Religion, agency, restitution
Book Description
In this thought-provoking exploration, psychiatrist and anthropologist Roland Littlewood examines the profound connections between religious belief and healing practices across diverse spiritual traditions. Drawing from his clinical experience with patients from various religious movements and extensive fieldwork in Trinidad and among Hasidic communities, Littlewood reveals how different cultures use both faith and therapeutic approaches to navigate life's challenges.
The book investigates how communities explain suffering, seek reconciliation, and pursue restoration through both spiritual and medical means. Littlewood demonstrates that all forms of healing, whether addressing physical ailments or psychological wounds, contain underlying cosmological and redemptive elements that shape their effectiveness.
Through careful analysis of African-Caribbean religious practices, traditional Caribbean spiritual systems, and ultra-Orthodox Jewish traditions, the author uncovers surprising parallels in how these communities approach misfortune and recovery. He shows that the boundaries between religious ritual and therapeutic intervention are far more fluid than commonly assumed.
This scholarly yet accessible work offers valuable insights for anyone interested in understanding how spiritual beliefs influence healing processes. Littlewood's interdisciplinary approach bridges anthropology, psychiatry, and religious studies to illuminate the complex ways humans seek meaning and restoration when facing adversity. The book provides a nuanced perspective on how sacred and secular healing traditions complement and inform each other across different cultural contexts.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Short (< 200 pages) (~5 hours)
🕉️ Tradition: Comparative Religion
📄 Length: 175 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Religieuze aspecten
- ✓ Explore paths to emotional healing
- ✓ Explore Genezing
- ✓ Discover Zen principles and teachings
- ✓ Explore Religious aspects
- ✓ Explore Healing
- ✓ Explore Healing, religious aspects
- ✓ Explore Natural theology
