Divinity in Disguise: Nested Meditations to Delight the Mind and Awaken the Soul [Hardcover]

Kevin Anderson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 2003

Divinity in Disguise is a first-of-a-kind collection of "nested meditations"--not quite a poem, not quite a prayer, not quite like anything you've read before. This book contains 76 of these new meditations, each accompanied by a brief reflection and soul-stirring quotations. Divinity in Disguise contains meditations on God, the sacred self, relationships, money, work, brokenness, sex, death, joy and more.

A nested meditation is a brief, accessible written meditation that begins with a single line, then adds one line at a time. As each line is added, the meaning of the piece shifts. Here's a sample (note that nested meditations are untitled):

Do you have the time?

Do you have the time
of your life?

Do you have the time
of your life
or does someone else perhaps?

Do you have the
time of your life
or does someone else? Perhaps
it's later than you think.

The idea is to use simple language and subtle wordplay to probe several layers of meaning beneath the surface of our day-to-day experience.

Find still water.

Find still water
in any storm by going deep.

Find still water
in any storm by going deep
beneath the surface tumult.

Find still water
in any storm by going deep.
Beneath the surface tumult
the sacred self dances like seaweed.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Andersons nested meditations are superb examples of everyday spirituality." Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Health magazine -- Spirituality and Health magazine, June, 2003

From the Publisher

SELECTED ONE OF BEST SPIRITUAL BOOKS OF 2003 BY SPIRITUALITY AND HEALTH MAGAZINE

In choosing Divinity in Disguise as one of the best spiritual books of 2003, Spirituality and Health magazine wrote that Anderson ". . . has come up with a fresh way to explore the surprising dimensions of everyday spirituality where even the most commonplace experiences are shot through with grace and meaning . . . Anderson keeps opening doors for our appreciation of the abundant marvels in our daily lives . . . Anderson's nested meditations are superb examples of everyday spirituality."

This book offers a totally new experience to readers that is thought-provoking, playful, soulful, and centering. The "nested meditation" is an entirely new form of writing that offers a unique method for exploring the richness of ordinary experience.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Center for Life Balance (September 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0972835504
• ISBN-13: 978-0972835503
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 4.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,140,686 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Touched to the Core, November 19, 2003

By 

John Florian (Columbus, OH) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Divinity in Disguise: Nested Meditations to Delight the Mind and Awaken the Soul (Hardcover)

I was deeply inspired by Kevin Anderson's book. I found his nested meditations to be both creative and profound. While I had the tendency at the beginning to rush through the meditations and look for the "punchline" at the end, I gradually learned that the process of slowly going through the meditations and grasping the meaning of each new section was worth the effort.

The biggest surprise for me was that I thought that the accompanying reflections would be somewhat superficial compared to the profundity of the nested meditations. I was delighted to discover that these reflections were every bit as inspirational and packed with meaning as the meditations themselves.

Reading Kevin's book is like taking a walk with a spiritual mentor down the path of life. His vulnerablity, and williness to explore both the dark and light sides of life, makes the book that much more engaging.

I encourage anyone who is interested in being invited to delve deeply into the mysteries and majic of life to read Kevin's book. It is sheer delight and a real gift to the world.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You will see differently, November 10, 2003

By 

S. S. Otto "7x70" (Breckenridge, CO USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Divinity in Disguise: Nested Meditations to Delight the Mind and Awaken the Soul (Hardcover)

The Holy is everywhere and Kevin Anderson's nested meditations are a perfect way to see more clearly. You will see the ordinary is not so ordinary when you read his meditations and accompanying short essays. His reflections on ordinary moments in his life have sparked my own reflections. The nested meditation form that he has created is really a helpful way of sitting with our daily experience to discover the Divine in it.

I have written my own nested meditations to help process my life situations, given the book to friends, used it with clients. It works ar all levels to help us see the Divine in the disguise of the ordinary. Don't miss this beautiful book of discovery!

5.0 out of 5 stars An invitation from without to rich resource within, February 9, 2008

By 

Martha C. Bartholomew "Marbar" (Dundee IL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Divinity in Disguise: Nested Meditations to Delight the Mind and Awaken the Soul (Hardcover)

The most important poem anyone will read will be their own. This book provides an invitation into the personal well where riches dwell for each reader. It is a portrait of the author's reality with encouragement for the reader to live out the same.