From Publishers Weekly
Try to love the questions themselves," wrote Rainer Maria Rilke in his oft-quoted
Letters to a Young Poet. That's what writer and photographer Tompkins and editor and creative designer McMahon have done in this collection of prose, poems, interviews and artwork from 180 contributors in 42 countries that explore questions that launch and keep people on the spiritual journey. Each piece is prefaced with a description of the spiritual "influences" felt by the author or artist, highlighting the concept that despite differences in particular faith perspectives, the questions we all ask are much the same. Chapters address the need to ask questions, following a particular spiritual path, coping with dark times and the roles of beauty, nature, rites, doctrine, practices and creativity in spiritual quests. The full-color pages and the layout and design are inviting and signal that the book is to dip into rather than read straight through. As with any anthology, the quality of the pieces is uneven, but overall this celebration of curiosity and questioning will appeal to those who are on a spiritual journey and find individual exploration to be more fulfilling than institutional religious experience.
(Oct.) Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Book Description
Illuminations captures the questions of people on paths of faith. It asks how these questions in turn influenced their beliefs--a story the contributors tell in painting, photography, poetry, and short prose. It purposefully excludes descriptions of religious beliefs, rituals, practices, and discussions of their merits, with the understanding that empathy--and eventually peace--is created when we ask questions, rather than take a position and prescribe answers. And it is precisely when we are struggling with doubt and asking ourselves questions about life's joys, crises, and concerns that we open ourselves to deeper discovery.
With 180 contributors from forty-two countries representing diverse cultures, faiths, and spiritual perspectives, Illuminations has more than 100 full-color photos and pieces of art, including pieces by Marianne Williamson, Julia Cameron, award-winning artist Marcus Antonius Jensen, Nobel Laureate Desmond Tutu, and spiritual leaders Dharmachari Maitreyabandhu and ShantiMayi. An enjoyable text, a gift with depth and heart, Illuminations is a quiet book of subtle, colorful splendor.
"Illuminations merges art and spirituality into an elegant and moving collection of profound beauty. This book is a physical blessing to all who are fortunate enough to view it."
--Arielle Ford, founding partner of The Spiritual Cinema Circle
"Illuminations helps the reader move past understanding to empathy, which is the way to peace."
--Jody Williams, 1997 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate
"An important book, Illuminations allows all of us to deepen our connections with one another through the profound questions that live in every faith, every culture, and every heart. This is a book that affirms the inner dependence and interdependence of out time."
--Lynne Twist, author of The Soul of Money
