Friday, February 12, 2010

Best Spiritual Writing


For the past decade Philip Zaleski has served as the general editor of The Best Spiritual Writing anthology. This year's collection (2010) does not disappoint, and readers can discover here some insightful and inspirational writing from such luminaries as Rick Bass, Billy Collins, Pattian Rogers, and John Updike . . . just to name a few. I have enjoyed, and am enjoying, this slim volume.

As odd as it may sound, this collection features writing on such varied subjects as Google, nature, and the blessings of being an ageing writer. Not all of these essays would be recognized immediately as "spiritual" in dimension, but in the reading one is often drawn to a deeper place inside, or experiences a sense of loftiness (God, heaven).

I'm always trying to write spiritual, too. Trouble is, it's difficult writing good spiritual--even if one is writing specifically about God, the Bible, or anything religious. Most spiritual writing falls flat. Only the best writing truly "lifts".

Well, but it's Friday . . . my day off (usually). Time to get to the gym and sweat. Time to come home and clean the kitchen. Time to write something spiritual.

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