The Great Search: Turning to Earth and Soul in the Quest for Healing and Home

by John Philip Newell

In the great tradition of authors who leave church but remain spiritual — such as Barbara Brown Taylor, Rob Bell — the author of Sacred Earth, Sacred Soul forges a new path toward a true spiritual home, embracing a deep connection to the natural world. The story of Adam and Eve’s fall from innocence in the Garden of Eden is a mythical account of humanity’s broken relationship with the divine, with Earth, and with themselves. In contrast, Celtic wisdom is built on a strong bond with Earth. In the prophetic figures that Newell draws from, the Garden of Eden represents the inner garden of our souls and the outer garden of Earth, which are seen as essentially one. To live in relation to what is deepest in us is to live in relation to the ground from which we and all things have come. Where are we today, in relation to our true selves and the sacredness of Earth? And how are we to find our way home again? This life-affirming, nourishing book contemplates these questions at a moment of great spiritual awakening, an era characterized by religious exile on a vast scale. We need a new sense of home spiritually, deeply rooted within ourselves and in our shared journey with each other and Earth.

Genres: Spirituality, Nonfiction, Religion, Philosophy, Audiobook, Theology, Biography

224 pages, Hardcover

Published August 20, 2024

About the author

JOHN PHILIP NEWELL is an internationally acclaimed spiritual teacher and popular speaker and the widely read author of several books, including Listening for the Heartbeat of God and A New Harmony. The former Warden of Iona Abbey in the Western Isles of Scotland, he is the founder of The School of Earth and Soul (A Celtic Initiative of Study, Spiritual Practice and Compassionate Action) and teaches regularly in California, New England, Virginia, Colorado, New Mexico, and Canada as well as leading international pilgrimages to Iona.

Reviews

[Daniel Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an iconography of Lovers. John Phillip Newell takes us on a sacred quest through the lives of nine souls who fulfilled Jesus’s words: “Seek and you shall find.” And what did they find? They found that God is Love and that the thing most original to us is goodness, not sin. Newell invites us to say “yes” to Love, and he challenges us to allow Love to speak through us and say “no” to the delusion and darkness that is in the world through hatred and injustice.

[Joe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have recently become a religious exile after finding that my long-time spiritual home no longer passed the honesty test. The experience has been nothing short of Matrix-like - a disorienting journey of searching, deconstruction, or whatever name one might give it. At times, it has felt like being adrift without a rudder.

In these moments of wilderness and wandering, my tendency is to look for clear and definitive answers. Reading The Great Search with this intention would undoubtedly lead to frustration—but, for me, therein lies the beauty of this book. Newell introduces us to nine visionary and prophetic voices, allowing their wisdom, philosophy, and ideas to guide us. There are no tidy chapter endings like "five steps to leave the wilderness of exile." And for me, that’s a relief. I’ve had enough of that. Working through this book - I’m now on my second read - at a slow, reflective pace has already been a deeper, more meaningful experience than many of my previous spiritual pursuits.

I’m grateful for the diversity of voices in this book: Thomas Berry, Nan Shepherd, Martin Buber, Carl Jung, Julian of Norwich, Jalaluddin Rumi, Rabindranath Tagore, Etty Hillesum, Edwin Muir, and of course, John Philip Newell himself. Some were familiar to me, but many were new. Some chapters are more esoteric, like Martin Buber’s idea of “I-Thou,” offering a different lens through which to view the world. Others combine new ways of thinking and experiencing with deep stories of how to live in the face of darkness, as in the chapter on Etty Hillesum. For those willing to engage with the book’s contents and the meditative practices at the end of each chapter, there is a chance to deepen our understanding of our interconnectedness with each other, with Earth and with the “divine presence at the heart of all being.” For me, this has already been more transformative than many years of previous spiritual journeying.

[Sarah Speed]

I do not think I have ever read a book quite like this one. It was powerful, although very conceptual. Newell lifts up nine individuals who see the world in deeply spiritual ways. Their examples push on the limitations of religious doctrine to paint a more expansive idea of God.

[David Garnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author gave up up his ordination with the Church of Scotland becasue he didn't think the mainline church was addressing the real issues that confronted the world, most notably the environmental crisis. He bcame the warden of the Scottish Iona community, an ecumenical Christian community. Now he does public speaking and lives at the Findhorn ecovillage In Scotland

In this latest book he turns for wisdom about the earth and human soul from a variety of spiritual heroes from a variety of spiritual and psychological backgrounds, including Julian of Norwich, Rumi, and Carl Jung, looking for answers to our most challenging issues.

Good book. Recommend it.

[Anne Tigan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book to keep at hand and read over and again. The author says his goal is one of "transmission," ie, to transmit wisdom/teachings from figures of the past to guide us in the quest. They include Thomas Berry, Julian of Norwich, Rumi, Etty Hillesum, Edwin Muir. The book is thoughtfully composed, provides meditation following each teaching, takes the reader deeply into the search for Vision, Earth, Presence, Faith, exploring the lives that produced paths both profound and challenging. I find the book to be moving and inspiring, grateful to Newell for bringing the results of his search to the printed page.

[James R · Rating 5 out of 5]

For everything, there is a season…

It took me a while to read this book. not really sure why other than perhaps I simply wasn’t ready. Starting with the Audible version I would just fall asleep and need to start over.
Newell’s books and overall vision are timely. Humanity and really all of Earth’s inhabitants are in real need of a reset, spiritualy and practically.

If your faith in religion is faltering or perhaps non-existent, this may be the opportune time for you to open the cover of this work and reconsider what belief may truly mean.

[Justin Wiggins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book by John Philip Newell at a favorite local used bookshop, and was deeply moved by each particular chapter about thinkers, poets, artists, and mystics from different spiritual worldview perspectives. My favorite chapter was the one on the Scottish author Nan Shepherd. Reading about her love for the natural world, and the Scottish Highlands, was incredibly inspiring, and brought back good memories to my mind of when I lived in Scotland. I highly recommend this book. It was an honor to meet Newell at a conference in Montreat, North Carolina.

[Robyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

profoundly relevant

Beautifully written reflections on 9 great souls and their love of earth and humanity. Any religion that does not revere nature and life, is out of touch with God.

[Margie Schneider · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding!!

I can’t say enough about this book so it is difficult to pick out just a few things which spoke to me. so, I would ask that u pick up a copy yourself. You won’t be sorry.

[Cindy Costanza · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book! Ten people who left organized religion and some who stayed, but all found faith in God's creation. Don't shy away from this book if you are a Christian. It really does strengthen your faith no matter what that faith is. So inspiring and beautifully written.

[Kristie · Rating 5 out of 5]

While reading this book. I felt my soul acknowledging a new depth of love and peace. Yes, even of homecoming and healing.

[Jorie Kramer · Rating 5 out of 5]

These biographical sketches were inspiring and beautifully written.

[Jeffrey Louis]

A spiritual journey and a treatise of indictment of modern religions. Excellent and thought provoking.

[Alex E.]

DNF. Just couldn't connect/wasn't getting anything out of this book.

[the shrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really beautifully-written book with poignant subjects. I came into the text already knowing a bit about the work of Martin Buber, Carl Jung, & Julian of Norwich but didn't realize the extent or impact of their spiritual lives upon their missions. The chapter on Nan Shepherd exhibited her especially beautiful British Isles nature poetry. Enjoyed learning about Rabindranath Tagore & Elly Hillesum's lives and writings, very thought-churning and relevant for today. The author's audio narration added greatly to the the already great text.

[Ann Samford · Rating 4 out of 5]

John Phillip Newell left his Church. He’s still an amazing teacher. I think we were at the retreat where he made his decision to leave the church. He talks about his friend the rabbi and we were there when his rabbi was there. It was Yom Kippur. September 2018, just over six years ago.

I love to listen to him teach. Celtic wisdom and the importance of the feminine