Radical Optimism: Practical Spirituality in an Uncertain World [Paperback]

Beatrice Bruteau (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

A gifted philosopher, mathematician, mystical theologian, and practical spiritual teacher with a vigorous mind and open heart presents a vision of cultivating contemplative awareness. Beatrice Bruteau is one of the great writers of our time. -- Wayne Teasdale, author of A Monk in the World

Bruteau's outstanding gift for articulating the contemplative life is enshrined in this book. -- Thomas Keating, author of Open Mind, Open Heart

God never gives up, but pursues people forever, hoping to convince them that they are unconditionally loved. This is God's `radical optimism'! -- From the Book

About the Author

Dr. Bruteau is a pioneer in the integrated study of science, mathematics, philosophy, and religion. With a background in Vedanta and Catholic Christianity, as well as the natural sciences, she has developed a broad, inclusive vision of human reality in its cosmic and social contexts. Analyzing the systemic and metaphysical roots of our social inequities, she offers an alternative worldview, featuring the incomparable value of each person and the community dynamics of mutual respect and care that follow from that view. This theme is developed as global spirituality, not limited to any particular religious tradition but accessible in direct human terms common to all.

Dr. Bruteau has published twelve books and more than one hundred articles. Her essays have appeared in journals such as International Philosophical Quarterly, Cross Currents, and Cistercian Studies.

Product Details

• Paperback: 156 pages
• Publisher: Sentient Publications; 1 edition (October 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1591810019
• ISBN-13: 978-1591810018
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #100,528 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #88 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Other Practices > Mysticism

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

46 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a stimulating book, December 7, 2003

By 

Roland M. Poirier (Bures sur Yvette France) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Radical Optimism: Practical Spirituality in an Uncertain World (Paperback)

I bought this book not for the title but because I like the author. And when I started reading about leisure, stillness, meditation, I thought, well it may be interesting, but it is not for me. I don't have time to stand still and meditate, and even less for leisure.
But then, I began to feel concerned when I read for instance, that "the Sabbath is not a time among other times, but the underlying eternity; or that the Sabbath is there to remind us that our deepest reality is not to be identified with our works". I understood that this is something we should keep in mind at all times.
I also felt this book actually concerns me when she defines contemplation as being "not something that is done alongside or before or after our everyday action," but that "Contemplation is what we should be doing at every moment of our life". In other words, contemplation does not stop me from acting but enables me to act with a much more authentic awareness of the reality within which I operate.
Another positive development I found among others, in this book is about the Holy Trinity. Beatrice Bruteau offers some interesting insight on how the concept of trinity may operate as self-giving love, and why the relevant pattern requires at least three persons in order to be operative.
Then she wisely comes back to earth by connecting these highly speculative considerations to everyday life. She is convinced that comprehensive life-giving relationships among us, based on the Trinitarian faith, can gradually turn this world into a communion of saints.
Eventually, the radical optimism which makes the title, comes from the actual belief that if we have the will and a genuine faith in the indwelling Trinitarian God, we will be able to make this happen.

35 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beatrice Bruteau deserves much praise, March 30, 2004

By 

Brenda Jo Mengeling (Davis, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Radical Optimism: Practical Spirituality in an Uncertain World (Paperback)

In Radical Optimism, author and philosopher Beatrice Bruteau presents a persuasive argument for the necessity of meditation and comtemplation for the bringing about of a new world view that can truly celebrate the individual and the community. First, Bruteau discusses the concepts of leisure and silence (they are not what we normally think!) as necessary attributes for meditation. In her chapter describing meditation itself, she gives an example that I have found very useful. After discussing meditation, she moves into the both the mysticism and metaphysics of the human condition in relation to the divine. She brings her treatsie to a close by showing how a trinitarian God (One and Many in the same being) allows for the greatest of loves and the salvation of the individual human person and humanity as community.

Dr. Bruteau writes with amazing lucidity and concreteness. Her arguments follow logically and very analytically. I am a scientist, and although I appreciate the need of metaphor for describing the transcendent and love mystical poets like Rumi and Tagore, I really appreciated Dr. Bruteau's down to earth writing. For such complex subjects, Dr. Bruteau's style proved refreshing and easy to follow without ambiguity. Highly recommended.

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Un undiscovered gem, March 19, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Radical Optimism: Practical Spirituality in an Uncertain World (Paperback)

Beatrice Bruteau is a mystical genius. She writes with the authority of a woman who has deep knowledge of Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, and science, and her musings on meditation, stillness, the finite and the infinite are inspired. The section of the "mystery" of evil is alone worth the price of the book--a very timely analysis. Originally conceived as a guidebook for creating a retreat for yourself in your own home, this book goes far beyond the "spirituality lite" produced by many popular authors and will profoundly deepen your understanding of both human and divine nature. A book for the closet contemplatives among us.