Finding the On-Ramp to Your Spiritual Path: A Roadmap to Joy and Rejuvenation

by Quest Books

Overview

True to the title, this guidebook directs beginners on the spiritual journey. Author Jan Phillips, reared Catholic, has traveled through Buddhist, Hindu, and Muslim cultures merging dualities of East and West. A popular workshop leader for decades, she is a dynamic, upbeat, straight-talking, wise old woman in her own right, and her prose reflects her character. In warm, engaging language, she presents basic spiritual concepts and practices for the multitudes of Americans who have left traditional religion and are searching for a full-bodied, mind-expanding, convincing spirituality

The book consists of short essays and personal anecdotes. Each story incorporates the wisdom of various traditions, all suggesting the immanence of the Divine in our lives. Each chapter reframes the meaning of a typical road sign-such as YIELD for surrender, STOP for taking time for balance, LANE ENDS for giving up old notions. All in all, this lively book maps an adventurous trek from illusion to reality, fear to fulfillment, isolation to community. It invites us to go deeper and further, finding, at the end, that the journey is everything.

Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly

Recent decades have seen a steady rise in the number of individuals who have broken free from traditional religion and yet still want to live a life of faith. For those embarking on this quest, as well as those already on a spiritual journey, this book identifies the signposts of a spiritual path with a lucidity and succinctness rarely articulated by others. Interweaving story, poetry, and reflections on her own spiritual journey, Phillips elegantly answers the fundamental questions: what is the spiritual path? Who else is on it? And where does it lead? Road-sign metaphors such as “yield” (the surrender that yields fruit) or “curves ahead” (the spiritual path is never a straight road) provide familiar images for the core concepts of this “pilgrimage inward the destination is awareness.” Seasoned seekers will recognize other common signs along the spiritual way: a daily commitment to peace, mystical paradox, self-forgiveness, compassion, harmonious relationships, and moments of enlightenment. And while the path itself is hardly new, this book provides an innovative and inspirational map of the landscape that typifies 21st-century spiritual consciousness. (July)

Reviews

"Jan Phillips describes a spiritual path that is inward, cosmic, multi-faith and culturally diverse. This new pathway—infused with unity, vitality and hope—will dominate the spiritual consciousness of the 21st century." —Diarmuid O'Murchu, author of Evolutionary Faith

From the Publisher

"Jan Phillips describes a spiritual path that is inward, cosmic, multi-faith and culturally diverse. This new pathway—infused with unity, vitality and hope—will dominate the spiritual consciousness of the 21st century." —Diarmuid O'Murchu, author of Evolutionary Faith


"Through story, poetry and her own spiritual journey, Jan's creative-mystical awareness invites our deep attention to the radical aliveness of a journey of the heart. She awakens us to the mystery of love guiding us through moments of synchronicity, novelty and resonant relationships. What does the next level of consciousness look like? This book inspires any seeker, evolutionary or spiritual pilgrim to walk in the freedom of love by discovering the truth of their deepest inner knowing." —Barbara Marx Hubbard, author and public speaker

"I love Jan's insight, guidance, and especially her stories. This book is like having tea with a spiritual mentor who I wish I had beside my when my own journey began. If you're at the on-ramp of yours, please let Jan drive for awhile." —Raphael Cushnir, author of The One Thing Holding You Back and Surfing Your Inner Sea

"Not since reading Thomas Merton when I was a young seminarian have I been so deeply impressed by a book on spirituality. This is the book I would recommend to anyone wanting to explore and articulate a meaningful spirituality in the twenty-first century". —Michael Morwood, author of Tomorrow's Catholic


"With her usual enthusiasm and pluck, Phillips reflects upon mindfulness, faith, Infinite Mind, the grace of surrendering, miracles, the dead end of dualistic thinking, commitment, community, and much more. Philosopher Jacob Needleman has stated that group pondering may well be the art form of the future. Spiritual seekers relish getting together with others to share experiences and to come to grips with the mysteries of God and of the human adventure. Phillips has written a handy guide that these groups and individual seekers are bound to appreciate." —Frederic Brussat, Spirituality & Practice

Product Details

UPC:	9780835609173
Manufacturer:	Quest Books
Publication date:	06/18/2013