Handbook for the Spirit

Joseph Campbell said it well - and says it again in this new collection: "An intense experience of mystery is what one has to regard as the ultimate religious experience." If that's where you are in your own spiritual journey - then this book is for you. "Handbook for the Spirit" is a Who's Who of "old friends" in the spiritual field - too many names to list here. But the co-editors Dr. Richard Carlson and Dr. Benjamin Shield are old hands at sharing insights into the healing and happiness that can surprise us in our spiritual journeys. They've collected here some new, and some old, thoughts specifically about a person's relationship to the divine - to God or to other higher realms of spiritual truth. What I love about this particular collection is that, while it does share some speculative approaches to spirituality, the community of voices here also is rooted in traditional faiths as well. So, for example, we've got a great piece here by Sue Bender, author of the memoir, "Plain and Simple," about life among the Amish. Writing with her characteristic clarity, she gives us an 8-page reflection on what she's learned from the Amish -- and from her experience of writing about the Amish. Rabbi Harold Kushner appears in this collection, too. For so many readers, his voice is like an old friend returning to share a few thoughts. As in most of these inspirational pieces, there's nothing here that's stunningly new to longtime readers. But it's like coming to a family reunion in which Kushner leans back and reminds us of various things, including the importance of Martin Buber's teachings. And, every now and then, there's a flash of awareness, for example: I enjoyed finding, toward the end of Kushner's chapter, this little gem: "When people ask me, `Where is God?' I tell them I would rather rephrase the question to, `When is God?'" Now, truth be told, I've heard this great question from a number of rabbis through the years. It's a brilliant reframing of our windows toward God. Nevertheless, as I finished Kushner's chapter, seeing the question afresh in that context - was like a little ray of light. That's how the very best "readers" in this genre are supposed to work. A huge "Bravo!" to Shield and Carlson and the whole circle of old friends who assembled this wonderful little gift.

I really liked how this book was done. It's a collection of spiritual essays from people as diverse as The Dalai Lama, Wayne Dyer, Rabbi Harold Kushner, Father William McNamara, Thich Nhat Hanh, Mother Teresa and many more. The purpose of the anthology is to show the common denominator of all religious teachings, which is an individual's personal relationship with God. I was really moved by the messages from the authors. To give you a feel for the book, here are a few quotes from some of the essays: --The Dalai Lama: "The essence of all religions is love, compassion, and tolerance. Kindness is my true religion." --Wayne Dyer: "Gandhi was asked to describe in twenty-five words or less what his life mission was. He said, "I could do it in three: 'Renounce and enjoy." You renounce all worldly attachment to everything and enjoy what God gives you." --Rev. Michael Beckwith: "We don't really have a personal life apart from God." --A.H. Almaas: "To truly find God, truth needs to be found independently from the opinions of others. The truth has to be found in our hearts." --Barbara Marx Hubbard: "The way to becoming a cocreator is, first, to meditate in silence at least once a day. Have a journal present. In the deepest silence and relaxation of your being, ask for anything to come forward - any information from God on any question you have." ...and there were many more great quotes I could have chosen from. This is a very special book. Though it's less than 200 pages, it provides great insights and inspiration from some very spiritual people. I highly recommend this book.

Handbook for the Spirit is a treasure that could be your resource for daily inspiration. It encourages us to realize the divine within and then discover the spiritual in every living encounter. In this beautiful and diverse collection, some of the world's visionaries such as Mother Theresa, Rev. Michael Beckwith, Shakti Gawain and Wayne Dyer intimately share their personal relationship with God and how it magnificently interplays with their lives. You will also enjoy the heartening Preface by Gerald Jampolsky and the inspiring Foreword by Marianne Williamson. This insightful book is a true gift of Spirit. ~ Katie Davis, Awake Joy: The Essence of Enlightenment

The author speaks of the all-important need to attend to the needs of our soul and spiritual side. The Greek word "Kairos"depicts a person so absorbed in activity or contemplation that he/she loses a concept of time. Dr.Bernie Siegel MD urges us to find the true path. Dass urges us to have personal awareness of ourselves, the soul and incarnation afterward.Meditation andself-reflection are important personal activities leading to self-actualization. The author criticizes society because it does not encourage us to explore the spiritual side. He explores the long journey taken by the soul into an endless eternity.In addition, the author describes the continuum of the earth and its extension into Divinity. Ultimately, the book points towardordinary people doing extraordinary things. The book is well worth reading for an exploration on the spiritual side of life.Much of what we do in our daily lives tends toward the analyticaland we rarely explore the intuitive/spiritual side of ourexistence.

This book was the key I had been looking for in reaching a mid-40's spiritual plateau. It is a book of answers and methods. From things as simple as focussing on the thoughts "In" and "Out" while breathing during meditation to the conflict between egoism and spiritualism. It is the kind of book one will keep on hand in times of crises to read over again. The format of brief 4-5 page essays is perfect for those with short attention spans.