Spiritual Literacy: Reading The Sacred In Everyday Life

Spiritual Literacy answers the universal question, "How can I live a spiritual life every day?" Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, who have been covering contemporary culture and the spiritual renaissance for more than twenty-five years, believe that we can read the texts of our lives and of the world around us for sacred meaning. All we need is spiritual literacy.

To illustrate their point, the Brussats present more than 650 "readings" about daily life from present-day authors - spiritual teachers, essayists, novelists, filmmakers, poets, naturalists, and social activists. This collection is an inspiring treasury of brief, "aha!" passages from writers such as Maya Angelou, Wendell Berry, Ram Dass, Annie Dillard, Clarissa Pinkola Estes, Robert Fulghum, Eduardo Galeano, Thich Nhat Hanh, Barbara Kingsolver, Jonathan Kozol, Kathleen Norris, Henri J. M. Nouwen, Anne Tyler, and many more. The Brussats add demonstrations of spiritual literacy based on their personal experiences and interpretations of contemporary movies, songs, and television dramas.

These readings teach us to linger with our experiences and see the world with fresh eyes. They offer spiritual perspectives on nature, animals, leisure, work, relationships, and community.

Spiritual literacy does not require mastery of religious texts or enlightenment. It is accessible to everyone. At the end of each chapter, the Brussats invite readers to practice spiritual literacy through journal exercises, household projects, and rituals.