Respond to post to win a copy of Moore's book

Author Katrina Kenison offers a chance to win a copy of Thomas Moore's A Religion of One's Own and a paperback copy of her own book A Magical Journal by responding to her blog post "A Religion of One"s Own", 30 January 2014. Kenison praises Moore's earlier book The Re-Enchantment of Everyday Life while describing how it affected her approaches to parenting. In her response to reading  Moore's new book, Kenison writes:

"Reading A Religion of One’s Own over the last week or so, I’ve been moved and inspired, as always, by my friend’s deep compassion for our ordinary, everyday struggles to live well, to love well, to care for our planet and ourselves and one another. A Religion of One’s Own is very much both an expansion and a refinement of the ideas that first inspired me to craft a more contemplative, intimate, soulful life as a young mother. Reading it, I found myself underlining and scribbling notes in the margin of every page – there is so much to think about here, so much to take in and use and share.

No matter what your faith or religious affiliation, A Religion of One’s Own is an invitation to go both deeper and wider in your learning and in your faith, a call to keep thinking, seeking, wondering, and celebrating. I think of this book as a handbook for the spirit. A reminder that life is both more joyful, and more meaningful, when we allow ourselves time and space to wake up to its magnificence and mystery. And in that way, this new book, too, is about re-enchantment. For a true, useful religion is grounded in the details of our ordinary lives – and, at the same time, it invites us, again and again, to transcend them. The holy and the ordinary work together. The result, always, is grace."

Respond to Kenison's invitation by midnight 7 February 2014.

The Lay Catholic reviews A Religion of One's Own

The Lay Catholic publishes Nancy L. Roberts' review "Two books offer good options for personal spiritual growth in 2014" in which she considers Thomas Moore's A Religion of One's Own and Perennial Wisdom for the Spiritually Independent, a compendium organized and annotated by Rami Shapiro. Roberts writes, "If your New Year’s resolution is to grow spiritually, this pair of books will help you get off to a good start." She states:

"Moore’s catholicity and depth shine on every page, as he draws from disparate sources that include Emily Dickinson, Carl Jung and Trappist Father Thomas Merton — as well as Socrates, Buddha and St. Hildegard of Bingen.

However, this is no pastiche but an original and insightful exploration of what gives our lives meaning. Moore’s tone is learned yet conversational; reading his book is like sitting down with a trusted spiritual adviser who gently guides you to a place of special vision.

In this land, Moore helps us see clearly many things, among them: that we are free to learn from the world’s different religious traditions and practice; that the everyday secular world is often full of the sacred, if we only open our eyes; that we must regularly have mystical experiences (think art and nature) to be fully human; and that we should make use of the arts as a means to spiritual insights." 

Roberts, author of Dorothy Day and the Catholic Worker, directs the journalism program at the University at Albany, State University of New York.

Reader follows differences between spirit and soul

Pamela Morse posts her review of Thomas Moore's A Religion of One's Own: A Guide to Creating a Personal Spirituality in a Secular World that she read on her Kindle Paperwhite. Morse states:

"The mystical and mysterious is essential to our fulfillment and happiness. Without soul, spirit, and practices that maintain the health and vigor of both in our lives we can become dead to the pleasure of being alive. Churches and formal religion have lost the leadership role they once maintained without question. Now it is important not to discard the sacred and the meaningful, but to make a unique personal system that is true to our own natures. Dogma and deterioration from institutions can be replaced by practices that feed our souls and our spirits, and nurture harmony in our communities."

She concludes, "Thomas Moore has once again created a meaningful and significant lesson we can all easily grasp. The book is short, compelling, and will leave you in a new frame of mind. It is worth reading, and even more worth practicing."

Morse's earlier post "Juno" is based on Moore's new book.

Reviewer sees own journey in Moore's new book

Patricia Della-Piana posts her review of Thomas Moore's new book, A Religion of One's Own: A Guide to Creating a Personal Spirituality in a Secular World that launches today. She shares:

"There were moments here and there, when I had to slow down my reading, in order to digest the concepts he proffered, and there were other moments when I nearly hollered aloud, “That’s right!”. There were still other moments when I realized tears were welling and my breathing was measured, as I saw my own journey reflected in Dr. Moore’s words. I found answers to perplexities that have confused me for years. I found issues I had put on hold and neglected to take up again." 

Della-Piana also offers "Readers: How You Can Help Your Favorite Authors" based on an article by Penny C. Sansevieri. These ideas may help to promote Moore's book in your local area.