Neale Donald Walsch devotes his time to sharing the messages of his books through writing, lecturing, and facilitating spiritual renewal retreats. The creator of the School of the New Spirituality and founder of The Group of 1000, a nonprofit organization supporting global spiritual awakening, he lives in Ashland, Oregon, and may be contacted through NealeDonaldWalsch.com.
Best-selling inspirational writer Walsch has another "conversation with God," this time focusing on the aggression and dogma that plague the world. Addressing events such as Matthew Shepard's death, the deaths of 15 girls in Saudi Arabia who were forced to stay in a burning school because of "incorrect" dress, and the terrorist events of September 11, 2001, Walsch guides individuals to take an active role in changing the world by changing their beliefs. The text contains four lists, including "Five Steps to Peace" and "Nine New Revelations," which encourage readers to treat the cause of world problems instead of bandaging the symptoms. Walsch does not advocate replacing beliefs, such as those rooted in the Bible, Qu'ran, or Bhagavad-Gita but instead suggests that we become aware of how those beliefs can lead to dysfunctional behaviors. In advocating a change in current religious mindsets, Walsch will be considered blasphemous by some readers, but his ideas make practical sense and allow for an alternative take on creating world harmony. In-person workshops and online courses are offered at www.conversationswithgod.org. Libraries should expect heavy interest in this latest conversation from Walsch. [Previewed in Prepub Alert, LJ 6/15/02.]-Leo Kriz, West Des Moines P.L.
Like Walsch's earlier bestsellers, this New Age volume purports to be a record of a conversation with, and revelation from, God. The overarching argument is simple, indeed a bit tautological: humanity has reached a turning point. As evidenced by September 11, something about our world isn't working. We do not, however, need to tinker with our economics or politics; rather, we need to retool our beliefs about those systems that govern society. This is key, Walsch insists, because "beliefs create behaviors." Fond of numbered lists, Walsch gives us "Five Steps to Peace," which include our admitting that there is something we don't understand about "God and... Life, the understanding of which could change everything." Walsch also offers Nine New Revelations, some of which don't seem all that new, including the idea that God has always communicated directly with people, or that God would never punish us with eternal damnation. The Steps to Peace and the New Revelations all point toward the peaceful, humane spirituality that Walsch wants readers to cultivate, a spirituality that focuses not on morals but on "functionality." Because Walsch is ecumenical, drawing on Robert Schuller, Harold Kushner, the Bhagavad Gita and Shakespeare, seekers from many spiritual backgrounds will find his book inviting, and the dialogue format makes for easy reading. For those who are interested in a spiritual approach to global upheaval, these "New Revelations" will prove inspiring and companionable. (Oct.) Forecast: Walsch's first book in the Conversations with God series stayed on the New York Times bestseller list for 137 weeks, and he has more than three million books in print. Expect high interest for this title, which will be a selection of the One Spirit Book Club and has a first print run of 175,000 copies. Walsch will promote the book with a 12-city author tour and a TV satellite tour. Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.
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