The Mystic Heart of Justice: Restoring Wholeness in a Broken World [Hardcover]

Denise Breton (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0877853002 | ISBN-13: 978-0877853008 | Publication Date: October 1, 2001

This philosophical and spiritual look at justice begins, predictably, with a critique of the existing justice system but casts its net widely, examining the pervasive feelings of guilt and failure, the sense of separateness that all external reward-and-punishment systems create--whether in families, schools, businesses, or courts. We feel that we are being judged constantly; we even internalize messages that we are "no good." Perhaps worse, inner motivation is destroyed by rewards and punishments, so that creative expression wanes, a loss for individuals and society alike. The alternative is to create a justice system that is not from "outside in" but "inside out." Looking at astonishing examples among Native Americans, the authors show that many human cultures over thousands of years flourished without resorting to reward-punishment systems. Indigenous peoples, for instance, affirmed the uniqueness of each individual, crafting social forms that drew out that uniqueness. The results were cohesive societies that can serve as models for changing our fundamental approach to fairness today. Realizing that most readers will wonder what a different system might be, the authors turn to the restorative justice movement and its successes all over the world, providing examples of victim-offender mediation that will convert the most hardened skeptic. For a larger scale, they turn to the Ojibway-Cree Hollow Water community, which has revolutionized ideas of justice in Canada. Denise Breton is one of the finest philosophers writing today, able to present difficult subjects in engaging ways to the public. Now, with her co-author (her former editor at Hazelden), she has produced a definitive critique of our present socialization system, with its inaction in the face of suffering and its instilling of fear and guilt society-wide. To this "counterfeit" justice, they pose the alternative of rediscovering our souls, that powerful inner uniqueness that is the basis for true community.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Denise Breton lectures and counsels on practical spirituality and is the co-author of The Soul of Economies; The Paradigm Conspiracy; and Love, Soul, and Freedom. Stephen Lehman is former editor and publisher of Elysian Fields quarterly, co-author of two children's books, and author of a chemical-dependency treatment curriculum for criminal offenders.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 321 pages
• Publisher: Swedenborg Foundation Publishers (October 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0877853002
• ISBN-13: 978-0877853008
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,063,800 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Mystic Heart of Justice, May 11, 2003

By 

Martin G. Anthony (Denver,, CO USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Mystic Heart of Justice: Restoring Wholeness in a Broken World (Hardcover)

This excellent book compares our current system of Retributive Justice, which focuses on retribution and punishment, with the nascent Restorative Justice movement, which focuses on restoring balance and finding healing. Throughout the book, major flaws of the current system are highlighted. These flaws demonstrate how we all suffer from the 'power over' and 'might makes right' paradigms of retribution. The benefits of seeking balance and healing from the effects of crime, rather than vengeance, assists individuals and our whole society toward greater security and peace. Key to the whole idea of "mystic Justice" is that "outer Justice" is impossible to attain unless individuals hold a true vision of living a just life, "inner Justice", within their hearts. This books shows the path toward this achievement. An excellent, prophetic vision.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Restorative and Transformative Justice with Canadian Content, January 18, 2003

By 

Beth LaRocque (LaSalle, Quebec Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Mystic Heart of Justice: Restoring Wholeness in a Broken World (Hardcover)

Denise Breton and Stephen Lehman have put together a brilliant philosophical essay on restorative justice is a fruit of wisdom, courage, and moderation based on ancient principles of aboriginal spirituality as well as Socratic dialogues.
For Canadians the best part is their commendation of relationship restoration coming out of the Canadian Restorative Justice case studies such as Satisfying Justice, from Ottawa.
This book along with Breton and Largent's Paradigm Conspiracy form a basis for finding peace in a broken and violent world. Highly recommended.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Spirituality with a treatise on social change, December 13, 2001

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Mystic Heart of Justice: Restoring Wholeness in a Broken World (Hardcover)

Mystic Heart Of Justice covers the field of restorative justice, considering its importance as an alternative to the traditional reward-punishment model and applying this new system to the current justice system and the cultural forces which dehumanizes the individual. Blending philosophy and spirituality with a treatise on social change, Mystic Heart Of Justice provides an excellent and different - albeit scholarly - view on restoring a damaged world.