Mind the Light: Learning to See with Spiritual Eyes

by J. Brent Bill

Have you ever noticed how sunflowers track with the sunlight throughout the summer? That's not unusual, explains Brent Bill. All of God's creation moves toward the Light ? flowers, trees, even human beings. Light sets a Midwestern sunset apart from a western desert sunset, a Goya portrait from a John Singer Sargent portrait, a joyful spirit from a mournful one. Light is all around ? and within ? us. We can?t live without it. This profound little book invites readers to see both their inner and outer lives with spiritual ?eyes.? To ?mind the light? is a Quaker practice of learning to see God's light both around and inside us. Depending on its strength, tone, and slant ? light changes how we perceive the world and other people. Depending on how we respond to it, illumination can help us grow in appreciation of the soulful things of life. Minding the Light invites readers of all backgrounds to explore the connectedness between inner vision and outer perception, between the life of the

Genres: Spirituality, Religion, Nonfiction

151 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2006

About the author

Brent Bill is a Quaker minister, photographer, and author. He is the author of many books and magazine articles. He lives in rural Indiana on Ploughshares Farm -- a wildlife retreat with woods and native prairie.

Reviews

[Melinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the way this book is written. It starts out talking of "minding the Light is a way of deep seeing." Then the book unfolds into thoughtful ways to see the Light. For instance, ..."A way to learn things in the light, whether at formica tables with coffee cups or quietly reading a spiritual memoir or in the middle of our workaday world. Minding the Light offers a further dimension to eyes and brains: our souls. It helps us pay attention to God's Light around us and in us. How we see our lives changes as this illumination leads us to a deep appreciation of the soulful things of life. Minding the Light is and invitation to experience a new way of seeing that shows our brains and souls what to pay attention to. It's a way of seeing our inner lives and outer lives with spiritual eyes and discovering the connectedness between inner and outer sight." p. 3

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful account of the many dimensions of physical and spiritual light, this book is written by an acclaimed Quaker. The book invites us toe "mind the light," a Quaker practice of learning to see God's light both around and inside us.

[Mckinley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gentle book (what I'd expect from a Quacker/Friends minister) about the practice of inquiry of illuminating moments based on their concept of 'minding the light". Light as metaphor for seeing God what is in and around ourselves.

[Jen Farrant]

Really enjoyed this, written by a Quaker who looks to see the light of God all around him.

Not at all preachy, while being based in faith.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Part of my spiritual formation. Shows me how my sense of light and love as senses for God are within me.

[D.J. Lang · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally a book I can say I really liked and I would recommend (after writing up 6 reviews for Brides of the West 1872). This book was an optional read for a Listening class I am taking. A reader with one star said it is slow. Yes, it is meant to be slow. Our lives are so hurried, so unmindful. How lovely to have a book that encourages us to mind the light and see with spiritual eyes. Each section has an illuminating moment to think through. Easy to read. It took me awhile because I only read up to an illuminating moment each time. I have bookmarks and lots of underlined notes. I also own the book so that makes it a 5 star book for me. Would my mom read it? Maybe.
I'm sure I'll read it again.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have been reading books about the Quaker faith recently because I believe my current spiritual beliefs align a great deal with the Quakers so I want to learn more. This was a free book through the Amazon Lending Library recommended due to other books I had purchased, and I was very excited after reading the introduction that this would be insightful with a new Quaker concept. However, I was disappointed. I get the author's point in writing it, and it has caused me to try and focus on the light in others, but a lot of it just seemed unnecessary. I think it was a good effort but I'm not sure the concept is meaty enough to write a whole book on it.

[Terry F · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not sure about this one?

Although there were a few insightful moments in this book, I often felt like I was reading a photography course summary. Film development, darkrooms, light at dawn, noon, or dusk, UV lights, etc. are presented as metaphors, but were a bit esoteric for my current preference of spiritual nourishment.

[Craig Bergland · Rating 2 out of 5]

A wandering journey to no place in particular. Maybe some coffee would have helped, or a pass on the horse tranquilizers, but if this book had progressed any slower it would have been moving backwards. It reminded me of a Sunday drive that never left the garage, and in actuality never intended to do so.