Living from the Center: Spirituality in an Age of Consumerism

Living from the Center in an Age of Consumerism is timely and essential for our times. It is non-judgemental and encouraging as a do-able concept of spirituality. In his writing, the author reawakens the simple awe of God in nature and getting back to simplicity in what is truly valuble in this life, improving the quality of life for ourselves and others. A new concept that I found helpful was fasting, not from food, but from shopping. No matter what your "religion" this book on spirituality, if taken seriously, could change our world dramatically.

I was fortunate enough to have Dr. McDaniel for several classes in college, and I came into the first class, an introduction to the world's various religions, as a wounded product of a strict Baptist upbringing. That year, Dr. McDaniel introduced me to a way of accepting all religions and all forms of spirituality as part of the same beautiful tapestry. He introduced me to hidden beauty in Christianity, which I had forgotten existed, Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Judiasm, and places in between. In the years to come, other classes with Dr. McDaniel showed me how spirituality can rejuvinate and enhance our everyday lives. After graduation, I experienced a difficult time in my life, and by chance stumbled upon this book in a local store. I devoured it in once night, making notes throughout. It spoke directly to a part of me that was starved for spiritual food and had been burned by organized religion. One reviewer here noted that it is as if McDaniel is creating his own religion. I think he would take that as a compliment, and in some ways that is the greatest thing you can do with spirituality... make it your own and make it personal. This book rescued me literally and taught me to appreciate the divine in everyday life, and I highly, highly recommend it. If Jesus and Buddha had a conversation, the result would be something like what McDaniel says in this wonderful work. I'm waiting for more, Dr. McDaniel!!!

Jay McDaniel does the near impossible with this long awaited book on spirituality: he manages to speak to our minds, our souls, our hearts, and our culture in one integrated, beautiful work. He speaks from the perspective of a Christian process theology which lends itself both to the mystical beauty of the contemplative movement and all the loving kindness of Buddhism. His critique of our consumer culture does not end with what's wrong, but offers an alternative that is rich, compelling, and Christian in the best sense of the word. I found his original, imaginative language to describe God (e.g.Open Space, The Freshness Deep Down, Sacred Whole)refreshing in a world of burned out images and buzz words. Like looking at piece of art, there were breathless moments in the reading of this book. A true masterpiece in the field of spirituality!