Marriage from the Heart : Eight Commitments of a Spiritually Fulfilling Life Together [Hardcover]

Lois Kellerman (Author), Nelly Bly (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 25, 2002

Americans today have rediscovered a need for safety and belonging. Pastoral counselor Lois Kellerman, many of whose clients' weddings have been covered in The New York Times "Vows" column, has helped hundreds of couples find (or regain) a sense of "home" in their partnership. Marriage from the Heart is her compelling and sensitive blueprint-for readers of all ages, backgrounds, beliefs, and stages of marriage-for building a spiritually fulfilling relationship. At its center are eight commitments, both daily and lifelong, that build a lasting marriage and fortify it against everything from betrayal to "dry spells" to fiscal hard times:

* Centering-the home as a sanctuary
* Choosing-wise decision making
* Honoring-deep, mutual respect
* Caring-nurturing each other
* Abiding-resiliency through life's ups and downs
* Repairing-mending what's broken
* Listening-open communication
* Celebrating-enjoying your marriage

Beautifully designed, Marriage from the Heart is a perfect wedding or anniversary gift. Based on a fourteen-year study of core life values, the book is filled with touching anecdotes, words of encouragement and here-and-now exercises. It offers spiritual guidance that transcends religion and speaks to every season in the life of a marriage.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Lois Kellerman, who is a spiritual leader in the Ethical Culture movement, shares stories from her counseling practice and her own experiences in Marriage from the Heart: Eight Commitments of a Spiritually Fulfilling Life Together, written with Nelly Bly. The book centers on eight commitments, or long-term values, that characterize strong and healthy marriages, including placing the marriage at the center of one's life, having reverence for one's partner and oneself and celebrating spiritual values together. The book is well-written, down to the carefully chosen epigraphs that begin many of its sections, and filled with wisdom from many diverse religious traditions.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Lois Kellerman, who holds a master's degree in psychology, is a Leader within Ethical Culture. This innovative organization, founded more than a century ago to improve human relationships, has twenty-three chapters throughout the United States. Kellerman has counseled hundreds of couples and served as an officer of the Harvard-based Association for Moral Education.

Nelly Bly graduated magna cum laude from Yale with distinction in English. She has worked as a book editor and as a reviewer for Publishers Weekly.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Viking Adult (April 25, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0670031186
• ISBN-13: 978-0670031184
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,499,976 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Required reading for all couples, May 10, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Marriage from the Heart : Eight Commitments of a Spiritually Fulfilling Life Together (Hardcover)

Marriage from the Heart: Eight Commitments of a Spiritually Fulfilling Life Together provides vivid, personal stories that beautifully illustrate the eight commitments necessary for a satisfying and healthy marriage. This book provided a special confirmation not only of what works in my thiry-five year old marriage but why. The writing is practical and accessible
and provides a clear and inspiring guide to ways to build and keep a marriage strong and happy.

The numerous supporting quotes from literature and philosopy that appear throughout the book are a welcome addition. Each chapter contains a section to review the key points as well as questions to ask yourself, that are both very helpful. The size and format of the book is very compatible with its place on my night table, to be used as a constant guide. Marriage from the Heart is definitely a book that I will read again and again. I highly recommend Marriage from the Heart to anyone contemplating marriage, newly wed, or celebrating any anniversary.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Strengthening, September 20, 2002

By 

Micah G. Modell "Micah Gideon" (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Marriage from the Heart : Eight Commitments of a Spiritually Fulfilling Life Together (Hardcover)

I like how this book applies itself more towards strengthening an existing relationship rather than fixing a broken one (although the techniques presented are applicable to both situations). In fact, the content of this book could easily be applied to non-romantic relationships as well. The authors style and liberal use of applicable anecdotes yields an easy and enjoyable read. I will be sending copies to both of my sisters.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wisdom from the Heart, December 3, 2002

By 

James (Gainesville, FL.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Marriage from the Heart : Eight Commitments of a Spiritually Fulfilling Life Together (Hardcover)

Marriage from the Heart is one of those books that doesn't come along often enough. The text is chock full of words of wisdom to share with friends and loved ones from authors who have obviously learned the truths contained therein from the trenches. This book does not belong on a dust collecting bookshelf, but on the nightstand or on the coffee table to be referred to frequently, by couples young and old, sharing relationships fresh and tarnished. Marriage from the Heart breaths new life into the self-help genre with its weaving of life experience with a good dose of philosophy and psychology, a dash of theological insight, and a splash of humor towards life's challenges, making it a perfect recipe for an open, honest, and lasting relationship.