Fire in the Soul: A New Psychology of Spiritual optimism [Paperback]

Joan Borysenko (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 1994

The author of the New York Times bestseller Minding the Body, Mending the Mind reveals the power of spiritual optimism: a philosophy that sees life crises as opportunities for personal growth and spiritual transformation.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Difficult and tragic events, stresses Borysenko ( Minding the Body, Mending the Mind ), need not ruin our lives. They often bear the seeds of transformational healing and spiritual awakening--if we are willing to receive them and shed old beliefs. In a collection that draws on anecdotes, therapeutic practice, ancient parables, myths and Bible stories, Borysenko guides the reader through "dark nights when our souls are on fire" and toward optimism, affirming the conviction that pain can be a catalyst for growth. Inspirational verse, quotations and biblical passages comprise a final chapter, "Night Lights," and a list of resources is also provided. Practical and contemplative, and giving psychology and spirituality due concern, this book should be a welcome addition to New Age psychology.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Kirkus Reviews

More well-meaning New Age psychopop from the author of Guilt is the Teacher, Love is the Lesson (1990), etc. According to psychologist Borysenko, who tends to gush, her ``soul has burned with the question why''--specifically, why does God allow suffering? The answer is found in this, as she puts it, ``extraordinarily special'' book that offers a ``new and much needed psychology'' of healing--new, that is, if one has never cracked open a self-help book or watched Oprah, Phil, or Sally. Borysenko's basic premise is, in fact, as old as the hills: that suffering is ``an opportunity for soul growth.'' She tries valiantly to situate this idea in world religious thought, but she constantly mangles her sources--for instance, repeatedly misreading John of the Cross's ``dark night of the soul,''which refers to an aridity that comes in advanced stages of contemplation, as equivalent to psychological disorders (in Borysenko's own case, a childhood bout with compulsive-obsessive disorder). On the other hand, Borysenko does know her transpersonal psychology, and the book teems with condensations of the ideas of Larry Dossey, John Bradshaw, Stanislav Grof, et al., as well as innumerable plugs for Borysenko's earlier volumes. Despite minor differences, all these writers broadcast the same idea: that spiritual growth is possible but takes effort, including the overcoming of fear, addiction, and other deep-seated traumas. As for methodology, Borysenko seems fond of women's confessional groups, men's drumming groups, and, above all, past-life therapy (we travel back to medieval Britain, among other locales). She's keen on meditation as well, and offers a watered-down, de-Christian-ized version of centering prayer, and a watered-down, de-Buddhist-ized version of walking meditation. This fire in the soul may warm already converted New Agers, but most others will find it wan comfort indeed. -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing (July 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446670154
• ISBN-13: 978-0446670159
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.6 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #466,706 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Joan Borysenko, Ph.D., is the author of thirteen books, including A Woman's Book of Life, Saying Yes to Change, and Inner Peace for Busy People. She lives in Boulder, Colorado.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Lukewarm . . ., July 11, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Fire in the Soul: A New Psychology of Spiritual optimism (Paperback)

Joan Borysenko's book, Fire in the Soul, is a fairly decent book, but on which I feel is redundant of some of her previous books.

There's more meditations in this one, and even more psychological background and information. What's more, she tries to expand a bit on the spiritual theme. I like the fact that she mixes psychology with spirituality, and this would be a fine book if she didn't write it already. This book is more or less, Guilt Is The Teacher, Love Is The Lesson, all over again. She restates many stories and themes from that book in this one, and she even touches upon her other book, Minding the Body, Mending the Mind. She goes a bit further in the spiritual vein by exploring the idea of reincarnation, and her own personal experiences with this subject. Besides that, much of this was read before if you have read her other books.

If you haven't read her other books, you may very well enjoy this one. However, for me, one of the shining points in this book was the sections titled: Night Lights. This is a section on some ancient sayings and lyrical prose, and I found many of these saying quite inspirational.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very highly recommended, July 9, 2004

By 

C. Penn "WordWeaving" (Greenville, SC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Fire in the Soul: A New Psychology of Spiritual optimism (Paperback)

Friends have been telling me for years that I am entirely too pessimistic. With an eye toward changing, I searched the local bookstore shelves a book that presents a balanced spiritual optimism. FIRE IN THE SOUL by Joan Borysenko, Ph.D seemed to meet my needs exactly. Certainly the concept that every difficult experience provides an opportunity for soul growth is not new to me. But Borysenko has a gift for presenting familiar material in a way that is refreshing and revitalizing as she points to the paths that allow the pain of soul making to lead to deep healing.

One of the most profound concepts of FIRE IN THE SOUL is that it is the stories that we tell ourselves that determine how we recover from painful experiences. Pessimism, believing that we have done bad things for bad things to happen, leads to depression and powerlessness. Optimism, accepting that bad things happen to good people but present an opportunity for growth, leads to deep healing. Like one woman in the book states, "This is the role I've been given to play. I'm going to do it as consciously and gracefully as I can."

Personal anecdotes, case histories, and various spiritual readings combine in a powerful tool for healing in FIRE IN THE SOUL. I began working my way through the book several months ago as I underwent a terrible spiritual crisis. As the fires of transformation have burned their ways through my life, Borysenko's confirmation of spiritual truths that I have long held has provided the lifeline needed to endure and even flourish despite profound challenges. Certainly it is an imperfect book, with an over abundance of references aimed to encourage the reader to buy Borysenko's previous book. And many of the concepts are quite familiar. Yet Borysenko's gift for weaving text that speaks to the soul and inspires transformation makes FIRE IN THE SOUL a powerful spiritual tool. FIRE IN THE SOUL comes very highly recommended.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This book helped during a very difficult time, December 1, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Fire in the Soul: A New Psychology of Spiritual optimism (Paperback)

I read this book during the recent hospitalization and subsequent passing of my wife. In the course of dealing with death and dying, I experienced what I would call a spiritual awakening. This book helped provide a context for some of what I was experiencing and was actually a source of incredible comfort. I'm in the process of re-reading this book now & again find it helpful and affirming for the spiritual path I now find myself to be on.