing, viz. metaphysical self-knowledge which, in the case of mystics such as Catherine, blossoms into mystical self-knowledge. Catherine is then situated within the framework of her own era. A survey of catherinian literature follows. Since her major symbol for self-knowledge is the cell, the concept of the cell in the Church tradition of the West, and its influence on Catherine, is explored. The major aspect of the enquiry is the tracing of the chronological unfolding of Catherine's doctrine of self-knowledge, working with the texts themselves. This is done under the headings of her three main symbols for self-knowledge, la eel/a (the cell), la casa (the house) and la citta dell'anima (the city of the soul). Each of these sections is concluded with an interpretation of the significance of the unfolding of that symbol within Catherine's thought and the chapter itself is rounded off by an interpretation of the three symbols for self-knowledge in their integration and interconnectedness. Catherine communicates her experience of mystical self-knowledge by means of a complex system of images and symbols, all of which fit together to form a whole. This warrants an investigation into the role of the imagination, imagery and symbol in mysticism, and explores Catherine's use of imagery and symbol. The study shows Catherine's own gradual integration of mystical experience and ministry as it takes place within her experience and in the development of her thought. What we are able to see, by studying the texts, is the formation and strengthening of the underlying unity in Catherine between the inner movement of mystical love and outgoing concern for others which is redemptive love. These two are really one. / Christian, Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / D. Th. (Religious Studies)

The French Benedictine monk Henri Le Saux (Abhishiktananda) sought to establish an Indian Christian monasticism, emphasizing Hindu advaitic experience. He understood advaita as both nondual and non-monistic. Using phenomenology and comparative philosophy, this thesis explores his understanding and experience of advaita, comparing it to both traditional Hinduism and neo-Vedanta, as well as to Christianity and Zen Buddhism. Abhishiktananda's description of his experience is examined in relation to perception, thinking, action, ontology and theology. Special attention is given to comparing the views of the Hindu sages Ramana Maharshi and Gnanananda, both of whom influenced Abhishiktananda. Abhishiktananda believed that advaita must be directly experienced; this experience is beyond all words and concepts. He compares Christian apophatic mysticism and Hindu sannyasa. This thesis examines his distinction between experience and thought in relation to recent philosophical discussions. Abhishiktananda radically reinterprets Christianity. His affirmation of both nonduality and non-monism was influenced by Christian Trinitarianism, interpreted as an emanation of the Many from the One. Jesus' experience of Sonship with the Father is an advaitic experience that is equally available to everyone. Abhishiktananda believes that the early Upanishads report a similar experience. A monistic interpretation of advaita only developed later with the "dialectics" of Shankara's disciples. In non-monistic advaita, the world is not an illusion. Using ideas derived from tantra and Kashmir Saivism, Abhishiktananda interprets maya as the sakti or power of Shiva. He compares sakti to the Holy Spirit. Abhishiktananda distinguishes between a pure consciousness experience (nirvikalpa or kevala samadhi) and a return to the world of diversity in sahaja samadhi. Ramai:ia and Gnanananda make a similar distinction. Sahaja samadhi is the state of the jivanmukti, the one who is liberated while still in the body; it is an experience that is referred to in tantra and in Kashmir Saivism. Abhishikta:nanda never experienced nirvikalpa samadhi, but he did experience sahaja samiidhi. The appendix provides one possible synthesis of Abhishiktananda's understanding of advaita using the ideas of C.G. Jung. / Religious Studies and Arabic / Religious Studies and Arabic / D. Litt. et Phil. (Religious Studies)

This thesis tries to give a critically considered view of what New Age thought is about, where it came from, and where it takes education and the scientific quest for truth. The interest of this study lies in exposing the underlying New Age beliefs and premises so that the implications that New Age thought has for truly meaningful human development and the educational and scientific quest for truth can be determined. A historical investigation which proceeds from the assumption that New Age thought is a phenomenon with philosophical underpinnings that lie in Western historical dynamics is utilised in order to extract and give context to the beliefs and premises in which New Age thought is anchored. Firstly, the movements in the West's alternative mystical and magical spiritual tradition from which current New Age spiritual approaches issue are scrutinized. This is followed by an exploration of mainstream Western history. Foundational premises and central ideas concerning New Age anthropology, morality, cosmology, and epistemology which issue forth from theories in Western philosophy, psychology, and science are identified and critically analysed. From these analyses, the meaning and direction that New Age thought circumscribes for human development and learning are fully explored and evaluated. It is found that New Age thought upholds a magical worldview in which the objective existence of truth is denied. Because New Age thought does not create educational space in which the quest for truth as obedience to truth can be learnt and practised, emotional, moral, and cognitive development is arrested and the real, educational value in scientific inquiry is defeated. This study is concluded with suggestions that are personal yet grounded in the findings of this research as to the defense and upholdment of the idea of objective truth in moral and intellectual education. / Educational Studies / D. Ed. (History of Education)

Ao analisar o panorama atual das pesquisas que envolvem comunidades tradicionais do Brasil, percebe-se que a maioria dos trabalhos tem enfocado aspectos antropológicos, socioeconômicos e culturais, questões de gênero, etnobiologia, conflitos sociais, etc., demonstrando haver uma carência de estudos que visem a identificar o papel da religião católica no contexto ambiental. Dessa forma, o objetivo do presente estudo foi conhecer como o catolicismo popular e suas formas de expressão influenciam os pescadores artesanais do Pina ao lidarem com o meio ambiente (o mar), na busca de recursos para a sua sobrevivência. Algumas indagações que permaneciam desconhecidas na realidade dos pescadores artesanais e, consequentemente, nortearam a presente pesquisa foram: como se configura o catolicismo popular na profissão dos pescadores artesanais? Quais as relações existentes entre a fé e o sucesso nas pescarias? Algum princípio religioso é seguido para usufruto e conservação da natureza e dos recursos naturais? Após esse estudo, confirmou-se o quanto o pescador artesanal é fervoroso na devoção ao santo padroeiro São Pedro e, sobretudo, temente a Deus. Misturando a doutrina católica com crendices e superstições nas quais acredita, recitam orações cujas estrofes passam de geração a geração, e assim, vão (re)construindo e perpetuando seu universo religioso. Notadamente, a natureza se faz presente em suas crenças, nas narrações de seus casos e lendas, cultivados durante tempos, ao serem transmitidos de pai para filho. Ressalta-se também o papel educativo que a Igreja pode desempenhar através de seus trabalhos de pastoral, característicos das igrejas católicas ou de trabalhos similares realizados por outros segmentos religiosos. Por fim, a importância do presente trabalho é a de conhecer a cultura e o modo de vida dessa população, através do catolicismo popular praticado, e contribuir assim para uma melhor compreensão do ser humano, enquanto homem de fé que enfrenta problemas socioambientais para o seu sustento e o de sua família / Evaluating the current state of art of the researches involving traditional communities of Brazil, it is observed that most of the works has been focused anthropological, socioeconomics and cultural aspects, gender matter, ethnobiology, social conflicts, etc. showing a lack of studies that aim to identify the role of the Catholic religion in the environmental context. In this way, the purpose of the present study is to know how the popular Catholicism and its forms of expression influence artesanal fishermen of Pina on the environmental issue (the ocean). Some issues are still unknown about the artesanal fishermen lives and, consequently, guide the present researches, as: How does represent the Catholic religiosity in the artesanal fishermen profession? Which are the relationships between the faith and the fisheries success? Any religious principles are followed for use and conservation of the nature and the natural resources? With this study, it was confirmed how the artesanal fisherman is moving in its devotion to San Pedro and, mostly, believed to God. Mixing the Catholic doctrine with beliefs and superstitions in which they believes, reciting prayers whose verses pass from generation to generation, the fishermen (re)building and perpetuating they religious universe. Notably, the nature is present in their beliefs, stories and legends, grown over time, to be transmitted from father to son. We also emphasize the educational role that the Church can play through their pastoral work, typical of Catholic churches or similar works carried out by other religious segments. Finally, the importance of this work is to know, through the popular Catholicism practiced by them, the culture and lifestyle of this population, thus contributing to a better understanding of the human being as a man of faith who face social and environmental problems for their support and his family

Submitted by Johnny Rodrigues (johnnyrodrigues@ufcg.edu.br) on 2018-09-21T17:36:06Z No. of bitstreams: 1 VANUZA WAGNY DE OLIVEIRA - DISSERTAÇÃO PPGCS 2013..pdf: 22397248 bytes, checksum: 81e19ff079247ff730961a26f12c3d70 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-09-21T17:36:06Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 VANUZA WAGNY DE OLIVEIRA - DISSERTAÇÃO PPGCS 2013..pdf: 22397248 bytes, checksum: 81e19ff079247ff730961a26f12c3d70 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013 / Após a recente Reforma Psiquiátrica e a implementação de políticas públicas de atendimento aos portadores de transtornos mentais, os Centro de Atenção Psicossocial se tornaram um dos principais dispositivos de atenção e cuidado neste setor. Uma peculiaridade observada nos usuários do CAPS de Esperança-PB, é que recorrerem também a outras lógicas curativas como as práticas místico-religiosas e com frequência, declaram se sentir melhor do que antes. A presente pesquisa tem como objetivo principal investigar como se articulam os discursos científicos e religiosos nas estratégias dos usuários e famílias de portadores de transtornos mentais e os significados por elas atribuídos às consultas de terreiros de umbanda e/ou rezadores. Tomamos como referencial teórico a teoria de representações de Moscovici por sua visão dinâmica de realidade (2010), a teoria de campo de Bourdieu (1982) para interpretar as reações de poder entre os universos científico e místico-religioso e a interpretação do sagrado e profano de Durkheim (2000), segundo o qual, a vida social é permeada de simbolismo e que o sagrado é o principal elemento para obtenção do controle social. Nosso estudo identifica as representações dos usuários sobre a doença mental e as opiniões dos vizinhos e amigos, como também, as avaliações das práticas médicas e místico-religiosas baseada nos discursos dos entrevistados. A pesquisa desvela o contexto místico/religioso em que estão imersos e seus possíveis efeitos positivos sobre a doença mental. A metodologia utilizada foi o estudo de caso, a partir de uma amostra de 5. Sendo 2 usuários e 2 ex-usuários e 1 familiar. As técnicas utilizadas foram entrevistas semi-estruturadas e conversas em visitas domiciliares realizadas específicas para este fim. As narrativas revelam que apesar de alguns efeitos satisfatórios das práticas médicas há lacunas no tratamento, bem como, choques culturais em diferentes níveis. / After the recent psychiatric reform and the implementation of public policies that care for people with mental disorders, the Psychosocial Centra de AtençâoPsicossocial became one of the main devices of attention and care in this sector. A peculiarity observed in users of CAPS Esperança -PB, which is also resorting to other logical healing practices as mystical-religious and often claim to feel better than before. This research aims at investigating how to articulate the scientific and religious discourses in the strategies of users and families of people with mental disorders and the meanings they attributed to queries yards of Umbanda and/or chanters. We take as a theoretical representation theory of Moscovici for his dynamic vision of reality (2010), the field theory of Bourdieu (1982) to interpret the reactions of power between universes scientific and mystical-religious and Dürkheim (2000) interpretation of the sacred and profane, according to which social life is permeated with symbolism and that the sacred is the key element for achieving social control. Our study identifies the users' representations of mental illness and the opinions of neighbors and friends, as well as the assessments of medical practices and mystical-religious based on the interviews. The research reveals the mystical context / religious in which they are immersed and their possible positive effects on mental illness. The methodology used was the case study, based on a sample of 5. Being 2 users and 2 ex-users and 1 family. The techniques used were semi-structured interviews and talks in home visits for this specific purpose. The accounts show that satisfactory effects even though some medical practice there are gaps in the treatment, as well as culture shocks at different levels.

Made available in DSpace on 2017-06-01T18:12:28Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 pre-textuais.pdf: 214626 bytes, checksum: 36983f3c761867eb05fd78599a39a8ac (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-04-26 / Evaluating the current state of art of the researches involving traditional communities of Brazil, it is observed that most of the works has been focused anthropological, socioeconomics and cultural aspects, gender matter, ethnobiology, social conflicts, etc. showing a lack of studies that aim to identify the role of the Catholic religion in the environmental context. In this way, the purpose of the present study is to know how the popular Catholicism and its forms of expression influence artesanal fishermen of Pina on the environmental issue (the ocean). Some issues are still unknown about the artesanal fishermen lives and, consequently, guide the present researches, as: How does represent the Catholic religiosity in the artesanal fishermen profession? Which are the relationships between the faith and the fisheries success? Any religious principles are followed for use and conservation of the nature and the natural resources? With this study, it was confirmed how the artesanal fisherman is moving in its devotion to San Pedro and, mostly, believed to God. Mixing the Catholic doctrine with beliefs and superstitions in which they believes, reciting prayers whose verses pass from generation to generation, the fishermen (re)building and perpetuating they religious universe. Notably, the nature is present in their beliefs, stories and legends, grown over time, to be transmitted from father to son. We also emphasize the educational role that the Church can play through their pastoral work, typical of Catholic churches or similar works carried out by other religious segments. Finally, the importance of this work is to know, through the popular Catholicism practiced by them, the culture and lifestyle of this population, thus contributing to a better understanding of the human being as a man of faith who face social and environmental problems for their support and his family / Ao analisar o panorama atual das pesquisas que envolvem comunidades tradicionais do Brasil, percebe-se que a maioria dos trabalhos tem enfocado aspectos antropológicos, socioeconômicos e culturais, questões de gênero, etnobiologia, conflitos sociais, etc., demonstrando haver uma carência de estudos que visem a identificar o papel da religião católica no contexto ambiental. Dessa forma, o objetivo do presente estudo foi conhecer como o catolicismo popular e suas formas de expressão influenciam os pescadores artesanais do Pina ao lidarem com o meio ambiente (o mar), na busca de recursos para a sua sobrevivência. Algumas indagações que permaneciam desconhecidas na realidade dos pescadores artesanais e, consequentemente, nortearam a presente pesquisa foram: como se configura o catolicismo popular na profissão dos pescadores artesanais? Quais as relações existentes entre a fé e o sucesso nas pescarias? Algum princípio religioso é seguido para usufruto e conservação da natureza e dos recursos naturais? Após esse estudo, confirmou-se o quanto o pescador artesanal é fervoroso na devoção ao santo padroeiro São Pedro e, sobretudo, temente a Deus. Misturando a doutrina católica com crendices e superstições nas quais acredita, recitam orações cujas estrofes passam de geração a geração, e assim, vão (re)construindo e perpetuando seu universo religioso. Notadamente, a natureza se faz presente em suas crenças, nas narrações de seus casos e lendas, cultivados durante tempos, ao serem transmitidos de pai para filho. Ressalta-se também o papel educativo que a Igreja pode desempenhar através de seus trabalhos de pastoral, característicos das igrejas católicas ou de trabalhos similares realizados por outros segmentos religiosos. Por fim, a importância do presente trabalho é a de conhecer a cultura e o modo de vida dessa população, através do catolicismo popular praticado, e contribuir assim para uma melhor compreensão do ser humano, enquanto homem de fé que enfrenta problemas socioambientais para o seu sustento e o de sua família

This dissertation suggests the Song of Songs as a biblical paradigm for Christian spiritual direction based on the poem’s human dynamics, theological poetics and mystical aesthetic. The Song of Songs is paradigmatic as a journey from a state of self-neglect (depletion), through dynamic encounters of love (transformation), to living who I am in union with the divine I AM (deification). Identifying the human beloved as archetypal seeker and positing transformation in love as the raison-d’être for spiritual direction, the research delineates important implications for spiritual praxis, namely: the human subject (locus); human yearning (focus); the human search (journey); dynamics of human transformation and spiritual maturation (process); aspects of life-integration and union with God (purpose); and becoming a living sacrament in the world (epiphany). With its experiential-existential approach, The Canticle of Spiritual Direction serves as an interdisciplinary and intercultural resource on the Song of Songs, Christian spiritual direction, and Christian mysticism. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / M. Th. (Christian Spirituality)

Spirituality is a word in frequent use in contemporary society. In a broad sense it refers to the 'raison d'etre' of our existence, the meaning and values to which we ascribe. Everyone embodies a spirituality in this wider sense, whether it be nihilistic, materialistic, humanistic or religious. The present study evaluates the phenomenon of the Toronto Blessing in the light of spirituality in general and Christian spirituality in particular. By means of a broadly-based phenomenological methodology, the manifestations accompanying the Toronto Blessing are evaluated firstly, with respect to the Bible; secondly, with respect to the Hindu experience of 'Kundalini awakening'; and thirdly, in terms of neuroscience and certain psychological processes, such as hypnosis, mass hysteria, and the role of body and mind in creating spiritual experiences. Although Charismatics claim that the Toronto Blessing has a sound biblical foundation, no evidence to support this claim has been found. However, striking similarities are found between the manifestations of the Toronto Blessing and the techniques used in the 'Kundalini awakening' for the transference of energy. Finally, the major findings of this study support the conclusion that the Toronto Blessing is largely the result of psychological techniques. The possibility of Godly intervention is not totally excluded, but caution is urged, so as to be aware of extraneous factors that create similar manifestations. While it is agreed that the Toronto Blessing can be seen as an expression of spirituality in a broad sense, nevertheless it cannot be viewed as an expression of Christian spirituality in the Charismatic Movement. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / D. Th. (Christian Spirituality)

This dissertation argues for the renewal of Chinese evangelical spirituality by critical engagement with Christian mysticism. The dissertation argues that Chinese evangelicals can pursue life transformation by appropriating the Christian mystical tradition within the Chinese context while retaining core evangelical distinctions. It discloses that Chinese evangelicals have inherited some elements of the Christian mystical tradition. Purposeful review and critical engagement with Christian mysticism provide Chinese evangelicals with meaningful themes, lively witnesses, and practical insights for reimaging the pathway of future spiritual theology in their social-cultural context. Thus, it contributes to the sparse academic research on mainland Chinese spiritual theology and argues that Christian mysticism plays a particular role in its unique development. Furthermore, this dissertation holds that Chinese evangelical leaders should and can work together to lead Christians to acquire spiritual maturity while they are travelling on this spiritual pathway. It proposes an integration of biblical leadership and the social identity theory of leadership for leading a constructive change to the evangelical community. Such as proposal of change manifests the contribution of this dissertation to the fusion of theory and practice in spiritual or practical theology.

Master of Arts / Department of English / Michael L. Donnelly / Among the body of criticism on T.S. Eliot’s Four Quartets, critics such as Cleo McNelly Kearns and Alireza Farahbakhsh have recently interpreted the poet’s “intolerable wrestle / With words and meanings” (EC II) in light of deconstructionist theory. Although the poetry does recognize the difficulty of speaking about spiritual experience, it does not embrace the resulting linguistic miscommunication. In fact, the poems resist such a move, identifying the spiritual danger of such miscommunication; instead, they seek to overcome these difficulties and accurately communicate spiritual experience – an aim achieved in the context of biblical prophecy. Louis Martz argues that the Quartets are, in fact, not prophetic; however, he defines prophecy in terms of its social interests, rather than in terms of the interest in the human-divine relationship that characterizes both biblical tradition and Eliot’s poetry. I want to argue that reading the Quartets in the context of biblical prophecy, filtered through mystical tradition, explains their ability to transcend linguistic difficulty and explore spiritual experience in human language. In biblical tradition, the prophets overcome linguistic difficulty through a direct encounter with God, which purifies language of error and equips them to speak of divine reality. In Eliot’s Quartets, the poetry undergoes a similar purifying experience meant to replace linguistic error with a meaningful exploration of spiritual experience. For the Quartets, linguistic purification is accomplished by means of the mystical via negativa. Appropriating images associated with the via negativa, the poetry denies language tied to direct perception of spiritual reality and adopts instead a language that conveys such experience through unfamiliar words and images. In that language, the poetry is purified of its errors and made capable of exploring the human relationship with God. A poetry identified with the Incarnation, this solution communicates in human language the reality of spiritual experience. In this communication, the poetry at last explores spiritual experience in a way freed of miscommunication and meaningful for the audience, thereby fulfilling its prophetic aims.