Description
Book SynopsisThe spiritual teachings of many faith traditions can help you step beyond the limits of any one tradition to the reality that can't be named. The fastest growing spiritual movement in the United States today is that of the religiously unaffiliated. These spiritual seekers make up 20 percent of the adult American population; they are the spiritual equivalent of political independents. Refusing to limit themselves to one religion or another, these seekers without borders are open to wisdom wherever it can be found. This is a "bible" for this vast and growing social movement. It weaves sacred texts and teachings from the world’s major religions—Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and more—into a coherent exploration of the five core questions at the heart of every religion’s search: • Who am I? • Where did I come from? • Where am I going? • How shall I live? • Why? It couples these sacred teachings with modern commentary designed to help readers use these texts in their daily lives. It also provides the basics of spiritual mentor Eknath Easwaran’s Passage Meditation to help you internalize the texts that articulate your deepest insights and values.
Trade Review"Even the spiritually independent can use a wise pastor, and Rami Shapiro steps into this role admirably, with his inimitable combination of wit, irony, honesty and luminous mystical understanding. The perfect guide for navigating the deep seas of perennial wisdom!" —Cynthia Bourgeault, author, The Wisdom Way of Knowing, The Meaning of Mary Magdalene, The Wisdom Jesus and The Holy Trinity and the Law of Three "Do not read this book, unless, that is, you want insight into life's biggest questions.... This book is the fruit of the author's own search for meaning and will bear fruit for any reader who approaches it, and life, with sacred sincerity." —Tom Stella, author, Finding God Beyond Religion: A Guide for Skeptics, Agnostics & Unorthodox Believers Inside & Outside the Church "Marvelous ... it will change your life. Sufis say that once the Blush of the Beloved graces you, there is no going back to being a green apple." —Imam Jamal Rahman, author, The Spiritual Gems of Islam: Insights & Practices from the Qur'an, Hadith, Rumi & Muslim Teaching Stories to Enlighten the Heart & Mind "Wise ... I want all my friends to read and savor this book!" —Gordon Peerman, Episcopal priest and psychotherapist; author, Blessed Relief: What Christians Can Learn from Buddhists about Suffering “A deep mine filled with jewels of wisdom, each and every one radiant with light. When seen with our hearts, these jewels blaze the light of truth into the darkness of our limited understanding. A wonder-full offering.” —Krishna Das, internationally known chant artist
Table of ContentsForeword ix Preface xiii Spiritually Independent, Not Spiritually Disinterested xiii Perennial Philosophy: It's Fourfold xiv Passage Meditation: Meaningful Memorization xiv The Five Questions: The Heart of the Spiritual Quest xv Personal Note xvi Acknowledgments xvii What Is Perennial Wisdom? 1 Who Am I? 10 Where Did I Come From? 54 Where Am I Going? 118 How Shall I Live? 176 Why? 258 Sages Cited, Annotated 283 Primary Sources, Annotated 296 Notes 309 Bibliography and Suggestions for Further Reading 310
