Four Spiritualities: Expressions of Self, Expression of Spirit (Paperback)

~ Peter T. Richardson (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Unitarian Universalist minister Richardson offers a handbook for a Jungian spiritual journey through the religious traditions of the world as well as a manual for discovering spiritual self-identity. Using the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator as a tool for determining personality types, the author demonstrates in his first section that different individuals have different spiritual needs. Richardson applies these insights in his second section as he proceeds to explore, through illustrations from sources as diverse as the Bhagavad Gita and Mother Teresa, the similarities among various world religions. The author points to four spiritual paths?the Journey of Unity, the Journey of Devotion, the Journey of Works and the Journey of Harmony?that are universally present in the world's religious traditions. He then combines the Jungian analysis of personality with the universality of spiritual expression to conclude that our perception of self and world is intimately connected to the spiritual path we choose to follow. Joseph Campbell meets Carl Jung and Myers-Briggs in this rather tired rehearsal of New Age spirituality.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Richardson's application of Jungian typology to spiritual development will be of interest to readers seeking an analytical framework within which to understand their spiritual journeys and the spiritual journeys of others. The book employs the Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) to illuminate four spiritualities that correspond to four orientations within the sixteen personality types specified by the MBTI. Given the widespread popularity of the MBTI, many readers will find this additional application intriguing. As is to be expected of typological theory, the book has more to do with categorization than with development; but categories can be useful disciplines, and these are likely to prompt dialogue and exploration. Steve Schroeder --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 264 pages
• Publisher: Intercultural Press (May 25, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0891060839
• ISBN-13: 978-0891060833
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #700,346 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

49 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Review of Four Spiritualities by Richardson, April 9, 2000

By	John Trotter (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews

Review of Four Spiritualities

This book was my first introduction to the idea that one's personality could be a strong indicator of one's preferred spiritual path. I found it fascinating and true to my own experience: I am the kind of person described by my Myers-Briggs type and I do have the spiritual preferences of my associated path in Four Spiritualities.

The book is thorough, well organized, and even-handed. It begins with an introduction of the MBTI which is necessarily generic rather than detailed, but it's complete, even-handed, and pretty clear, no small tasks. Richardson associates the two central letters of the MBTI type with preferred path, matching NT with the path of Unity, SF with Devotion, ST with Works, and NF with Harmony.

Chapters 2 and 3 seem like digressions at first, but provide important background into the development of one's personality and the motivations and preparations which put us on a spiritual path.

Chapters 4 through 7 present the four paths - Unity, Devotion, Works, and Harmony. They include more about the type and its characteristics and clarify the nature of the associated path. Richardson even notes the approximate percentage of the population in each type and comments on the concentration of certain types in certain religious careers. His own preferences do not show here and his breadth of coverage, examples, mentors, and references are very satisfying. The chapters have some repeated chunks, but these places easily bear repeating.

Chapter 8 departs some from the more scholarly tone of the rest of the book, pulling in less familiar references to native spirituality, new age philosophy, Celtic traditions, and even four Christian orientations derived by an Episcopal priest from four genres of literature identified by a critic. It is in this chapter and especially the final chapter, 9, that Richardson's own passions begin to show and he offers advice and reflections for society and the future.

The book concludes with footnotes from the chapters; lists of resources for more study of psychological type, scriptures, and religious traditions; a list of credits; and a substantial index.

This book is a slow read because the subject matter is dense and complex and because Richardson's writing style is rather scholarly in places (this is the only reason for 4 stars rather than 5). Do not think, though, that having read this review you can skip the book. It is rich and full and well worth the effort, for time after time the measured unpacking of a sentence brings that delicious Aha!, that Yes!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Myers-Briggs Personality Type and Religious Preference, May 16, 2009

By	John M. Ford "johnDC" (near DC, MD USA) - See all my reviews

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Peter Richardson uses the Jungian personality typology of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator as a guide to religious preference. The insight he offers is nothing so simple as which church to join, but an indication of the type of spiritual journey or quest that we will seek. The author's intent is to help us understand one another in our differences. "Honor the importance of each, and reflect on your home-base spirituality until you become comfortable with your version of it." (p. 39).

Richardson suggests four different "spiritual journeys" we follow, depending on two dimensions of our MBTI personality type. Intuitive Thinkers (NT) seek the path of Unity, hoping to identify the small set of unifying principles which explain and bind human experience together into a unified whole. Sensing Feelers (SF) seek the path of Devotion, relating to the personal experiences of their religious leaders and focusing on service to their fellow human beings. Sensing Thinkers (ST) seek the path of Works, with a strong sense of obedience to the law and responsibility to guide others and use resources appropriately. Intuitive Feelers (NF) seek the path of Harmony, acting authentically and forming healthy relationships with others. Readers learn about these different journeys through examples from the lives of historical religious figures, chosen to emphasize that all four journeys are found in each of the major world religions.

This is a thoughtful book and is worth reading even if the only insight is that the person sitting in the next pew sincerely pursues very different goals. It is a creative application of personality theory. Readers might also enjoy Behind the Masks: Personality Disorders in the Church for a somewhat darker view of personality differences in religious congregations.

13 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A library in one guidebook, a companion for our travels, March 28, 2000

By	Jan Lelie (The Hague - near Amsterdam - The Netherlands) - See all my reviews

This book tells you not only how you will use this book, it also shines some lights on the issues that seem to haunt you, gives directions to paths you seem to want to travel; It tells you how to work, what to listen to and where to improve your life, your self, and, by doing that, that of others. The book shows how different the paths we travel on are and at the same time how they're connected. The extensive knowledge of the writer of the great religious and filosophical teachings and books has been put into what i think an accurate and simple format. He shows how the great religions are different and the same, just as we people are all different and the same. The only way forward is to travel in each others company and tolerate - or accept, or use or acknowledge - the burden of differences. Everybody will find something about him- or herself in this book. For me, it showed that the best tale is the tale of your own life. It will develop itself when you live it and this book is one of the rare guidebooks. Reading it - even in bits and pieces - will be a joy and a milestone.