Description
About the Author
Belden C. Lane is Professor of Theological Studies, American Religion, and History of Spirituality at Saint Louis University. He is the author of The Solace of Fierce Landscapes: Exploring Desert and Mountain Spirituality and Ravished by Beauty: The Surprising Legacy of Reformed Spirituality.
Reviews
If you are feeling brave, if you are in need of something radically new, if your search for God sometimes feels halfhearted, you should read Belden Lane. If possible, try reading it outside Lane describes, better than anyone, how it is landscape (more than language) that really changes us. * Methodist Recorder, Tim Baker *
This remarkable book is an invitation to take both an inner and an outer journey into intensity and immensity at the same time. * Network Review, David Lorimer *
get out there and find a bit of wilderness for yourself * Northern Echo, Steve Craggs *
Belden C. Lane has written a lovely book that seamlessly brings together two rich genres: travel narrative and spiritual memoir. The notion of a spiritual journey, of course, is central to almost every religious tradition, but the author enlivens that tradition as he shares personal and heartfelt stories about his own peregrinations and muses on topics as varied as solitude, ecology, backpacking, beauty, and prayer; and on people as varied as St. Therese of Lisieux, Dag Hammarskjold, John Muir, and Bruce Springsteen. A thoroughly delightful book. * James Martin, SJ, author of Jesus: A Pilgrimage *
If the earlier centuries of Christianity had been as honest, emotionally descriptive, and spiritually helpful as Belden Lane is here, we would have a very different notion of religion today. Such wisdom as this will literally 'save the soul' of many a spiritual seeker. * Fr. Richard Rohr, O.F.M., Founder, Center for Action and Contemplation, Albuquerque, New Mexico *
The only problem with this remarkable book is that it cannot be read rightly from a comfortable chair. As Lane and the rest of the saints in these pages insist, what the soul most needs is not found in safe places but in wild ones, where the dangers are as real as the courage they call forth. So find a high rock, a far hill, or a patch of desert that scares you a little and let this book persuade you that you are exactly where you need to be. * Barbara Brown Taylor, author of Learning to Walk in the Dark *
The carefully balanced writing about landscape, physical demands, spiritual awakening and literary companionship allows the reader to see, feel, and join in the meditation. * Booklist *
Lane's work blends genres, combining the literature of the outdoors with the formal literature of the spiritual as he reviews the work of the world's prominent religious and spiritual writers and ties their insights to the features and experiences of exploring the natural world. * Publishers Weekly *
Book Information
ISBN 9780199927814
Author Belden C. Lane
Format Hardback
Page Count 288
Imprint Oxford University Press Inc
Publisher Oxford University Press Inc
Weight(grams) 620g
Dimensions(mm) 240mm * 162mm * 24mm