Overview
This eye-opening journey through the terrain of Native American spirituality contrasts contemporary society's rejection of the sacred--and its arrogant belief in its own power to control the cosmos--with native traditions of reverence for the earth. The author reconstructs the archetypal and symbolic significance of indigenous rituals and sacred sites, placing Native American spirituality in the context of the world's great religions. The comparison illustrates the richness and universality of the native approach to the earth as a cherished being and reveals the poverty of our present-day attitudes toward the natural environment and its living creatures. This book is an urgent call to rediscover and become firmly grounded on the sacred earth again.
Full Product Details
Author: Arthur Versluis
Publisher: Inner Traditions Bear and Company
Imprint: Inner Traditions Bear and Company
Edition: Original ed.
Dimensions:
Width: 15.20cm
, Height: 1.30cm
, Length: 23.00cm
ISBN: 9780892813520
ISBN 10: 0892813520
Pages: 176
Publication Date: 10 January 2000
Audience:
College/higher education
,
Professional and scholarly
,
Undergraduate
,
Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
Availability: In Print
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Reviews
Through discussion of how the religions of Native Americans compare to traditional religions, Versluis finds ground for a common spirituality. Necessary reading for a greater understanding of Native American spirituality.
Versluis, editor of Avaloka: A Journal of Traditional Religion and Culture , offers a much-needed understanding of Native American religion. Through discussion of how the religions of Native Americans compare with traditional religions, he finds ground for a common spirituality. While contemporary society emphasizes ecology, Versluis points out that Native Americans always had a love and respect for the environment and a recognition of the spiritual qualities of nature. This book may prove a bit difficult for lay readers, yet it is necessary reading for those seeking a greater understanding of Native American spirituality. For Native American and religion collections.--Library Journal (Tuesday, September 01, 1992) James F. Wood Sr., Hillsborough Community Coll. Lib., Tampa, Fla.
Versluis, editor of Avaloka: A Journal of Traditional Religion and Culture , offers a much-needed understanding of Native American religion. Through discussion of how the religions of Native Americans compare with traditional religions, he finds ground for a common spirituality. While contemporary society emphasizes ecology, Versluis points out that Native Americans always had a love and respect for the environment and a recognition of the spiritual qualities of nature. This book may prove a bit difficult for lay readers, yet it is necessary reading for those seeking a greater understanding of Native American spirituality. For Native American and religion collections.
Author Information
Arthur Versluis is Professor of American Thought and Language at Michigan State University and the author of many books, including Wisdom's Children: A Christian Esoteric Tradition, also published by SUNY Press. He is also the editor of the journal Esoterica.
