Global Conference on Sacred Journeys: Pilgrimage and Beyond

Sacred Journeys and Pilgrimage will explore all aspects of the practice. The similarities and differences in the practice of sacred journeys and pilgrimage in Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, and other religions and spiritual traditions, all the way to secular sites such as Graceland will be considered. We are also interested in the concept of the internal pilgrimage and the journey of self-discovery. The experiential, practical, historical, and psychological aspects of the sacred journey are central to our exploration, and we encourage all those seeking to participate to consider their work in this larger frame.

This conference will call for proposals, presentations, papers, performances on these and other aspects of sacred journeys and pilgrimage: The physical journey through time and space; as a rite of passage, and personal transformation; the quest for blessings, transcendence or healing; the fulfillment of obligations or giving thanks; texts, relics, talisman, rituals, sacred geographies; pilgrimage versus sacred tourism; the economics of pilgrimage; pilgrimage and gender; pilgrimage and the internet; pilgrimage and nationalism/globalization; pilgrimage and protest; secular sites and “places to see before you die”; fandom and journeys of adoration and remembrance, ….

The Steering Group particularly welcomes the submission of pre-formed panel proposals.  In order to support and encourage interdisciplinarity engagement, it is our intention to create the possibility of starting dialogues between the parallel events running during this conference. Delegates are welcome to attend up to two sessions in each of the concurrent conferences. We also propose to produce cross-over sessions between these groups – and we welcome proposals which deal with the relationship between Sacred Journeys and Forgiveness and Revenge.

What to Send: 300 word proposals should be submitted by Friday 14th February 2014. If a proposal is accepted for the conference, a full draft paper of no more than 3000 words should be submitted by Friday 16th May 2014. Proposals should be submitted simultaneously to both Organising Chairs:  Ian McIntosh and Eileen Moore Quinn: imcintos@iupui.eduRob Fisher: sj1@inter-disciplinary.net.

For further details of the conference, please visit: INTER-DISCIPLINARY.NET