Coping with Transience is a delightful study of Ecclesiastes that interprets its most significant themes on the basis of its keyword hebel. 'Vanity', 'irony', and 'the absurd' are either the traditional or latest meanings thought to be behind Ecclesiates' hebel, yet each in its own way renders the contradictory or confusing. A more natural, yet still biblical meaning of the word is 'the temporary'. This is the term Eccesiates uses for his advice on how to cope with the brevity of life. Once the word 'temporary' is understood, the book becomes immediately consistant within itself, and supportive of much of the biblical worldview. Coping with Transience interprets Ecclesiates from a biblical and ancient Near Eastern perspective, without the impositions of modern existentialism, or extra-biblical redefinitions of hebel.
This book offers an understanding of the transient migration experience in the Asia-Pacific through the lens of communication and entertainment media. It examines the role played by digital technologies and uncovers how the combined wider field of entertainment media (films, television shows and music) are vital and helpful platforms that positively aid migrants through self and communal empowerment. This book specifically looks at the upwardly mobile middle class transient migrants studying and working in two of the Asia-Pacific’s most desirable transient migration destinations – Australia and Singapore – providing a cutting edge study of the identities transient migrants create and maintain while overseas and the strategies they use to cope with life in transience.
People cope with threats to their identities in many different ways. Until the original publication of this title in 1986, there had been no theoretical framework within which to analyse their strategies for doing this, or to examine the nature and impact of the threatening experiences themselves. In this elegant and original book, Glynis Breakwell proposes an integrative model which explores the structure of identity and the principles directing its development. Focusing on examples of threat such as unemployment, sexually atypical employment and ethnic marginality, Breakwell examines the relation of the individual to social change. Through her sensitive use of case studies, she enables the victims of threat to speak for themselves about their experiences and feelings. Their reactions illustrate her proposed framework of three levels of coping strategies – intra-psychic, interpersonal and intergroup – and her assessment of the factors which limit the success of such strategies. The case studies also point to new evidence on the effects of unemployment and the impact of youth training schemes at the time. This title would have been essential reading for a range of undergraduate courses in social and abnormal psychology and individual differences, as well as for postgraduate training in clinical and medical psychology at the time. Social workers, counsellors and all those concerned with the care of the sufferers of threatened identities will still find it both informative and influential.
Prepare to plunge headfirst into the electrifying depths of immense human potential with "FLOW UNLEASHED" by Wan Ezrin. This exhilarating odyssey is your invitation to unravel the mysteries of flow, a mental state that propels individuals into the epicenter of peak performance. Ezrin, your guide through this extraordinary adventure, illuminates the path to mastering the psychology of flow, unveiling the secrets to unmatched productivity, boundless creativity, and absolute fulfillment. The expedition kicks off with an Introduction to Flow, laying the groundwork for comprehending this enchanting state of mind. As you surf the wave of flow, you'll encounter the visionary architect behind the concept, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, in a chapter that peels back the layers of the man who birthed the theory. The intricate components that fuse together to create the perfect equilibrium between challenge and skill are revealed in the exploration of the Anatomy of Flow. The Flow Spectrum unfolds like a kaleidoscope, exposing micro to macro moments where flow can be harnessed. Obstacles become mere stepping stones in the art of overcoming challenges, explored in the thrilling chapter on mastering adversity. The workplace transforms into a powerhouse of productivity and satisfaction in "Flow in the Workplace," while the realms of creativity and innovation explode in a fireworks display of inspiration in "Flow in Creativity." For athletes and enthusiasts alike, "Flow in Sports and Physical Activities" becomes a roadmap to achieving unparalleled excellence. The integration of flow with mindful practices is explored in "Mindful Flow," offering a holistic approach to peak performance that ignites the senses. The book boldly confronts the shadows, addressing the Dark Side of Flow, casting a spotlight on potential pitfalls. Practical strategies for cultivating a Flow-Friendly Lifestyle burst forth, providing readers with actionable steps to infuse flow into every fiber of their daily existence. The influence of flow expands into relationships and collaboration in "Flow and Relationships," weaving connections beyond the individual. The odyssey reaches its climax in "Beyond Self: Flow for a Better World," a call to arms that inspires readers to contribute to a global community pulsating with harmony. As each page unfurls, readers are immersed in the Flow Continuum in the Conclusion, solidifying the understanding that flow is not merely a destination but an uncharted, adrenaline-pumping adventure. This groundbreaking work underscores the transcendental importance of flow in positive psychology, offering a sweeping guide that transcends disciplines. Whether you're a seasoned athlete, a boundary-breaking creative, a relentless professional, or anyone hungering for the pinnacle of human experience, "FLOW UNLEASHED" by Wan Ezrin is your all-access pass to unlocking the boundless potential residing within. Take the plunge into the flow, and brace yourself for a journey that defies expectations and redefines what it means to reach the pinnacle of human performance.
Thomas Schreiner, a respected scholar and a trusted voice for many students and pastors, offers a substantial and accessibly written overview of the whole Bible. He traces the storyline of the scriptures from the standpoint of biblical theology, examining the overarching message that is conveyed throughout. Schreiner emphasizes three interrelated and unified themes that stand out in the biblical narrative: God as Lord, human beings as those who are made in God's image, and the land or place in which God's rule is exercised. The goal of God's kingdom is to see the king in his beauty and to be enraptured in his glory.
This is a study of the book of Qohelet (or Ecclesiastes), principally on concepts of past, present, and future, but also on other key themes in relation to time.
Transience is found in every meeting and form of coexistence between people and things that live and exist by, or move across or along, the Black Sea. It may come in various forms and guises, from de facto states, tourism, migration, trafficking or military troops, and it needs to be written and captured in sensuous, affective and imaginative ways. With particular attention to poetics, politics and aesthetics, this volume focuses on the scales of transient moments and histories, and enables readers to see and sense the many forms of transience that occur in a given landscape, sea or space.
“Meaningless, meaningless, everything is meaningless.” The word “meaningless” (hebel) appears more than 40 times in the book of Ecclesiastes and raises the question why a book that appears to deny meaning or purpose is included in the Bible. Many questions of interpretation as well as relevance surround the book of Ecclesiastes, including indeed the proper translation and understanding of the word hebel. If, after all, the book does examine the question of the meaning of life, what could be more important? The present volume explores Ecclesiastes/Qohelet on many different levels: linguistic, text-critical, theological, historical, and literary. The contributors, chosen from many of the leading and emerging experts on the book, present both the state of the field and their own assessment of the varied interpretive issues of Ecclesiastes. They include scholars, preachers, and philosophers. It should be helpful not only to scholars but also to all who want to study this book seriously. The first section of this volume deals with the history of interpretation. The second section is concerned with issues of history, form, and rhetoric. Section three is about key concepts and passages. The fourth section focuses on the language and grammar of Qohelet. The last section engages practical issues of interpretation. The volume is designed to provide exposure to a variety of readers who seek to engage Qohelet in fresh ways in the twenty-first century—from historians of interpretation to biblical exegetes to linguists to theological students.
Alluring yet frustrating. Charming yet maddening. Such is our reaction to the literary wonder called Ecclesiastes (Qoheleth), a “wisdom” book that has captured the fascination of readers everywhere for over two millennia with its mix of poetry and personal reflection, its probing of the human experience and its piercing assessment of human activity—especially human labor. Its “All is meaningless!” lament, which frames the document, is well known to all. But its message and the structure of the writer’s argument remain disputed, even among professional scholars. Often overlooked, when not ignored, is the relationship between joy or contentment and the fear of God. And almost universally ignored in standard commentary is the role that satisfaction in our work plays in the life of the God-fearer. Against the mainstream of biblical scholarship, Wisdom and Work argues for the presence of a double theme in Ecclesiastes. It argues that, based on the writer’s literary-rhetorical strategy, two diametrically opposed outlooks on life are being contrasted in Ecclesiastes, and that meaning and purpose, not “meaninglessness,” are by divine design to be the norm – a norm that infuses the daily, the ordinary, and perhaps most significantly, our work.
