Finding Space
Featured Dandi Sanyasi in the Sacred City of Kashi: Unraveling Spiritual Mystique
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Vineet Kumar
This research delves into the spiritual significance of Kashi (Varanasi) by examining the mystique surrounding the city and the lives of Dandi Swamis residing in Mumukshu Bhavan. The study adopts a predominantly qualitative approach, supported by secondary data to contextualize the significance of Kashi in the pursuit of Moksha (liberation) and the unique lifestyle of these ascetics. The research draws on existing literature, government publications, and sample surveys to build a conceptual framework, while primary data collection incorporates non-probability sampling techniques, participant observation, and semi-structured interviews. Dandi Swamis, who have migrated to Kashi, are studied to understand their motivations, perspectives on Moksha, and the role the city plays in their spiritual journey. Participants were fully informed of the study's purpose, ensuring confidentiality and voluntary participation. Interviews, conducted in Hindi and English, explored core questions such as the meaning of Moksha and how residing in Kashi influences its attainment.
Rethinking Space and Place as Loci for Polyphonic Consciousness: A Case for Inclusivity of the Religious Other in a World of Radical Secularism.
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
SimonMary Asese Aihiokhai
The human person is a being defined by sociality as a primary condition of being human in the world. However, to be a social being is not something that is abstract. It is a praxis of being that is fundamentally grounded in an embodiment that is oriented towards by the concrete possibilities of space and place. Consequently, embodiment allows for the production of space and place and reciprocally, space and place define the contours of embodiment from which the consciousness of the self as a subject-in-relation arises. Grounding this work in a Levinassian consciousness and such interlocutors as Maurice Merleau-Ponty, Simone de Beauvoir, Jacques Derrida, and Georg Simmel, this paper explores how a rethinking of space and place can birth forth a a polyphonic consciousness that can serve as the locus for the praxis of a spirituality of inclusivity. To do this well, this work offers a robust understanding of what a spirituality of inclusivity means for our times and how it can serve in the work of ecumenism and interfaith encounters as the Church calls for an embrace of a synodal way of being in the world.
Featured The Dynamics of Sacred Space in Buddhism - Neuroscience, Culture, and Social Action: Exploring the Interplay Between Physical Environments, Mindfulness, and Ecological Sustainability in Engaged and Green Buddhism
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Francesca Benna
Recent studies on sacred space have gained prominence across the social and human sciences, integrating interdisciplinary approaches from neuroscience, anthropology, and responses to social, political, and ecological challenges. This research examines how sacred space influences individual experiences, social behavior, and collective action. Neuroscientific contributions, such as those from Franco Fabbro, explore how meditative and religious practices activate brain mechanisms, highlighting the impact of space—both physical and symbolic—on mental states like concentration, calm, and transcendence. The design of sacred spaces, including architectural features, light, color, and symbolism, plays a significant role in shaping perception and sensory experience. Cultural anthropology, particularly through Francesco Remotti’s work, helps understand how spaces reflect and reinforce shared values, while Pierre Bourdieu’s concepts of habitus emphasize how physical arrangements influence social relationships. Sacred spaces in Engaged Buddhism are not only used for spiritual practices but also serve as centers for activism, promoting social justice, peace, and nonviolence. In Green Buddhism, sacred spaces embody ecological sustainability, using bioclimatic architecture, sustainable materials, and permaculture practices to demonstrate the interconnectedness of human and environmental well-being. Additionally, the use of technologies like 3D modeling and virtual reality offers new tools for analyzing how sacred spaces affect the mind and behavior, fostering sustainable practices and social justice actions. In conclusion, sacred space is dynamic, influencing both mental states and social change through its physical, symbolic, and ecological dimensions.
