A study of the Movement of Spiritual Inner Awareness : religious innovation and cultural change / Diana G. Tumminia, James R. Lewis.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Tumminia, Diana G.

Contributor:

George Clapp Vaillant Book Fund.

Series:

Palgrave studies in new religions and alternative spiritualities

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Movement of Spiritual Inner Awareness.

Physical Description:

xlii, 231 pages : illustrations ; 23 cm.

Place of Publication:

New York : Palgrave Macmillan, 2013.

Summary:

MSIA, the Movement of Spiritual Inner Awareness, has been called the Cadillac of cults and the leader was once dubbed the "Hollywood guru." Those interested in new religions only know MSIA from these kinds of labels. However, when looked at from a qualitative sociological perspective, a more complex story of religious innovation and cultural change emerges. An important study in religious syncretism, A Study of the Movement of Inner Awareness analyzes the ways MSIA exemplifies the blending of Eastern and Western religion with therapeutic self-help traditions in pop psychology and New Age thought and presents a sensitive portrayal of its leaders and members. Book jacket.

Contents:

1 What Is MSIA? 1

2 Entrance into the Field 23

3 Beginnings 47

4 Prana 65

5 How They Came into the Movement 83

6 Being a Minister 105

7 Charisma: John-Roger and John Morton 123

8 In Your Dreams 143

9 Survey and Comparative Demographics 157

10 Stereotypes and Social Conflict 173

11 Conclusion 187.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 221-227) and index.

Local Notes:

Acquired for the Penn Libraries with assistance from the George Clapp Vaillant Book Fund.

ISBN:

1137374187

9781137374189

OCLC:

855507117

Publisher Number:

99956804257