Product Description

The New Story about the Oldest Story in the World...

Uniting Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, this book teaches how early mystics--including Jesus--may have meditated in the three great religions springing from the Middle East. World-renowned religion scholar Neil Douglas-Klotz finds that all three faiths, in spite of differences, share an emphasis on the story of creation and sacred beginnings. Over the centuries, he points out, Westerners have progressively lost this sense, instead emphasizing apocalyptic endings. Now Dr. Douglas-Klotz seeks to reclaim the life-affirming energy of "beginning time," so that we can experience its creative power for ourselves--and perhaps for our world.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #346889 in Books
• Published on: 2003-10-25
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 272 pages

Review
After reading this very welcome resource, you will want to join Douglas-Klotz in exclaiming: "Genesis Now!" -- SPIRITUALITY & HEALTH

At a time when superficial religious beliefs separate us, Neil Douglas-Klotz's in-depth work into these same religions brings us together. -- William Elliott, author of A PLACE AT THE TABLE and TYING ROCKS TO CLOUDS

Deeply moving and radiant with hope, this book is a living prayer that can contribute to personal and interreligious transformation. -- Mary Ford-Grabowsky, author of SACRED VOICES and WOMAN PRAYERS

Neil Douglas-Klotz is a rare jewel; a brilliant scholar with the power to reconnect us with our sacred source. -- Joan Borysenko, Ph.D., author of SEVEN PATHS TO GOD and INNER PEACE FOR BUSY WOMEN

This book makes us ready and able to join body, heart, mind, and spirit into the healing wholeness of Creation. -- Rabbi Arthur Waskow, author of GODWRESTLING-ROUND 2

From the Inside Flap
From the fertile common ground in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, Neil Douglas-Klotz has revived what he calls "original meditation." This ancient form of prayer focuses, not on a vision of the apocalypse, but on the tremendous power of creation as it is still unfolding in the universe and in our own personal experience. As Dr. Douglas-Klotz says in his introduction:

"Original meditation lies behind the Christians’ awe at the rebirth of the Christ Child each midwinter. It fuels the heartfelt hope of Jews in the New Year celebration of Rosh Hashana. And it roots the devotion of Muslims each year during the fast of Ramadan. These are all celebrations of hope, not fear, and of love, not hatred. By experiencing the creation story as our own personal story, we have the same opportunity to recreate and renew ourselves, as our ancestors did, and to find a deeper connection with the divine in our everyday lives."

We also participate in the one meditative practice that might unite our Christian, Judaic, and Islamic communities in a troubled world.

About the Author
Neil Douglas-Klotz, Ph.D., internationally known scholar of religious studies and psychology, is author of PRAYERS OF THE COSMOS, DESERT WISDOM, and THE HIDDEN GOSPEL. A former departmental head of comparative spirituality at Holy Names College in California, he now lectures worldwide. He is cochair of the Mysticism Group of the American Academy of Religion and currently lives in Edinburgh, Scotland, where he codirects the Institute for Advanced Learning. He founded the International Network for Dances of Universal Peace in 1982 and is senior teacher of the Sufi Ruhaniat International through which he has let spiritually rooted peace-seeking journeys to Russia, Eastern Europe, Syria, Jordan, and Israel.

Customer Reviews

Genesis Meditations: A Shared Practice of Peace for Christians, Jews, and Muslims by Neil Douglas Klotz
This is an awesome book. It is well-written, easy to read and helps to understand how the Bible and other sacred scripture came to be. This book is scholarly and based on much research. I highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in what Jesus and the Hebrew scriptures REALLY have to say.