Practical Spirituality and Human Development Transformations in Reli
In a world where the rise of the religious in politics and the public sphere is often accompanied by violence and religious fundamentalism, this book considers the increasing relevance of movements of practical spirituality from multiple traditions and do
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Practical Spirituality and Human Development
Ananta Kumar Giri Editor
Practical Spirituality and Human Development Transformations in Religions and Societies
Editor Ananta Kumar Giri Madras Institute of Development Studies Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
ISBN 978-981-13-0802-4 ISBN 978-981-13-0803-1 (eBook) https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-0803-1 Library of Congress Control Number: 2018951119 © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s) 2018 This work is subject to copyright. All rights are solely and exclusively licensed by the Publisher, whether the whole or part of the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other physical way, and transmission or information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed. The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. The publisher, the authors and the editors are safe to assume that the advice and information in this book are believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication. Neither the publisher nor the authors or the editors give a warranty, express or implied, with respect to the material contained herein or for any errors or omissions that may have been made. The publisher remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. Cover credit: Ekely This Palgrave Macmillan imprint is published by the registered company Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. The registered company address is: 152 Beach Road, #21-01/04 Gateway East, Singapore 189721, Singapore
To St. Mother Teresa, His Holiness The 14th Dalai Lama, Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, and Kailash Satyarthi
Foreword: On Being Poor in Spirit
My friend Ananta Kumar Giri has asked me to write a Foreword to this book, Practical Spirituality and Human Development. I am happy to comply with his request, not least because I find the topic important and stimulating. I want to start with a meditation, which, although originating in a Christian context, has in my view a broader cross-cultural and inter- religious significance. The gospel of Matthew offers in chapter 5:3–10 a list of “beatitudes” or benedictions pronounced by Jesus during his sojourn in Galilee. The first benediction says: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” The benediction is followed by blessings on “those who mourn,” on “the meek,” on “those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,” on “the pure in heart,” on “the peacemakers,” and those “persecuted for righteousness’s sake.” But the first blessing goes to the “poor in spirit.” What does that mean? Interestingly, the gospel of Luke (6:20–23) also offers a list of ben
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