American Spirituality 6:30-8:30 

November 17 Catalogue Description:

We are experiencing an explosion of interest in forms of spirituality in our culture. One observer sees this as moving from a time of "dwelling" spiritually to a phase of "searching." This evening will consider some concepts and communities that have grown in America since the first settlements to the present day that express this searching. We are experimental, visionary, seduced, arrogant and humble in our cultural search for what is beyond the material. From New Thought to New Age, from the Quakers and Shakers to Ram Das and Transcendental Meditation, come and discover our rich spiritual heritage.

You might be wondering why this is a one evening event. While this very rich topic could indeed occupy us for an entire semester and still leave so much interesting and valuable history unexamined, I have two very specific goals in talking about American Spirituality on this night.

First of all, I would like to talk about some characteristics that seem unique to American spirituality — such things as a "lack of roots - sense of adventure" and a "critical thinking about community," and a "dualism in search of a monism."  Let me give you a specific example. For many American thinkers, their sense of being rooted to a community or tradition has been overwhelmed by a sense of adventure that allows a wide and varied journey into spirituality. Some names that exemplify this would be Mary Baker Eddy, William James, Phineas Quimby, William Garret, and Henry David Thoreau.

Secondly, I want to think with you about how these and other individuals are influencing us today, even if we have never heard their names. How does it effect our spiritual growth to have been raised within this culture? Are there strengths and are there weaknesses? Why are we now looking outside our culture for spiritual guidance?

If there are specific individuals or groups you would like mentioned in this talk, please let me know. I am also open to suggestions and questions on this topic.