Life Spirit: For groups and individuals exploring deep questions. Lindsey Press (London 2015). Pbk. 123 pages. £8.
Sociologists of Religion tell us that there is an increasing number of people who are not active members of traditional churches, but are still interested in ‘ultimate questions’ and ‘spirituality’ and exploring what living a good life might mean. The discussions included in this book might well be of interest to such people, as well as to those who do have a religious affiliation. Sponsored by the Hibbert Trust, and written by a Unitarian minister, this book will be attractive for Unitarian groups as well as other groups who are interested in exploring religious and spiritual questions, from a liberal and open-minded perspective. Local groups belonging to the SOF network might be a good example.
The author provides us with twelve units on different themes, designed to form the basis of small group discussion, though the book could also be worked through privately. The units cover the following topics: one’s own personal journey, the meaning of ‘spirituality’, the role of personal faith, the role of organised religion, making moral choices, facing death, authority, creation, the importance of belief, God, suffering and evil, and working out priorities. Each unit has stimulating questions for reflection or discussion. Appendices offer advice for group leaders, examples of simple rituals and readings that groups might wish to use to frame the meetings, and a summary list of questions. It is clearly written in accessible and non-technical language, and combines thinking about ‘big issues’ with personal reflection.
The book is aimed at adults, but some of the material could be adapted for use with younger people, who certainly think about most of these ‘big questions’. Although many of the topics and some of the questions recall material covered in religious education in schools, the personal and experiential nature of the explorations in this book means that they would be more suitable for ‘out of hours’ groups who have chosen to come along rather than the ‘conscripts’ that are present in the classroom. Although the material is presented as issues for open reflection and debate without an agenda, and could be of interest to both ‘religious’ and ‘non-religious’ people (and especially to those who are not happy with either of those labels), there are places where a more theistic interpretation of life shows through, particularly in some of the ‘rituals and readings’. However, post-theist and humanist group members can perhaps edit these out or apply metaphorical understandings.
The topics discussed in the units are derived from a ‘Western’ tradition of debate between Christianity and ‘secular humanism’, and the model of religion is derived from Christianity, or at least theism. Thus the book would probably not be very useful for inter-faith groups, unless these were confined to Abrahamic traditions, and open-minded ‘Western’ humanists. For ‘Eastern’ traditions, the categories and headings would be different. The few references to Buddhism, while not exactly wrong, do not quite capture the spirit of the tradition – for example the description of rebirth on p.43 is more ‘new age’ than Buddhist.
Apart from this minor reservation, Life Spirit would be a very helpful book for the sort of groups/individuals for whom it is written, those who want to explore big questions and nurture the spirit, without being told what to believe, and with freedom to choose spiritual practices to suit themselves. As this approach to religion and spirituality is growing well beyond Unitarian circles, the appeal of the materials presented could be a wide one.
Denise Cush is Professor of Religion and Education at Bath Spa University.