Religion and Spirituality Books

This book was an easy and comforting read. I can highly recommend it if you are caring for someone who is terminally ill. It gives a very gracious and encouraging picture of the final months and days. The analogy of "May I walk you home" will stay with you long after you put the book down. It's also a great read for those who support the caregivers who support the ill.

I chose this book for two reasons: Joyce Rupp is my favorite author of spiritual materials, and I was in the process of walking my daughter home during her final year of life.

The stories and prayers helped me feel that I was not alone in this journey. That others had experienced it before and lived through it to tell the tale gave me strength to do the same. I know that my daughter had a better quality of life through this process of dying from cancer and being in home hospice care because I was better prepared to companion her.

I highly recommend this book to clergy, family members, and other caregivers. It is full of 'hope' as well as practical suggestions gleaned from others' experiences of companioning the dying.

A wonderfully comforting and uplifting book for caregivers and
those they care for.

Author relates how she comforted terminally ill people with compassion and love. Prayers for each situation are excellent.

The prayers and Meditations were so helpful that I purchased extra for those I knew were experiencing this journey. The price enabled me to afford this gift.

I bought this book from after amazon recommended it to me, and for the first time I can honestly say, "Amazon, you've let me down."

While some of the stories in Mentally Incontinent are interesting and funny, the writing is just bad. Writing like this could benefit from a few rounds in a college workshop environment and a good working over by a professional editor. Instead of telling stories with rich visual images that immerse the reader in the scene, Joe spends a lot of time directly addressing readers, running off on tangents, and writing about being a writer.

For example, in "Late Night Adventures at Kroger", he spends 2 full pages setting up the story, and only one page describing the action that SHOULD be the most interesting part. The entire description of the very exciting scene is captured by, "The next four seconds were probably the most intense 4 seconds I have experienced in my entire life. I can honestly say I know what it feels like to be in Bullet Time slow motion now. I can't really tell you exactly what happened, however, because honestly I have no clue - It was all one big intense blur." ARE YOU SERIOUS? I just read all that exposition and that's the climax you give me? If you're watching it unfold in bullet time, shouldn't you be able to describe it in intimate detail? Isn't that the benefit of slow motion? And look at the mistakes (I made sure I quoted it verbatim). Imagine an entire book like that.

That's the great thing about writers like David Sedaris and Tucker Max - they can tell stories that are boring, innocuous examples of banality and make them wholly interesting.

It's HOW you tell the story, Joe, not just what the story is about.

Save your money for another David Sedaris book.

I've been a big fan of Joe's since I first peeped his website, "Mentally Incontinent," from a link from Fark. If you like Fark, you'll love Joe. His book is hilarious. I'd already read most of the stories on the site, but buying the book was completely worth it. It's one of my most requested loaner books-- my friends keep asking to borrow it! I've finally told them to buy their own! Highly, highly recommend this book, but ONLY if you like to laugh. If you don't, well... find another book. :)

If I had to summarize this book in one word, it would be fantastic. This book is literally impossible to put down, even if you have read the stories before. They are great the first time, the fifth time, and even the tenth (even if its at 2 am and everyone is yelling at you to turn off the lights!). The book itself really has everything. There are stories of love, loss, triumph and lots and lots of laughs.

I reccomend this book to anyone who reads! You wont regret it (though maybe the people up with you at 2am might)!

This book is for anyone who loves to have a good laugh. Not only is the premise really original (a book compiled by readers), but the stories are extremely hilarious, and yet personal too. I bet you'll find yourself reading it in one shot - cover to cover - it's that good!

While I had read most of these stories on his website, I still find myself laughing all over again this time around. But, the best part of this book is the author. If you register at his site (which is free and safe), you can actually talk with him. Have a question about the book? Ask. Lets see you try that with Stephen King!
If you have a sense of humor, you will definately find this to be one of the most amusing books you have read.

Yogi is a true Gru. Following his teachings will truly teach you how to commune with GOD, our creator.

I have always respected other religions, and that's what i love about this book! No matter who or what you believe in... you WILL get what you need from these prayers!

Inspiring and uplifting words are what you will find in this book! The title 'Metaphysical Meditations'doesn't seem to do justice to the beauty of this book, and yet, I don't know what words would. Also, another reason to not be put off by the title is that this book, in my opinion, crosses over and into all religions. You do not need be a follower of Paramahansa Yogananda or Self-Realization to reap the rich benefits of reading these meditations. An open mind and heart and love of God is enough.

The book is small, pocket sized, which makes it perfect for carrying with you. -And once you begin reading this, you'll want to have it with you to glance at whenever you feel the need, have a need, or for an inspirational pick up, or whenever you happen to have a few moments to spare. I like to flip this open in the mornings, and anytime throughout the day and read whatever page I come to.

The book begins with a 'Prayer for a United World.' Then, there's a forward that goes over meditation briefly. Which begins with this: "Most persons would want to meditate if they understood how to do so. The purpose of meditation is to know God, to connect the little joy of the soul with the vast joy of the spirit."

The meditations are short, 3-5 lines per paragraph on a page, and easy to read. No complicated long winded stuff in here. Some of my favourite titles/meditations from this book are:
'Never Lose Hope'
'Spreading Divine Joy'
'Creative Activity'
'Overcoming Fear and Worry'
'Divine Prosperity'
There's also a "Christmas Meditations" section in the back.

There is so much love in this book.
This is a great gift to give as well.

This little book is so full of spiritual wisdom that I place it just short of scriptures such as the Bible and the Bhagavad Gita (both of which influenced the thought portrayed here). I have several copies of this book (car, work, home). Its perspective is a yogic one, but its truths are universally applicable. Paramahansa Yogananda is unique among so-called gurus in being one that truly walked his talk. There is advice for all areas of life and everything said is filled with love and moderation. You will find no book outside of scripture that has more spiritual bang for your buck, in my opinion.

This little book can be kept in pocket or purse. For decades I have known about its power to change the reader from darkness to light, from despair to hope, and from "give me" to "I give." Far ahead of its time, "Metaphysical Meditations" by the famous teacher Paramahansa Yogananda (Self-Realization Fellowship) will not disappoint. First published in 1932 by a teacher who sees positive similarities in many of the world's religions, this book urges the reader to actively pursue spiritual growth, self-love, love for others, kindness and positive thoughts for all our concerns. I love ya Yogananda, wherever your spirit is residing! Bless you!

This is one of the best Christian devotional books I have ever read. It is unique in its presentation of events in the life of Christ and the author's spiritual insights certainly draw one closer to God. I gave a copy to my pastor and he recommended it to fellow pastors, as well as friends and family.
Gert McIntosh

I find this devotional to be so touching and thought-provoking. I have purchased one for my husband, daughter, and two friends. I only wish I had bought more. In relation to the scripture, Mr. Gire ties Moments with the Savior into every day life and hin doing so this book helps me to know how to pray more effectively about different matters in my own life and in others for whom I pray. It is very insightful and highly recommended!

I have received more graces through this book than any other in my library. Ken Gire knows how to make the Bible come alive in very real, truistic ways. A definite +++

By far my favorite devotional book. Gire, through his gift of story-telling, brings to life the characters and situations of those Christ touched in his time here on earth. The prayers that end each chapter help me examine myself and fix my eyes on Jesus. This book is wonderful for those who only know the name of Jesus and seasoned Christians alike.

On seeing other interesting reviews, I briefly need to quote Ken Gire in his exceedingly well-written glimpses! 1) An Insightful Moment of the Fields: "He lies there so meekly...Coming to us in the weakest of ways. He placed himself at the mercy of creation, at the mercy of a census, at the mercy of us mortals, even at the mercy of animals." After being immersed in sacrifice, I find An Intense Moment in the Desert: "The desert is where we face the strongest and most seductive temptations in life...where the enemy is most formidable, and where we are most vulnerable."

Ken uses descriptive adjectives so artistically. He seems truely sincere, never boring. With the Insightful Moment at Nazareth, he creatively expounds upon Jesus reading the Prophet Isaiah in the Synagogue.

"Nazareth was Jesus' hometown. (Just in case my first readers may not know the fact) Nazareth's obscurity is surpassed only by its austerity." With few words he sparks my imagination!

Two more dramatic moments compelled my total attention: Gire's
Intimate Moments With Peter and Insightful Moments of Character, focused upon the Beatitudes! Describing his Fishing with the disciples, Gire writes: "Above them hover squawking fluries of herons, cranes, and cormorants waiting to dart in and steal away what they can of the catch." (To any salt-water fisherman that cuts it deeply)

Finally, An Insightful Moment of Character: "The Crowds were comprised largely of outsiders. Hardly pillars of the community.
What did they hear in His voice when he preached? What did they see in His Face?" Then his answer comes in outline form: "He was poor in spirit...He mourned...He was meek...He hungered and He thirsted for righteousness."

"If the world persecuted Him; What would it do to His followers? Similiar thots are included in his most Intense Moment about the Mountain-top, with more creative embroidery. Poor in spirit, mournful, meekness, hunger for rightousness... being merciful, being pure in heart, also a peacemaker." What a wondrous way to end my Commentary...Awesomely full of Intimate, Instructive Moments with Jesus! Retired Chaplain Fred W Hood

Lash opens up this ambitious & fascinating work with the story of Hypatia, or rather the murder of Hypatia by a crazed Christian mob in the early 5th century C.E. It is a shocking story and a powerful opening salvo in this all out attack on the Judeo Christian salvationist program. More than this, it makes a strong case that gnosticism, usually associated with early Christianity, is an ancient mystic and esoteric, Goddess based traditional worldview. The gnostic material is even referred to as "gospels" by Elaine Pagels, the best known writer on the gnostic writings linked to the discoveries of ancient texts near Nag Hammadi, Egypt, in 1947. Lash makes a case that the Nag Hammadi writings represent a mixed bag of narrative myths, poetry, philosophy and that they were hidden to protect them from marauding Christians. This is certainly a novel view of early Christians, persecuting the pagan mystery sites and the academic institutions that had grown up with them.

Lash essentially links the gnostic and Earth based religions to newer ideas about deep or sacred ecology. He sees a powerful link between these ancient, long hidden writings, and our current attempts to better understand our planet and its (her?) relationship to all life forms, including humans.

Lash also delves into the Dead Sea Scrolls, and links the Essene Community to Paul, Jesus, James and the early Christian community. This is a new and no doubt controversial portrayal of the Essene community, but it builds logically on the DSS. This is fascinating stuff, but difficult for a non expert to evaluate.

These are beautiful and powerful ideas, and Lash has written a book to provoke, inform and inspire.

This book, along with all the research the author has done, I feel, proves what I have know for years- that the Abrahamic religions had many lies, falsehoods that became imposed on the societies of the world. The truth exposed here could turn the christian religion on its ear.
It's up to each one of us to deprogram the deeply ingrained programming imposed upon us by patriarchy. It's an inside individual job that has to happen in order to change "out there".
I highly recommend this book.
K.W.

All though more "wordy" than I thought necesary, I found this book execellent! There was more information than I'd expected and found that I became grateful to the author for writing it. I have and will continue to recommend it. Also, because of this book I have and will look into material that the author recommended.

This was one of the best books I have read in a long time. John Lash is a treasure trove of information. He is an absolute expert in his field of religion, myth, and philosophy. After reading this book, I will never think of monotheistic religions as being benign and spiritual. This book is a real eye opener about life as it should be lived and how it once was before the good was wiped out of it by militant dogmatic beliefs. The concept of the Archons as an alien intrusion into our minds is also facinating. If true, it certainly explains how everything goes to extremes of evil before it is corrected. The missing link in warding off the Archons are the secret incantations that were lost because of the destructive behavior of the monontheists. I recommend this book to anyone interested in this subject.

I came to this book with high hopes, as there are all too few works which take full blooded `anti-Abrahamic' approach to the subject, preferring to try and amalgamate Gnosticism and mystery religions to some grand new age vision shared by Greeks and Jews, Hindus and Christians. And Lash starts off doing a pretty good job, showing just how crazy and evil the Jewish `god' is, along with his later Christian and Islamic transformations.

In his picture, (compatible with the approach of de Benoist and the other European neo-pagans, who are not mentioned in the text) the destruction of the Second Temple led to the creation of the Jewish mentality, in which temporal triumph (a la Rome and other normal people) is replaced by an eventual otherworldly triumph after the destruction of `this world' -- i.e., apocalypse. Like his hero D. H. Lawrence, he suggests that the Jews co-opted the personal transformation offered by pagan mysteries into an endlessly pre-empted national triumph and fleshly rebirth in a new world. His analysis of `the redeemer complex' is intriguing, as is his use of it to explain how Christianity `triumphed' -- by first violently destroying pagan cultures, "turning them into victims," then offering a "reformulated justification of the victim role" which promised that "they would ultimately be saved," a brilliant way to co-opt victims into future victimizers. And his suggestion that the origins of contemporary suicide terror lie in the Jewish Dead Sea cultists is profound, not cheap and easy sensationalism. As my friend Alisdair Clarke has speculated on his Aryan Futurism blog, is there not the suggestion of something deadly, radioactive perhaps, an ageless evil, almost Lovecraftian, sleeping under the sand of that quarrelsome land with its dead sea and endless tribal violence?

Alas, although I obviously endorse much of this book, I find that it fails utterly, when judged as a work of scholarship. Lash, whatever his real qualifications might be, writes like an autodidact, with all of the related faults. No wonder the King of Autodidacticism, Colin Wilson, contributes a blurb saying `Lash's historical and anthropological erudition are [sic!] breathtaking." I'm afraid that grammatical solecism is typical of the book's problems.

First, Lash exhibits the bad habit of citing only evidence that supports him, rather than dealing with (apparent) anomalies. Thus, he suggests that the patriarchal god arises from the Jewish patriarchal family, as if most, if not all, pagan societies were not. Tell that to the Roman pater familias!

More seriously, Lash avoids all discussion or mention (although I'm going by his unreliable index here, see below) of the mysteries of Mithras, even though this was an official religion of the Empire (before Christianity), gave Christianity a run for its money, and last left us the most extensive records of all the mystery religions (such as the famous Mithraic Liturgy, available in the Mead anthology Lash constantly refers to). Could this omission be due to the fact that the Mithras cult does not fit into his simple patriarchal Christianity vs. Goddess/Gaian mystery paradigm?

However, I lost all confidence in Mr. Lash after turning to his `suggestions for reading and research' at the end. First, I only found this at the back because Lash fails to include the bibliography I was looking for, thus making it impossible to track down what editions he's using. The page numbering of my Penguin edition of Lawrence is certainly not his, for instance. I might let that scholarly flaw pass, however, if the "suggestions" were not so flawed as to be insulting. I don't mind his self-described "idiosyncratic" approach to selection and evaluation. I mean that he fails the basic test of being correct about things I know about, thus raising the issue of what he's wrong about elsewhere, where I have to rely on him.

Thus, we read the following incredible claim: "Unfortunately, the sole existing English translation [is] by the English Platonist Thomas Taylor....' Now I have only to half turn to my bookshelf to see the pricey but available paperback of the Clarke/Dillon/Hershell translation, along with a number of works, such as Shaw's Theurgy and the Soul which give quite adequate accounts and many excerpts from Iamblichus. This is not buried in obscure scholarly publications. All Mr. Lash needed to do to verify this claim, or to find himself a better translation, was to do what I did: search Amazon.com! How lazy and incompetent is this guy?

Later, Lash asserts that Harold Bloom gives a "brief, sober, no discounting passage on ... entheogenic practices." Now this intrigues me, so I consult Lash's index to find what he has to say himself. No entries on etheo-anything! And yet, here is at least one right before me. Did it slip by, because Lash in fact never discusses entheogens elsewhere in the text? No, in fact, a few pages later is a whole section of "suggestions" on the subject!

And here is where I throw the book aside onto the `read when bored and nothing else is around` pile. The section is entitled "Entheogenic Theory of Religion" and states "There are hundreds of text-heavy sites and heady forums dedicated to entheogenics on the Internet, but, unfortunately [there's that word again, always a clue to a howler on the way -- Lash mistakes his laziness for empirical restraint], they are all orientated toward recreational use of drugs and sacred plants, rather than sacramental use."

All? All? Now in elementary logic, I learned I could refute an `all' statement by finding one counterexample. Again, is it some obscure site? Well, how obscure is something on the Internet going to be? Get on the Google, as our president would say, and 9 hits come up for "entheogenic theory of religion" (the title of his section, remember), two of which lead to Michael Hoffman's Ego Death website, where his epochal article "Entheogenic Theory of Religion and Ego Death" can be found, along with hundreds of pages of articles and links to similar material. And needless to say, all the really new and useful books are unmentioned as well. Clark Heinrich, anyone?

Alas, Mr. Lash, as Housman said of incompetent textual critics, "the world is no feather bed for the repose of sluggards." If you want convince anyone but the most credulous, or the already convinced, you will have to do more work than this.

Three stars, but only for the Hebrew-bashing!

I've been reading and studying Course materials for years and only recently read this book. Robert Perry does a phenomenal job of distilling into this synopis both content and context, offering practical suggestions on how to actually read, interpret, and practice the material. If you find yourself getting bogged down in the language of the Course, this book can launch you into a deeper level of understanding. I reccommend "Path of Ligth" for any serious student of the Course.

Robert Perry is one of the most respected teachers of 'A Course In Miracles'. His previous publications address many aspects of the Course's teachings. In 'Path of Light' he has produced what is arguably his most important work.

The Course has a simple teaching, based on explaining the true meaning and application of forgiveness in our daily lives. This transformative practice will enable us all to reawaken and experience our true Self and relationship with God. This process is not one that is always easy to follow or even accept. To progress requires determination and patience and frequently the support of others.

'Path of Light' is one of the latest support books available. Robert's conversational, but clear and concise, style is ideal for both the beginner and the more serious student. He explains how the Course was received and exactly what it is. He then goes on to explain the the Course's teaching and the role of the Text, Workbbook and Manual for Teachers. A glossary defines the more commonly used terms in the context of the Course. Uniquely, Robert uses diagrams to illustrate the concepts, I found this particularly useful.

As a Course student of over 20 years I have read many related books that have tried to explain the ACIM's overall concepts; this one is the best.

Mike Tolley

I've never written a book review, but I was very inspired after reading this book.
I have been on a break from studying A Course in Miracles (ACIM) and had no intention of starting the lessons again, because my time is so limited working full time. But the book really helped me find that time. What happened was the Holy Spirit moved into my heart and sent me on the right path. I have been a student of ACIM since 1990. This is the BEST book I have ever read on ACIM. I have started to do the lessons again. I do a lesson each day, and then after doing the lesson I read Path of Light. ACIM has a way of coming into an experience so timely when reading it, that it seems like it was written in that moment, for you in that moment. Path of Light has a way of fitting right into the lesson that I'm on for that day. I know that this book was Divinely guided, and I am so grateful that Mr. Perry wrote it. I just bought another Path of Light book for my stepdaughter. She lives in Ft. Collins Colorado and doesn't have a teacher there to help her. This book will be such a help to her. I wish that I had this book when I first started studying ACIM, it would have speeded up my learning. I'm so thankful to Robert Perry for being such a Light to all the ACIM students.

This is simply a wonderful book, a real breath of fresh air amid some of the arid commentary out there.

If you're interested in the Course, but unsure if it's for you, this is a great place to find out. Or, if you're like I have been in the past, and are something of a wayward student, then you'll find big doses of both inspiration and insight to get you safely back on your Way.

Long-term, faithful students will get "extra credit" for this read. Truly there's something here for everybody. As of this writing I've dug into this book three times and I'm sure there's still gold I have yet to mine. Spend the money, spend the time, get the value.

My experience with Circle Publishing's books is that they are consistently well written, contain great wisdom and are delightful not only to the mind, but also to hand and eye. They are quality productions. This book is no exception and showcases Robert Perry as a gifted communicator and excellent interpreter of A Course in Miracles.

Peace to you.

This book helped piece the course together to make it understandable and so relevent. It totally changed my studying habits of the course and broadened my understanding of it. I cannot recommend this book enough for those interested in the course. It was invaluable to me.

This is a wonderful book on faith to read and reflect upon. I won this edition of the book in a Pentecost Praise Poetry Contest, sponsored by Brain Strand, in Aylesbury, England. I won the first prize and was mailed a copy of the book.

This book is very inspiring. Although I had to read several sections a second time to get a clear understanding, the language flows very well. Brother Lawrence's commitment was certainly to his Lord and Savoir and not man. There is a lot that a person of faith, and without faith, could learn from reading this book.

I really enjoyed the section entitled "Conversations" and the manner in which they are written. The style is a little different; however, the message is clear. The section entitled "Letters" is equally uplifting and sends a wonderful message of praise.

Part II of the book regarding "Spiritual Maxims" certainly drives home the theme of the book regarding daily worship and praise. This spiritual process, if followed, should erase unwanted and ill thoughts from the mind, and gives a person a clear focus on God. The essence of the book is that each person must have a clean heart and sound mind, because that's the way God desires us to be.

Other books to read are: Trilogy Moments for the Mind, Body and Soul; Everyday Miracles; and The Language of Poetry Forms.

This book was referred to in another book that I was reading. I was enjoying that book so I checked Amazon for Brother Lawrence's book and ordered a copy. It has proven to be one of the BEST investments I have ever made. This tiny book is just amazing in the Truth that it delivers. Brother Lawrence seems to have been an exceptional human being blessed with tremendous Grace from God. It was so because he sought after it. I have recently traveled through losing a job and beginning a new one quite different from what I was used to. After 25 years of being a manager I am now punching a time clock and emptying my own trash. When I begin experiencing pride issues I can pick this book up and immediately be put in my place. Praise God! This book may be small in size but is LARGE in content. Personally, I highly recommend.

This book contains a description of how one Godly man communicates with God and receives communication from his God and is obedient to that communication.

I dont have this exact copy, but just wanted to encourage everyone to get this book.

You can read this thin little thing and put into practice what it says, and let the Lord teach you. Or, you can buy and read a dozen 300 page books.

I have read book after book, for fun, or for seminary, and over and over again, I write in the margins "BL", because so much of what people are saying that has merit is really related to what BL (Brother Lawrence) writes.

This book did more for really bringing me into a relationship with Christ than anything else. I buy like 100 of them at a time to hand out to people who are searching for God's true heart.

Grace, peace and joy!

I bought at least 10 copies of this for all the guys in my Bible study, thinking this was just a newer version of the one which I had read. However, unfortunately, this translation is much tougher to read than the one which has a white cover, with a picture of a tree and a mountain. (Note this is still a step up from the version you can find for free online, which one of my guys said sounded like it was translated by a college student). Here's the one to get: The Practice of the Presence of God

A must have book.... So beautiful you want to have it on your table at all times.

I took a chance on buying this book for my sister's birthday even though I could find no example of what kind of prayers were in it. I had seen some of the photography, though and I was impressed. I was not disappointed. The prayers are simple, elegant and inspiring. The photography is wonderful. I will post some images I snapped before giving it to my sister so you can see for yourself.

While I was at a local book store I saw and purchased a copy of "Prayers through the Seasons". I found that the photographs of the photographer David Middleton, who by the way was a major contributor to "The Nature of America", added emphasis to the prayers of Reverend Deborah Kaiser-Cross.

It is a wonderful bond of photography and short prayers. Each adds emphasis to the other. Definately of coffe table quality.

This book is the most wonderful collection of prayers and photographs that I have seen in a long time. Rev. Kaiser-Cross's prayers are beautiful and beautifully matched with Mr. Middleton's exceptionally inspirational photos. I would say this is a must have for nature lovers who feel the presence of God in the wonders of our natural world.

As a poet and lover of words, I find myself looking for visual stimulation. This special book surprised me with it's raw beauty. Nothing is more sacred than Nature. And Laurie Bohlke has created a special gift for the "tenderest" of us. I have to admit that I do not keep it with my "coffee table" books, but next to my best friends; the Dictionary and Thesaurus.

This book presents a way to combine prayer and meditation with simple art production. I have been using ideas gleaned from it for over two months and find myself eager to pray each day. I have also bought three other copies to use as gifts -- a good indication of how valuable I have found it to be.

I read a summary about the book in Christian magazine. I did not purchase it for myself, but for my mom-in-law. I gave it to her for her birthday. A few weeks later she told me it was "right up her alley". That tells me that it will be a blessing to her.

Thanks!

In meetings or in church I doodle constantly. It helps keep me focused. This book has bought a new dimension to prayer and doodling. As soon as I received this book I started to put it into practice. I spent over 15 minutes colour praying for my 29yr old son and it was a time of great joy and rejoicing. I've found that these visual prayers stay with me through the day so that I'm beginning to understand more what it is to pray without ceasing.

This book is good.. i mean really good.. (Hey everyone, come look at how good this book is)!.. i love it.. its very creative.. and im not.. so its fun.. and its cool to look at old prayers you drew.. sweet..

This book offers a very creative way to use simple drawing materials and doodling as a form of prayer. Using color, shape, and lines makes it easy to stay engaged in prayer, whether on behalf of others or for oneself. The finished product is a visual reminder of the prayer.

This book has been out of print for over a year now. However, a new edition will be published in December 2008 under the title Neopagan Rites: A Guide to Creating Public Rituals that Work now available here at Amazon.com.

A wonderful resource for anyone who wishes to expand their rituals to more than just preaching to the choir. Bonewits gives lots of tips on how to incorporate the "audience" into the ritual in order to make it a meaningful experience for all present.

The information given on raising energy & why it is done sparked a nice discussion / debate within our coven on why we have ritual and what we give back to our deities & community.

The chapters on props & costumes is wonderful and something that I had overlooked prior to reading this book.

Since our coven has a disabled member the information on making the rituals more accesible was wonderful.

At last, a book on the subject that covers every aspect of ritual: concept, construction, composition, performance and review. For many years I have read tomes on Ritual only to find that it had omitted key aspects and considerations, let alone the absence of proper structure.

Rites of Worship starts with a clear definition of terms and concepts and then proceeds with a challenge to the task, then breaks down every step with a review of even more detail. At times Isaac prints the obvious (make sure you have wheel chair access, make sure that you have an alternative to alcohol for those that have issues with it and so on) however other insights such as understanding mana and its flow are breath taking.

The book is clearly targeted toward Neopagans in that there are several comparisons between mainstream religion and the New Movement. If you come from a monotheistic background, you might find some of the subject matter uncomfortable, perhaps even insulting. However for those that are true scholars (and used to reading opinions that differ from their own), they will find gems embedded within these pages.

The final section: 12 Afterwards holds a true gem: a challenge to do better and to take criticism as a blessing for improvement. In fact, one of the main emphases of the test is the importance of making ritual better, there by improving one's relationship with the Gods.

For those that are working a path towards Pagan Clergy, have been a function Priest(ess) and need a refresher or perhaps interested in strengthening their understanding of Ritual in general and religion (and it's purpose) as a whole, I strongly recommend this read. No third degree anything should pass this one over.

-Kirk McLaren
Amulets by Merlin

Isaac Bonewits is just about the only person who can write a book like this and the theory and practice WORKS! With his years of experience and studying various Pagan traditions, he really knows his stuff.
If you are like me when I read this book, I thought that my style of ritual was one of the best and it may be able to be done differently and still be successful- but not much better. WRONG!! Isaac takes readers through the stages of ritual and precisely describes each one in everyday language without being redundant. He explains why each step is done- without saying or believing that his way is the only way of doing things.
He goes through every factor that can positively or negatively affect public liturgy. He describes different ways of dealing with all factors and then states his preference and why.
When it comes down to putting the theory into practice, if you follow the template he recommends, and fill it in with your own groups personalization, you will have a hard time going wrong! My groups rituals have improved greatly since using his method. I had the privilege of taking a workshop of the same name by Isaac himself. When he went through the process with the workshop participants, the process of writing and creating a ritual was so easy! Again, if the template is followed, creating a spiritually successful liturgy is much simpler than it seems.
If you: plan to lead/create liturgy, are already creating liturgy, part of a group/circle that creates liturgy (especially public)- Then this book is ESSENTIAL!
Five Pentacles, point up, for Isaac and RITES OF WORSHIP!

Some people seem to know how to create and lead effective group rituals, but ask them how they do it and chances are they can't put it into words the way this book does. I've read many books about ritual, and some of them are very good, but this book gets to the real heart of the matter - how to get to that indescribable place the a good ritual takes you to. Every ritualist needs this book. Your rituals need never fall flat again! :)

One of the Pagan groups I belong to, Agave Spirit Grove, is having a monthly discussion group regarding this book. I think this is a great way to help increase the effectiveness of a group that works together in a ritual setting.

One thing I like about Isaac Bonewits is that he doesn't expect anyone to agree 100% with his opinions and observatons. Even if you have many different points of view, you will find something useful in Rites of Worship.