The Best Spiritual Writing Book

The #1 Independent Bestseller in Paperback

This extraordinary volume brings together articles, poems, and essays from some of today's most distinguished writers covering the full spectrum of spiritual traditions.

Editor Philip Zaleski has selected richly diverse writings from such respected writers as Reynolds Price, Francine Prose, Madeleine L'Engle, Gretel Ehrlich, Nancy Mairs, Rick Bass, Noelle Oxenhandler, Cynthia Ozick, and Huston Smith, as well as several fresh new voices reflecting on prayer, meditation, nature, Dharma, Mass, silence, and much more. With an introduction by Patricia Hampl, this inspiring and thought-provoking collection includes:

Anne Lamott's delightful explanation of "Why I Don't Meditate"

Why do we pray? Because it works, suggests Rick Moody in his compelling essay, "Why I Pray"

A dramatic encounter between woman and dog in Natalie Goldberg's "Dog Bite Enlightenment"

Andre Dubus on the pleasures and surprises of Mass at his local church in "Love in the Morning"

Thomas Moore on nature as a spiritual presence in "Mystic Clouds and Natural Spirituality"

Barry Lopez on the sins of the world in "God's Love on a Darkling Plain"

Joseph Bruchac's "Call Me Ishi," a powerful poem evoking the riches of the Native American spiritual tradition

Rick Fields's funny and wise "Very Short Sutra on the Meeting of the Buddha and the Goddess"

The first ever anthology of the past year's best spiritual writing culled from print, electronic media, and original contributions from the authors themselves, this vital collection offers fresh insight into our religious traditions and responses to our perennial questions.