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| July, 2006 | ||
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Author Kent Nerburn holds a Ph.D. in religion and in art. He is highly acclaimed for his award-winning book, Neither Wolf nor Dog. In his current book, the subtitle, Clear & Gentle Guidance on the Big Issues in Life, sums up Nerburn’s intention. Nerburn uses each of the sixteen chapters to take us through a different facet of living. We are given the essence of his truths about life and how they may affect us in our own daily experiences; he has diligently made each chapter a testament to his simple truths as he knows them. The chapter titled “On the Elders” is one that I am sure I will refer to many times for guidance and as a reality-check. I feel confident that anyone who reads this book will find something meaningful in the contents of these truths. This book was so relaxing and thought-provoking that I could not wait for the next revelation of truth as it is presented by Nerburn. On the subject of education and learning he writes, “Knowledge is multiple, wisdom is singular. Knowledge is words, wisdom is silent. Knowledge is standing outside, understanding what is seen; wisdom is standing at the center, knowing what is not seen. No person can be whole without both dimensions of learning.” I am tempted to quote every line of this book, but that would defeat the joy that you will gain from reading it yourself. At one hundred seven pages, Simple Truths is a short, easy read. Also, there is a single, beautiful leaf displayed on each page which creates a subliminal sense of serenity. Nerburn’s truths are simple, captivating, and inspiring. —Mary Porter | |
In about thirty pages, Shelley Rotner and Sheila M. Kelly build thirty bridges between six of the major religions of the world. In their introduction, the authors state their intention, “This book is a modest attempt to help young children become aware of the diversity in spiritual traditions and of similarities between their families and those whose faith-based traditions and practices differ from their own.” This beautiful book certainly succeeds. Many Ways gives children of all faiths a glimpse into the commonalities and differences among their own religion and those of their playmates and classmates. The common threads of prayer, places of worship, stories and sayings of great teachers, sacred scriptures, unique symbols, special music, and religious holidays with special foods are interwoven through the use of beautiful pictures depicting children practicing each faith with their families. The pictures are captioned and more information about them is given in a section at the back of the book. This additional information gives parents more details they can use to explain to their child what activity is taking place in the photographs. There is also a list of further reading that provides additional sources to learn more about the faiths represented. This is a wonderful book for parents to use to introduce children to a nonjudgmental and respectful approach to learning about other religions as well as their own. It assists in teaching children, in simple, easy-to-understand words, about the activities children engage in at play and going to school. They learn that families of other faiths celebrate in their own way the important times of life and rites of passage that we all mark, such as coming of age, weddings, and births, just as their family does. The book teaches that the beauty of the earth is enjoyed and celebrated by all people of all faiths. Most important, it reveals that all of the great teachers of all the religions have taught the same lesson: Love and care for one another. —Patricia Gentry | ||
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