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The Seeker's Guide (previously published as The New American Spirituality)
In 1977, Elizabeth Lesser cofounded the Omega Institute, now America's largest adult-education center focusing on wellness and spirituality. Working with many of the eminent thinkers of our times, including Zen masters, rabbis, Christian monks, psychologists, scientists, and an array of noted American figures--from L.A. Lakers coach Phil Jackson to author Maya Angelou--Les...more
Paperback, 436 pages
Published
November 18th 2008
by Villard
(first published 1999)
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I read this as an audio and enjoyed the narrator's voice (always a plus) and found her discussion fascinating being an American surrounded by the materialistic society she describes. I find it hard to fathom that this is only an American fault, however. I'm enjoying her honesty in stating that finding your own path isn't something that happens by reading a book or even 100 books, it's something that takes long, hard work and there are no short cuts despite the myriad of books on the shelves that...more
Sandra
rated it
Recommends it for:
Anyone interested in enhancing their spiritual journey.
Recommended to Sandra by:
Lyn Fitzpatrick
We were reading this in a book club I belong to. It's so wordy though, that we found there was really nothing to discuss other than points we liked as the author had already said everything there was to say. I do like the book greatly and am learning much. I'm a detailed person to begin with so I don't find her writing style too bothersome, but I do agree it's better read on your own than in a group. Definitely, an important piece to my spiritual journey; line upon line, precept upon precept...more
The section on meditation is excellent and one I go back to often. I used to think I meditated "wrong" until I read this: "Please expect this. Good thoughts, bad thoughts, pleasureable ones, disturbing ones- they will come and go as we sit in meditation, watching our breath...they are the weather of the mind. Our goal in meditation is not to get rid of thoughts. Rather, the goal is to abandon identifying with each thought as it comes and goes; to watch the thoughts as we would...more
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She really makes sense of the modern spiritual search, pretty even-handedly drawing on what's good about a lot of different religious and spiritual traditions, and letting you find your own way. She offers 4 "landscapes": mind, heart, body, and soul, and I think that's a pretty useful and all-encompassing.
If you are serious about your meditation, this is definitely the book to have on your shelves. While most meditation books focuses on the techniques, The Seeker's Guide provides a compendium of knowledge, material that will help you overcome various obstacles during your meditative journey.
Great book full of much wisdom. Would recommend to just about anyone who is seeking spiritual guidance. I wish I would have read it three years ago, but I am grateful for having had the opportunity to read and share it with my ministerial studies program.
So far I am loving this! I feel like the author really knows her stuff, and we think alike! Excited to continue my spiritual journey with the help of this book.
I did not finish this one. It is very dense and sense it was a loaner, I had to take it back. I will probably try again in the future.
This book led me to The Passion of the Western Mind by Richard Tarnas. See page 332.
Very inclusive and honest and included many pages of suggestions for readings, music and more.
Katie Brown
is currently reading it
It's slow-going, but good.
Loved it.
With a title like "the seekers guide" I guess I was hoping it would have all the answers for me and "Guide" me in the right direction spiritually. Not really the case. I got some great quotes and thoughts worth highlighting and some good book references for me but it take me a year to get through it.
I am sinking my teeth into this one, reading about 25 pages a day - and reading every word. I seem to be on a mindfulness quest these days, searching for some daily peace of mind - I think I'm getting closer. This is a wonderful book thus far.
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Diana
is currently reading it
This book is one that I will read for the rest of my life. All I have to do is open a chapter to find the message that my soul needs for this moment.
Phgoldman
added it
Co-founder of the Omega Institute, she has a knack for putting the vast history of spiritual seekers into context and includes her own journey to light the way.
ok, i skimmed it. it came across more wordy than necessary to me, but perhaps b/c i have read books with similar messages that appealed to me more.
Really good, gives a broader perspective on religion. Makes you think back on your own religious history.
Lisa
marked it as to-read
Andrea recommended
Zana
marked it as to-read
have it, haven't read it yet
This book is great as a very thorough and general overview on spirituality today. I love how Elizabeth Lesser includes her own insights and experiences in her writings. It reminds me of how we are more alike than not.
Jesse
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“I recently heard a great writer say that an essential element in the life of a writer is to have been an outsider in childhood, to have been given the "gift" of not belonging. ”
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9 people liked it
“Meditation practice is like piano scales, basketball drills, ballroom dance class. Practice requires discipline; it can be tedious; it is necessary. After you have practiced enough, you become more skilled at the art form itself. You do not practice to become a great scale player or drill champion. You practice to become a musician or athlete. Likewise, one does not practice meditation to become a great meditator. We meditate to wake up and live, to become skilled at the art of living.”
—
7 people liked it
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