The dynamics of spirituality: A cross-cultural analysis of untranslatable terms
Article
Lomas, T. 2018. The dynamics of spirituality: A cross-cultural analysis of untranslatable terms. Psychology of Religion and Spirituality. 11 (2), pp. 131-140. https://doi.org/10.1037/rel0000163
Authors | Lomas, T. |
---|---|
Abstract | The notion of spirituality is increasingly prominent in academic and cultural discourse alike. However, it remains a nebulous concept, capable of diverse interpretations, particularly cross-culturally. In the interest of exploring this diversity, yet also with the aim of identifying common themes, an enquiry was conducted into conceptualizations of spirituality across cultures. Specifically, the enquiry focused on so-called untranslatable words, i.e., which lack an exact equivalent in another language (in this case, English). Through a quasi-systematic search, together with conceptual snowballing, over 200 relevant terms were located. A grounded theory analysis identified three key dimensions: the sacred, contemplative practice, and self-transcendence. Based on these, a conceptualization of spirituality was formulated that may be valid cross-culturally, namely: engagement with the sacred, usually through contemplative practice, with the ultimate aim of self-transcendence. |
Journal | Psychology of Religion and Spirituality |
Journal citation | 11 (2), pp. 131-140 |
ISSN | 1941-1022 |
Year | 2018 |
Publisher | American Psychological Association for American Psychological Association, Psychology of Religion |
Accepted author manuscript | |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1037/rel0000163 |
Web address (URL) | https://doi.org/10.1037/rel0000163 |
Publication dates | |
Online | 12 Mar 2018 |
Publication process dates | |
Deposited | 02 Jan 2018 |
Accepted | 13 Oct 2017 |
Accepted | 13 Oct 2017 |
Copyright information | © American Psychological Association, 2018. This paper is not the copy of record and may not exactly replicate the authoritative document published in the APA journal. Please do not copy or cite without author's permission. The final article is available, upon publication, at: https://doi.org/10.1037/rel0000163 |
License | All rights reserved |
https://repository.uel.ac.uk/item/848v0
Download files
241
total views736
total downloads3
views this month5
downloads this month