Touching Spirit: The Letters of Minominike

by James C. Washburn

In the pristine environment of the northern boreal forest, Tulugaq Kagagi muses over a series of letters, written in the vernacular of his grandfather, he recalls his life experiences and the spiritual teachings these events have brought him: transforming his life and worldview. Through the writing of one man and the inner thoughts of another, we too live through wrenching pain and revitalizing joy and peace. From death to life giving ecstasy, we follow the life journeys of two men separated by generations and culture as they find meaning and rest for their lives. With the drowning of his parents in 1928, a white infant is orphaned in the Canadian north. Tulugaq Kagagi is lovingly accepted into the home of a childless Ojibwa/Inuit couple, Peepeelee and James. He leaves their home in his teens to continue schooling at seminary in the south. The next thirty years of his life is spent in traditional religious vocation. During this time the enfolding of Spirit, its peace and presence slowly fade from his life. In midlife, upon his adoptive father's death, he returns to the cabin of his childhood and discovers a series of letters written by his great-grandfather, Minominike. His religious education and worldview is challenged by the unconditional love and truth expressed in these letters. As he reads the words of this old man's life his heart is returned to a time of embrace and spiritual oneness that he has not known in decades. Feeling the wind of the Spirit and sensing the inner whisper of a still small voice, meaning and love are again awakened in his heart. We travel with him on a path of revelation opening his heart to the unity and benevolence surrounding us all. This is a novel that pierces the core of humanity's longing for inner peace and opens for us the simple joy of being. The letters of Minominike bring insight and encouragement to live in the reality of transcendent love.

340 pages, Hardcover

First published September 19, 2014

Reviews

[Jeanie Loiacono · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best spiritual book I have read since Conversations with God by Neale Donald Walsch and The Shack by William Young. Absolutely inspiring and empowering. The old saying, "You can never go back" is so wrong. Sometimes you must reconnect with the past in order to complete the future. I highly recommend this for anyone—any culture, any religion, any walk of life. It brings you back to what is most important. Love.

[Robert Goswitz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Redeeming the World from Darkness


Had your fill of fake news? Tired of the spin, the hurry and the worry? Looking for an authentic voice unaffected by the perfidious nature of social discourse in our times?
Put the world aside and grab Touching Spirit:The Letters of Minominike by James C. Washburn. Far to the north of Reindeer Lake in northern Saskatchewan a young white couple drown while ice fishing in the spring of 1928 leaving behind a young son Tulugaq Kagagi. The parents had been the only white people in the small village of Brochet on the Cochrane River. A childless native couple, James and Peepeelee adopt, love and care for the child. He grows up in their extended family and becomes a treasured favorite of his grandparents Minominike and Adik.
As young Tulu comes of age he is sent to a seminary in Winnipeg for his education. The white child raised native now being educated in a white school experiences a growing conflict between how he was raised and what he is taught. What is his identity and place in the world? Tulu carries this conflict unresolved through his adult life as a church pastor and educator.
When his father dies, Tulu finds a box of letters in the family cabin. The letters; his grand fathers gift at the age of seven, now offer comfort, love, and guidance that jump across the decades bearing deep meaning.
Simple truths spoken plainly by Minominike use the leaves in the trees, the pebbles on the beach and the wind on the water as lessons encouraging Tulu to surrender his cares to his Creator and accept himself as a rare and unique human being.
So if your looking for biblio-therapy that will allow you to find relief from the struggles of life, read Touching Spirit:The Letters of Minominike by James C. Washburn.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read it aloud to an elderly man I was caring for, as he was very interested in the beliefs of Native Americans. We read it slowly, discussed much, and he wanted to move on to something else when we got to the mid-point. I was fine with that, as I'd helped edit the manuscript for Mr. Washburn and of course read to the end during that process!

[Ansie · Rating 4 out of 5]

While reading it I kept thinking, 'how wonderful, this man thought to leave letters for his great-grandson.' So the saddest part of reading the book, was to realize it wasn't real. But I still enjoyed it.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extraordinary...

This book is wonderfully thought out and then perfectly written. There is so much in this that rings of truth that I found myself completely absorbed in it and at times smiling and at others tearing up -- unashamedly. Some letters paralleled with things that I have thought a lot about and I appreciated having the idea put a little differently and in a way that I really connected with in a heartfelt manner. I will probably read this again. I very much recommend this book.