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Document Details : Title: Etty Hillesum and the Integral Spirituality of Dialogue Subtitle: Explorations with Martin Buber Author(s): COETSIER, Meins G.S. Journal: Studies in Spirituality Volume: 22 Date: 2012 Pages: 243-274 DOI: 10.2143/SIS.22.0.2182854 Abstract : Etty Hillesum’s diaries and letters and Martin Buber’s masterpiece Ich und Du (‘I and Thou’) have in recent times been acclaimed as standard works for dialogical spirituality. Many prominent writers have acknowledged their influence on the contemporary religious debate and on the developments in theology, philosophy, and psychology. Scholars of intellectual history regard their works as spiritual landmarks. Some would even consider Hillesum and Buber as modern-day prophets. The need for a fresh exploration of their works has been felt for many years. The old 1981 publication of Hillesum’s writings, Het verstoorde leven (‘An Interrupted Life’), was marred by many inaccuracies and misunderstandings, and the subsequent portrayal of Hillesum as a Christian martyr was seriously misleading. Now the Dutch edition of all available texts of Hillesum has been published, an analysis of her writings in relation to Buber may clarify some of the obscurities, and bring the reader closer to her original grounding experience. Buber’s I and Thou philosophy opens up innovative perspectives on Hillesum’s thought and spiritual journey. Moreover, this article seeks to provide a new basis for further discussions of Hillesum’s integral spirituality of dialogue. |
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