All Will Be Well: Based on the Classic Spirituality of Julian of Norwich

This book lifted my spirits and renewed my faith in God’s love. The layout of the daily meditation and prayers is an excellent way to absorb Julian’s teachings.

This is not a wordy analysis of theology, but I didn't want it to be. And I don't think Dame Julian would care for that either. But as a guide to a private pilgrimage, this is a wonderful tool for those of us still actively involved with living.

The popular messages of the day are about despair, disempowerment, war, wickedness, zealotry, idolatry and the antithesis of loving one's neighbor (unless that neighbor happens to sit in the next pew!). Sounds a lot like the middle ages! Yet, Dame Julian writes a timeless message of unconditional, all-encompassing love. Her powerful and unshakably beautiful faith is truly heavenly. This small book serves as an accessible introduction to one of the great mystical bridges between God and humanity. By dividing the book into daily mediations, the reader is engaged in developing a habit of joyful exploration that becomes addictive. It is a step toward the antidote to the despair and hopelessness of our current times. Just as a constant diet of evil news creates a mindset of despair, regular positive messages of a loving God create a positive, loving mindset, which translates to hopeful, loving actions. If you are looking for another treatise to wedge people apart, to detract from Christ's simple and powerful message of loving God and each other, or to instill or confirm the superiority of a narrow human-made dogma, you won't find it here. This book gives an appetite for joy, peace and acceptance.

I was a bit dazzled by D. Hunt's comments and had to provide an alternative viewpoint because this gem of a small booklet really deserves a wide readership. (Did we read the same book!?) I guess writings about the extravagant, omnipotent love of Christ are just too much to take for some Christians. After all, how often have we been taught that God is not nurturing nor tender towards us but imposingly Holy, impassively stern and like a consuming fire. (A bit hard to relate to though!) I guess we need to go back to the divine woodshed! I am puzzled what D. Hunt would have wanted included in the booklet to avoid this "mutated offense" to Julian. I found this a wonderful introduction to Julian's complete book "the Revelations of Divine Love". You'll encounter a God of absolute love and compassion, who has fully secured our everlasting wellbeing in Christ. This is a God and living Christ you'll find approachable and inviting, embracing us in the fullness of our frail and sinful humanity. Certainly Julian and the editor (BTW, Caroline Myss was not the editor or compiler, she simply wrote the forward) have no illusions that we don't seriously wrestle with our sin but what is the emancipating dynamic that delivers us from that condition? The inexhaustive, omnipotent love of God that rescues, forgives and absolutely transforms. Labeling this "New Age palatability" makes me wonder how this crucial dimension of the Christian gospel message could be so misconstrued. (And also, what is "generic" about the stunning, wondrous love of God? Try Ephesians 3.14-21 for starters.) Because this is a collection of excerpts from the larger book, one may want to move on to one of the many excellent translations of the whole writings for Julian's wider perspective. The larger book certainly has "showings" with a harder edge but still the prominent theme remains Christ's gracious, sustaining love. One thing I agree with D. Hunt is that this is also a book for non Christians. So often have we Christians distorted the image of God to those "outside the fold", that this would start as a great corrective. Now, if only we Christians would encounter the love of God as dramatically and radically as Julian, that might make this whole discussion superfluous. "In our true Mother, Jesus, Our life is grounded in uncreated wisdom That foresees all, Along with the Father's almighty power And the Holy Spirit's sovereign goodness. By taking upon himself our nature, He restored us to life, By dying on the cross, He carried us to eternal life. From that moment until the end of time, He nurtures and helps us on, Just as the great loving concern of motherhood wishes And the natural need of the child desires." (from Day 22)

Easy to read format. Julian is allowed to speak for herself without the editoralizing some other collections of her work contain. 4 stars instead of 5 only because, and this is nothing more than a personal preference, I prefer less of a translation from Julian's Middle English. This is the second book by Julian I've purchased. The Gift Of Julian Of Norwich by Karen Manton and Lynne Muir has stunning illustrations and is perhaps worth the price just for those but contains more comments by Karen Manton than verses by Julian. It also gives the Middle English with modern translation. I wish the illustrator, Lynne Muir, had collaborated with the editor of this volume. Sure the artwork would have doubled the price of this book but I would be glad to pay it.

I found this book to closely tie in with Dame Julian of Norwich's "Revelations of Divine Love". It has wonderful insights for each day, and helps one to understand "Revelations" from a different prespective. I started the 30 days during a family vacation at the beach and continued on until I had read the entire booklet. Afterwards, I had noticed that I had just about filled my journal with insights into God and how God relates to us. A wonderful meditaional guide for those of us on a journey.