Wild Wisdom: Zen Masters, Mountain Monks, and Rebellious Eccentrics Reflect on the Healing Power of Nature

by Neil Douglas-Klotz, M Amos Clifford (Foreword)

Inspiration from wilderness mystics from around the world, including Henry David Thoreau, Bai Juyi, Rainer Maria Rilke, Lalla, Rachel Carson, John Muir, Edna St. Vincent Millay, Simone Weil, the Baal Shem Tov, Hermann Hesse, Kahlil Gibran, Emily Dickinson, Nan Shepherd, and many more. Sages and mystics throughout the centuries have sought inspiration in the wildness of nature. This little book gathers the sayings and stories of the women and men who have sunk their roots deep into inner retreat and brought forth wisdom for all times and peoples. Here we find the stories and voices of desert fathers and mothers, forest hermits, mountain mystics, wandering philosophers, and wise eccentrics who maintained their solitude while living in society and challenged the status quo with humor. From East and West and everything in between. From Christian hermits, wandering Kabbalists, itinerant Sufis, Zen practitioners, Yogis, court jesters, transcendentalists, and freethinkers, Wild Wisdom gathers a timeless harvest for spiritual renewal. By turns witty, startling, beautiful, and sublime, Wild Wisdom makes a fine companion for personal retreat, daily contemplation, or simply taking time out during a busy day.

224 pages, Paperback

Published February 1, 2021

About the author

Neil Douglas-Klotz, Ph.D. is a renowned writer in the fields of Middle Eastern spirituality and the translation and interpretation of the ancient Semitic languages of Hebrew, Aramaic, and Arabic. Living in Scotland, he was for many years co-chair of the Mysticism Group of the American Academy of Religion. A frequent speaker and workshop leader, he is the author of several books. His books on the Aramaic spirituality of Jesus include Revelations of the Aramaic Jesus, Prayers of the Cosmos, The Hidden Gospel, Original Meditation, and Blessings of the Cosmos. His books on a comparative view of Native Middle Eastern spirituality include Desert Wisdom: A Nomad’s Guide to Life’s Big Questions and The Tent of Abraham (with Rabbi Arthur Waskow and Sr. Joan Chittister). His books on Sufi spirituality include The Sufi Book of Life: 99 Pathways of the Heart for the Modern Dervish and A Little Book of Sufi Stories. His biographical collections of the works of his Sufi teachers include Sufi Vision and Initiation (Samuel L. Lewis) and Illuminating the Shadow (Moineddin Jablonski). He has also written a mystery novel set in the first century C.E. Holy Land entitled A Murder at Armageddon.
In addition, he recently edited five “Little Books” published by Hampton Roads, four devoted to a new selection of the work of Lebanese American writer, poet, and mystic Kahlil Gibran, and one dedicated to Wild Wisdom, a collection early ecological writers and mystics.

Reviews

[Rudi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mooie schrijfsels over de relatie met de natuur, zichzelf, anderen, bij de ene voelde ik al wat meer verwantschap dan andere, het is wat opgesplitst in verschillende omgevingen, water, bergen , bos , woestijn enz ..
Ik heb via het boek geleerd dat er waarschijnlijk geen te grote berggeit in mij schuilt , ... ben wat gerust in de top en wat erover de top te beleven valt , dan mss wat meer water , bos of de woestijn met zijn demonen, die dan waarschijnlijk verborgen zaten in het eigen hoofd , om ze dan zelf te ontmoeten en te projecteren in een omgeving ...waar er niet te veel anderen zijn om ze ermee te schaden ... wat nog soms lijkt te gebeuren in drukkere buurten
Mooi boek over de loutering van de natuur , ... hoewel ik mss een beetje meer wijsheden had verwacht
Hoewel men Bv met deze van Chuang Tsu al ver raakt / Wat is er in zijn nutteloosheid dat jou zo verontrust ?

[Bonnie Westmark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring! Makes me want to just be outside in nature, noticing all of the beautiful fits God has given us. I enjoyed this book because I find peace in nature and within myself when I take the time to be with nature. To me, being in nature is being with God. It’s a prayer.

[Maartje Heestermans · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ik had het iets lyrischer verwacht. Er staan mooie teksten in maar niet direct mijn ding.