Description
Book SynopsisDeepen connections with the people you love. Build relationships with the people you meet. "We can go through each day—or a lifetime—as sleepwalkers while awake, tossing and turning on pillows that are as hard as appointment books, wandering a paved spiritual wilderness from bank window to house of worship to hospital bedside. But if we are fortunate enough to happen upon a vision of the Divine—in a chance chat with a semi-stranger or a lingering conversation with a good friend—we can awaken to the spirituality between people that Martin Buber called I-Thou." —from God in Our Relationships It is possible to infuse every moment of life with meaning—from the routine act to the once-in-a-lifetime situation—and this first-of-its-kind introduction to Martin Buber's I-Thou shows you how. Drawing on Jewish tradition, the science of human behavior, Buber’s ideas and the Hasidic stories that he loved, Rabbi Dennis Ross illuminates a theology of relationships in easy-to-understand, accessible language. You will clearly see how to use the principles of I-Thou to create new answers to critical issues in life, such as: How do I react to others in times of stress? How do I relate to strangers? How can I take full advantage of the time I have to spend with my loved ones? By unlocking the depths in Buber’s concepts for spiritual growth, Ross supplies you with the tools you need to communicate better, love more completely and find the sacred in everyday life.
Trade ReviewA few years ago, I took care of a beautiful, elderly, blind, African American woman who was cared for by a gentle, sweet, elderly, white lady. No one could deny that this relationship was truly a spiritual one. In fact, I was so moved by their love and concern toward each other that I wrote a poem entitled "Two Gentle Ladies," which reads as follows: Two Gentle Ladies I knew two gentle ladies for years One white, the other black No fears They sat and talked about their dreams Without tears Oh Lord! How they loved one another I was always impressed with the "up" feeling that these women had. I often looked forward to going on a house call to see them. The actually made me feel spiritually better. Both of these lovely ladies have gone up yonder to be with their Lord. It seems that during the season between Thanksgiving and New Years, many folks experience a stage of depression. This usually is manifested by a person's withdrawing from friends and relatives. Occasionally, they also might feel suicidal. During this holiday season, some folks manifest an "up" feeling and begin to show great respect for one another in the streets, stores, public transportation and at work. There seems to be a real sense of cosmic, good energy that defies disrespect and unconcern. The Christ-Mass reminds us of the love that we must share with each other and with those throughout the world. This belief is expressed beautifully in a book entitled God In Our Relationships. This book is about the spirituality between people and is from the teachings of Martin Buber as written about by Rabbi Dennis S. Ross. The book is published by Jewish Lights Publishing. In this book, the philosophy of the I-IT relationship to the I-Thou relationship is explored and demonstrates how one should relate to others in a positive manner For those who might feel depression during this season, I propose that you heed the following suggestions: Take time for quiet reflection and meditate on the importance of all life on this planet. Be a carrier of good news and not the blues. See no evil, hear no evil and speak no evil. Leave that to the monkeys. Make sure that when someone leaves your presence, they feel better. During a conversation with friends or enemies, just touch their arm or hand. A touch goes a long way. Give a donation to that person on the street whom you have passed so often. The Salvation Army needs all they can get to help others. Volunteer some of your time to a church or other institution such as hospital or nursing homes. Make amends with those persons in your family with whom you have disagreed. Call someone on the phone whom you haven't spoken to in a long time and tell him or her how much you miss his or her presence. Give a lot, but save some for yourself. Remember, love cannot be bought or stolen. I can only be given away. Have a Blessed Season, because there is a Reason that you have been give space on this planet. -- Gerald W. Deas * Frost Illustrated *
Table of ContentsPreface Acknowledgments Introduction Part One: Our Daily Encounters Always Unexpected From I-It Experience to I-Thou Encounter Some Differences between I-It and I-Thou Buber's Theology of Relationships I-It: The Cradle of I-Thou I-It and I-Thou in Professional and Helping Relationships I-It: Limited and Seductive I-It Darkens and Hardens Part Two: I-It: A Spirit in Eclipse—Seven Stories Eclipsed by the Race Eclipsed by the Equipment Eclipsed by the Pace Eclipsed by Itself Eclipsed by Possessions Eclipsed by the Past One Voice Lifts Another The Afterglow Part Three: I-Thou: When One Voice Lifts Another Chance Encounter Voices Rise between People Rising Voices Are Transcendent Rising Voices Obscure Time, Space, and Cause Voices Rise Here and Now Rising Voices: Unpredictable, Arriving by Grace, and Unique Rising Voices: A Capella and Accompanied Rising Voices Leave an Afterglow Part Four: I-Thou on the Narrow Ridge Risk Mismeeting, Blurring, Oscillation, and Enrichment The Narrow Ridge Growing into I-Thou Over and Against The New Thinking Imagine the Real Community, Strife, and Holy Insecurity The Last Row Part Five: Eternal Thou: A Leap of Faith Entering the Eternal I-Thou: Delicate and Eternal All Living Is Meeting Eternal Thou Eternal Thou: Jewish Roots The Jewish Mystical Tradition Urgency Becoming the Master Epilogue: At Day’s End Notes Further Reading
