Hi everyone, just a quick note to let you know that Eternal Heart: the Mystical Path to a Joyful Life is now available as an audiobook on CD. It’s been available since publication as an Audible audiobook, but for those of us who are old-school and like having our audiobooks on CD, this is a great new product. It’s the same recording as the Audible version; it’s read by William...
“Do I stay Christian?” A Conversation with Brian D. McLaren on a Significant Question for Our Time
Last Wednesday I had the distinct honor of being part of a group interview with leading Christian theologian Brian D. McLaren. The occasion was in celebration of Brian’s latest book, Do I Stay Christian? A Guide for the Doubters, the Disappointed, and the Disillusioned. It’s a provocative title and, indeed, a provocative book. Brian is aiming to have a balanced but honest engagement...
“It Cracks Up the Archangels Every Time!” (“Because They Have No Taste in Comedy!”)
I read lots of serious books: books about Christian theology, spiritual direction, the history of mysticism, and the psychology of meditation… that sort of thing. I’m not complaining — I love pretty much everything I read (actually, at this point in my life and career, if I don’t love it, I quickly stop reading it, because there’s always something else clamoring for my...
Read a Book About Silence (and support “Encountering Silence”)
Friends, many of you know the podcast I co-host, Encountering Silence (and if you don’t know it, check it out!). The following list of books represents some of my co-hosts’ and my favorite books on the topic of silence. We offer it here for your browsing and reading pleasure. The titles are linked to the books’ pages on Amazon — please note that if you follow one of these links...
I Love These Books with “Illuminated Manuscript” Cover Designs
Today’s post is just for fun. I was thinking this morning how much I love books that have cover art inspired by mediæval illuminated manuscript designs. So I decided to scan a few book covers from my library, and to grab a few tasty images from hither and yon online. I make no claim to own any of this art (if you’re the copyright holder and want attribution or want me to remove your...
“Eternal Heart” named one of the best spiritual books of 2021 by “Spirituality & Practice”!
Friends, just a quick note to share my excitement… I have just learned that Eternal Heart has been selected as one of the 50 best spiritual books of 2021 by the editors of the Spirituality and Practice website! Other books to have received this honor include titles by Diana Butler Bass, Brené Brown, Cynthia Bourgeault, Joy Harjo, Valarie Kaur, James Martin, Brian D. McLaren, John Philip...
A New Initiative for 2022: The Contemplative Study of Mystical Writings
Friends, I want to invite you to a special online meeting on Thursday, January 13 to talk about my new initiative, which I am calling “The Contemplative Study of Mystical Writings.” Hope to see you there — to register, click here. This is an outgrowth of conversations I have been having through social media as well as with my blog’s financial backers, who support my work through...
A Great Mystical Book — With a Surprising Title
I’ve recently been re-reading one of the most fascinating and unusual books of mystical wisdom to have been written within the last 100 years. This is actually my third time through the book, and I know I will read it again, certainly more than once. It’s one of those rare books that rewards multiple readings, each new journey through it yielding new insights. I’m not the only...
Celebrate Your Eternal Heart with these Podcasts (and Video)!
I haven’t created any new videos or podcasts of my own for a while — something I hope to change this fall. One of the reasons why I have been AWOL from the world of audio and video content, is because I’ve been invited as a guest on several other podcasts. Most of these have been interested in Eternal Heart, so we’ve talked about that book — but the topics tend to be free...
The Wisdom of the Heart (the Eternal Heart Book Launch Celebration!)
Friends, in case you missed it, here is a recording of the Eternal Heart book launch celebration! We gathered on the evening of June 29 — if you missed it, or want to view it again, watch the video below. The theme of the evening was “the Wisdom of the Heart.” To explore that topic, authors Lerita Coleman Brown and Colette Lafia and folksinger Caroline Herring joined in the...
Come to the Eternal Heart Publication Day Celebration — June 29, 2021!
Friends, you are invited to a special virtual event: the Eternal Heart Book Launch Celebration! We will gather via Zoom on Tuesday, June 29, 2021 from 7:30 – 8:45 PM (Eastern Time). Our gathering will include music by folksinger Caroline Herring, and words from two special “Heart Authors” — Lerita Coleman Brown and Colette Lafia! I’ll read a few selections from the book...
What I look for when I read contemplative books
I often get asked to recommend “the best” contemplative books. I’m happy to do so (see this post for a recent attempt to list some of the better books), but today I thought I’d do something a bit different. Instead of just rolling off a list of my personal favorites, I’ll share with you how I decide which books I consider to be truly worth reading, savoring, and...