Great book, but missing a detailed guide to practicing secular spirituality
589635
Its always a pleasure to read Sam Harris' work given the clarity and wit of his arguments. He makes a pretty compelling case to decouple the preposterous claims of religious dogma from spirituality. He also shows that that there is much more to consciousness than what we take for granted and that this is worth exploring in the pursuit of happiness. It is not a detailed how-to guide on mindfulness and how to enjoy the spiritual benefits of meditation and in this sense it is something of a disappointment. One gets the impression that the spiritual journey is best undertaken with the aid of an experienced mentor and Sam does a good job of warning the reader about charlatans masquerading as gurus. The world of secular spirituality is nascent and Sam's book leaves one with a strong desire to explore this world further but without a clear roadmap showing the next step. It now makes sense why he felt the need to do a lecture series and one hopes this becomes available to those readers that, like myself, were unable to participate.
3118983
For what it is, this is a very informative book. It goes into great detail on forging the path to true Buddhist enlightenment. But here's the thing. Most of us in the West aren't on that path. At least I'm not. I practice daily but I don't have a goal toward which I'm striving, certainly not a goal that all-encompassing. In my practice not having a goal is the best place to be.

I appreciate the daily effect my practice has upon my life. To the extent that I am more at peace, more accepting of the world just as it is, that is enough for me.  I have no intention to become a monastic fully committed to every nuance of the Buddha's teaching. I'm a lay person making my way in the world. I suppose that's the distinction between what Joseph Goldstein is doing here and what teachers like Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach do.
894386
The enneagram is a wonderful tool both for psychological understanding and spiritual growth, but it takes a fair amount of study and you have to be aware that key words are often used with very different meanings from their usual senses. This book focuses on its use for spiritual growth. Sandra was a disciple of Almaas and credits him with her viewpoint on the enneagram, but in my opinion the student has exceeded the master. Almaas' famous book Facets of Unity has the feel of something well written, but for me it's just too vague and unclear what he really means. Sandra unpacks it beautifully, framing the challenges of spiritual growth in the context of modern psychological theories. Her earlier book is well worth reading, but too directly influenced by Almaas. In this book she has found her own voice and written a treasure. Incidentally, you don't need to have studied the enneagram to read this book. Sandra's concerns are really quite different from using the enneagram as a typology of personalities, and she tells you all you need to know about that side of it.
879360
WALKING THE BRIDGELESS CANYON is the most recent book that aims to repair the breach between the Church and the LGBT Community. Kathy has positioned herself as an important voice within the gay-Christian movement, and this book is her magnum opus.

There are a few aspects of this book that stand out to me as significant.

First, WBC is very comprehensive. Kathy discusses the history of the relationship between the Church and the LGBT community, scientific issues related to the origin of same-sex attraction, political issues, biblical passages, and more. It is clear that she spent years researching this book, which is clear from the fact that it is almost 450 pages and full of footnotes. I learned much about the history of the LGBT community from the initial chapters.

Second, she uses a lot of stories. Kathy is well aware that people are largely persuaded (on this issue in particular) by personal encounters as well as stories. Sometimes stories replaced arguments in WBC, but nonetheless, she uses tons of narratives to bring her audience to her side.

Third, Kathy largely writes with compassion. It is clear she deeply cares about and is committed to the LGBT community. Sometimes the conservative side was unnecessarily demonized and/or represented with a straw man (the book has many unfortunate quotes by Falwell that are meant to be representative of the conservative view). Yet as a whole she writes with a compassionate tone that will endear some people to her side and foster larger conversation on this issue.

Why did I give WBC 2 stars? My primary criticism is that Kathy was very selective in the sources she includes in the book and misrepresents her opposing side. For instance, chapter 9 (Same-Sex Behavior in the Bible) is dedicated to defending committed same-sex unions. She says, Doubtless, all six passages of Scripture depict negative views of having sex with males, but can these verses be used to blanket condemnation of all forms of homosexuality, even long-term, monogamous relationships between equal-status partners? (p. 221-222). She clearly thinks the answer is NO.

The books she cites for support are Bible, Gender, Sexuality (Brownson), God and the Gay Christian (Vines), and Biblical Ethics & Homosexuality: Listening to Scripture (chapter by Dale Martin). Brownson, Vines, and Martin are all outspoken proponents of the revisionist view of homosexuality. I have no problem that she includes these works. They are all significant books that any fair-minded person should read when wrestling with this issue. I have read each of these authors and learned much from them.

But I was disappointed she did not even consider the writings of significant figures on the other side. Why not interact with The Bible and Homosexual Practice (Gagnon), Out of Order (Wold), and The Moral Vision of the New Testament (Hays), and other conservative writers? I realize she only had one chapter to discuss the biblical evidence, but in a book that is meant to repair the breach between both communities, it is surprising she omits them. The further I probed, I realized this omission is indicative of the book as a wholeshe cites books and studies that are favorable to her view and largely ignores voices to the contrary.

If you're looking for a book written by an LGBT-advocate who represents that side well, then WBC is an excellent choice. If you are looking for a book that fairly interacts with the best material on both sides, and tries to offer a bridge between the communities, you may need to find another book.
3836271
This is an excellent book if you are a Methodist. It serves as a basic introduction to the life of John Wesley and contains elements of a travel guide if you find yourself taking a footsteps type tour.

However, If you are looking for a more detailed biography on John Wesley, they are out there. This volume misses all the gory details that are in the historical record. Short of his Georgia experience there is no mention of the women whom he pursued for marriage, much less the woman he married at age 48. These missing details I think add a dimension to Wesley that help us understand his conflicts and desires in a better light and allow the reader to examine Wesley's life with the gospel light that he was known to shine on others.

Beyond that I think this book was written very pastoral manor and the author does an excellent job of translating Wesley's life though the lens of scripture. He makes great application and bridges back to the twenty-first century.
3288948
This is a practical and insightful guide to meditation as a practice

and mindfulness as a way of being. There is also abundant theory in the form of a spritual and psychological approach to life.

This is a very clear, personable and well written book which offers a diverse array of insightful quotes from many interesting sources.

My only complaint is the picture of buddha on the cover because I believe that this image limits the very universal and secular insights that are presented so well in this book.
1117762
Pia Mellody notes in the beginning of THE INTIMACY FACTOR that her deepest reason for writing the book was "to acknowledge the role of spirituality in intimate relationships."  This is in itself is a worthy goal; spirituality (general, not within a specfic religious framework) as specifically applied to relationships is not addressed often enough, and it's a frequently forgotten part of too many partnerships.  Mellody writes that true sprituality is the realization that God is Love and we can trust in that Love.  That love is what restores to us the truth of our own inherent worth, thereby enabling us to have truly intimate relationships with other human beings.
Following an initial discussion along these lines, Mellody spends most of the rest of the book describing the concept of boundaries -- the "psychological passages" through which we both express our truth and recieve the emotions and words of others.  She explains how functional boundaries lead to a spiritual relationship with God and good relationships with people, and the various ways in which dysfunctional boundaries can impair relationships.  She also talks about how "boundary work" therapy helps to restore boundaries to healthy function.
Mellody's descriptions of boundaries are both interesting and very useful -- you can really see where how your own boundaries are functioning (or not) and what you can do to improve them.  However, she ascribes all boundary dysfunction to myriad possible forms of abuse in childhood (often more subtle than your stereotypical drunken and physcially abusive parent.)  While this is interesting and helpful as well, I think it is a stretch to say that ALL relationship problems stem from childhood abuse.  Does everyone have abusive parents?  And what about adults who had abusive parents but have been able to transcend that upbringing without therapy and become functional people in healthy relationships?  Mellody makes it sound as if there are no exceptions: everyone with childhood trauma is messed up unless she gets therapy, and practically no one is without such past trauma (since many, many people have relationship problems.)
Another thing that bothers me about the book is the constant referencing to AA.  I realize the author is a recovering alcoholic, and that alcoholism can deal serious blows to a relationship, but that's not what this book is about.  It should be confined to one of two examples, not splashed all over the text.  By the end of the book, I was getting really tired of the serenity prayer.  It may be good, but it's cliched in the first place, and refering to it several times in 200 pages is not helping matters at all.
Also, though the author gives many helpful examples of how to have healhty discussions about relationship issues, PLEASE don't use her wording!  It's stilted and totally unnatural; if you used it on your partner, he or she would wonder what was wrong with you. Use the ideas; forget the format!
I don't mean to imply that this book is completely faulty; it's actually very enjoyable and informative. The subtitle really ought to have something about boundaries in it though, because this is where the author really shines.
4288044
This is one of my favorite books in my spiritual library.  Mr. Tipping consolidates and explains in a clear and new way many key spiritual principles.  Reading the book and completing the free online Radical Forgiveness worksheets have helped me tremendously. I was looking for more regarding self-forgiveness, and purchased the online program.  They offered a money back guarantee, so I figured I couldn't go wrong.  The Self Forgiveness/Self Acceptance program is not substantially different from the free online Radical Forgiveness worksheet.  I did not get additional benefit from it.  I emailed them for a refund, but have been ignored.  My opinion is that the book and the free online worksheet are the most valuable items offered by this organization and that the other stuff is repackaging of the same to make more money.
454709
This short book is crammed full of reflections about prayer, meditation and contemplation from lots of different sources which Wicks, a theist, psychologist and professor, organizes into a useful handbook for building an authentic spiritual life. Although he quotes from Buddhists (the Dalai Lama, Tara Brach), Jews (Abraham Heschel), Protestants (Anne LaMott)  and mystics (Ehrhard Tolle), its primary audience seems Roman Catholic, which I'm not.

That said, there is plenty here to guide anyone's spiritual journey while avoiding the pitfalls of self-delusion. There are long inventories of points to ponder such chapter headings as Create Simple Rituals, Soften the Soul, Honor Life's Fragility, Face Sadness Directly, Befriend Anger and other Negative Emotions, Honor Unofficial Retreats, and Appreciate Inner Companions in Hope. There's a mediation/prayer guide for 30 days. And there's a Spiritual Mindfulness Questionnaire that I intend to complete, especially because there are no "right" answers.

It's a great book to give a Christian in times of sorrow or uncertainty.
4263286
This would be a great book if only she had offered some secular choices. The book was well organized. I love the intro on learning styles and there's a great chart that summarizes all her choices (although I wish she had indicated age appropriateness).

I am Christian, but this book was definitely written for fundamentalist Christian homeschoolers. I am a first time homeschooler and the book was useful in selecting the subjects that are more secular by nature - like reading & math. And while I like her Charlotte Mason approach to science and history, I was dissapointed with the lack of non-Creationist choices. If you are looking for Creationist choices, this would be good. If you are looking for secular science and history, this book is not for you.
4047352
This book, "The Road to Harmony with God", is about as much metaphysics as it is religion. One of the drawbacks of the book from the perspective of a spiritual seeker is its lack of specific guidelines for the spiritual life. However, a positive side is that the book makes a case for the need of human nature to receive empowerment from a Higher Being in order to live a fulfilling life -- and to prepare for whatever future realms of life might be open to us at the time of our demise.

Many people would not wish to read a book of this sort, but the philosophically inclined spiritual person, especially those with mystical leanings, might find within the book much inspiration to seek some kind of contact with and even a relationship with a Higher Being (usually referred to as God).

Given how disenchanted many modern people are about their respective religious traditions, some such people might find that a book of this sort can inspire one to search for meaning in life beyond the merely secular world, and yet outside the domain of organized religion. Many among us find much to deplore in most of organized religion, even if its value for many people cannot well be doubted.

For the person who's in a spiritual quandary, this book might be a source of inspiration, and could lead one toward a search for meaning outside of the strictly secular world of the less-than-fulfilling rat race of material pursuits.
2443139
This book includes some very helpful grids for helping spouses ( or friends - or enemies!) to understand each other.  It would have rated higher with me if it had emphasized more the attitude of a servant spirit to which God calls His people, and the distinctive commands to the wife and the husband.<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/The-Excellent-Wife-A-Biblical-Perspective/dp/1885904088/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">The Excellent Wife: A Biblical Perspective</a>
3143497
This is a great guide to think a little deeper about the Holy Spirit when reading the Lead Me, Holy Spirit book.  I do like her writing style, and do relate to what she is saying.  My only disappointment with this book, is that it limits copy / paste the contents on the Kindle.  It is hard to read the study guide and refer back to her book when using just one machine.  I should have gotten a hard copy of at least one of these books.
188580
I found the book to be well worth my time.  There were many very well thought out analyses of spiritual and practical matters.  Indeed the book has practical answers but does not promise a rose garden.  Once in a while I would stumble on a very narrow minded (or perhaps I should say religiously dogmatic) view, which is perhaps to be expected given the author and her background.  I would skip such sections, just satisfied to have received useful insights from other sections.
1213633
Another great book by Thich Nhat Hanh. This book is basically divided into two sections. The first is a very indepth look at the 14 mindfulness trainings and then the second part is a review of ceremonies surrounding  these trainings.
I found the first part of the book to be great. It  offered some new information on the 14 minfulness trainings (which I  already had some knowledge of). The second half of the book on the  ceremonies was not useful to me and I can't really picture it being useful  to anyone but in the monastic community.
Overall, great book. Get it,  read it, and incorporate the mindfulness trainings in your life.
4221432
Full disclosure:  I'm not finished reading this book. First off I will say, with what I have read so far, there is a lot of helpful information. I'm mom to two boys and we're about 2 1/2 years into homeschooling. I am beginning to bring my younger son into our daily practice. Recently, I've been focusing much more on how to structure our days and Mrs. Barnhill does present a lot of useful tips and wonderful questions to ask myself about what I want the big picture of our homeschool story to be. That said, I was turned on to this book via The Homeschool Sisters Podcast, which I love. I knew that Mrs. Barnhill was likely to be the standard religious homeschooler and, as I am a secular homeschooler, I expected there would be some stuff to gloss over. Wow. There is SO MUCH religion mentioned here, just about every page. Maybe it will become less of a focal point later in the book?. It's not necessarily presented in an overbearing way. There is slight acknowledgement that some people might not be homeschooling with that slant. But in other ways it is rather narrow in it's world view. So far that's included a mention of Satan being responsible for our not wanting to behold truth, goodness, and beauty for an hour each day, with utmost seriousness. And the next page the presumption that, "As Christians...it is easy for us to see exactly what truth is." This type of language could be a great selling point for many of you. It's also a huge caveat for others. I will continue reading but it requires for me to disregard and/or translate this type of language into something more universally applicable. That said, I don't want to penalize Mrs. Barnhill for speaking in her own voice with her own language. I could've done more research to vet her prior to this purchase. I did not. That's on me. So my rating reflects the usefulness of the book to ME, aside from the religious perspective. I wanted to add my review for other secular homeschoolers who might be considering this book, since my hunch is that most of the other reviews have been written by fans of Mrs. Barnhill's, fully in-sync with her world view.
3097606
I am a great advocate of morning pages; they have been a central part of my spiritual life for many years and I encourage my clients to explore the practice for themselves to see if it will be helpful for them as well. I love the title of this book and so appreciate Julia Cameron for the many offerings she has brought to the world. The reason I gave this 4 stars is because this book has very little to do with midlife itself. As someone who has spent the past 15 years studying, teaching, guiding others and writing about midlife, I was disappointed that the author did not pitch her tent more squarely at the intersection that this key life passage presents. HOWEVER, I see the opportunity of pairing my book, HIDDEN BLESSINGS: MIDLIFE CRISIS AS A SPIRITUAL AWAKENING, with Cameron's book as a beautiful way to use her writing process to explore the many self-inquiries throughout my book. I am already suggesting this pairing in my workshops and groups.