Sunday, July 29, 2012

Review # 202: Spirit, Time, and the Future - An Inclusive Transpersonal and Theological Inquiry Into The Spirit for Our Times by Rev. Peter E. Lanzillotta PhD

Description: (from GoodReads)
     In this book, Peter explores how an inclusive and expansive awareness of the Spirit is central to the development of changing and emerging world views. In these pages, you will find a deeper understanding of spirituality, both in its roots and its wings, becomes necessary for ecological and human survival. In the face of all the dire and disturbing 2012 predictions, Peter provides us with a grounding for our hope, and for openhearted religious vision of future possibilities. Peter convincingly conveys his message by drawing from multiple sources. From traditional and dissenting theology; from linguistic studies, ethics, and Biblical aspects of feminism to including world religions, mysticism, and Jungian psychology. Each pathway has provided Peter with insights that make his investigation into these timeless metaphysical teachings on the Spirit readable and inspiring.

Review:

     I was unsure of what to make of Spirit, Time, and the Future when I first found it in my mailbox. I had recently received several books about 'the end of the world' and the Mayan 2012 predictions, so I was in no hurry to jump into the mind of another religious conspiracy nut, however, that wasn't what the book turned out to be at all. Peter E. Lanzillotta is a reverend and a PhD who has always been fascinated with transpersonal, metaphysical, and spiritual experiences, and his ideas about our spiritual/religious pasts and eventual future sparked my interest. I have never thought of the Holy Spirit as a 'she', or as a sort of vitality/ energy source, but after reading the first couple of chapters I realized that the Spirit is a sustaining presence, bringing us a sense of safety, belonging, and the power to create! Peter's ideas on the subject are quite eye-opening, and the chapters describing theological viewpoints and the complexity of time really resonated with me. I also believe that churches/religious organizations have forgotten some of the most basic cultural teachings and traditions. Congregations today are much different than they were in the past; people come to sit, sing, listen to The Word, be among friends, and, hopefully, find some peace, but where is the pulse of the Holy Spirit? Where is the inspiration and the transformation that once came from belief in [her] and in God's Word? I enjoyed asking myself these questions and relating them to my own religious practices, especially since religious viewpoints are always changing. Are we in The Age of the Spirit? I cannot be sure, but Lanzillotta's insights are intriguing. I enjoyed the format of the book, although there were some grammatical/run-on errors, however, there were a couple sections that I had to reread because they were very wordy. I recommend this to anyone interested in The Spirit or the religious traditions of yesteryear.

Rating: Bounty's Out (3/5)

*** I received this book from the author (Bostick Communications) in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.


About the Author:

     Doctor Peter Lanzillotta has been a lifelong student of transpersonal thought ever since his early introduction to unbidden spiritual experiences. His curiosity, his academic and experiential conclusions form much of the background of this book. After many years in ministry, Peter now works as an interfaith spiritual director and as a transpersonal counselor. He is actively expanding his spiritual understanding by applying his insights to new areas such as holistic health, weddings and rites of passage, hospice care, etc.. He will continue to offer his ideas by writing books, through teaching, and by giving workshops.

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