Introduction: Alternative Spiritualities in Contemporary Türkiye
摘要
The commercialization and adaptation of spiritual practices, from yoga in Europe and North America to Sufi-inspired modern spiritualities in Türkiye, highlight the interplay between cultural appropriation, authenticity, and the blending of traditional and contemporary ideologies, underscoring the need to examine their historical and ideological roots. Modern spirituality, shaped by Enlightenment rationalism, Romanticism, colonial encounters, and intellectual exploration, reflects a shift toward personal well-being and individual meaning, blending historical influences with non-religious and eclectic practices that challenge traditional boundaries. The decline of traditional religious authority and the rise of new spiritual trends globally, including Türkiye, reflect shifts driven by secularization, globalization, and consumer culture, with eclectic practices like yoga and meditation gaining prominence among secular and elite classes. In Türkiye, the blending of Islamic traditions with alternative spiritualities is influenced by Westernization, digitalization, and sociopolitical changes, highlighting the challenge of distinguishing between religion and spirituality in a predominantly Muslim context. This study explores how alternative spiritualities manifest, are reconstructed, and are received in Turkish society, employing an interdisciplinary approach to contribute to international academic discourses.