Wisdom Traditions in Spiritual Care

Integrative Explorations on Normativity

Daniel S. Schipani

• Publisher: Pickwick Publications
• Year: 2026
• Print ISBN:
  9798385254125
  9798385254132
• eBook ISBN:
  9798385254149
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Comparative Religion

All spiritual care providers face two fundamental questions: Where do normative criteria for assessment and caregiving practice come from? And how are those criteria integrated personally, and in theory and clinical practice? By addressing these questions, this book makes a timely contribution to the growing field of spiritual care and fosters reflection and dialogue among representatives of diverse traditions across social contexts and professional disciplines.



Wisdom traditions are those normative frameworks, guides, and paths towards human wholeness and healing. They are grounded in cultural-religious, philosophical, theological, and scientific views and practices. In this book, twenty-five voices thoroughly discuss their understanding and appropriation of the traditions they represent. The subtitle—“Integrative Explorations on Normativity”—alludes to the unavoidable challenge of connecting wisdom traditions between themselves and with care seekers’ existential needs, resources, and longings in diverse forms of spiritual care practice and theory. The writers offer explanations and case studies illustrating fruitful integration in contextually appropriate ways.



This book is meant as a tool for sharing wisdom(s) in spiritual care with a spirit of interreligious and intertradition hospitality. Readers are invited to join the conversation with the same spirit.

Table of contents

• Title Page
• Preface
• 1. Exploring Normativity in Spiritual Care
• Part 1. Tradition-specific Integrative Approaches
• Part 2. New Developments and Challenges Across Traditions
• Epilogue
• Contributors