Sacred Longings: The Ecological Spirit and Global CultureNoted theologian Mary Grey believes we have gotten out of touch with our deepest desires and that this has caused us to acquiesce in global capitalism's most problematic characteristics. Story and symbol, she argues, can put us back in touch with our ''sacred longings.'' Focusing on such simple yet profound symbols as water, light, and sacred space, she tries to re-instill a spiritual quest. In the end, she envisions spirituality - a kind of ecomystical renewal - as an element in the transformation of desire, lived out in Christian community. Part One examines how our culture has lost heart; Part Two analyzes our restless hearts; Part Three asks us to take heart and rekindle our thirst for righteousness. |
Contents
A Globalized Culture The End of Vision? | 3 |
Women Wilderness Water The End of Liberation? | 22 |
Split at the Roots The End of Theology? | 47 |
Restless Heart | 67 |
From Kenosis to Flourishing A Task for Theology | 69 |
Becoming a Watered Garden A Sacramental Poetics | 85 |
Taking Heart | 101 |
Spirit and the Reeducation of Our Longing | 103 |
The Practice of Ecomysticism | 149 |
Gandhi and Speaking Truth from the Heart | 172 |
The Recovery of Desire | 192 |
Epilogue | 213 |
| 217 | |
Notes | 225 |
| 257 | |
Ecofeminist Theology Challenge and Inspiration | 121 |
Common terms and phrases
addiction Amartya Sen ancient Annie Dillard argue Barenton beauty become body Book of Job Celtic Chapter Christ Christian Church communities connection contemporary context creation creative crisis culture Dalits darkness death desert desire developed Dillard dimension divine domination Dream drought earth ecofeminism ecofeminist ecological ecomystical economic Ecotheology ethical Etty Hillesum experience explore face faith Feminist Feminist Theology flourishing focus forms Gandhi Gandhian global capitalism God's goddess healing heart Hillesum Holy human India inspiration Jesus Job's journey justice kenosis kenotic Liberation Theology life-style living London longing Martha Nussbaum means Mirabai Miriam mystical myth nature numbers perichoresis poor prophetic protesters Psyche and Eros Rajasthan recovery religion responsibility sacramental poetics sacred sacrifice Sallie McFague self-emptying sense sexuality social Spirit split story struggle suffering sustaining Thar Desert theologians theological education Timothy Gorringe tion tradition transformation truth violence vision vulnerability wilderness wisdom women yearning