Religion and Spirituality

Eliot Deutsch is Professor of Philosophy and Chair of Graduate Studies in the Department of Philosophy at the University of Hawaii, Manoa. He is past editor of Philosophy East and West, past president of the Society for Asian and Comparative Philosophy, and the author of ten other books.

"This is a remarkable book, superb in its mastery of a variety of genres. My first reading was in one sitting."Obviously the outcome of many years of personal spiritual process and probing intellectual reflection in implicit dialogue with a vast range of philosophical and religious thought, this book explores difficult, subtle, and complex issues within spirituality, within religion, and within their mutual interactions."The author's exploration is enhanced by his skillful use of a great variety of literary genres that help the reader to gain access to these issues through many different 'doors.' Profound insights are expressed with unusual lucidity." — Donald Evans, University of Toronto"Deutsch's book is remarkable in the way it combines different forms of writing and gives expression to different voices in exploring the interplay of religion and spirituality. The book weaves together philosophical and cross-cultural reflections and a variety of forms of literary composition. The many voices that speak reveal to the reader how complex, profound, deranged, earnest, playful, judgmental, loving, blind, enlightened, and redemptive religion and spirituality, in their interconnection, can be."I read the book straight through in a single sitting. It is rich and fascinating reading. I now want to go back and explore the individual pieces in greater depth. The book is extraordinary." — Michael Washburn, Indiana University at South Bend

• Preface Part 1. A Phenomenology of Spirituality SolitudeSpiritual PassivityDivine LoveWisdom Part 2. Tales and Plays The ChurchInnocenceThe DirectorThe EndFrancis Part 3. Dialogues, Monologues, and Discussions On the Dark Night of the SoulQuestions Not Tending toward EdificationFreudian ParenthoodModes of BeingQuestionsIllusionsReligious PsychologyEnemies, Impediments, and DistractionsOn Moral and Religious LoveThe Ironic GazeBelongingOn Images of Gods and GoddessesFaith Part 4. Letters To a Colleague: On Religion and Good TasteTo a Former Student: On CreationTo an Anthropologist: On Truth and Archaic ReligionTo a Visitor: On Religion and HumorTo a Layman: Animadversions on Natural TheologyTo a Concerned Scholar: On Religion and Morality Part 5. Definitions and Poems WordsThree Women in Religious ArtThey Call It a HomeMemory and Time