An Uplifting & Affirming Book Suggestion

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-21-2005
An Uplifting & Affirming Book Suggestion
14
Mon, 03-21-2005 - 2:34pm

I'd like to recommend "EMBRACING THE MYSTERY: The Sacred Unfolding in Ordinary People and Everyday Lives" by Maine author and psychotherapist Meredith Jordan. As a spiritual book it stands alone - I haven't come across anything else quite like it. It is a compilation of essays with each chapter ending with a set of questions for the reader. The book weaves stories of the natural world and our surroundings, our relationships with others, the bird outside our window -- the everyday, the simple -- revealing just how extraordinary our "everyday" lives really are. Compelling and at once comforting... Simply a great book! I got my copy off Amazon.com but I've also seen it in my local Borders. I'd love to hear what others who've read this thought of the book.

Pages

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-27-2004

Not a book or author I've heard off but definitely think I will be checking it out :-)

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on it with us.

Carol

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-20-2000

LOL - since I pretty much have to get books on tape/cd because of my vision, I now just check to see if my library has it in a format I can use when I see a book recommendation.
They don't have your recommendation, but here's what came up - seems like it may be a little less than "uplifting" and "affirming" LOL.

Embracing the mysterious God : loving the God we don't understand / James Emery White.
Includes bibliographical references.
Contents The betrayal of God -- The exclusivity of God -- The distance of God -- The silence of God -- The foolishness of God -- The mystery of God -- The will of God -- The deception of God -- The dislike of people -- The danger of people -- Conclusion : living in tension.

Guess I'll wait a while and check back...



iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003

I am always looking for good reads! Thanks for the suggestion...I will call my local bookstore today to see if I can get it!

Thanks again!

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-23-2005

I'm thrilled to find your recommendation of "Embracing the Mystery," which I too read and loved and passed on to many friends! I received it as a gift from a friend of my mother's who thought I would be interested. I'm 30 and am uncomfortable with some of the things I hear when I try "church." They are not a good fit for my beliefs, so I was happy to find that "Embracing the Mystery" helps me to imagine another way into a relationship with God that fits very well, and even helps me to look at the world with fresh eyes. I'm giving it as gifts, and it's rapidly making the rounds of friends my age. This is a spiritual book that should be in the library of every woman from 20-80+ (and every man, I also gave it to my partner, and he's devouring it).

Sometimes a really good book comes along that women who care about life, love, the place of reverence in our lives, the lessons we learn from children and from the natural world, our relationships with others...just "must read." I put this one at the top of the list!

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-21-2005

Hi Carol,

I saw both the hardcover and softcover of "Embracing the Mystery" on Amazon.com but, as I said, I also saw it in Borders. One of the great things about this book is that I am able to actually complete my reading in a sitting since each chapter is a story within itself and offers meditations at the end. As a busy mom this feels really, really good and self-nurturing.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-21-2005

I got a real chuckle out of your comment about the other, "less uplifting," title you found! Thanks for sharing - humor is always good!!

After reading your post I did a Google search "Meredith Jordan Embracing the Mystery" and came up with a lot of fantastic reviews as well as the author's own website. When I went to that I looked under the "Books and CDs" section and noticed she also sells a CD of meditations. Anyway, that web address (for the author, Meredith Jordan) is http://www.rogersmckay.org/

Take care!

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-21-2005

I agree. I've also given the book to friends, one of whom happens to be in a 12-Step program and it's making the rounds with her friends there. My own thoughts on this are that this book has such a wide-ranging appeal it would definitely help anyone in need of hope and/or having trouble with defining their idea of God or a Higher Power. And it's uplifting and affirming for those who are already on a path.

...and I just responded to another posting here. I did a Google search on the author and the book title and came up with a lot of reviews (very favorable) as well as the author's website which is www.rogersmckay.org

Does anybody on this board visit www.beliefnet.com? It's a terrific website. I originally discovered this book when I read an actual excerpt of "EMBRACING THE MYSTYERY: The Sacred Unfolding in Ordinary People and Everyday Lives" at www.beliefnet.com. If you go to Beliefnet and search the site by entering "Meredith Jordan" or "Embracing the Mystery" there is an article/excerpt titled "You Can't Draw a Bead on God."

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-09-2001

Thanks for the book recommendation. :) Here's a couple of links about the book, for any interested:

http://www.tcpc.org/resources/reviews/embracing_the.htm

http://berkana.tomoye.com/ev_en.php?ID=3308_201&ID2=DO_TOPIC

Gypsy



Blessings,

Gypsy

)O(



iVillage Member
Registered: 04-05-2005
I was so psyced to see this review of "Embracing the Mystery". This book was recently given to me by a friend and I LOVED it! As someone who feels deeply spiritual, and yet struggles with many of the "traditional" views of God, this book was right up my alley. She really explores the sacred in all of our lives, it was SO inspiring. I particularly like how you can just open the book up to any chapter and start right in. I recomend it!
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-21-2005
Tue, 04-05-2005 - 11:45am
I agree with what you say about being able to pick this title up and just "jump in" virtually anywhere. In today's world - with most of us trying to juggle multiple roles - finding ANY time to sit and read can feel like a luxury. I gave this book as a gift to some of my more harried friends at the holidays as a reminder to slow down. One of those friends has since told me that reading EMBRACING THE MYSTERY is like taking a long, slow, deep, refreshing breath.

Pages