A Playful Spirit
eBook - PDF

A Playful Spirit

Exploring the Theology, Philosophy, and Psychology of Play

  1. 171 pages
  2. English
  3. PDF
  4. Available on iOS & Android
eBook - PDF

A Playful Spirit

Exploring the Theology, Philosophy, and Psychology of Play

About this book

The great narratives of religion and nationhood were battered in the twentieth century by the dual forces of globalization and postmodernism. In the uncertainty of broken traditions, many people looking for God retreated into a regressive fundamentalism, and others abandoned themselves to nihilism and cynicism. But is there another way?

In this volume, esteemed sociologist and therapist Mark W. Teismann offers a fresh approach to spiritual pursuits, one that neither relies upon absolutes nor leaves seekers in a void of disbelief. This approach is to consider the exercise of spirituality as a type of play.

Teismann takes the reader on a whirlwind ride through the different aspects of play and how they relate to spirituality. Teismann draws on classical philosophers, memories of childhood, developmental science, poets, and his long career as a psychotherapist to create a deep understanding of how the spirit of play informs our moral pursuits and spiritual yearnings.

A conclusion and epilogue summarize the book's tenets and touch on Mark Teismann's battle with cancer and how the practices of meditation and play accompanied him on his spiritual journey in the context of an incurable disease. The book's appendix gives interested readers a detailed description of how to approach the practice of meditation.

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Yes, you can access A Playful Spirit by Mark W. Teismann,Lynn Weber in PDF and/or ePUB format, as well as other popular books in Theology & Religion & Psychotherapy Counselling. We have over one million books available in our catalogue for you to explore.

Information

Table of contents

  1. Cover
  2. A Playful Spirit
  3. A Playful Spirit: Exploring the Theology,Philosophy, and Psychologyof Play
  4. Copyright page
  5. Contents
  6. Preface
  7. Acknowledgments
  8. Introduction
  9. Chapter 1
  10. Everyday Play
  11. Chapter 2
  12. Possibility Play
  13. Chapter 3
  14. Dark Play
  15. Chapter 4
  16. Flanking Play
  17. Chapter 5
  18. Bright Play
  19. Chapter 6
  20. Meditation
  21. Chapter 7
  22. Conclusion
  23. Chapter 8
  24. Epilogue
  25. Appendix
  26. Select Bibliography
  27. Index
  28. About the Authors