The Way Things Are
Conversations with Huston Smith on the Spiritual Life
1st Edition
Published on 2. September 2003
Book
Hardback
338 pages
978-0-520-23816-9 (ISBN)
Description
'Where can we find what is ultimately meaningful? How can we discover what is truly worth knowing?' In one form or another Huston Smith has been posing these questions to himself - and the world - all his life. In the course of seeking answers, he has become one of the most interesting, enlightening, and celebrated voices on the subject of religion and spirituality throughout the world. The twenty-three interviews and essays in this volume, edited by cultural historian and filmmaker Phil Cousineau, offer a uniquely personal perspective on Smith's own personal journey, as well as wide-ranging reflection on the nature and importance of the religious quest. In "The Way Things Are", readers will find Smith in conversation with some of the world's most influential personalities and religious leaders, from journalist Bill Moyers to religion scholar Philip Novak, and recounting his personal experiences with such luminaries as Joseph Campbell, Aldous Huxley, Timothy Leary, Daisetz Suzuki, Ram Dass, and the Dalai Lama.
Throughout these engaging exchanges Smith speaks with passion and humor of his upbringing as the son of missionary parents in China, of the inspiring and colorful individuals he has known, and of his impressions of the different religious and philosophical traditions he has encountered. A fascinating view of the state of world religion and religious leadership over the past fifty years, the book also looks to the future with a final interview on the vital importance of the transcendent message of religion for the post-9/11 world. Readers will find "The Way Things Are" to be Huston Smith's most and accessible book to date.
Throughout these engaging exchanges Smith speaks with passion and humor of his upbringing as the son of missionary parents in China, of the inspiring and colorful individuals he has known, and of his impressions of the different religious and philosophical traditions he has encountered. A fascinating view of the state of world religion and religious leadership over the past fifty years, the book also looks to the future with a final interview on the vital importance of the transcendent message of religion for the post-9/11 world. Readers will find "The Way Things Are" to be Huston Smith's most and accessible book to date.
Reviews / Votes
"A remarkable autobiographical window into Smith's soul." - Library Journal "[An] engaging collection of interviews that cover Smith's rich career of inuiry into religion and the nature of consciousness." - Ions Review "Ralph Waldo Emerson once said that he would gladly walk 100 miles through a snowstorm for one good conversation. Fortunately, readers don't have to trudge through a blizzard or even leave their armchairs to listen in on these 22 fascinating conversations." - Publishers Weekly"More details
Edition
First Edition
Language
English
Place of publication
Berkerley
United States
Product notice
Cloth over boards
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 25 mm
Weight
590 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-520-23816-9 (9780520238169)
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
Huston Smith | Phil Cousineau
The Way Things Are
Conversations with Huston Smith on the Spiritual Life
E-Book
09/2003
1st Edition
Naval Institute Press
€28.99
Available for download
Persons
Huston Smith, Professor Emeritus of Philosophy, Syracuse University, is considered the country's preeminent public scholar of world religions. The author of The Religions of Man (1958, republished as The World's Religions in 1991) and Why Religion Matters (2001), Smith has influenced multiple generations of readers, artists, scholars, and students. He has been profiled in a PBS series by Bill Moyers and appears frequently on national TV and radio. Phil Cousineau is the author and editor of numerous books, including, most recently, Once and Future Myths: The Power of Ancient Stories in Modern Times (2001), The Art of Pilgrimage: The Seeker's Guide to Making Travel Sacred (1998), and Soul Moments: Marvelous Stories of Synchronicity (1997).
Content
Preface: The Way Things Are for Huston Smith No Wasted Journey: A Theological Autobiography Introduction by Huston Smith PART ONE: THE HEART OF RELIGION Chapter 1. The Way Things Are An interview with Timothy Beneke Chapter 2. The Primordial Tradition An interview with John Loudon Chapter 3. Winnowing the Wisdom Traditions An interview with Mark Kenaston Chapter 4. This Is It An interview with Richard Marranca Chapter 5. The Soul of the Community An interview with Philip and Bridgett Novak Chapter 6. Encountering God An essay by Huston Smith PART TWO: THE STRUGGLE BETWEEN SCIENCE AND RELIGION Chapter 7. The Place of Science An interview with Steve Reuys Chapter 8. The Limits of the Scientific Worldview An interview with Jeffrey Mishlove Chapter 9. Science as the Oracle of Our Age An interview with Michael Toms Chapter 10. Science, Faith, and Infinity An interview with Tracy Knauss and the Reverend Jack Young Chapter 11. Toward a Partnership between Science and Religion An interview with April Thompson Chapter 12. The Battle for the Human Mind An interview with Richard Gazdayka Chapter 13. The New Paradigm An interview with Richard Smoley and Jay Kinney Chapter 14. Countering Scientism An essay by Marsha Newman Chapter 15. The Striking Parallels An interview with Phil Cousineau PART THREE: FROM PLATO'S CAVE TO THE ENCHANTED GARDEN Chapter 16. The Sacred Dimensions of Everyday Life An interview with Jeffrey Kane Chapter 17. Demystifying Spiritual Practice An essay by Huston Smith, with commentary by Sarah Ban Breathnach Chapter 18. The Varieties of Religious Explorations An interview with Jeffrey Mishlove Chapter 19. Cleansing the Doors of Perception An interview with Richard Scheinin Chapter 20. Fathoming Psychedelic Mysticism An interview with Timothy White Chapter 21. The Wisdom of Faith An interview with Bill Moyers Chapter 22. Why Religion Matters Now More Than Ever An interview with Phil Cousineau References Acknowledgments Index