Spirit Matters

by Michael Lerner

The author points out that those who can take spirituality seriously in their personal lives but who have not yet realized that thier spirtual practice could be the basis for a fundamental transformation of the world. The book shows how deeply we have been hurt personally, emotionaly, ecologically, and politicallly by living in a world that systematically represses our spirtual needs andhow we might creat a personal life and society that emboidies more spirituality that affirms that there is enough of the joy that could be building blocks in getting our lives together.

Genres: Spirituality, Religion, Nonfiction

256 pages, Hardcover

First published May 31, 2000

About the author

Michael Lerner was an American political activist, the editor of Tikkun, a progressive Jewish interfaith magazine based in Berkeley, California, and the rabbi of Beyt Tikkun Synagogue in Berkeley.

Reviews

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is incredible.
It covers the spirit based impact that is missing from our relationship to politics,social justice and bringing people in a world of selflessness rather than being selfish or self absorbed.

[Javier Martinez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tiene fragmentos muy buenos, escondidos entre sueños utopicos e irrealizables que rayan en la esquizofrenia

[David C. Mueller · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is by a rabbi who has written extensively about politics, meaning and spirituality. He explains how our modern globalizing society deadens our spirits and generates cynicism and feelings of powerlessness. The book shows how we can counteract these trends by becoming more aware of how much true spirituality matters. The author describes his vision of social change driven by what he terms "emancipatory spirituality," which shares many features with Baha'i perspectives on a number of issues. "Emancipatory spirituality" stresses the need for people of all types of beliefs to work together to help make our world a better place. The author gives concrete examples of how the practice of "emancipatory spirituality" can profoundly effect areas of common concern such as education, healthcare and the practice of law.

[Blaine Morrow · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lerner bites off much more than he can chew, though he seems unaware of the fact. Of course spiritual awakening engenders social conscience, but the changes the author predicts to medicine, law, and education are neither realistic nor entirely desirable.

[Carol · Rating 2 out of 5]

A few good concepts, but they are buried in repetitive descriptions of a utopian society