Shared Light: Spiritual Experience Across and Beyond Faith

About the Event

As part of Interfaith Week, we are delighted to welcome Dr Marianne Rankin for a thought-provoking exploration of spiritual experiences across time and cultures. Based on her book, An Introduction to Religious and Spiritual Experience, the presentation draws on the experiences of the founders of the world's major religious traditions, as well as accounts from ordinary people today. It considers whether there is a common core to spiritual experience and explores what these experiences might tell us about the existence of God or the possibility of life after death. The session concludes by reflecting on what can be learned about consciousness, religion and what it means to be human. The presentation will be followed by an opportunity for questions and discussion.

Good to know

• This a free event, open to people of all faiths, or none.
• Booking is essential
• Parking is available onsite.
• The venue is wheelchair accessible.
• Light refreshments will be provided.
• Please book your place by clicking on the 'Book Now' button below. You will be redirected to Eventbrite.

About the Presenter

Dr Marianne Rankin is the author of An Introduction to Religious and Spiritual Experience (Bloomsbury, 2008) and the Occasional Paper An Introduction to Religious Experience. She has updated Shirley du Boulay's biography, Cicely Saunders: The Founder of the Modern Hospice Movement, written a history of St Richard's Hospice in Worcester, and illustrated Hal French's acclaimed Zen and the Art of Anything.

A linguist by training, Marianne lived in the Far East for almost twenty years, working as a teacher, translator, interpreter and freelance writer. On returning to the UK, she completed a Master of Studies in the Study of Religion at the University of Oxford, followed by a PhD at the University of Warwick, where her research focused on The Fruits of Spiritual Experience.

For eleven years, Marianne served as Director of Communications for the Alister Hardy Trust, which supports the work of the Religious Experience Research Centre at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, Lampeter.

She regularly gives talks in schools, colleges and community groups, and leads Quiet Days for spiritual reflection.

"Marianne Rankin gives comprehensive and inspirational talks to students on religious and spiritual experience and encourages them to engage with their own spirituality."

Sir Anthony Seldon, former Master of Wellington College