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28 - Relationship between Wisdom and Spirituality

An Expanded Theoretical Model with Mysticism and Gerotranscendence

from Part VI - Wisdom and Other Psychological Constructs

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 March 2019

By
Masami Takahashi
Edited by
Robert J. Sternberg  and
Judith Glück
Robert J. Sternberg
Affiliation:
Cornell University, New York
Judith Glück
Affiliation:
Universität Klagenfurt, Austria
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Summary

While wisdom and spirituality are extremely complex and profound constructs with diverse meanings and nuances, several scientific approaches for each have been proposed in the last few decades. However, theoretical discussions about the relationship between these two constructs have not been as forthcoming. In this chapter, I first present various psychological approaches to understanding the meaning and history of wisdom and spirituality with a cross-cultural emphasis. Each construct is examined while paying particular attention to the culturally inclusive relational model of wisdom. This model, drawn from both the Eastern and Western traditions, is useful in understanding how the intersection wisdom and spirituality varies as a function of different religious teachings from around the world. In addition, two related concepts – mysticism and gerotranscendence – are introduced which share integrative, transformative, and transcendental characteristics with wisdom and spirituality. Finally, I present a series of studies with the oldest old in the Amami islands, a well-known region for longevity and high fertility rate. In this tight-knit community, with a strong mystical belief system, older gerotranscendent individuals are constantly revered for their wisdom and spirituality in their daily lives as well as during special events and rituals.
Type
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The Cambridge Handbook of Wisdom , pp. 626 - 646
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2019

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