The Spirituality of Imperfection: Storytelling and the Search for Meaning

Front Cover
Bantam Books, 1992 - Religion - 293 pages
"I Am Not Perfect" is a simple statement of profound truth, the first step toward understanding the human condition, for to deny your essential imperfection is to deny yourself and your own humanity. The spirituality of imperfection, steeped in the rich traditions of the Hebrew prophets and Greek thinkers, Buddhist sages and Christian disciples, is a message as timeless as it is timely. This insightful work draws on the wisdom stories of the ages to provide an extraordinary wellspring of hope and inspiration to anyone thirsting for spiritual growth and guidance in these troubled times.

Who are we? Why so we so often fall short of our goals for ourselves and others? By seeking to understand our limitations and accept the inevitably of failure and pain, we being to ease the hurt and move toward a greater sense of serenity and self-awareness. "The Spirituality Of Imperfection" brings together stories from many spiritual and philosophical paths, weaving past traditions into a spirituality and a new way of thinking and living that works today. It speaks so anyone who yearns to find meaning within suffering. Beyond theory and technique, inside this remarkable book you will find a new way of thinking, a way of living that enables a truly human existence.

"An inspiring guide, offering comfort...to those who want to stop striving for perfection and start living."-- "Publishers Weekly"

"A brilliant anthology of wisdom stories from all the great traditions centered around a most compelling and discerning issue."--M. Scott Peck

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About the author (1992)

ERNEST KURTZ is the author of Not-God: A History of Alcoholics Anonymous, A.A.: The Story, and Shame and Guilt. He holds a Ph.D. in the history of American civilization from Harvard and is currently affiliated with the Center for Self-Help Research at the University of Michigan.

KATHERINE KETCHAM is the co-author of five previous nonfiction books, including the bestseller Under the Influence: A Guide to the Myths and Realities of Alcoholism (Bantam) and Witness for the Defense: The Accused, The Eyewitness, and the Expert Who Puts Memory on Trial, which was a Book-of-the-Month Club selection.

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