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Yearnings: Embracing the Sacred Messiness of Life [Hardcover]

Irwin Kula
4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)

Price: $29.95 & FREE Shipping. Details
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Book Description

September 5, 2006
"Irwin Kula shows us how to to live our humanness -- the pleasures and the challenges, the messiness and the triumphs -- with a profound acceptance of our desires and foibles and a joy that can only come from understanding." --Deepak Chopra

"Yearning. After twenty-three years as a rabbi, I can think of no more defining human experience."

Life can be messy and imperfect. Were all looking for answers. And yet, as renowned rabbi Irwin Kula points out, the yearning for answers is no different now than it was in the times that gave rise to Moses, Buddha, and Jesus. Far from being a burden, however, these yearnings can themselves become a path to blessing, prompting questions and insights, resulting in new ways of being and believing. In this, his first book, Rabbi Kula takes us on an excursion into the depths of our desires, applying ancient Jewish tradition to seven of our most wonderful yearnings. Merging ancient wisdom with contemporary insights, Rabbi Kula shows how traditional practices can inform and enrich our own search for meaning. More importantly, he invites us to embrace the messiness and complexities of the human experience in order to fully embrace the endless and glorious project of life.


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Editorial Reviews

Review

" This sagacious book will be a blessing to all who read its teachigns on the value of spiritual learning." -- Spirituality & Health

About the Author


Rabbi Irwin Kula has appeared on Oprah and Frontline and serves as a consultant to corporate and family foundations, as well as to federations, synagogues, and agencies on issues of leadership and change. Fast Company has named Rabbi Kula as one of the new leaders shaping the American spiritual landscape and he has been featured in national publications such as the Washington Post, the Philadelphia Inquirer, and the Chicago Tribune. He lives in New York City.
Linda Loewenthal is a writer and literary agent and the founding director of One Spirit, the BOMC spiritual book club.

Product Details

  • Hardcover: 336 pages
  • Publisher: Hyperion (September 5, 2006)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1401301924
  • ISBN-13: 978-1401301927
  • Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.8 x 1.2 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,051,622 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars
(20)
4.9 out of 5 stars
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I recommend this work to anyone seeking wisdom. Sandra L. Phillips  |  3 reviewers made a similar statement
Made me feel good!! Barry I. Matza  |  4 reviewers made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
30 of 31 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Stunning revelations for the agnostic! January 3, 2007
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
With journalistic skepticism and scientific training carefully guarding any religious conclusions, I nonetheless am drawn to seek better understanding of spirituality, as experienced world-wide throughout the ages, taking wisdom wherever I find it, as long as it applies broadly. This book takes the stories that shaped our civilization as well as touches on others civilizations also, to help us understand where we came from. It suggests what we can take from those stories to live better, richer lives, regardless of whether or not the stories are precisely true. It explains how rituals developed and what they mean, and how they can be relevant today. Although Kula is a Jewish Rabbi, his insights are relevant to all beliefs. As a non-Jewish person myself, I never for a moment felt the book was written for Jewish people; on the contrary, I think his goal was to include everyone in a common understanding . . . an understanding of the differences of mankind.
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23 of 25 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Life is easier when you appreciate its complications September 8, 2006
Format:Hardcover
Irwin Kula takes us past our longing that a single truth applied everywhere will give us fulfillment. Instead he shows that in every problem is an opportunity--that what initially seems confusing and complicated doesn't need to be feared but appreciated. As I read his book, I felt optomistic without feeling naive or simplistic.
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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars A Voice for Everyone January 30, 2007
Format:Hardcover
Rabbi Kula is a special breed of spiritual leader whose voice transcends the boundaries between religions. His book reveals a gift of communicating in a different way than typically comes down from the pulpit. In spreading his perspective of "wisdom", he is not afraid to challenge conventional wisdom and traditional interpretations; in fact he is at his best when looks inside these axioms that most of us take for granted. His willingness to share his personal experiences and his own transgressions lend credibility and humility to his stories and observations. This book serves as encouragement to look inside ourselves without judgment and look outward with a healthier perspective.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars SOUL STIRRING READ!
I LOVE THIS BOOK! SOME BOOKS ARE KEYS THAT OPEN NEW DOORWAYS IN YOUR MIND- THIS BOOK IS ONE OF THEM. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Susan Paddock
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book!
This is a fantastic book which made its appearance in my life just when I needed it. Synergy at its most relevant!
Published 4 months ago by Rhonda
5.0 out of 5 stars Yearnings is a real eye opener.
Rabbi Irwin Kula has written a brilliant book. There are so many gems on every page that, if I were to attempt to write them all down, I'd end up writing a whole new book. Read more
Published on April 18, 2011 by Len Forster
5.0 out of 5 stars Rabbi Kula shares his wisdom
Old Jewish wisdom, Christian truths and a bit of Buddhism tossed in here and there. This is a lovely book and the text is very readable. Read more
Published on February 5, 2011 by L. Neal
5.0 out of 5 stars A Handbook for Life
Rabbi Kula shows us how to embrace all situations in life by looking at the opportunities they provide, good or bad. Read more
Published on March 24, 2010 by T. Love
5.0 out of 5 stars worth reading twice
Rabbi Kula explores human longings for truth, purpose, love, creativity, and inner peace. He pushes us to accept the struggle as part of a never-ending process. Read more
Published on May 7, 2009 by Sara E. Davies
5.0 out of 5 stars Yearnings: Embracing the sacred messiness of life
Excellent insightful book. I am so thankful to have it as part of my collection.
Published on April 21, 2009 by Diamond in the Rough
5.0 out of 5 stars A Wise Guide to Life's Pilgrimage that Starts with Actually...
I enjoyed this book myself, then one of our guest writers at our online magazine, [...], Gail Katz, wrote her own recommendation of Rabbi Kula's book. Read more
Published on July 9, 2008 by David Crumm
4.0 out of 5 stars for real
"Yearnings" opens doors and grants the reader an inner journey of redefining personal, daily life. thank you.
Published on May 6, 2008 by N. Jeanette Baker
5.0 out of 5 stars soul food
I have read this book twice. I will read it again. Whatever your spiritual belief, whatever your level of faith is or is not, you will be influenced by Rabbi Kula. Read more
Published on May 5, 2008 by j-man
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