Faith and Will: Weathering the Storms in Our Spiritual Lives [Hardcover]

Julia Cameron (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 30, 2009

Another classic work from the world's foremost authority on creativity and spirituality.

Julia Cameron is the author of the international bestseller The Artist's Way and twenty-eight other groundbreaking books that deftly trace the intersection between art and faith, between creativity and spirit. In this new offering, Cameron explores one of the most vital questions spiritual seekers encounter on the journey to enlightenment: Where do I turn when my soul is urging me to keep growing toward God but my mind and being, stubbornly, will not follow? Faith and Will is Julia Cameron's most inward-leaning book to date-a heartbreakingly honest and insightful glimpse into one woman's struggle to reconnect to her faith and her realization that having faith, of necessity, means relinquishing will. A wise and passionate book, Faith and Will gently guides readers through the process of learning to let go and, in turn, learning to live.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Some Cameron fans will love this latest work from the writer and creativity guru who developed and wrote the multimillion-selling The Artist's Way, receiving it as another installment of unfolding spiritual wisdom. Others may think they've read this book before, because Cameron's views on spirituality—and its essential relationship to creativity—are basically a single note that she plays extensively and well. The core of her message—that the spiritual life is a daily surrender to God's plans for one's life—comes straight from the 12-step recovery movement that saved the author from her own alcoholism. In this book, Cameron adds a lot from the Bible, quoting frequently from Psalms and the epistles of Paul, which may surprise those readers who expect less scriptural spirituality. The book reads like stream of consciousness, with no chapter breaks, so it feels repetitive and lacking structure and progression. On the whole, there isn't much new, but maybe there needn't be; like a muscle, faith is built through repetition of beneficial actions that may not provide immediate results. (May)
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From School Library Journal

Cameron, the best-selling author of The Artist's Way, aspired in her middle years to write a book about God, specifically focusing on the "safety of God" as it relates to connecting or relating to the numinous. The result is an authentic, vulnerable, and introspective work. Cameron discloses her own losses, identity crises, and struggles to reconnect with and surrender to the divine. In addition, she shares anecdotes from the lives of her creative friends. She also draws inspiration from theologian Paul Tillich, psychiatrist Carl Jung, the biblical writers, and other wisdom figures. Faith and Will brings to mind the work of Anne Lamott, falling somewhere between Traveling Mercies and Bird by Bird. Creative souls (i.e., artists, writers, actors, musicians, etc.) especially will be drawn to this book, but any reader can glean pearls of wisdom from its pages: "Doubt is the shadow side of faith" and "God is intimate" are but two memorable quotes. Faith and Will is recommended—without hesitation.—C. Brian Smith, Arlington Heights Memorial Lib., IL
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Tarcher; First Edition edition (April 30, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1585427144
• ISBN-13: 978-1585427147
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,099,606 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Julia Cameron has been an active artist for more than thirty years. She is the author of twenty-eight books, fiction and nonfiction, including her bestselling works on the creative process: The Artist's Way, Walking in This World, Finding Water, and The Writing Diet. A novelist, playwright, songwriter, and poet, she has multiple credits in theater, film, and television.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thank You, May 18, 2009

By 

Laurie (SW Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Faith and Will: Weathering the Storms in Our Spiritual Lives (Hardcover)

She opens her heart and God spills out on every page. Honest sharing for those times when we "think" God has gone missing from our lives. What a comfort this book is. Chocked full of stories and more simple prayers to connect...re-connect to God, The Universe, or your Higher Power.
Having lost my connection with God I often wished I had left a trail so I could find my way back...Thankfully by Julia sharing her own and others paths I remember where I am now. Awesome book!

21 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Spiritual Review of Faith and Will, June 11, 2009

By 

BigHeart (Center Harbor, NH United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Faith and Will: Weathering the Storms in Our Spiritual Lives (Hardcover)

Faith and Will is about what to do when the plans we make for ourselves don't work out. Cameron uses the word "faith" to mean we should believe in a loving, caring God who has a purpose and plan for us - even if we can't see it -- especially when we can't see it. And she uses the word "will" to mean we should get out of the way and let God lead us to His plan, whatever it might be. Unfortunately, Cameron doesn't look at all aspects of desire. She never addresses why some people get their personal desires and plans fulfilled and why others don't. How come a child abductor can find an unattended child to snatch when a harmless, church-going jobless person can't find a job? Does the child abductor have stronger personal power? Did he focus more deliberately or fervently? Make a better bargain? Is God like a great big Amercan idol judge in the sky, either granting or withholding our desires? What's the trick?

I wish Cameron would have used her good mind and fearlessness to talk about how we either co-create or block creation with the thoughts we hold in our mind. Instead, she sticks to the same old cliches and Christian party line. What's new about the message to "let go and let God?" Without a complete, logical discussion of the mechanics of desire, it's impossible to buy into Cameron's promise of greater comfort and joy by settling for God's Plan B, which frankly sounds a little bit like the booby prize.

Then there's the formatting. Faith and Will is written like one long journal entry that never ends. Cameron doesn't organize her material into chapters or topics, and this is mildly annoying because the reader has to do the work of figuring out what's going on. It also gives Cameron the flexibility to meander and weave in and out of the same topic several times throughout the book. Personally, I prefer it when the author gives me a tidy package and makes it easier for me to follow along. Cameron also relies heavily on quotes from Christian scripture and to a lesser degree, 12-step thought, to make a point, and people with an affinity for these sources of inspiration will like Faith and Will more than others.

Gripes aside, Cameron offers the reader several practical tools for dealing with life's disappointments. Find a way to commune with God (Cameron does it through writing). Reach for the next step. Concentrate of what feels right. Express gratitude for what you already have. Pray. These are simple steps anyone and everyone can take to get unstuck and to hold a higher, more helpful thought.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Julia"s Journey!, February 7, 2010

By 

R. P. kennedy "rpk" (Halifax canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Faith and Will: Weathering the Storms in Our Spiritual Lives (Hardcover)

I found the book was able to restore my faith at certain times and I find that I can go back to specific areas and read to enhance my spirtual journey.
All in all a very good read! As I read the book again it made me realize that I'm not that much different then Julia and to find god you must spend time with him.