Wild Grace: Nature as a Spiritual Path [Paperback]

Eric Alan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2003

Eric Alan masterfully integrates his stunning color photography of nature with profound prose on the spiritual dimensions of nature. Wild Grace is a beautiful celebration of the details of the natural world, and a meditation on living mindfully within it. Eric Alan masterfully integrates his stunning color photography of nature with profound prose on the spiritual dimensions of nature. Dividing Wild Grace into two sections (Sensing the Spirit and Living the Spirit), Alan draws us into the natural world as cathedral where deep lessons await us.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this extended philosophical riff on the value of nature as a spiritual teacher, it is clear that author and photographer Alan has spent much time outdoors contemplating the lessons of the natural world. The first section, "Sensing the Spirit," calls to awareness. Using the metaphor of the cathedral, Alan urges readers to consider nature as a place of holy learning without traditional ceilings or floors. He begins gently paying attention to water, wind, earth, stones and the like. His observations here are clear and pointed; for example, he looks to flowing water as a behavior model in various situations, and stones similarly and metaphorically help him "weather" all types of predicaments. Part II, "Living the Spirit," gets more didactic in approach, inserting a naturally wild point of view into 18 familiar topics such as home, religion, exercise, balance, work and sleep. In these selections particularly, Alan also gives an honest appraisal of nature's rougher edges, including the timeless considerations of sex and death. In this handsome book that can be read in one prolonged sitting, full-color photography graces every spread. Alan's writing sometimes lacks precision ("If we barrier ourselves against the physical and emotional rains, we remain rough, untested, unshaped"). However, in the main his worthwhile voice forms a useful and needed bridge to the truly natural language we all share and have forgotten how to speak.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Eric Alan is a writer, photographer, and broadcaster who currently edits The Jefferson Monthly and hosts a daily local music show for a National Public Radio affiliate station. His words have appeared in The San Francisco Chronicle, MicroTimes, Sentient Times, LithiaGraph, national music business trade journals, and album liner notes. His photography has been exhibited in gallery shows in Oregon and California.

Product Details

• Paperback: 124 pages
• Publisher: White Cloud Press (May 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1883991536
• ISBN-13: 978-1883991531
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 8.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #931,299 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Eric Alan is an author, photographer, lyricist, radio broadcaster and workshop leader. With the release of Grace and Tranquility in book and CD form, he continues a creative journey that has taken him across genres and decades. His previous book, Wild Grace: Nature as a Spiritual Path, has inspired workshops on the re-integration of nature into daily life, a regular column reaching several eastern states, and multi-media event collaborations with nationally recognized musicians. Grace and Tranquility further integrates his passions for meditative inquiry, photography and music. It's a quest to share a path along which reliable daily tranquility can be found, no matter the world's hard chaotic edges.

The companion CD of the same name adapts lyrics from his two books and merges them with the elegant music of the band Gypsy Soul. He divides his time between Cottage Grove and Ashland, Oregon, while also exploring wild and civilized places beyond. He can be reached at [e-mail] .

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Love this book, February 27, 2010

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I Love Oregon (TALENT, OR) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Wild Grace: Nature as a Spiritual Path (Paperback)

You'll read this one again and again whenever you feel disconnected with nature. Spending too much time within the four walls of your home? Read this book and embrace all that nature offers and walk this spiritual path with Eric Alan.