Spiritual Genius: 10 Masters and the Quest for Meaning

by Winifred Gallagher

Book Overview

In Spiritual Genius, journalist Winifred Gallagher, the acclaimed author of Working on God, asks Rabbi Lawrence Kushner to define holiness. "Standing in the presence of God," he says. "Everyone has it, but some people seem to have more of a knack for accessing it." Like holiness, the gift that Gallagher calls "spiritual genius"--which she defines as "the uniquely human ability to search for and find life's meaning, then express it in...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0812967186
• ISBN13: 9780812967180
• Release Date: December 2002
• Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 1.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.2" x 7.9"

Customer Reviews

Spiritual Genius : The Mastery of Life's Meaning

In Spiritual Genius: The Mastery of Life's Meaning, Winifred Gallagher defines spiritual genius as the "ability to seek life's meaning" and states that "all of us use spiritual genius some of the time, but some of us use it all of the time." She explores this "human gift" through the lives of a handful of exceptional and inspiring people within the world's five major spiritual traditions. After meeting a monk who reminded her of "things we somehow just know but sometimes forget," Gallagher decided to search for living examples of spiritual genius. The resulting book profiles ten personalities in very different situations, making a wonderful tapestry of the range of genius. I was immediately drawn into the book, feeling as if I were traveling with Gallagher around the world, getting glimpses of the lives and commitments of her subjects. Many people have fantasies about spiritual life, which usually centre on a concept of spirituality as blissful: no effort, no troubles. In Spiritual Genius, we see the amount of dedication, hard work and resolve needed to create change in this world. Each chapter in the book conveys something of the wisdom of the major traditions in very personal ways. The interviewees are forthcoming about their practices and insights: Brother James tithes ten percent of his day to personal religious life, saying, "Prayer refreshes me and gives me the grace to step into the dark." Rabbi Lawrence Kushner tells Gallagher, "We don't try to have a relationship with God! We try to become aware of our presence within the Divine!" Ani Tenzin Palmo compares spiritual practice to a rocket lifting off: "You need enormous amounts of fuel to get beyond the Earth's gravitational pull...In the same way, if you want to get to the unconditioned mind, you need everything you've got, including so-called spiritual obstacles, such as the body's senses and negative emotional states." There are many gems to discover in the book, from a Hindu doctor, a Muslim scholar, a Talmudist, a guru, a Christian social reformer and more. Gallagher meets each person on her journey with respect and receptivity. Whether she is visiting a children's orphanage, a woman's contemplative conference, a classroom, a synagogue or a hospital, the stories tell about real situations that exemplify what it means to be human. Spiritual Genius offers inspiration and insight on how to face the common enemy of all faiths: "the daily grind of soul-less materialism." These spiritual leaders can affect us by focusing "our attention on a reality that's more than meets the eye. Teaching us by words or example how to find and define our special roles in the great sacred scheme of things. Inspiring us by demonstrating the ultimate expression of our human potential."

Awesome Book & Awesome Price!!!

I originally purchased this book because it sounded like it might be interesting, and the price was just too low to pass it up. After having read it, I am amazed that it's considered a "bargain book", as it has so much to offer, and is quite beautifully written - not what I would expect from the "bargain" section... To prepare for the writing of this book, the author traveled all over the world to meet & speak with vaious people who she considered to be "spiritual geniuses". Each chapter is dedicated to a specific person, and outlines the meetings they had, what that person has done/is doing, what their beliefs are, and how their beliefs have changed over the years. Although each of these people hold different religious/spiritual backgrounds, there are several things they all have in common. First, they don't let their beliefs stop them from helping people who hold very different beliefs - they are willing to help EVERYONE. Second, they are all open to considering new thoughts & ideas. And last, they all tend to look for the best in other's - instead of looking for what's wrong, they look for what is right in everyone they meet. Overall, I found this to be a very insightful, enjoyable book, and I highly recommend it.

Shining

Ms. Gallagher's new book captures the present lives, histories and specialness of people she regards as spiritual geniuses. These are men and women, who, in very different ways, have found the meaning of life and have dedicated themselves to service of others. The brillance of these biographies is such that as you read you are conducting the interviews and receiving the wisdom - radiant beauty- these people all manifest. With superb attention to detail, you make several journeys around the world with Ms. Gallagher, and bring away with you a treasure of hope - that there are truly good people in this world. And every time Ms. Gallegher receives a blessing, the blessing is for you as well. Each "character" is truly unique and infinitely worth knowing.

Spiritual Genius is Genius

"Spiritual Genius" is Winifred Gallagher's insightful look at 10 people that are truly touched, or should I say in touch, with the highest, holiest power. Just by reading about these figures one feels more spiritually alert themselves. A great bonus was that I ended up learning a hearty amount of history and of the beliefs that make up today's most popular faiths, merely one of many benefits from Gallagher's interpretation of each "spiritual geniuses" path. I strongly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in spirituality, becoming a better person or wants to read a book about modern day religious figures that is also page turner.