How to Talk About Spiritual Encounters

This book explores how language is used to describe spiritual and mystical encounters, arguing that vagueness can be intentional and engage the imaginative participation of listeners. It provides practical ways for people to improve their skills in talking about these encounters.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 327 pages
Publication date: 29 July 2021
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This groundbreaking book offers a fresh and innovative perspective on the way language is employed when individuals describe their spiritual and mystical experiences. The early chapters provide comprehensive overviews of the nature of spiritual encounters, their frequency, and the significance of language in these contexts.

The book then delves into a unique approach to understanding the dynamics of discussing spirituality, supported by original research. Peter J. Adams, in particular, explores how this characteristic vagueness in spiritual discourse can be seen as an intentional rather than incidental aspect, as certain types of vagueness have the ability to engage the imaginative participation of receptive listeners. This expressive vagueness is achieved by incorporating missing bits or "gaps" in the description, allowing listeners to insert their own content.

The subsequent chapters focus on practical strategies for individuals, including helping professionals, to enhance their skills in talking about their spiritual encounters. The content is presented in the form of café conversations between four individuals, each grappling with their own challenges in translating the content of their experiences into words.

By exploring the interplay between language, spirituality, and imagination, this book provides valuable insights into the complex and multifaceted nature of human experiences and offers practical tools for navigating the verbal expression of these profound encounters.

Weight: 442g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030452100
Edition number: 1st ed. 2020