Hi, everybody. This is just to follow up on the point raised in the online chat session a bit ago, and form a thread that allows us all to share some thoughts on favorite writers (and writings). I'll go ahead and throw out my own thoughts to get things going, and am eager to see/hear/know all about the writers you guys rely on to elevate your minds!!

We talked a bit online about "primary sources" -- so sacred texts of any religion (the Bible, Quran, Torah, Bhagavad Gita, etc.) would fall into this, as would the writings of saints and others where they fit into one's spiritual faith.

The original works of inspirational writers also figure into the boot camp practice. My favorite, above all, is C.S. Lewis. Others have mentioned Henri Nouwen, Hafiz, Rumi, Khalil Gibran, Walt Whitman.

I'd love to hear people's recommendations on specific books or other authors that you enjoy. I've read almost everything of Lewis's that I could get my hands on but this week have started a "daily readings" collection from him called "The Business of Heaven." (Today's selection, for those who may be curious, was a reflection on belief in "good works" as opposed to merely "good work". He apparently took a rather dim view of where the British church was headed in this area).

Having just discovered that my "sacred act" check box for the day remains unchecked, I am hopeful this moment that one's "good work," (if that means rendering professional services to an employer as a service of love and pride in the work itself) also qualifies as "good works". But that's a discussion for another thread.

Comments, deletions, additions, ruminations on inspirational writers?

MJ you are speedy! Thanks for this info. I look forward to talking with you more.
There is a collection of poetry by saints of the East and West called "Love Poems to God" by Daniel Ladinsky that really speaks to me. Hafiz and Rumi are in there as well as other Eastern mystics like Mira and also from the West: Thomas Aquinas, Theresa of Avila, Catherine of Sienna. I think there's 12 mystic voices in all. I highly recommend it.

Have a good night.

ps- I had trouble signing into the chat under this name tonight so I was Strider ;-)
Take care all~

Hi Everyone!

I love to read Rumi, as many of you already know. He is a poet that has been read by Christians, Jews, Muslims, et.al. for centuries. He was considered a saint by the Sufis - a form of Islam that is dedicated to loving God above all else.

Rumi always moves my heart and helps me fall in love with God. He was a true lover of God and he has written with such power and depth that this love becomes real in the heart of the reader.

I hope you all give Rumi a chance during the next 10 weeks.

By the way, in my opinion the best translations of Rumi are by COLEMAN BARKS. Be sure to look at the cover to see who did the translation. Barks is far and away the best.

Here is a sample of poems by Rumi, all translated by Coleman Barks. Enjoy!

“Christian, Jew, Muslim, shaman, Zoroastrian, stone, ground, mountain, river, each has a secret way of being with the Mystery, unique and not to be judged.”

“There is no getting ready other than grace…Weep and then smile. Don’t pretend to know something you haven’t experienced. There is a necessary dying and then Jesus is breathing again. Very little grows on jagged rock. Be ground. Be crumbled, so wildflowers will come up where you are. You’ve been stony for too many years. Try something different. Surrender.”

“The soul within our individual souls loves the one who runs and falls down more than the one who sits and watches. The soul within soul lives in a lover.”

“Don’t be humble with fools and don’t take pride into the presence of a master.”

“Prayer is an egg. Hatch out the total helplessness inside.”

“We are here to be a forgiveness door through which freedom comes. I weep when I ask that the door not be shut.”

“Come. Whoever you are. Wanderer, worshipper, lover of leaving. Come. This is not a caravan of despair. It doesn’t matter if you have broken your vow a thousand times, still come and yet again come.”


If God said,
"Rumi, pay homage to everything
That has helped you
Enter my arms,"
There would not be one experience of my life,
Not one thought, not one feeling,
Not any act, I
Would not
Bow to

Hi All,

I just finished reading the newest book about Mother Teresa. It's called "Mother Teresa - Come Be My Light." I wanted to share this experience with as many people as I could and the first group I thought of was this group of my friends from SBC1 & 2. I miss you all very much and hope to hear from you all soon.

The experiences which Mother Teresa went through took my breath away. At times I experienced God with her and found myself full of his wondrous love. And at other times I could feel the aridity she experienced - the feeling of abandonment which permeated her life. And yet through it all, until the day of her death, she never stopped believing and doing what God called her to do. She said that after her "calling" had come to fruition and she founded the Missionaries of Charity, she felt that God had left her. She said that she could no longer feel the love of God nor could she experience the love around her. But, she never stopped - she never stopped living as though she felt and had it all.

I share this with you because I have been there and I remember that many of you have been there and shared it with us in this group. There is hope, there is light, there is love and it is proven by this little lady who loved so much. My life is changed, I hope that yours can be changed as well. Oh, dear God to just have half the love that Mother Teresa had for you and my life will be complete.

God bless you all!
Dolores