An in-depth examination of religious practices around the world and the fascinating science behind how they make us healthier.Many religious and spiritual beliefs promote wellness through their practices or stated objectives-for example, focusing on simple living, having compassion for others, vegetarianism, or meditation and mindfulness. This refreshing work provides a review of the world's spiritual perspectives and traditions, and explores how their guiding principles encourage healthy lifestyle choices. An examination of religious and nonreligious perspectives from around the world-from atheism, Confucianism, and Christianity to Islam, Judaism, Shamanism, and Zoroastrianism-reveals how faith beliefs and values influence behavior and inspire healthy living.With contributions from leading international scholars, the chapters include a discussion of Eastern and Western world religions and their practices-such as fasting or the avoidance of alcohol and tobacco-and how they may foster healthfulness. A contemporary analysis of current research findings suggests possible interventions that individuals and health providers may utilize to enhance healthfulness. A final chapter explores the connection between health, illness, and religious and nonreligious perspectives.

Series ForewordRegan A.R. GurungPreface: The Prospect of Our JourneyDean D. VonDrasAcknowledgmentsChapter 1. The Religio-Spiritual Context of Lifestyle Practices and Health BehaviorsDean D. VonDrasChapter 2. Hinduism, Jainism, and SikhismVibha Agnihotri and Vinamrata AgnihotriChapter 3. The Middle Path to Health: The Relationship between Buddhist Practices and Beliefs, and Health OutcomesDana Dharmakaya Colgan, Nina J. Hidalgo, and Paul E. PriesterChapter 4. Health, Spirituality, and Chinese ThoughtRobert SanteeChapter 5. Ways of Healing and the Roles of Harmony, Purity, and Violent Rhetoric in Japanese Shinto and ShamanismCarl OlsonChapter 6. Judaism and HealthMiriam Korbman, Moses Appel, and David H. RosmarinChapter 7. Christianity-Catholic and Seventh-day Adventist ExamplesArndt Büssing and Désirée PoierChapter 8. Islam and HealthMona M. AmerChapter 9. Sufism and Optimal HealthSaloumeh Bozorgzadeh, Nasim Bahadorani, and Mohammad SadoghiChapter 10. Lesser Known Spiritualities: Bahá'í', Rastafari, and ZoroastrianismHolly Nelson-Becker, Leanne Atwell, and Shannan RussoChapter 11. North American Indigenous SpiritualitiesJeff KingChapter 12. The Spirituality of the Eastern Cherokee and Ani'-Yun-Wiya Shamanistic MedicineKevin A. HarrisChapter 13. Agnostic, Atheistic, and Nonreligious OrientationsKaren Hwang and Ryan T. CragunChapter 14. Epilogue: Religion, Science, and Health-A Question of Balance or the Space Between?Scott F. MadeyAbout the Editor and ContributorsIndex