Writing In The Sand: Jesus, Spirituality, and the Soul of the Gospels (Paperback)
A “groundbreaking reinterpretation of the Gospels” that “shines a new light on the profound teachings of Jesus,” recasting him as a spiritual visionary with a radical vision for humanity (Deepak Chopra)
This highly original take on the Gospels offers a fresh, new way of imagining human life and society. It presents Jesus not as the founder of a religion but as a world reformer offering a spiritual path to everyone, from every background. It offers a personal spirituality fit for the twenty-first century, where the individual bears responsibility for meaning and for a creative, convivial way of life.
In his examination of the original Greek texts, author Thomas Moore dismisses the cautionary voice of tradition and explores the deeper significance of language, stressing the origins of words and the many levels of meaning in stories and imagery. Through his study, Moore shows that the teachings of Jesus are challenging in a far different way than the moralism often associated with them. Based on being open to life, deepening your understanding, and giving up all defensiveness around your convictions, the Gospels can be the source of a new kind of certainty and stability that cannot be codified and enshrined in a list of rules. Writing in the Sand presents the essence of Jesus’ teachings and offers a way of understanding them intelligently and devotedly in the twenty-first century.
This highly original take on the Gospels offers a fresh, new way of imagining human life and society. It presents Jesus not as the founder of a religion but as a world reformer offering a spiritual path to everyone, from every background. It offers a personal spirituality fit for the twenty-first century, where the individual bears responsibility for meaning and for a creative, convivial way of life.
In his examination of the original Greek texts, author Thomas Moore dismisses the cautionary voice of tradition and explores the deeper significance of language, stressing the origins of words and the many levels of meaning in stories and imagery. Through his study, Moore shows that the teachings of Jesus are challenging in a far different way than the moralism often associated with them. Based on being open to life, deepening your understanding, and giving up all defensiveness around your convictions, the Gospels can be the source of a new kind of certainty and stability that cannot be codified and enshrined in a list of rules. Writing in the Sand presents the essence of Jesus’ teachings and offers a way of understanding them intelligently and devotedly in the twenty-first century.
Thomas Moore is the author of Care of the Soul, which spent forty-six weeks on the New York Times bestseller list, and fifteen other books on deepening spirituality and cultivating the soul in every aspect of life. He has been a monk, a musician, a university professor, and a psychotherapist, and today he lectures widely on holistic medicine, spirituality, psychotherapy, and ecology. He also writes fiction and music and often works with his wife, artist and yoga instructor Joan Hanley. He writes regular columns for Resurgence, Spirituality & Health, and Beliefnet.com. He has two children and lives in New England.
“Thomas Moore’s groundbreaking reinterpretation of the Gospels shines a new light on the profound teachings of Jesus. Through his study of some of the most pertinent passages in the Bible, Moore offers readers a long-awaited, modern, practical application of the scripture, and illustrates the 21st-century relevance of Jesus’ visionary philosophy.”
— Deepak Chopra, author of The Third Jesus: The Christ We Cannot Ignore and Jesus: A Story of Enlightenment
“Thomas Moore sets out to reveal the secret of who the real Jesus was. In doing so, he resurrects the deep Joy of the Gospels and brings their true meaning to life. Hallelujah!”
— Robert Holden, Ph.D., author of Be Happy and Happiness NOW!
“Thomas Moore provides a fresh description of Jesus that is both compelling and provocative. By focusing on his humanity, Moore introduces us to a Jesus who radically challenges our understanding of how to live in meaningful community. At a time when we face unprecedented economic, political, and environmental problems, this may be Moore’s most important book. It is not for the faint of heart. If he is right, we must drastically change how we think and act.”
— James D. Guy, Jr., Ph.D., clinical psychologist and president & founder, Headington Institute
“In this powerful book, Thomas Moore uses his transformative soul to unravel for us, people of all faiths, Jesus’ wisdom and intellect. This is a fascinating book —an awesome resurrection of the spirit. If you were to read one book in the field of spirituality, read Writing in the Sand. You’ll be truly enlightened.”
— T. Byram Karasu, M.D., author of The Spirit of Happiness
— Deepak Chopra, author of The Third Jesus: The Christ We Cannot Ignore and Jesus: A Story of Enlightenment
“Thomas Moore sets out to reveal the secret of who the real Jesus was. In doing so, he resurrects the deep Joy of the Gospels and brings their true meaning to life. Hallelujah!”
— Robert Holden, Ph.D., author of Be Happy and Happiness NOW!
“Thomas Moore provides a fresh description of Jesus that is both compelling and provocative. By focusing on his humanity, Moore introduces us to a Jesus who radically challenges our understanding of how to live in meaningful community. At a time when we face unprecedented economic, political, and environmental problems, this may be Moore’s most important book. It is not for the faint of heart. If he is right, we must drastically change how we think and act.”
— James D. Guy, Jr., Ph.D., clinical psychologist and president & founder, Headington Institute
“In this powerful book, Thomas Moore uses his transformative soul to unravel for us, people of all faiths, Jesus’ wisdom and intellect. This is a fascinating book —an awesome resurrection of the spirit. If you were to read one book in the field of spirituality, read Writing in the Sand. You’ll be truly enlightened.”
— T. Byram Karasu, M.D., author of The Spirit of Happiness