The 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.
Rami Shapiro, a renowned teacher of spirituality across faith traditions, is an award-winning storyteller, poet and essayist. He is author of The Sacred Art of Lovingkindness: Preparing to Practice, Recovery—The Sacred Art: The Twelve Steps as Spiritual Practice and The Divine Feminine in Biblical Wisdom Literature: Selections Annotated & Explained (all SkyLight Paths), among other books.
Rami Shapiro is available to speak on the following topics:
Writing—The Sacred Art: Beyond the Page to Spiritual Practice
Stop Playing God: 12 Steps as Spiritual Practice
Biblical Wisdom for Post-biblical Times: An Exploration of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Job
The Sacred Art of Lovingkindness: Cultivating Compassion in Daily Life
Hasidic Wisdom: An Exploration of Hasidic Storytelling, Theology and Contemplative Practice
Saints and Sages: Biblical Prophets, Ancient Rabbis and the Building of a Just World
Richard Rohr, a Franciscan priest, internationally known inspirational speaker and author, is founder of the Center for Action and Contemplation in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Foreword ixPreface xiiiSpiritually Independent, Not Spiritually Disinterested xiiiPerennial Philosophy: It's Fourfold xivPassage Meditation: Meaningful Memorization xivThe Five Questions: The Heart of the Spiritual Quest xvPersonal Note xviAcknowledgments 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 309Bibliography and Suggestions for Further Reading 310