Customer Reviews

Your Soul's Compass: What Is Spiritual Guidance?

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

If you have ever asked yourself the title question - "What is Spiritual Guidance?" (Or some variation thereof) I don't believe there is anywhere else that you will find so diverse yet concise an answer; and not just one answer! Borysenko and Dveirin have compiled the answers, from a host of today's foremost spiritual leaders, to twelve pointed questions about the nature of guidance and how we choose to participate with guidance as a compass for our lives. Leaders speaking from a wide variety of wisdom traditions give the reader in-depth look at how they view their relationships with Spirit. The reader feels as if she has been sitting at the feet of the teachers and learning directly from their experiences. Such wisdom imparted is wisdom gained!

As a Spiritual Director, my first thought in the opening chapters of this book was "What an amazing gift!" I am feeling this way still. I'm thrilled at the idea of passing on the book to many people. Just as so many of us have - friends, colleagues, directees and potential directees struggle with the concept of Spiritual Guidance. While I can certainly speak from my own experience and while there are many aids and resources that I can direct them to, none present so broad a scope as this amazing book; an encapsulation that gives the seeker a firm foundation.

The authors take this question to an even deeper level speaking from their own experiential learnings as well as from those of the sages interviewed. The title might more aptly ask "What is PERSONAL Spiritual Guidance?" A question, I believe, that is being asked by so many today as we, collectively, seek communion with the Source of our Being in a time of global uncertainty.

"Whether you view God or consiousness as personal or impersonal......guidance itself is intensely personal." (Page 26)

As a Spiritual seeker I have found in this book a mainstay of the very grounding that my own formation process was steeped in, much from which my own learning came. Much that is extremely worthwhile, in my opinion, to get into the hands of anyone sitting with questions regarding their own relationship with guidance!

As Reverend Dr. Ruth Ragovin has said in her praise for the book - "It makes a significant contribution by launching the first real interfaith dialogue on identifying what spiritual guidance is and perceiving the potential it has in helping the world in its evolution toward greater compassion." I certainly could not put this any more eloquently, nor could I agree any more that it is exactly the wisdom needed for today's world!

This book provides the spiritual answers many search for but never find. The book doesn't hammer you over the head with these answers, it rather gently leads you to them.

This book changed my life by injecting a strong dose of spirituality into it. It slowly leads you into a place of serene calmness, relaxation, well being and supreme confidence. By the time you're finished with this book you will feel a compassionate kindness for the world and a calm acceptance of who you are. I probably got more out of this book than any book I've read in the past five years.

"Your Soul's Compass" was the most spiritual of the books I've read in a while. I also recently finished the FUNNIEST book I've read in years. "Race You To The Fountain of Youth", which simultaneously made me shriek with laughter while infusing me with the deeper meaning of accepting who I am. Race You to the Fountain of Youth: I'm Not Dead Yet (But parts of me are going fast)

"Your Soul's Compass" is a must read for those seeking spiritual fulfillment.

WOW! This is the best spiritually oriented book I have ever read. For the spiritual seeker, its like being led to a banquet overflowing with gems from prominent religious figures, sages, and mystics. You are never told what you should believe (unlike many books of this nature), but instead are invited to partake of what resonates with you. The authors bypass the superficialities of the different faiths and focus instead on the core belief of all religions. The result is an interfaith dialogue that should be read by all religious leaders who claim a monopoly on the truth.

I've been searching for a "larger purpose" and I found this book to be an interesting read. I was excited after the 1st chapter (I consider it a positive when books use the BCE/CE notation) but I wasn't that impressed with the rest of the book.

Personally, the idea of ego attempting to get in the way of spiritual fulfillment doesn't sit well with me. I do agree with the statements of oneness that are discussed through out the book. Again, personally, I don't like the idea of having/needing a (human) Spiritual director. I like to use nature and my own internal compass as a guide. I was also a little put off by the heavy references to the organized religions, especially Judeo-Christian theology; nor did I appreciate a small dig at the "New Age" movement present although I am not a "New Age" practitioner. I feel that acceptance of any spiritual belief system that give a person hope and a sense of purpose (without requiring conversion of others) is a good belief system.

Overall an interesting read that did make me think and put a little more definition to my own spiritual feelings although I didn't not agree with the entirety of the book. I would give it a 3.5 but that's not an option.

Your Soul's Compass is one of those rare books that causes one to think. Unlike some many self-help books that say you can can change your life in so many steps, Joan and Gordon use an informal group of Sages across many traditions as a sounding board. The result is a solid cross cultural understanding of finding ones soul. The Sages, Joan, and Gordon, provide practical time tested ideas for finding spiritual guidance which will result in positive changes in your life. I have read many books on soul work but this is by far the most accessible in terms of language and substance. Still do not skim or try to read this book in one setting. Read and pause between chapters even paragraphs. This book has kept me thinking for a few weeks. As a former pastor I encourage anyone who is seeking to connect to God but uncomfortable with traditional expressions of religion to buy Your Soul's Compass.

Frank

The Soulcoach

Great read for helping to stay connected with your true self. Great insights from many different teachers, sages and mystics. Good to use when out of alignment, just to pick up, open to a random page and read on that topic!! Good stuff

This book came along just at the right time. I had came to a plateau in my growth and this book gave the boost I needed to continue with my spiritual growth and awareness.

Super Book! Joan and Gordon not only did excellent research via the interview method, but did an even more credible job of making it simple enough for even a casual reader to grasp and "run" with. WOW! Thank you guys. Daine

Your Soul's Compass begins by posing a set of vital questions:
- What is spiritual/divine guidance and how do we hear it?
- Are we, and how are we, supposed to follow the guidance of the "still small voice"?
- How do we discern the difference between our soul's compass and our ego's yammering?

Wow - deep stuff! How would you go about answering these questions? Borysenko and Dveirin interviewed 27 of the world's foremost spiritual leaders across spiritual traditions, and collated their answers. From Oriah Mountain Dreamer to Rami Shapiro, from Swami Adiswarananda to Father Thomas Keating, the "sages" present a diverse yet coherent set of spiritual principles. What I wouldn't give to have been a fly on the wall in these interviews! You can almost feel the spiritual brainpower radiating out of the book when you pick it up.

Very rewarding and enlightening material, with Borysenko's evocative writing style and Dveirin's incisive insight. By turns intellectual and practical, but always beautiful, this husband and wife team have created a definitive work on spiritual guidance.

I really enjoyed Your Soul's Compass. It is a study of spirituality, so sometimes it comes off a bit text-book-y. It is also thought-provoking, so the combination of the writing style and information makes it easy for the mind to wander a bit. I found myself re-reading many passages because what I was thinking pulled me off the page. To me, this means that sometimes the passages were a bit drawn out.

I did thoroughly enjoy learning about the deeper level of spirituality that is common to all religions. This book contributes to an idea of "oneness" among all of God's creation, and that is the essence of spirituality. Overall, the message was well said.