God's Breath: Sacred Scriptures of the World -- The Essential Texts of Buddhism, Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Suf

by John Miller, Thomas Moore (Introduction)

For millennia seekers of truth have found God in a handful of sacred texts. Now God's Breath gathers together selections from seven of the world's major wisdom traditions. The title comes from a Zen saying, "To understand God is to listen. Listen to Jesus and Muhammad and Buddha, but don't get caught up in the names. Listen beyond them; listen to God's breath." Elegantly presented with detailed woodcuts and enlightening introductions by noted scholars, leading thinkers, writers and spiritual teachers including Huston Smith, Karen Armstrong, Reynolds Price, Stephen Mitchell, Marcus Borg, Joseph Campbell, Carl Jung, the Dalai Lama, and others, the selections include excerpts from the Book of Genesis, the Tao Te Ching, the Book of Rumi, the Gospel of John, the Bhagavad Gita, the Qur'an, and the Tibetan Book of the Dead. "A valuable compendium of sacred texts.... This is an essential companion for students of world religions."--Publishers Weekly

Genres: Religion, Spirituality, Nonfiction

560 pages, Paperback

First published October 26, 1999

About the author

John Miller has edited a number of intriguing anthologies for Chronicle Books, including Lust and White Rabbit. He runs Big Fish Books, a packaging company in San Francisco.

Reviews

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy reading different thoughts, proverbs, and beliefs of other people. This helps me to understand who and why they are the way they are and the choices they make.

[Ivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

536 pages! Why do I always pick such long books to read?

[Paulpsps · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a good pun, and a book with one as a title and God in it shows the Authors have found their sense of humor at long last in the Breadth of their work. Their thesis is remarkable, the selections chosen lead on a concise journey through my own thoughts from previous readings and relating them with others. A great exercise in tolerance binding all of these books together that I am proud to place in my library.

[Melanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

was hoping for more commentary about the religions, this is really just excerpts of their sacred texts, with little annalysis, explanation or other commentary.

[John Hawkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are looking for a quote for something spiritual and would like to find quotes from traditions from around the world this is a good book for you.