Between the Dark and the Daylight: Embracing the Contradictions of Life

Perfect condition

I've read many of Joan Chittister's books and all of them have been good in their particular ways. This one on embracing the contradictions of Life that are so common to all of us is enlightening and refreshing. I'll keep it handy to read again when I need to.

Chittister has once again offered a beautiful book packed with insights for navigating what we perceive as the darker moments of life. Whether you're experiencing increased anxiety or a "dark night of the soul," Chittister's book is sure to help your rekindle the flame that reminds you of the closeness of God in our moments of greatest despair.In one of her most powerful statements throughout this tiny book packed with TONS of spirit, Chittister writes:"There is no light here, we think. But we think wrong. There is a light in us that only darkness itself can illuminate. It is the glowing calm that comes over us when we finally surrender to the ultimate truth of creation: that there is a God and we are not it. Whatever we had assumed to be an immutable dimension of the human enterprise is not. In fact, it is gone and there is nothing we do to bring it back. Then the clarity of it all is startling. Life is not about us; we about the project of finding Life. At that moment, the spiritual vision illuminates the rest of life. And it is that light that shines in the darkness."

This is the first book by Joan Chittister I read and because of the down to earth style of writing I have since purchased nearly every book she has written. I have found that this style of writing holds up in all of her writings, and there is no book of hers I would not recommend, of course, this being one of them. Joan Chittister has a talent for touching the soul of every day people from all walks of life. Her writings are down to earth, easy to take to hear and learn from. She is not only an excellent storyteller, great teacher, but a spiritual leader. The world needs more people like her. This book is no exception to that talented writing. The book touches on all those nagging little paradoxes that we face late at night when the world has slowed and quieted enough that our minds take over searching for answers.

It was a spiritually rewarding read relating to finding my spiritual life purpose, spiritual direction, etc. This book gave me insight as to how I view myself and others in reference to my spiritual life, my spiritual direction and the paths we all choose on our life journey. It was an informative and detailed read, rich in spiritual contrast and comparisons along with philosophical quotes, as they related to my daily life. I found the book to enhance my search for a deeper spiritual meaning. It might be considered a tough read for some but once I started I found so many familiar phrases and quotes throughout the book that is very useful for my life journey. I believe if you read this book you will find a chapter or multiple chapters where you will gain more valuable insight and understanding for your spiritual life journey than you had before you read the book.

The book is a beautiful description of and guide to recognizing God in all circumstances and places in life. Chittister doesn't pull any punches: the book confronts spiritual blindness, arrogance, and fear head on, with compassion and truth. We are reminded herein that God is found within our lives and in the most mundane of circumstances, as well as where we don't expect to find God. I highly recommend this book, especially for contemplatives.

NO!!!!

I cannot understand why people who write so well do not thoroughly document the quotations they use from other people. This seems to be a moral responsibility of writers, but one that is overlooked by Ms. Chittister as well as so many other "spiritual writers. I am quite disappointed on this fact, mainly because I cannot in good faith recommend to anyone of my friends such a book that disrespects the curiosity of readers who may want to know such sources. I question whether the author read the sources or found the quotes from who knows where (internet? spirit? friend who gathers quotes?). Please give me spiritual writers who value and claim and encourage the reading of sources they have used for the formation of their own thinking.

Good book

One of my new favourite books!

Great read!

Easy to read, thought provoking, typical of Joan C.

6 out of 6 stars; an excellent, relevant read.