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Spiritual Atheist by Nick Seneca Jankel (view source)
Revision as of 09:44, 5 March 2018
, 09:44, 5 March 2018no edit summary
There is also the fact that it is much easier to live a life of spiritual exploration, from rolling around in fits of giggles with students whilst teaching in Africa, to finding spiritual bliss raving in Nevada when you come from a point of privilege. Jankel has had a wealth of opportunity, from studying at Cambridge to setting up his own company and travelling the world advising others. Whilst I'd never wish to minimise anyone's achievements, it does appear that ''Spiritual Atheist'' serves more as a chance to display all the things he has done, rather than providing a means of finding spiritual fulfilment for those with less access to such opportunities.
Jankel's writing style is also overly simplistic, as are the ideas presented here and so I did find it, at times, quite tedious and hard to focus on. Whilst an easy to read format makes ''Spiritual Atheist'' accessible for all, it also leads to a less than satisfying exploration of happiness and fulfilment. There is also little explanation from Jankel, rather definitive statements are made without much evidence to back it up, points such as ''for a spiritual atheist, the mind-body problem disappears. Mind and body are simply two aspects of the same M?ibusMoibus-strip-like reality. We see body when we weigh it or put it in a scanner. We see a mind when we meditate or dance.'' Jankel rarely follows through to explain or elaborate on such statements which, for a critical thinker such as myself, feels unsatisfying. Whilst it could be argued that it would be remiss to assume Jankel has all the answers, particularly with regard to the amorphous issue of spiritual fulfilment, I expected more from this book and was left disappointed.
This is a book for those looking to perhaps learn more about one man's view of spiritual atheism and for those who may enjoy reading about one individual's experiences. For those looking for a critical, detailed and focused analysis of what it means to be spiritual in the Digital Age, I think you will be left wanting, as I was. This is a shame, as the book promises so much but give it a try if you are after an unchallenging look at spirituality in the modern age.