An Ecological Sense of Self for an Ecologically Sustainable Future : Contributions of Three Spiritual Traditions to Constructions of Self and Other

ISBN-13: 9783639064698 / Angielski / Miękka / 2008 / 324 str.

Eva Schmid

Opis

The core premise of the work is that our global environmental and social crises are of our own making and can only be transformed by us. Therefore it is imperative that humanity finds ways of protecting and sustaining the natural environment for our collective survival. This necessarily depends on human beings ability to co-exist in harmony with other humans and species and to feel connected to and protect nature.This work examines three spiritual or wisdom traditions Australian Aboriginal spiritualities, the Goddess movement and Tibetan Buddhism, as they relate to Arne Naess''s concept of the ecological self. The ecological self is a psychological construct that suggests that human beings can evolve from a narrow egocentric way of being and relating to others, to one that is more open, inclusive. The three spiritual traditions provide a compassionate and non-violent view of human consciousness that has the potential to transform into an ecologically sensitive creative force.This work would be of particular interest to, academics, students, educators and spiritual practitioners interested in the natural environment, spirituality, psychology or story.

O autorze

Eva J. Schmid, Master of Education at the University of
Canberra. Departmental Officer at the Department of Health and
Ageing, Canberra