Welcome to the Wisdom of the World and Its Meaning for You

This exploration of five of the world's wisdom traditions is readable and interesting, written by a religious woman who has shared own search for wisdom in several writings. I am enjoying it as I delve into it.

Of a few books that I have read about religion and spirituality, I believe this is a great book to start. What a simple way of getting the best world religion has to offer: a) The question answer format used by the book works very well for new people to this subject, like me. b) The root of tradition section with summary for each religion is excellent for me who would like to know the most important things about a religion in a few words. c) It has many interesting short stories. Joan Chittister, thank you for this wonderful book. Now, I can understand why you did not write a book, with the same question answered by spiritual insight of major world religions.

So many times people think that they aare without a clue of what to think or how to act. Many traditions give us guidance if we are open enough to receive. Joan's book leads uss to such wisdom and opens pur lens to a broadeer perspective.

For a generation or more American Benedictine Sister Joan has produced for our comfort, consolation, counseling and certain spiritual guidance works of great wonder and wisdom, and this one no less. Based only upon her life's work writing, she should receive a degree as Doctor of Theology honoris causi. Who knows - perhaps she already has earned one through coursework and dissertation but does not wear it upon her sleeve as others do. In any case her writing is always outstanding and well received and above all helpful. Within the thirty chapters of this generous book she addresses questions from letters sent to her by her readers. These questions include Where is God? What does it mean to be a spiritual person? What's wrong with me - why can't I change? as well as questions regarding the meaning of life, aging, happiness, community, etc. She draws for each of these questions from the deep wells of the world's religions which she has closely studied, and, as a Benedicitne nun, intimately lived almost all of her long and fruitful life. We are fortunate to find her wisdom so generously shared with us here as she addresses questions from correspondents, the real questions which concern every one of us, answered with the universality of human spirituality and traditions. She answers not as Dear Abbey nor Anne Landers answers, but with the depth of the wisdom of our universal religion, not nit picking and exiling, but drawing all of us together enclosed in her warming embrace and contemplative wisdom. Each response therefore is not so much an "answer" to life's persistent questions but a meditation for us all to share as we struggle towards ultimate meaning, as we struggle to love even our enemies as we are commanded to do. Sister Joan makes that difficult path straight; like the Wise Virgins her lamp is well lit. A valuable gift for all who search, thus for everyone. An excellent gift for your closest friends and family whom you love, and for those whom you do not, as well, in order to establish the peaceful ground for loving. Sister Joan is a blessing for us all. Please read her books.

Sister Joan is 'spot on' in showing us the similarities in most every culture to our common questions in life... No one has all the answers but Sr. Joan sure helps... Very highly recommended..