The Priest who left his religion: In search of Cosmic Spirituality.
This is an excellent book. Christ said, “The truth will make you free,” and it was the authors love and respect for the truth that carried him thru very disturbing times in his life.
A crisis of faith is a very difficult experience for anyone, and particularly for those who enter the ministry. When truth, the facts whatever they are, take precedence over belief, awakening must eventually take place. The process itself is not an easy one, however, it is not free of suffering.
To devote one’s life to serving others, to spend years in preparation and training, to experience the deep satisfaction and joy that comes with true service is immensely fulfilling. It is the path of the Karma Yogi.
And then, suddenly, without warning it comes to and end. All the anchors are gone, belief is of no help, whatsoever and there is no alternative but to move into the unknown with nothing.
I felt uplifted by this book, deeply moved and very very thankful for having had the opportunity to read it. I think it struck me so deeply because it mirrored in so many ways my own experience during the same time period John describes.
I wondered going into the book how a priest could end up as one of the major leaders of the union movement in Canada. That journey is what the book is about and it is inspiring.
This is a book I would recommend highly for spiritual seekers. It is a book for those growing up in the Christian cultural context of the West, who find they can no longer subject their intellect to the nonsense still espoused in so many churches today.
For me it was a delight to discover there are thinkers in the West who have come to the same understanding found in the wisdom of Taoism, Zen and Advaita Vedanta—Jnanna Yoga, it’s called.
Thank you John Shields for sharing the journey you took with truth as your only guide. Much appreciated, indeed! I look forward to meeting you. Inshallah!
Colin Mallard.
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