Pilgrim: Risking the Life I Have to Find the Faith I Seek

by Lee Kravitz

Lee Kravitz is adrift.

Shaken deeply after 9/11 and the loss of his job, he begins to feel the pull toward rediscovering his spirituality—a yearning long-buried since young adulthood. But in this he’s alone—his wife doesn’t understand why their family life can’t provide what he needs, and his friends can’t relate. When he suffers what he thinks is a heart attack and finds himself calling out for God, Lee realizes he must take action, whatever the cost.

In Pilgrim, Lee’s journey takes him to many places—from the quiet reflection of Buddhist meditation groups and Quaker meetings to the joyous noise of Hindu ecstatic chanting sessions and a candlelit Christmas Eve mass—until he finds a place where he feels he’s finally found the community he has sought. Along the way, he strives to reconcile his needs and beliefs with those of his family, knowing that he may be risking their bond.

In documenting his quest to pursue a contemplative life in the chaos of everyday existence, Lee offers a blueprint for anyone who might find himself lost at one point or another. Spanning areas of faith from Judaism to Protestantism to Nada yoga, the book also explores the latest research on the effects religion and God have on our brains, emotions, and health.

A thoughtful, stirring blend of memoir, religion, and science, Pilgrim is an engrossing narrative that speaks to the universal need to feel connected to the world around us.

Genres: Biography, Religion, Nonfiction

256 pages, Hardcover

First published May 29, 2014

About the author

Lee Kravitz is the author of PILGRIM: Risking the Life I Have to Find the Faith I Seek (Hudson Street Press) and UNFINISHED BUSINESS: One Man's Extraordinary Year of Trying to Do the Right Things (Bloomsbury USA.) He describes himself as "a perpetual seeker. I go on journeys of self-healing and spiritual growth; then I write about them. My hope is that my books and blog posts will inspire readers to go on their own transformational journeys."

Lee was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and attended Yale and the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism. He began his career as a freelance journalist and photographer, reporting on politics, culture and human rights issues in the developing world. Prior to becoming a full-time author, he was an editorial director at Scholastic Inc, the founding editor of React magazine for teens, and editor in chief of Parade, the Sunday newspaper magazine.

Lee lives in New York City with his wife Elizabeth Kaplan, a literary agent, and their three teenagers. They have two dogs and three cats, who make frequent appearances in his books.

Reviews

[Jenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book in a First Reads giveaway.

I found this book quite interesting, as I myself have been seeking more information and wisdom when it comes to the practice of religion. Kravitz details his journey to find spiritual enlightenment, a journey that takes him from Quakerism to Buddhism and back to the religion of his youth, Judaism. He shares what he learned from each religion, along with doubts that prevent him from fully accepting most of them. I appreciated his openness in learning about various faiths and the way he was able to incorporate different rituals into his busy life.

Although I do not share the same beliefs as the author, I enjoyed reading about what he had gleaned from his journey. I recommend this book to anyone who is questioning his/her religion, or lack thereof. Kravitz's insights may help these individuals begin down their own spiritual path.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I read the title in a goodreads giveaway, I wanted the book so I could read the story of another seeker of wisdom. This is one man's journey from the conservative Jewish faith of his parents to a spirituality that nurtured his soul. It almost read like a book of comparative religions since the writing was intellectual explaining the science of how the brain is affected by religious practices. But in the end, his judgements were often based on how he "felt" and what he experienced during his searching.

I have to admire his tenacity and courage to follow through on his quest, all the while balancing it with his home life. However by the end, I was speeding through to see how he would resolve his search. It was sounding a bit preachy and repetitive. He was mush better at summarizing the tenets of each main religious group that he spent time with.

I would recommend the book for beginning searchers, or those curious about what other expressions of faith have to offer. Other books about finding your spirituality would be Richard Rohr's "Falling Upward", or Wayne Muller's "How Then Shall We Live?"

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kravitz shares his personal spiritual seeking, which nudged him more strongly as middle age and his children's growing up progressed. He accepts an invitation from a neighbor to attend Quaker meetings, then explores Buddhist and Hindu philosophies and gatherings, and consults an astrologer for spiritual direction. She directs him to a renewal movement within Judaism. He describes his experiences in a positive way, and as I reader I learned about how a new seeker experiences these traditions. He felt at risk with his spiritual desire and exploration because his wife and children do not share his interest, but he concludes this dilemma again with positive insights and faith.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the journey of Lee's quest for more meaning,and more intimacy with God.I also found the book informative on religions available for seekers.My favorite part of the story revolved around his relationship with his wife,and their efforts to be solid partners,without compromising on their beliefs.Through-out the pages of the book,I was hoping his family would join him,and find additional purpose in their lives.Maybe as their life continues,they will see Jesus,for who he is.I won this book on GoodReads,and it was a pleasure to read this book.

[Carl Phillips · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an interesting book but it just did not grab me. I really had to work at getting through it. Kravitz writes about his searching for a faith, a longing to find God. His jewish faith did not resonate with him because his parents took him to synagogue when he was young and the rabbi scared him -- loud and in his face kind of service.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An intriguing journey through various established religions suggested to the author, whose religious heritage is Judaism, as a result of an online questionnaire regarding his beliefs and values. An interesting sidelight: his wife is an atheist.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kudos to Kravitz for baring himself and sharing such honesty. He had a bit of childishness in his quest for spiritual contentment. I think it's worth a read for anyone who has an interest in their own spiritual path, even though this particular one may have no similarities to your own.

[Marianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

So much more than a memoir about one mans spiritual journey. I learned a great deal about all three of the primary religions Kravitz explored, Quakerism, Buddhism and Judaism. I found it interesting that in the end he returned to the faith of his childhood, albeit an adapted version.

[Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has some interesting observations about different religions and I appreciated learning more about the author's experiences in the Jewish, Quaker, Christian and Buddhist tradition. I wanted to know more about the "risk" he refers to in the subtitle. A great title and a good book.

[Karissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

A man's search for a religion and faith-based community that he can relate to and call his spiritual home. Describes his experiences with trying on many types of religious practices and the value & lessons he received from them.

[Jack Goodstein · Rating 3 out of 5]

Personal account of a two year search for a spiritual home by a non-religious Jew.

[Maree · Rating 4 out of 5]

One person's search for connection with God and where it took him; from Quaker meetings, Mahayana Buddhism, kirtan, Hinduism, and finally his own version of Judaism. Extensive, helpful bibliography.

[Darlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Introspective and well written. He writes very clearly about a subject- a spiritual search- that could have been very boring.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

See my review at http://www.thereportergroup.org/Artic...