Ordinary mysticism Your life as sacred ground

The sacred can be found in the mundane if one knows how to look, according to this openhearted guide from translator Starr (Wild Mercy). Stressing that organized religion need not be the sole gateway to the divine--and that heavily rule-based notions of religion are in fact often barriers, as they frame God as distant and inaccessible--Starr characterizes mysticism as a way to see "beyond the turmoil, the rights and wrongs... to the radiant heart of things." To that end, she aims to help readers uncover the beauty inherent in being human by taking such actions as "surrendering" to life's unknowns, living more mindfully, and spending time with "soul friends" who "soothe old wounds and renew your faith in this perilous world." Readers may not relate to all of Starr's examples, including how she viewed a troubling medical diagnosis "as an invitation" to reevaluate her career. Nonetheless, she effectively balances spiritual conviction with a gentle, playful tone to encourage readers to approach the everyday with awe. The results are sure to inspire the spiritually curious. (Sept.)