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Healing the Heart of Democracy: The Courage to Create a Politics Worthy of the Human Spirit
At a critical time in American life, Parker J. Palmer looks with realism and hope at how to deal with our political tensions for the sake of the common good--without the shouting, blaming, or defaming so common in our politics today.In his newest book, Parker J. Palmer builds on his own extensive experience as an inner life explorer and social change activist to examine th...more
Hardcover, 256 pages
Published
September 6th 2011
by Jossey-Bass
(first published July 13th 2011)
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Yes! I want to be involved in democracy that stays rooted in reality while dreaming of possibility and is willing to enter the gap between the two to bring it about. Parker Palmer has encouraged me in previous books to see myself as a teacher and to let my life speak. Now, I'm with him again into this exploration into being part of "we the people" in a way that allows respect and true sharing of who we are. "Life in the company of strangers" really seems possible here, and in a way that honors t...more
I have really appreciated Parker Palmer's books over the years but this book is a profound disappointment. I quit reading at the halfway point. If you are a liberal/progressive, then I suspect you may enjoy the book. It plays very well into the meme that at core of the discord in our country are conservatives. I can't help but feel that Palmer missed an opportunity.
I know he is a Quaker pacifist. I've suspected his political views were to the left based on other writing I've seen. I have no pro...more
I know he is a Quaker pacifist. I've suspected his political views were to the left based on other writing I've seen. I have no pro...more
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A gift from Kathy Champeau, I wanted to see what Parker Palmer had to say on this topic. Some I know follow his work religiously. Others like to quote him for inspiration while their actions seem to suggest otherwise. The tone of the book is somewhat somber and we come to learn at the end that Palmer found it hard to embracce writing on this topic. His own concern about where society is at after years of writing on compassion and wisdom must be a bit disheartening, but he remains hope-filled tha...more
Parker Palmer has some important, insightful, and inspiring ideas about democracy, but I often found myself bored with this book, only becoming interested when he illustrated his philosophical point with a real-world example. (So this criticism may be more about my lack of attention span than Palmer's writing, but so be it.)
Nevertheless, this is worth a read: talking about everything from the decline of public spaces to partisanship to our educational system, Palmer argues that we need to streng...more
Nevertheless, this is worth a read: talking about everything from the decline of public spaces to partisanship to our educational system, Palmer argues that we need to streng...more
I recommend this book highly. (I try to give five stars to only a small percentage of the books I read, so don't be put off by four stars. Here, they say this book is one to definitely consider, especially in this election year.)
The first two chapters read rather like platitudes to me, but by the time I got into the third chapter, my own reaction was that the writing had more depth than just good feel ideas. I have been participating in a discussion group reading the book and we have had deeply...more
The first two chapters read rather like platitudes to me, but by the time I got into the third chapter, my own reaction was that the writing had more depth than just good feel ideas. I have been participating in a discussion group reading the book and we have had deeply...more
The author makes important points about teaching our children how to be participating citizens, not just wall ourselves off via limited social networks. By being "in the public square" we're more likely to run into peeps whose opinions and life experiences differ from ours, and have enriching conversations as a result. About 70% of Americans he estimates have this opportunity; the remaining 30% are polarized, vocal, and ill-informed on both the far right and far left, dominating headlines and po...more
Did this for book club, Pauline and I were the only two who finished it. That said, it gave me a truly good grasp on our private, public and political lives. We need to develop the habits of the heart that fuel and support democracy. I am so tired of people thinking participation In the political process is a waste of energy. Parker reminds us that we are democracy at its best and if we choose so, at its worst.
Loved this book, he has a great command of language, lots of epigrammatic phrases for...more
Loved this book, he has a great command of language, lots of epigrammatic phrases for...more
Aug 31, 2012
Ruth
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
people interested in government,citizenship
Recommended to Ruth by:
my church
Healing the Heart of Democracy is a book assigned to me as a study book in a class at my church. It's purpose was to examine the role of the individual in matters of the heart, the home, the community, and the government. The author believes the danger of losing our Democracy as we know it is a probabilty without participation from all individuals, each of us working to strengthen our democratic way of life by listening to each other and working together for the main good.. "Good citizenship is...more
I plan to finish reading this book, with close attention, but it was due in the public library today (June 1, 2012). I'll resume with page 77. The core, for me, is Palmer's explanation of "Five Habits of the Heart." The one most challenging for me is to participate (openly) in conversations with others who may have perspectives different from mine, at least as far as I can tell. In the rest of the book Palmer will likely explain (or tell stories about) how one can have the courage to participate...more
Tired of the sniping, nastiness and cynicism in Washington D.C.? So is Parker Palmer. In his usual attempt to be a redemptive thinker, Palmer gives us a clear-eyed assessment of the situation, describing the broken-heartedness of our democracy. And again, as usual, he calls us to our better selves--to quote Abraham Lincoln--"the better angels of our nature." This is not the usual language heard around the beltway, but it's quite refreshing to hear from a wise, hopeful man about one way he can fi...more
This book is the best antidote I know for confronting the apathy and, worse, defeatism that I can find in myself in the face of the ongoing barrage of bad news and pessimism that assault us daily. Yes, democracy can be preserved if we can reactivate the "habits of the heart" that permit us to be We the People. And this book by one of my favorite authors goes well beyond nice thoughts to practical ways to begin to restore our democracy to health.
Parker Palmer challenges us to confront our basic humanity as we interact with each other in the political realm. Every part of human interaction does come down to something "spiritual;" although Palmer does not use "spiritual" language. He talks about courage and living within the natural tensions in life. Following his prescriptions should lead to an energetic, forceful, yet peaceful politic.
Some interesting ideas and beautiful writing. I think implementing Palmer's strategies from the book would be difficult; perhaps it would be easier through workshops/training. But creatively holding tension seems essential for long-term, respectful, productive dialog between people with profound disagreements.
Though he can be repetitive and a bit too sentimental at times, Palmer writes a good analysis of democracy here. He provides some real insight into the nature of democracy, what's gone wrong with our version of it, and what it might take to start to set it right again. Good book.
This book made some great points and had excellent ideas for a more open democracy. The only drawback was that at times it was very dry and in some instances made me confused as to what point he was trying to make. I do recommend this book but you were warned.
Palmer said this was his hardest book to write, and I had a hard time reading it - in part because the topic is so important and I don’t have a lot of optimism right now. But I did glean some good things, and particularly enjoyed a few pages he had about strategies some neighborhoods had used to increase their sense of community.
A very timely book for me personally. Recently I had become very disenchanted with politics. Parker Palmer nailed much of what I had been seeing and feeling but was unable to articulate. I am looking forward to exploring his ideas further through training with leaders from the Center for Courage and Renewal.
Right on the money about this culture's illness and how, together, we can heal our democratic society. Ultimately, our problems will not be solved through political answers, but through a collective awakening of the heart.
Despite my distaste for politics, I liked this book a lot. Thoughtful dialogue on the importance of community and the ways to be intentional about bringing shalom into your spheres of influence.
Aug 27, 2012
Lonni
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Everyone one in the US or any democratic country
Shelves:
history-and-politics
Everyone who cares about the US should read this book! Deals openly with hyper-partisanship and talks about bringing normal every day citizens back into the system.
An amazing book that is much needed at this time. I highly recommend it to all who are concerned about faith, politics, civility, and the "soul" of the United States.
For those of us who want to further democracy and discourse in our nation and our communities--a book about embracing the tensions inherent in honoring personal voice and the voices of others while still building community.
Parker Palmer has such deep integrity and such a positive message. I'd recommend anything he's written.
Core concepts are powerful. References are insightful. Challenge to media worth taking up.
A transformative approach to a meaningful, communal democracy--spirit-filled!!!
a book that everyone who is engaged in politics ought to read
Great read for election time.
Sep 25, 2011
Marta Mellinger
marked it as to-read
I have to read this book now.
Fantastic!
I've developed a deep fascination with the relationships between progressive political activism and contemplative practices. Gandhi. Jacob Needleman. Parker Palmer. Palmer is the most explicit about the many ways in which the two realms of practice need each other: self-work and working on the world. Meditation and marching. Strident witnessing and deep listening. This book is a modern classic in the prophetic tradition that calls us to fight inner and outer injustice at the same time.
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Parker J. Palmer (Madison, WI) is a writer, teacher and activist whose work speaks deeply to people in many walks of life. Author of eight books--including the bestsellers Courage to Teach, Let Your Life Speak, and A Hidden Wholeness--his writing has been recognized with ten honorary doctorates and many national awards, including the 2010 William Rainey Harper Award (previously won by Margaret Mea...more
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