Invisible Lines of Connection: Sacred Stories of the Ordinary

by Lawrence Kushner

“Suppose there is something going on in the universe which is to ordinary, everyday reality as our unconcious is to our daily lives? Softly, but unmistakably guiding it. Most of the time, we are unaware of it. Yet, every now and then, on account of some ‘fluke,’ we are startled by the results of its presence. We realize we have been part of something with neither consciousness nor consent. It is so sweet—and then it is gone. You say, ‘But I don’t believe in God.’ And I ask, ‘What makes you think it matters to God?"’ —from

Lawrence Kushner, whose previous books have opened up new spiritual possibilities, now tells us stories in a new literary form.

Through his everyday encounters with family, friends, colleagues and strangers, Kushner takes us deeply into our lives, finding flashes of spiritual insight in the process. Such otherwise ordinary moments as fighting with his children, shopping for bargain basement clothes, or just watching a movie are revealed to be touchstones for the sacred.

This is a book where literature meets spirituality, where the sacred meets the ordinary, and, above all, where people of all faiths, all backgrounds can meet one another and themselves. Kushner ties together the stories of our lives into a roadmap showing how everything “ordinary” is supercharged with meaning—if we can just see it.

Genres: Judaism, Jewish, Judaica, Religion, Spirituality, Nonfiction, Inspirational

142 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1996

Reviews

[Aviva · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was loaned to me and I'm so glad I read it. Kushner writes amazing things. Each story is a musing of his about some lesson he's learned in his life. If I was smarter, the first time I read this I would have used each story as a meditation point instead of reading it straight through. I think I would have gotten more out of the book's lessons that way. As it was, I read some wonderful insights into spirituality and learned a lot about myself in the process. Definitely worth a quick glance or two.

[Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another beautiful, moving book by Lawrence Kushner. It has the effect of reaching into one's soul through seemingly mundane coincidental events which in the end further the evidence for the concept for synchronicity.

[Kristine Thurston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished re-reading this beautiful book, one of my favorites by Rabbi Kushner, before loaning it out. These are stories where suddenly you find yourself in a landscape both unknown and totally familiar, a place where reality as you thought you knew it, is transformed. A coincidence—synchronicity—brought me back to it, and once again, I am viewing everything a little differently.

[Melissa Crespy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Suggested to me by my cantor, I read this book in pieces. There are some wonderful stories in it, that truly connect the individual with the divine. It was good reading before the Jewish High Holidays. If I spent more time in depth with the book, I might have written a sermon about it.

[Sharron · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's an old book, but one of my rabbis mentioned it in services this Shabbat. I'd read a Kushner book in high school and this was probably written that long ago too.

Anything can be about a connection. These short essays each could be the start of a sermon.

[Ed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Comforting essays

[Teresa Markoski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Girlfriends Book Club . Many great topics to talk about . Easy read .

[Nedra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love! Universal connections are everywhere if we just open our hearts and minds. David Sedaris-like humor with deep meaning.

[Aaron Carlberg]

My standard warning about Kushner is that he is a Jewish mystic so don't take everything you read as truth. It is a nice book of short stories of connection.

[Michael Weaver]

This book shows the profound connections on our multifaceted layers of our lives all interconnect.

[Amy Madnick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a reminder that the connections are always out there for us to find if we do not go about our business with the blinders of everyday life... Each one is a gem.

[Jonathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful connection of meaningful vignettes that illustrate the importance of Jewish mindfulness.