Religion and the Subtle Body in Asia and the West: Between Mind and Body. By Geoffrey Samuel and Jay Johnson. New York: Routledge, 2013. 275 pages. ISSN: 1573420X E-ISSN: 15734218
摘要
Theosophical thought has dominated the West's thinking about the subtle body, according to Samuel and Johnson. But this dominance has obscured other ways subtle bodies have been conceptualized. In response, this diverse and interesting anthology surveys Asian and Euro‐American subtle body concepts and practices. In addition to a general introduction, there are four sections—China and India; Tibet; Europe and Islam; and modernity—which explore specific religious and cultural representations and connections of subtle bodies. Each section includes a short introduction, followed by three to five essays. Topics include Daoist qi, Indian chakras and nadis in tantric practice, Bon and Tibetan soul and energy channel representations, ancient Greek notions of the body related to athletics, Neoplatonic soul concepts, Sufi subtle centers, and modern subtle body concepts in neo‐shamanism, scientific, esoteric, post‐structuralist, feminist, and ethnic discourses. The last chapter by Samuel is the most theoretical, attempting to approach the subtle body in nonreductionist ways, focusing on practices and historical frameworks. Although not fully successful due to self‐imposed limitations, Samuel's theoretical essay nevertheless continues an important conversation about nonreductionism. Overall, this book is a fine collection that will interest East–West comparativists, those in body studies and embodiment, Asian religions, and those theorizing about nonreductionist approaches to studying religion.
