How the Light Gets In
Writing as a Spiritual Practice
Published on 25. April 2013
Book
Hardback
320 pages
978-0-19-993396-9 (ISBN)
Description
Many writing instructors teach writing through autobiography. By considering the lives of others and then contemplating their own lives, aspiring writers discover a wellspring of material that can be used in their prose. While not explicitly for courses, this book follows a similar pedagogical line, focusing specifically on the philosophical and spiritual questions that every person faces in the course of meeting life's challenges. How the Light Gets In encourages readers to contemplate their lives through spiritual observation and exploratory writing. It guides readers through the process in 17 concise thematic chapters that include meditations on fear, freedom, silence, secrets, joy, prayer, tradition, forgiveness, service, social justice, aging, and death. Short poems by Schneider begin each chapter.
Schneider's book is distinct from the many other books in the popular spirituality and creative writing genre by virtue of its approach, using one's lived experience, including the experience of writing, as a springboard for writing about beliefs and faith. As her many followers would attest, Schneider writes with particular clarity and immediacy about the writing process. Her belief that writing about one's life leads to greater consciousness, satisfaction, and wisdom energizes the book and carries the reader gracefully difficult topics.
Schneider's book is distinct from the many other books in the popular spirituality and creative writing genre by virtue of its approach, using one's lived experience, including the experience of writing, as a springboard for writing about beliefs and faith. As her many followers would attest, Schneider writes with particular clarity and immediacy about the writing process. Her belief that writing about one's life leads to greater consciousness, satisfaction, and wisdom energizes the book and carries the reader gracefully difficult topics.
Reviews / Votes
"How the Light Gets In is among the most inspiring personal stories I have ever read. Not only is this book beautifully written, but I felt the authenticity of the author's poignant spiritual journey in every word. Take time to read this book." --Caroline Myss, author of Sacred Contracts: Awakening Your Divine Potential"Pat Schneider is one of America's premier writing instructors. Her genius lies as much in her tenacity as in her talent, and in a wild incredible belief that there is a force in the universe, a 'light' if you will, that we--'cracked' though we may be--can emit if we work hard enough. How the Light Gets In effortlessly shows us how to do that often difficult work. If there is one book on writing or writers you can read this year, I emphatically
recommend this one." --Sapphire, author of Push and The Kid
"How the Light Gets In is a moving blend of memoir and reflections on creative writing through the lens of spiritual practice that leaves the reader comforted and challenged. This is an instructive, marvelous read." --Emilie M. Townes, Andrew W. Mellon Professor of African American Religion and Theology, Yale Divinity School
"Will have wide appeal to both amateur and seasoned writers and spiritual seekers whether or not tied to any tradition. The book is also useful as a tool for growth through reflection and writing. Highly recommended." --Library Journal
"Will captivate writers who are looking for an alternative to the typical "how-to" book--who are looking for a book both practical and reverential." --Image
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 222 mm
Width: 145 mm
Thickness: 21 mm
Weight
531 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-19-993396-9 (9780199933969)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
04/2013
Oxford University Press Inc
€27.30
Shipment within 15-20 days
E-Book
04/2013
1st Edition
OUP eBook
€11.99
Available for download
E-Book
03/2013
1st Edition
OUP eBook
€11.99
Available for download
Person
Pat Schneider is founder/director emerita of Amherst Writers and Artists (AWA) who has personally trained or participated in training of more than 1,000 across the English-speaking world. She is also a celebrated poet. She is the author of nine books including Writing Alone and with Others (OUP, 2003) which has net sales of 21,529 (cloth: 685; paper: 20,844).
Content
TABLE OF CONTENTS ; PREFACE ; INTRODUCTION ; POEM: SOMETIMES WRITING ; I. THERE IS A SPIRIT ; POEM: TO BREAK SILENCE ; II. PRAYER ; POEM: ABOUT, AMONG OTHER THINGS, GOD ; III. RANSOM ; POEM: INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE JOURNEY ; IV. FEAR ; POEM: THIS IS A RIVER ; V. DARK NIGHT OF THE SOUL ; POEM: PERSONAL ADDRESS ; VI. TRADITION: RELIGION ; POEM: YOUR BOAT, YOUR WORDS ; VII. TRADITION: WRITING ; POEM: BRAIDED RUG ; VIII. FORGIVING ; POEM: PENN STATION, NEW YORK CITY ; IX. RECEIVING FORGIVENESS ; PLAY EXCERPT: THE UNDERTAKING ; X. DOING GOOD ; POEM: TWO THOUSAND DEATHS ; XI. CHANGING THE WORLD ; POEM: THIS FLIGHT ; XII. THE BODY ; XIII. DEATH ; JOURNAL ENTRY: BURNING THE TOBACCO ; XIV. STRANGENESS ; POEM: THE FISH ; XV. BELOVED COMMUNITY ; POEM: THAT ONE ; XVI. FREEDOM ; POEM: CONFESSION ; XVII. JOY ; POEM: BLESSING FOR A WRITER ; NOTES FOR TEACHERS, WORKSHOP OR RETREAT LEADERS AND COUNSELORS ; INDEX