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Secular Spirituality: Reincarnation and Spiritism in Nineteenth-Century France — Occult Philosophy

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Secular Spirituality: Reincarnation and Spiritism in Nineteenth-Century France

Name: Secular Spirituality: Reincarnation and Spiritism in Nineteenth-Century France
Price: 57.95 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9780739113394

✍️ Sharp, Lynn L

Reader Score

4.6

(1 review)

$57.95 ~~$69.00~~ Save $11.05 (16%)

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

Lynn L. Sharp's insightful study challenges conventional views of 19th-century France, revealing a vibrant spiritual landscape where Enlightenment thought intertwined with esoteric beliefs. This book meticulously traces the emergence of a unique 'secular spirituality,' spearheaded by figures like Allan Kardec and rooted in the concept of reincarnation. Sharp demonstrates how this movement sparked social reform, empowered women mediums, and confronted established scientific, psychological, and religious paradigms. Going beyond the movement's leaders, it explores how Spiritism functioned for its adherents, proving the era was far from 'disenchanted' as commonly believed.

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Occult Philosophy

Praise for this book

“This fine study of French spiritism in the nineteenth century confirms a growing recognition by historians that various forms of modern religiosity survived the development of materialist critique of traditional religion. These movements, which Sharp deftly and judiciously surveys here, combined the humanist vision of a progressive and egalitarian society with a mystical faith in everyday miracles.”

— Robert A. Nye, Horning Professor of the Humanities and Professor of History, Oregon State University

🏛 Lexington Books 📅 2006 📖 270 pages 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9780739113394

Fun Fact

Lynn L. Sharp's *Secular Spirituality* masterfully recontextualizes 19th-century French spiritualism, offering a nuanced counter-narrative to the prevailing 'disenchanted' view. It excels in demonstrating how Spiritism, far from being a fringe belief, actively engaged with and shaped broader cultural conversations around science, society, and gender. While it might disappoint readers seeking a devotional or purely biographical account, it’s an essential read for anyone interested in the complex interplay of spirituality, reason, and social change in modern history.

📝 Description: Secular Spirituality: Reincarnation and Spiritism in Nineteenth-Century France

Secular Spirituality challenges the traditional dichotomy between Enlightenment reason and religion. It follows French romantic socialists' and spiritists' search for a new spirituality based on reincarnation as a path to progress for individuals and society. Leaders like Allan Kardec argued for social reform; spiritist groups strove for equality; and women mediums challenged gender roles. Lynn L. Sharp looks closely at what it meant to practice spiritism, analyszing the movement's social and political critique and explaining the popularity of the new belief. She explores points of convergence and conflict in the interplay between spiritism and science, spiritism and psychology, and spiritism and the Catholic church to argue that the nineteenth century was not as "disenchanted" as has been thought. Secular Spirituality successfully places spiritism within a larger cultural conversation, going beyond the leaders of the movement to look at the way spiritism functioned for its followers.

💎 Expert review

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Esoterica Books editorial team

Occult literature desk

Sharp provides a meticulous and insightful account of Spiritism, effectively challenging the notion of a purely disenchanted nineteenth century. However, readers seeking a mystical guide or practical instructions on mediumship will find little utility here; this is a rigorous historical analysis, not a devotional text. Those preferring narrative-driven histories may find the academic focus on paradigms and social structures dry. It is best suited for scholars and serious enthusiasts of esoteric history who appreciate detailed examinations of how spiritual movements confronted established scientific and religious institutions without romanticizing the past.

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📖 Why choose it

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Why this book is worth reading

Readers fascinated by the complex interplay between reason and mysticism in nineteenth-century France will find this study deeply rewarding. It is particularly valuable for those interested in how esoteric beliefs influenced social reform and empowered women mediums during a time often perceived as strictly secular. If you are curious about the hidden spiritual revolutions that shaped modern thought, or if you seek to understand the vibrant landscape where Enlightenment ideals met reincarnation theories, this book offers essential insights into a movement that was far from disenchanted.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —

⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.6/5

★★★★★

If you're fascinated by the hidden currents of spiritual history, the evolution of French intellectual thought, or how unconventional beliefs can spark social change, this compelling study offers a fresh perspective on a vibrant, often misunderstood, historical period.

Reader rating

4.6

Based on 1 reviews

Esoterica Books editorial team

Sharp provides a meticulous and insightful account of Spiritism, effectively challenging the notion of a purely disenchanted nineteenth century. However, readers seeking a mystical guide or practical instructions on mediumship will find little utility here; this is a rigorous historical analysis, not a devotional text. Those preferring narrative-driven histories may find the academic focus on paradigms and social structures dry. It is best suited for scholars and serious enthusiasts of esoteric history who appreciate detailed examinations of how spiritual movements confronted established scientific and religious institutions without romanticizing the past.

❓ Frequently asked questions

While Kardec is an important figure, Sharp's analysis extends far beyond his biography. The book delves into the broader social and political implications of Spiritism, examining how its principles resonated with and were practiced by ordinary followers across France.

Absolutely not. This is a rigorous academic study. Lynn L. Sharp offers an objective historical and cultural analysis of Spiritism, exploring its societal impact and intellectual underpinnings without endorsing its spiritual claims.

📖 Who should read this

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Spiritism & Social Progress

Discusses how Spiritism, particularly through figures like Allan Kardec, actively advocated for societal improvement. Its principles, especially reincarnation, were seen as a mechanism for personal and collective advancement, fostering a vision of a more equitable and progressive society within 19th-century France.

Reincarnation's Rational Appeal

Explores how the concept of reincarnation served not merely as a mystical belief but as a cornerstone of a 'secular spirituality.' It offered a logical framework for individual evolution and moral accountability, appealing to minds seeking a synthesis of scientific reasoning and spiritual meaning during a transformative period.

Challenging Nineteenth-Century Norms

Details how this movement disrupted established societal structures. Women mediums found empowered roles, pushing against gender constraints, while Spiritism itself questioned dominant scientific and religious paradigms, revealing a more complex, less 'disenchanted' cultural landscape than often portrayed.

📜 Historical context

This work expertly situates French Spiritism within the wider intellectual currents of the 19th century, challenging the long-held notion of a purely secular, 'disenchanted' era. It contributes significantly to studies of alternative spiritualities and their complex relationship with scientific progress and traditional religious institutions during a period of profound societal transformation.

📚 Glossary

Spiritism
Enlightenment Reason
Disenchantment

📔 Questions to reflect on

How might a spiritual system based on personal progress through reincarnation influence contemporary social justice movements?
Consider the 'disenchantment' narrative of modernity. What other historical periods or cultural phenomena might challenge this simplified view of secularization?
If you were to design a 'secular spirituality' today, what core tenets would it include to address both individual meaning and collective well-being?