Paul Heintzman

Spiritual Functions of Leisure and Spiritual Well-Being: Coping with Time Pressure

The purpose of this study was to develop a model of leisure style and spiritual well-being relationships, and the processes (spiritual functions of leisure) by which leisure can influence spiritual well-being. Also, the role of leisure in ameliorating the effects of time pressure on spiritual well-being was examined. Structural equation modeling using AMOS was employed to test direct and indirect effects models of the relationships among components of leisure style (leisure activity participation, leisure motivation, and leisure time), spiritual functions of leisure (sacrilization, repression avoidance, sense of place) and spiritual well-being (both behavioral and subjective). The model developed suggests that some components of peoples leisure styles lead to certain behaviors and experiences (spiritual functions of leisure) that maintain or enhance spiritual well-being. These spiritual functions of leisure may also serve as coping strategies to ameliorate the negative influence of time pressure on spiritual well-being.

Nature-Based Recreation and Spirituality: A Complex Relationship

This article examines empirical studies and theoretical models that explain the complex relationship between nature-based recreation and spirituality. Antecedent conditions include personal history, current circumstances, attitude, motivation, socio-demographic characteristics, and spiritual tradition. Setting components include being in nature, being away to a different environment, and place processes. Recreation components include activity, free time, solitude, group experiences, and facilitation. The article further explains how these conditions and components may lead to outcomes of spiritual experiences, spiritual well-being, and leisure-spiritual coping. Previous models have not taken into account the complexity of the nature-based recreation and spirituality relationship. Recommendations are made for future research and model development.

The spiritual benefits of leisure

Abstract A comprehensive examination of the spiritual benefits of leisure is long overdue as this topic has not been thoroughly addressed since McDonald and Schreyers (1991) significant chapter titled “Spiritual benefits of leisure participation and leisure settings.” This paper provides an integrated, critical synthesis of empirical studies related to the spiritual benefits of leisure that have been published in the last 18 years. After discussing the conceptualization of spiritual benefits, the paper reviews empirical research on the leisure benefits of spiritual experience, spiritual well being, and spiritual coping with stress, as well as research on the leisure factors that produce spiritual benefits. Progress has been made in each of these areas but further research is needed in at least 10 specific areas. Implications for recreation practitioners are explained.

The spiritual dimension of campers' park experience: management implications

A more thorough understanding of the spiritual dimension of park experience could improve park management. The little research on this topic is primarily qualitative, focused on wilderness experiences. Secondary analysis of data from the Ontario Parks Camper Survey, with a sample of 11,834 campers at 44 provincial parks, found that 53% of the campers indicated that introspection/spirituality added to their satisfaction with the park experience. More natural park settings, nature-oriented activities and being at the park alone were associated with introspection/spirituality. In regards to park management practices it was found that, in general, there was a positive relationship between the degree to which introspection/spirituality added to park experience and the overall importance given to park services and facilities. This finding suggests an overall high level of service quality, rather than specific management practices, might be the most effective management strategy for facilitating spiritual benefits through park management.

Gatineau Park: public participation and changing park purposes in the wildland–urban interface

Gatineau Park is a classic example of a park confronted by management issues related to the wildland–urban interface. This study examined the planning process for the master plan to explore the issues of public participation and changing park purposes as they relate to recreation in the wildland–urban interface. Although the plan acknowledges that Gatineau Park, unlike most large natural parks, protrudes into a large urban area, the planning process did not involve a systematic survey of the views of current and potential park visitors as well as the diverse population in the region as is suggested by literature on the wildland–urban interface. The plan, by stating that the park will be “managed primarily for conservation then for recreational use” (National Capital Commission, 2005, Gatineau Park Master Plan. Ottawa, ON: Author, p. 19), created a dichotomy that does not reflect an increasing recognition of the complementary nature of park visitation and the maintenance of ecological integrity.

Listening for a Leisure Remix in Ancient Israel and Early Christianity

As an undergraduate student in leisure studies at the University of Ottawa, one of my favorite courses was “Leisure Concepts and Values,” a course that I now teach. The course and required textbook, Murphy’s (1974) Concepts of Leisure: Philosophical Implications, provided me with an excellent overview of the major “western” understandings of leisure, including, the classical Greek view. However, little if anything was mentioned about other ancient Mediterranean traditions. I was left wondering how to define leisure for myself, especially since my spirituality was based on the Judeo-Christian faith tradition and lifestyle (e.g., Sabbath rest) and not Aristotelian thought. In my master’s thesis, which provided me with the opportunity to explore the Judeo-Christian tradition, I noted that “many contemporary leisure scholars turn to Aristotle for guidance in their thinking about leisure, however they completely ignore . . . the biblical record” (Heintzman, 1986, p. 234). Thus, I appreciate and commend Fox and Klaiber’s questioning of the “traditional historical metanarrative of leisure” that began “with one Greek concept” and their attempt to expand our understanding of ancient Mediterranean and other traditions of leisure. Although the Greek concept of schole has received the most attention when ancient Mediterranean traditions are considered, I would question whether schole has played as dominant a role in western society and “hidden the value of other leisures” as Fox and Klaiber claim. Introductory leisure studies textbooks suggest that the classical “state of being” view of leisure is just one of several views. When I ask students at the beginning of my “Leisure Concepts and Values” course how they understand leisure, the vast majority reply with an activity or time view, and most of them are not aware of classical leisure. Even scholars that idealize the classical view of leisure note how it has been gradually replaced by a modern view of leisure as any activity that takes place during free time (e.g., Dare, Welton, & Coe, 1998). However, I do agree that too much emphasis is placed upon the Greek concept schole as the beginning point of leisure. The earliest documented reference Fox and Klaiber found to connections between schole and leisure was dated 1960. The connection appears earlier in classics well known in leisure studies. Veblen (1899/1953) discussed Greek philosophers’ “high thinking” and the life of leisure. Huizinga (1944/1970), in a discussion of Aristotle, wrote that “in Greece the free man had . . . leisure to pursue his life’s aim in noble occupations of an educative character” (p. 185). Neumeyer and Neumeyer (1936/1958) explained that the Greek word

Nature-Based Recreation, Spirituality and Persons with Disabilities

This article synthesizes empirical studies that explain the relationship between nature-based recreation and spirituality for persons with disabilities. In order to describe this relationship, a theoretical model, which includes the components of antecedent conditions, setting, and recreation, is developed. Antecedent conditions include history and current circumstances, motivation, sociodemographic characteristics, and spiritual tradition. Setting components include being in nature, being away to a different environment, and place processes. Recreation components include activity, free time, solitude, and group experiences. The article further explains how these conditions and components may lead to outcomes of spiritual experiences, spiritual well-being, and leisure-spiritual coping. Leisure-spiritual coping, which is particularly relevant for persons who are experiencing stress, refers to spiritual coping that takes place within the context of a persons leisure. This model illustrates the complexity of the nature-based recreation and spirituality relationship. Recommendations for future research and implications for practitioners who work with people who have disabilities are outlined.

Introduction to special issue: Leisure and spirituality

Although the relationship between leisure and spirituality has a long historical association, the study of this relationship has recently been experiencing a renaissance (Heintzman, 2003). The tremendous response of 35 initial submissions to this special issue on leisure and spirituality is evidence of this renaissance. While in recent years there have been special issues on spirituality in the related fields of experiential education (Stringer, 2000) and tourism (Mclntosh & Yoel, 2006), this special issue on leisure and spirituality is the first one that I am aware of in a leisure studies journal.

Leisure Sciences and the Humanities

ABSTRACT The purpose of this research reflections paper is to explore the prevalence of the humanities in the journal Leisure Sciences over the last 40 years, since its inception. During this period has the prevalence of the humanities increased or decreased? An analysis of papers published in Leisure Sciences indicates that just over 3% have focused on the humanities (philosophy, history, ethics, the arts). There was an increase in humanities papers from 1985 to 1999; however, only one humanities paper has been published in the last 10 years. Implications for the next 40 years of leisure research include emphasizing the humanities in leisure studies education and encouraging special journal issues and conference themes focused on the humanities.

“Have Leisure and Know that I Am God”: Christianity and Leisure

This chapter reviews biblical themes (e.g., Sabbath, rest) that have been the foundation of historical Christian understandings of leisure, as well as other biblical themes (e.g., festivals, feasts, dance, hospitality, friendships, eating practices in Luke’s gospel, work and enjoyment in Ecclesiastes) and specific biblical verses (e.g., Ps. 46:10, 2 Thess. 3:10) relevant to leisure. The evolution of the classical Greek view of leisure as it was Christianized and adapted by Augustine, Aquinas, the contemplative life of monastic culture, and in Pieper’s Leisure: The basis of culture is traced. The activity view of leisure predominant after the Reformation, especially in Luther’s and Calvin’s theology, and Puritanism is explored. More recent Christian perspectives on free time, holistic, and psychological state of mind concepts of leisure are presented. Finally, the chapter reviews empirical research on the leisure of Christians and research on leisure and spirituality that confirms principles found in classic Christian spiritual writings.