Spirituality of Anorexia

<p>Widely popularized images of unobtainable and damaging feminine ideals can be a cause of profound disjunction between women and their bodies. A consequence of this dissonance is an embodied performance of these ideals with the potential development of disordered eating practices such as anorexia nervosa. This book develops a spirituality of anorexia by suggesting that these eating disorders are physical symptoms of the general repression of feminine nature in our culture. Furthermore it puts forward Goddess feminism as a framework for a healing therapeutic model to address anorexia and more broadly the slender ideal touted by society.</p><p></p><p>The book focuses on the female body in contemporary society specifically the development of anorexia nervosa and what this expression communicates about female embodiment. Drawing upon the work of a variety of theorists social commentators liberation theologians and thealogians it discusses the benefits of adopting female-focused myths symbols and rituals drawing upon the work of Marion Woodman and Naomi Goldenberg. Ultimately it theorises a thealogical approach to anorexia aimed at displacing the damaging discourses that undermine women in the twenty-first century.</p><p></p><p>Offering an alternative model of spirituality and embodiment for contemporary women this book will be of keen interest to scholars of theology religious studies gender studies and psychology.</p>