The Sacred and The Profane: The Nature of Religion by Mircea Eliade

The study of religion is one of the most complex and profound fields of inquiry. Mircea Eliade is generally considered a pioneer in the field of religious studies and his theories still underlie much of the discussion on the nature and purpose of religion today. In Mircea Eliade’s book, The Sacred and the Profane: The Nature of Religion, he argues that religion is a powerful force in the lives of humans and its existence as a fundamental aspect of civilization marks it out as something special.

Eliade begins by discussing how the concept of ‘sacred’ has been used by cultures throughout history to refer to something beyond the realm of everyday experience. This sense of sacredness has often been associated with religious ritual and belief, drawing a line between what is mundane and what is deemed extraordinary or spiritual. Eliade argues that this kind of separation lies at the heart of religion and that it has been a major factor in the development of both individual and collective life. It is the establishment of this sacred dimension in the world that gives religious life its significance and power.

As well as looking at the concept of the sacred, Eliade turns his attention to the notion of the ‘profane’. This refers to the “non-religious” activities and ideas of ordinary life which do not necessarily conform to religious beliefs and traditions. He states that it is only through the definition of the profane as something distinct from the sacred that real spiritual striving and flourishing can occur. In other words, Eliade argues that the profane must be understood in order to understand the nature and importance of religion.

Eliade then moves on to discuss the relationship between human beings and their environment. He highlights the fact that both religious and non-religious beliefs have shaped humans’ view of the world around them and argues that a sense of cosmic orientation and symbolism is essential for humans to find meaning in life. He goes on to explore themes such as the ‘supernatural’, the ‘mythic’, and the ‘religious’, explaining how these concepts have been expressed differently by different cultures in different periods of history.

In conclusion, Eliade’s book The Sacred and the Profane: The Nature of Religion is essential reading for anyone interested in the study of religion. It presents a comprehensive and thought-provoking examination of the ideas that lie at the root of human religious behavior and provides invaluable insights into the characteristics of various religious traditions. By exploring the relationship between the sacred and the profane and delving into themes of cosmic orientation and symbolism, Eliade has provided an invaluable resource for anyone seeking to gain a deeper understanding of religion.