ABSTRACT

This introduction presents an overview of key concepts covered in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book examines the concept of spirituality over the past twenty years and the role it has played and continues to play in education and in people's lives, both religious and non-religious. Academics and professionals from disciplines outside theology and religion were examining the role of spirituality in the physical, mental and emotional wellbeing of the individual. One of the factors that impedes spiritual growth, but which receives little attention in education and other programmes that attend to the wellbeing of children and young people, is an identification of the human shadow. Having established the significance that spirituality has in human life, the book presents an approach to learning that recognises the child as a rational, emotional and spiritual being. Finally, another aspect that relates to spiritual learning is that spirituality and religion have close links.