Spirituality in Glastonbury

The article by Bowman (2012) assesses nature of religious and spiritual practices as a tangible commodity. Bowman (2012) analyses how the transaction of religious practices and the cross-participation through religious sharing and how this impacts and reinforces senses of religiosity within the individual. It is important that the role of identity is mentioned and its relationship with the commodification of spirituality. Bowman (2012) allows for the construction of spiritual identity and the affirmation of religious community through such “spiritual research”. By branching out ones spirituality and religious convictions, and experiencing that of the other, in most instances the home religion becomes deeper engrained within.

Bowman (2012) then describes research on religiosity within Glastonbury. Glastonbury is identified as possessing a “spiritual economy” whereby beliefs, practices, goods and services are all instilled with an economic value, almost unique to the location. A sense of continuity within the religious change occurring with Glastonbury is identified, that though the individual’s spirituality structure may be considered as evolutionary, their underlying ideologies are often share similarities (Bowman, 2012). Bowman (2012) concludes by the identification of an informal sense of community which has developed within Glastonbury, despite religious quests often being for individual gain. Bowman (2012) dictates that “parallel clusters of consumption” aid in helping the individual feel at home in the religious sea that is Glastonbury. It is claimed that this is enforced through the collective intent towards spiritual fulfilment and understanding which is present. Despite the differences in belief, the collective goal for what is essentially universal allows for the development of a multi-spiritualistic community through this common ground.

References:

Bowman M. 2012. Understanding Glastonbury as a Site of Consumption. In Lynch G. and J. Mitchell with A. Strhan. Eds., Religion, Media and Culture: A Reader. 11-22. London and New York: Routledge.