Two Good Books

Thanks to the recommendations of Diane Sasson at the Vanderbilt Divinity School, I've read two good books recently - both highly-recommended to all ye seekers. First up was "The Barn At The End Of The World" by Mary Rose O'Reilley. It's a wonderfully honest (and funny) account of the author's spiritual journey through many traditions including Buddhist, Quaker, Sacred Harp singing, and as a shepherdess, preacher, lover, and more. It's kind of the independent, down-to-earth, documentary film alternative to that Hollywood romantic comedy blockbuster of spiritual seeking, "Eat, Pray, Love." Melissa and I had to get a second copy because neither of us could wait to finish it once we both started.



The next book is really required reading for 'Ye Seekers' as it's a history of spirituality in the United States, entitled "Restless Souls: The Making of American Spirituality, from Emerson to Oprah" by Leigh Eric Schmidt. Don't let the subtitle fool you though, because Oprah doesn't play a very big part here. The stars of this story, about progressive religious and spiritual thought in America, are really Ralph Waldo Emerson, Walt Whitman, and William James. If you didn't already have towering respect for these dudes, this book will take you the rest of the way. The author demonstrates that there has been a tradition of non-traditionalist spiritual seekers in this country from the beginning. Along the way, you learn about Transcendentalism, Unitarianism, Quakerism, Spiritualists, New Thought optimists, Vedantists, Theosophists, and a lot more. If you've ever considered yourself a spiritual or religious 'outsider," this book makes it clear you're not alone.