A New Way to Be Human: 7 Spiritual Pathways to Becoming Fully Alive [Paperback]

Robert Taylor (Author), Bishop Desmond M. Tutu (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 22, 2012 | ISBN-10: 1601632150 | ISBN-13: 978-1601632159 | Edition: 1

"Robert Taylor shares his remarkable life story in his book, A New Way to Be Human. He eloquently illustrates that when we have the courage to open our hearts we are capable of living an authentic life of gratitude."
--Deepak Chopra, best-selling author of Spiritual Solutions

"A New Way to Be Human will become well thumbed as you return to it time and time again to be reminded of what is essential to your journey: that God longs for us to be people of love and compassion."
--Desmond M. Tutu, Nobel Peace Laureate

"Taylor shares his story and the lessons he has learned and makes this wisdom easy to understand through practical lessons and experiences. He is a wounded healer and in love's service only the wounded healer can serve."
--Bernie Siegel, MD, author of A Book of Miracles and Love, Medicine & Miracles

"Robert's book is a refreshing, honest and straightforward approach to capturing that sense of wholeness and humanness. This book gives tangible ways to start looking at your own life story for clues about who you truly are."
--Helene Gayle, CEO and President of CARE

"Stop whatever you're doing, and read A New Way to Be Human immediately. This book gave me new lenses for viewing the world, and instead of feeling pessimistic about my times, I now see my culture and fellow inhabitants in all of their beautiful, promising potential."
--Chely Wright, Country & Western singer and author of Like Me

"If you are searching to create a holistic spiritual framework of love, compassion, justice and mercy, this book will become a wondrous companion."
--Nora Gallagher, author of Practicing Resurrection and Things Seen and Unseen: a Year Lived in Faith

"Reading [Robert's] story, and particularly the life challenges he was able to overcome, you will become inspired to move beyond your own difficulties into a life of deeper purpose."
--Jonathan Klein, CEO of Getty Images

A New Way to Be Human is an invaluable guide for individuals intent on transforming their lives, revolutionizing our society, and refining our world. It is for those who seek:

An impactful life of meaning and purpose, love and hope, compassion and delight

The courage to cross the boundaries of religion and move beyond the demonizing debates about gender equality and human sexuality

The spiritual wisdom discovered in the many forms and disguises of the Holy

By identifying 7 pivotal, universally recognizable life occurrences as spiritual pathways, A New Way to Be Human will immediately connect you to actionable personal spiritual practices.

From his miraculous physical healing as a teenager in Cape Town, to fighting apartheid alongside Desmond Tutu, to his eventual appointment as one of the United State's highest ranking, openly gay Episcopal priests, Robert's life shows anyone how to integrate personal spirituality with a legacy of compassionate purpose in the world--and invites others to do the same.

Go to www.robertvtaylor.com/publications/book-club

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Robert V. Taylor is a nationally recognized leader, author, and sought after speaker who invests his life in helping individuals and organizations to realize their full human potential and impact in the world. Born and raised in South Africa, Robert saw firsthand the difference that could be made when oppressed people are given the freedom to discover their voices, trust their imaginations, and find the courage to be who they are. Robert continues to explore integrating personal spirituality and values-driven strategies with the question of how we each leave a footprint of compassion in the world--both at home and in the corporate marketplace. He lives in Seattle, Washington.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: New Page Books; 1 edition (April 22, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1601632150
• ISBN-13: 978-1601632159
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.6 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #130,248 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Robert V. Taylor is a nationally known speaker, writer, and activist for social justice.

A native of Cape Town, South Africa, Taylor was sent to the United States by his mentor, Nobel Laureate and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, in 1980 to avoid imprisonment for his anti-apartheid activity. There, Taylor served in the Diocese of New York from 1983 to 1999, helping to build a community social service center offering HIV/AIDS programs to veterans and people of color, in-home services for the elderly, day care for children of single parent families, and a community music education initiative.

Nineteen years after his arrival in the US, he was elected to become Dean of the Episcopal Cathedral in Seattle, making him the first openly gay Episcopal dean in the United States.

In his new book A New Way to Be Human: 7 Spiritual Pathways to Becoming Fully Alive (New Page Books, April 22, 2012), which includes a foreword by Archbishop Tutu, Taylor speaks to the reader looking for a life of bold compassion and feeling. Part memoir and part spiritual guidebook, A New Way to Be Human is divided into seven chapters of spiritual pathways ("Becoming Fully Alive," "Risky Invitations," etc.) with three items of practice at each section's end to guide the reader's journey. The book has won early praise from secular and spiritual corners:

ROBERT V. TAYLOR is Chair of the Desmond Tutu Peace Foundation in New York, and founding Chair of the Committee to End Homelessness in King County, Washington. He is a graduate of Rhodes University, South Africa and Union Theological Seminary, New York. He lives in Seattle and on a farm in rural Eastern Washington.

Learn more at robertvtaylor.com.

Follow Robert at www.facebook.com/RVTAuthorSpeaker

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Loving & Practical Guide for Transformation May 2, 2012

By Will E.

Format:Paperback

What a great book! So often I find myself 'stuck' playing one or two notes, over and again, instead of playing the SONG of life--perhaps you can relate? In his book, A New Way to Be Human, Robert Taylor lovingly walks you through a process for self-examination and transformation--helping you to live life more fully and, dare I say, with a song in your heart. To me, his voice is authentic and compassionate--never preachy or clinical--and the wisdom he shares is extremely impactful. The ingredients are as you might imagine (examine your life-story without judgment, share and find connections with the people in your life, live in full awareness--observing 360 degrees instead of just the narrow path before you, discover the 'one-ness' shared by all humanity, etc., etc.), but the author's 'stepping stones' approach will guide you through a process for re-discovery and absorption of these ingredients into your daily life. The message is interwoven with interesting stories that illustrate and illuminate each lesson, while also making them infinitely relatable--helping you to recognize the invitations for incorporating each lesson into your own life. I've read a lot of what you might call 'self-help' but this book is special: you'll find a loving and practical life-coach in Robert Taylor.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars High praise for "A New Way to Be Human" April 23, 2012

By Dorothy J. Papadakos

Format:Paperback

You know when a book arrives in your life totally in sync with your journey? That's my experience with "A New Way To be Human." I'm re-reading Louise Hay's masterpiece "You Can Heal Your Life." Whenever some physical ailment crops up, her book's revelations on how our mind creates illness & imbalance in our body always sets things aright.

And now, beautifully in sync with Louise Hay's work, comes Robert Taylor's spiritual guidance on releasing ourselves from the visible & invisible enclosures we create for ourselves. I find his book to be the perfect healing companion to Louise Hay's book.

I recommend this brilliant combination of books to all suffering from ailments in mind, body or spirit. They work great in meditation, offer authentic practices that heal and restore, and both provide gentle yet structured (and fun!) guidance on getting your ship back on course with full sails.

I'm finding joy in discovering new ways to be human. It's refreshing, releasing. Thank you, Robert Taylor, for sharing your story of courage and for reminding us of the unimaginable freedom & gifts awaiting each of us when we change from our old ways of being human.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A New Way to Be Human by Robert V. Taylor April 15, 2012

By Sandy s

Format:Paperback

I struggle with how to be who I am supposed to be and how I can achieve my greatest good. For many reasons, doing the right think in the right way is very important to me. Finding guidance is an everyday quest. A New Way To be Human is proving to be an excellent guide. The stepping stones for each pathway are written with love, insight and clarity. I will refer back to this book often and will recommend it to anyone who, like me, is searching for more joy and freedom in life.