The Longing In Between: Sacred Poetry from Around the World

by Ivan Granger

A delightful collection of soul-inspiring poems from the world's great religious and spiritual traditions, accompanied by Ivan M. Granger's meditative thoughts and commentary. Rumi, Whitman, Issa, Teresa of Avila, Dickinson, Blake, Lalla, and many others. These are poems of seeking and awakening... and the longing in between. ------------ Praise for The Longing in Between "The Longing in Between is a work of sheer beauty. Many of the selected poems are not widely known, and Ivan M. Granger has done a great service, not only by bringing them to public attention, but by opening their deeper meaning with his own rare poetic and mystic sensibility."      ROGER HOUSDEN      author of the best-selling Ten Poems to Change Your Life series "Ivan M. Granger's new anthology, The Longing in Between, gives us a unique collection of profoundly moving poetry. It presents some of the choicest fruit from the flowering of mystics across time, across traditions and from around the world. After each of the poems in this anthology Ivan M. Granger shares his reflections and contemplations, inviting the reader to new and deeper views of the Divine Presence. This is a grace-filled collection which the reader will gladly return to over and over again."      LAWRENCE EDWARDS, Ph.D.      author of Awakening The Path to Radical Freedom and Kali's Bazaar

Genres: Poetry

219 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 25, 2014

Reviews

[Heidi Hanley · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author chose some beautiful poetry to reflect upon and share. I enjoyed it all the way through and could see myself using it as a daily meditation. I appreciated the opportunity to read and understand each poem in my own way and then have the added blessing of the author's reflections. He gave deeper insight into many of the poems. Some, I didn't enjoy as much until I read his thoughts. Very nice and something to read over and over.

[Kaye · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting collection of poems. I wasn't expecting the commentary to be the way it was, though, and found the facing-page interpretation of the poem by the compiler to be distracting. Would have preferred that it be in the end or at the beginning as an essay of some kind.

[Sean Murray · Rating 3 out of 5]

Anyone who has heard “Devil went down to Georgia”, and has also heard a virtuoso violinist will understand the innate hubris of trying to declare oneself an authority, without the genius it calls for

Books professing to give a Cliff’s Notes explanation of the metaphors used to describe spiritual experiences are sadly doomed to failure, no matter how well intentioned. So is the case here. Author is intent on the reader hearing how *he* interprets the poems. This is of course not terribly valuable in this field of study, and has entirely missed the point.

The best thing about this book is the fact that it can point explorers of the inner life, both new and old, in the direction of some great poets. I resorted to skimming over the books author commentaries very quickly. I did find a few poets I hadn’t met, poets who resonated with me.

[Maria Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully interpreted. This is a book that I keep going back to, have marked my favorite pages but can also open and read passages just about anywhere and be glad I did. It’s not a book to put back on a bookshelf but is one to remain near your favorite reading place.

[Haley · Rating 2 out of 5]

I will be honest... this was free on my kindle unlimited and, in general, I was expecting more "sacred poetry from around the world". Instead, it is small snippets of some brilliant stanzas with Granger's analysis. This is not what I was expecting from an anthology and came away, overall, quite disappointed. Perhaps if my expectations had been different, I would have been able to appreciate Granger's analysis and insight more sparingly.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautiful collection of sacred poetry. I really appreciated the structure of this collection: each poem is accompanied by Granger's thoughts. He is articulate and helps the reader gain deeper meaning from the poems. Though not every poem was spiritually enlightening for me, I appreciated how he brought together poems from many mystical traditions throughout the world.

[Atara · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are only three stars because the editor's commentary was dull and lacking authority. This anthology of sacred poetry has many great lovely poems. Some resonated with me and others didn't. They were related to all religions and beliefs. This is another book of poems that my husband and I read from after our evening meal each night.

[Victor Pierce · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the vast assortment of poetry that Mr. Granger has compiled. I am an English teacher of a few years, and this is an absolutely new treasure to my library! The commentary pieces are also very insightful, which make the collection jump off the page.

[George Weiss · Rating 5 out of 5]

essential reading

Poetry is our grace to a life of meaning and spiritual growth. It brings color to an otherwise black and white existence. The selection of poets and their heartfelt expressions of love is a tribute to Granger’s own masterpiece.

[Hillel Brandes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Affirmative insight

So glad I bought this book. Various writers articulate truths we maybe otherwise only “know” in a heartfelt, wordless way. I’ll continue to reread much of it.

[Krys · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed it! It felt like a friend was telling me their interpretations and theories on these poems.