Your Soul's Compass

Why are we here? Are we fulfilling life's purpose? What is evolutionary intelligence trying to express through us? In this time of global change and uncertainty, of spiritual indirection, people are asking these age-old questions with renewed curiosity. There's a thirst for meaning and purpose - a dawning realization that happiness isnt a commodity that can be bought with a gold card. Fulfillment and joy arise naturally from the capacity to be present to life as it's unfolding and to listen for - and discern - the best possibilities in any situation, which inform enlightened, compassionate action. This is the hope that spiritual guidance provides for us and for our world.

Joan Borysenko and Gordon Dveirin consulted 27 Sages from diverse wisdom traditions to explore the nature of spiritual guidance. Christian, Jewish, Sufi, Hindu, Buddhist, Quaker, shamanic, and secular viewpoints provided a rich tapestry of insights. Several themes emerged: First, that there's no map, no definitive "10 steps" for the journey of becoming fully human - what Joan and Gordom call Homo sapiens caritas (a person of wisdom and compassion). But there are guiding principles that can help us recognize whether or not we're on the right track. The capacities for stillness, curiosity, and comfort with uncertainty cultivate receptivity, rather than reinforcing secular or religious fundamentalisms that promote rigid, in-the-box thinking. The resulting stance of openness allows a deeper reality - containing more possibilities - to emerge. The charge is then to discern whether the emergent possibilities serve the fears and desires of ego or institutions, or whether they're more likely to be expressions of Spirit - or wisdom - at work.

Joan and Gordon's hope is that this book will help you move beyond limited ways of knowing, and open up the vast evolutionary intelligence needed to make the leap toward fuller self-realization in your own life and in the world.