Better Health through Spiritual Practices

An in-depth examination of religious practices around the world and the fascinating science behind how they make us healthier. Many religious and spiritual beliefs promote wellness through their practices or stated objectives-for example, focusing on simple living, having compassion for others, vegetarianism, or meditation and mindfulness. This refreshing work provides a review of the world's spiritual perspectives and traditions, and explores how their guiding principles encourage healthy lifestyle choices. An examination of religious and nonreligious perspectives from around the world-from atheism, Confucianism, and Christianity to Islam, Judaism, Shamanism, and Zoroastrianism-reveals how faith beliefs and values influence behavior and inspire healthy living. With contributions from leading international scholars, the chapters include a discussion of Eastern and Western world religions and their practices-such as fasting or the avoidance of alcohol and tobacco-and how they may foster healthfulness. A contemporary analysis of current research findings suggests possible interventions that individuals and health providers may utilize to enhance healthfulness. A final chapter explores the connection between health, illness, and religious and nonreligious perspectives.

Dean D. VonDras, PhD, is professor of human development and psychology at the University of Wisconsin, Green Bay, where he teaches courses in adult development and aging and spirituality and development.

Series Foreword Regan A.R. Gurung Preface: The Prospect of Our Journey Dean D. VonDras Acknowledgments Chapter 1. The Religio-Spiritual Context of Lifestyle Practices and Health Behaviors Dean D. VonDras Chapter 2. Hinduism, Jainism, and Sikhism Vibha Agnihotri and Vinamrata Agnihotri Chapter 3. The Middle Path to Health: The Relationship between Buddhist Practices and Beliefs, and Health Outcomes Dana Dharmakaya Colgan, Nina J. Hidalgo, and Paul E. Priester Chapter 4. Health, Spirituality, and Chinese Thought Robert Santee Chapter 5. Ways of Healing and the Roles of Harmony, Purity, and Violent Rhetoric in Japanese Shinto and Shamanism Carl Olson Chapter 6. Judaism and Health Miriam Korbman, Moses Appel, and David H. Rosmarin Chapter 7. Christianity-Catholic and Seventh-day Adventist Examples Arndt Büssing and Désirée Poier Chapter 8. Islam and Health Mona M. Amer Chapter 9. Sufism and Optimal Health Saloumeh Bozorgzadeh, Nasim Bahadorani, and Mohammad Sadoghi Chapter 10. Lesser Known Spiritualities: Bahá'í', Rastafari, and Zoroastrianism Holly Nelson-Becker, Leanne Atwell, and Shannan Russo Chapter 11. North American Indigenous Spiritualities Jeff King Chapter 12. The Spirituality of the Eastern Cherokee and Ani'-Yun-Wiya Shamanistic Medicine Kevin A. Harris Chapter 13. Agnostic, Atheistic, and Nonreligious Orientations Karen Hwang and Ryan T. Cragun Chapter 14. Epilogue: Religion, Science, and Health-A Question of Balance or the Space Between? Scott F. Madey About the Editor and Contributors Index