How do Japanese people foster spiritual awareness?

This book provides a fresh perspective on spirituality by highlighting the wisdom of Japan: ‘Way’ (pronounced michi or dō in Japanese), which makes life a place for self-cultivation and personal growth, as seen in budō (the Way of martial arts) and geidō (the Way of art).

Traditionally embodied in the daily lives of the Japanese people, this practical perspective covers life situations ranging from greetings and meals to lying down and sitting up. These discussions of Japanese spirituality range from grief care, spiritual care, reincarnation, Zen and meditation to philosophical worldviews.  Japanese spirituality as a Way contrasts with Western spirituality that tends to be based on a cognitive approach with a background of mind-body dualism. Today, as the traditional interconnectedness of humanity is increasingly fragmented, the authors hope their contribution from Japan may promote the study, understanding and practice of spirituality around the world.

'A gem…a ray of hope amid the darkness of COVID'
Wilfred McSherry - Professor, Staffordshire University

'A key text for engaging in contemporary spirituality studies'
Yujin Nagasawa - Professor, University of Birmingham

'Japanese perspectives on the quest for what it means to be human'
David R. Loy - Zen Master / Award-winning author of Ecodharma

'A model of spirituality distinctly different from Western spirituality'
Susumi Shimazono - Professor Emeritus, University of Tokyo

About Editors and Authors

Carl BECKER is Professor at the Policy Science Unit, Kyoto University. He researches Japanese medical and environmental ethics, death and dying. He received honorary doctorates of Letters and Psychology from Bombay and Moscow, and awards from ADEC, SIETAR and the Crown Prince Akihito Foundation. Becker leads a national Japanese project investigating the effects of bereavement on productivity and medical costs, and serves on the editorial boards of numerous journals.

Naoki KASHIO is Associate Professor at the Faculty of Letters, Keio University. He specializes in comparative meditation theory and meditation practices, especially Internal Alchemy. 

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