Narratives of journeys, voyages, and pilgrimages often guide readers to questions about humanism and humanity from a holistic perspective. The chapters in this volume explore narratives of both real and imagined journeys and examine their religious, psychological, psychoanalytical, philosophical, educational, and historical implications. What emerges is an understanding of narratives of journeys across cultural borders as powerful educational tools that can model and contribute to meaningful dialogue with other states, cultures, and civilizations.

Elena V. Shabliy is visiting researcher at Boston University.

Kimarie Engerman is professor of psychology and dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences at the University of the Virgin Islands.

Introduction

CrossingSacred Frontiers

Elena V. Shabliy

Homo Religiosus and Homo Viator

Chapter 1

Faith and the Fortunes of Travel in the Ancient and Medieval Worlds

June-Ann Greeley

Chapter 2

Pilgrimages of Croats by Sea to Loreto and Assisi in the 18th Century: A Historiographic and Hermeneutical Analysis

Zrinka Podhra¨ki izmek

Chapter 3

The Tossing and Turning of the Sea: Gregory the Greats Use of Seafaring Imagery to Describe his Spiritual Journey

Paul A. Brazinski

Chapter 4

Happiness on the Sisyphean Path: Reflections on Augustinian Rest in the Face of Divine Absence

Trevor B. Williams

Journeys across Cultural Borders

Chapter 5

When Robinson Crusoe Taught Swiss Youth to Read: The Travel Writing as Child Natural Education

Giorgia Masoni& Sylviane Tinembart

Chapter 6

Transcending Linguistic Borders in Crashaws Teresa Hymns

Fabrice Schultz

Chapter 7

A Poetic Journey to Japans Imaginary Past: Natsume SsekisKusamakura

Kelly Hansen

Chapter 8

Sacred Journeys and the Libraries of Haruki Murakami: Journeys, Metaphors and Libraries

Beth Posner

Pilgrimage and Interfaith Dialogue

Chapter 9

Abhishiktanandas Journey across Hindu-Christian Borders

Enrico Beltramini

Conclusion

Elena V. Shabliy

About the Contributors