Conversations with Huston Smith on the Spiritual Life
July 14, 2003
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 with renowned religious scholar Huston Smith. Kudos to editor and accomplished author Cousineau (The Art of Pilgrimage) for gathering these interviews that span more than 30 years. Readers will find themselves ravenously eavesdropping on captivating discussions, such as Smith's humorous story of meeting His Holiness the Dalai Lama for the first time or his soothing anecdote of how he became spiritually reconciled to the death of his eldest daughter to cancer. When Smith speaks about religious violence, his insight could be relevant to any era of humanity: "First of all, my persuasion is what really breeds violence is political differences. But because religion serves as the soul of community, it gets drawn into the fracas and turns up the heat." Indeed, a lifelong career of studying the world's religions has made him especially gifted in illuminating the dialogues that are timeless. As a result, his conversations touch upon many Big Questions: what is the meaning of God? Where do science and religion meet? How can we teach children about the sacred in everyday life? Why do we move toward the light? Incidentally, Cousineau's stunning preface is worth the price of admission alone.
August 1, 2003
When asked in the preface what he has gleaned from a lifetime of studying the religions of the world, Huston Smith replies, "the winnowed wisdom of the world." Smith, who is revered as the world's premier teacher of world religions, is also the author of two best-selling books, The World's Religions and Why Religion Matters, and was the focus of a five-part PBS television series with Bill Moyers. Editor Cousineau (Once and Future Myths) exemplifies this "winnowing" by offering the reader 19 insightful interviews with Smith, conducted as early as 1976 (for Parabola) and as late as May 2002 (specifically for this book). The interviewers include Bill Moyers, Philip Novak, Jeffrey Mishlove, Marsha Newman, and Timothy White. Smith devotees will recognize many favorite topics: the primordial tradition, science vs. scientism, religion and art, Plato's allegory of the cave, and a spiritual worldview, which is deepened by mystical teachings in all religions. A remarkable autobiographical window into Smith's soul, this book is reminiscent of similar interviews with the mythologist Joseph Campbell and concludes with a message on the vital importance of transcendent religion. Recommended for all readers in both academic and public libraries.-Gary P. Gillum, Brigham Young Univ., Provo, UT
Copyright 2003 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.