PROFESSOR OFFERS BOOK ON SPIRITUALITY

Richard Potter, associate professor of social work, has a new book to his credit. “Authentic Spirituality: The Direct Path to Consciousness” was released this spring from Llewellyn Worldwide, based in St. Paul, Minn.

Potter advances the theory that humanity’s dependence on culturally specific beliefs and practices has been a source of bigotry, bloodshed and war throughout the world. With the rise of fundamentalism — especially in the Islamic and Judeo-Christian faiths — the need has become greater for focusing on something other than doctrine, Potter said. He suggests that by focusing on consciousness instead of dogma, it becomes possible to realize the core truths of world religions without being bound to outdated beliefs and customs that no longer serve humanity.