Greetings from Amazon.com Delivers Spirituality and Inspiration FEATURED IN THIS E-MAIL: * "The Best Spiritual Writing 1999" edited by Philip Zaleski * "The Secret of Shambhala: The Search for the Eleventh Insight" by James Redfield * "Friendship with God: An Uncommon Dialogue" by Neale Donald Walsch * "Freeing the Soul from Fear" by Robert J. Sardello * "In the Spirit of Happiness" by The Monks of New Skete "The Best Spiritual Writing 1999" edited by Philip Zaleski http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0062518054/entertainmentsit Most contemporary readers agree that the best spiritual writing stays grounded in real-life anecdotes, simple and bold language, and a self-scrutinizing honesty that gives a narrator credibility. With only a few esoteric exceptions, every piece in this anthology edited by Phillip Zaleski (senior editor of "Parabola" magazine) passes this litmus test. When Michael Ventura speaks of finding the "Old One" within himself on his 52nd birthday, his practical wisdom is mesmerizing: "I've learned to leave birthdays unplanned, or almost so, to let the day unfold on its own, because a birthday is a teaching day it has something to reveal.... This is especially true of birthdays, for, as Thomas Hardy once observed, your birthday exists in relation to another day, a day that is impossible to know: we pass silently, every year, over the anniversary of our death." In one of the most stunning essays in the collection, "Can You Say ... Hero?" (originally published in "Esquire"), journalist Tom Junod speaks of following Fred Rogers around New York City in order to write a profile, and how "Mr. Rogers" gently found his way to Junod's most vulnerable place of spiritual doubt. Contributions from Mary Gordon, Barry Lopez, and Louise Rafkin are also superb. "The Secret of Shambhala: The Search for the Eleventh Insight" by James Redfield http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0446523089/entertainmentsit Author James Redfield takes readers to the mountains of Tibet in search of the mythical place called Shambhala, otherwise known as Shangri-La. Like his previous bestselling books, Redfield holds the tension between an adventure travel story (in this book, armed Chinese soldiers doggedly pursue him) and divine encounters. Rather than preach his spiritual beliefs, Redfield likes to portray himself as a naive pilgrim, receiving wisdom and insights from the various guides and teachers he meets on his metaphysical journeys. Shambhala is indeed a paradise, just as it was lovingly portrayed in the famous James Hilton novel "Lost Horizon." It is also a spiritual utopia, and Redfield takes great pleasure in pondering the possibilities of living in a culture that is entirely "focused on the life process." Residents explain their lifestyle, which has emerged from a completely spiritual culture, including some rather sensible opinions about technology, parenting, and even genetic testing. Meanwhile, Redfield remains the wide-eyed observer. Those who loved the characters, writing style, and epiphanies in "The Celestine Prophecy" will not be disappointed with Redfield's latest inspirational portrait of a new world order. "Friendship with God: An Uncommon Dialogue" by Neale Donald Walsch http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0399145419/entertainmentsit Neale Donald Walsch grew up fearing God, especially after his mother, a neighborhood mystic, was caught reading cards for a friend. His mother was "trafficking with the devil," according to Walsch's deeply religious aunt, and as a result, "God will send her straight to hell." That was the start of a relationship born of "fearship," as Walsch calls it. In "Friendship with God," Walsh speaks to the struggles he's had learning to see God as a true friend rather than a punishing judge. Like his immensely popular "Conversations with God" series, "Friendship with God" is written mostly in dialogue format, modeling how anyone can converse with God. What makes the book especially accessible is Walsh's humble voice that gently addresses most people's confusion and doubts. For example, Walsh talks about feeling squeamish that God knows the shameful secrets of his life. In response, God points out that Walsh has shared his dark secrets with friends and lovers. So why not share these truths with God, who has never judged or punished him, and never will? These types of tender and reassuring conversations give readers the courage to begin their own private dialogues with the divine. "Freeing the Soul from Fear" by Robert J. Sardello http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1573221333/entertainmentsit Robert Sardello is considered a leading philosopher on the soul, having inspired both Thomas Moore's and James Hillman's writings. Once again he departs from common spiritual assumptions in this intelligent and smoothly written handbook, "Freeing the Soul from Fear." One of the more popular attitudes toward the soul is that it's a permanent element of the human being, Sardello explains. As a result, current spiritual guidance often discusses how to reconnect with our impermeable souls through meditation, honoring suffering, and returning to a sense of enchantment. As important as this reconnection is, Sardello believes that it does not go far enough. Rather, we should recognize the soul as a vulnerable entity and commit to strengthening its core. And what weakens a soul the most? Fear. Fundamentally, it contracts the soul's ability to love. And above all else, love comes from the soul--"an experience through which another person, or a spiritual being, or God lives within us," Sardello explains. Chapter by chapter, Sardello examines how perennial fears (such as money, relationships, and death) as well as contemporary fears (Y2K, terrorism, and time collapse) affect the soul. He then offers concrete suggestions for overcoming soul-debilitating fears through love and imagination. "In the Spirit of Happiness" by The Monks of New Skete http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0316578517/entertainmentsit The wise and cheerful monks of New Skete ("How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend") believe that our spirits are meant to be happy. So within these pages, the popular monks of Cambridge, New York, offer useful suggestions for mastering the elusive art of happiness. And while this might sound like a book written by jolly Friar Tucks, it is in fact an intelligent, informed discussion on the soothing power of prayer, mercy, compassion, and devotion. It also opens the doors to the private life of monastic living--helping readers to see that even nuns and monks experience rapture as well as doubt and despair. In most of their chapters, the monks speak to the principles of spiritual happiness, such as "The Discipline of Change," "Practice Sacred Reading," and "River of Mercy." Interspersed with these lively and useful chapters, the monks have inserted seven "Interludes" in which they speak about monastic living. The result is a thoroughly satisfying package, filled with advice, reflection, warm personal anecdotes, and a delicious taste of what it means to live the contemplative life. --Gail Hudson is the author of "Quarreling." Her articles and essays have appeared in numerous national publications, including Utne Reader, New Age Journal, and Child. ****** You'll find more great books, articles, excerpts, and interviews in Amazon.com's Religion & Spirituality section at Religion & Spirituality ******
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