Ordinary Magic: Everyday Life as Spiritual Path

by John Welwood (Editor)

Spiritual practice and meditation are often thought of as being the province of priests, monks, and nuns—those few individuals who have returned from the preoccupations of day-to-day life. This inspiring book reveals how the simple practice of mindfulness can be a magical and transformative part of anyone's daily life. Thirty-five wide-ranging essays written by well-known spiritual teachers, therapists, and creative artists show how learning to focus awareness can bring a new richness to ordinary activities; how mindfulness can heighten creative pursuits such as painting, journal writing, or playing music; how contemplative awareness enhances both physical and psychological well-being; and how meditation can contribute to better relationships with family, community, and the world at large.

Sunshine and green leaves / Thich Nhat Hanh --
Everyday life as practice / Karlfried Graf von Dürckheim --
Earth and space / Chögyam Trungpa --
This very moment / Charlotte Joko Beck --
Not preferring samsara or nirvana / Pema Chödrön --
Seeing without the observer / J. Krishnamurti --
Are you here? / A.H. Almaas --
The way of seeing / Frederick Franck --
Writing fearlessly / Natalie Goldberg --
Meditation and poetics / Allen Ginsberg --
Just being at the piano / Mildred Chase --
Coming home to the body / Denise Taylor --
Zen archery / Eugen Herrigel --
The art of sword / Takuan Soho --Driving meditation / Kevin Berger and Todd Berger --
The work of craft / Carla Needleman --
Working for a living / Jean Martine --
The healing power of unconditional presence / John Welwood --
Touch and go / Karen Kissel Wegela --
The listening mind / Ram Dass and Paul Gorman --
On being unable to breathe / Stephen Butterfield --
Conscious eating / Marc David --
Being with anger / Stephen Levine --
Being peace / Thich Nhat Hanh --
Personal disarmament / Deena Metzger --
The greening of the self / Joanna Macy --
The path of service / Jack Kornfield --
Mindful social action / Ken Jones --
The power of peace / Chagdud Tulku --
Nowness and enlightened society / Chögyam Trungpa --
Intimate relationship as a practice and a path / John Welwood --
Contemplation and intimacy / Monica Furlong --
Family life and spiritual practice / Fran Tribe --
Working with dying people / Stephen Levine --
Facing death / Dainin Katagiri

Genres: Spirituality, Buddhism, Nonfiction, Philosophy, Psychology

368 pages, Paperback

First published September 15, 1992

About the author

John Welwood (1943-2019) was an American clinical psychologist, psychotherapist, teacher, and author, known for integrating psychological and spiritual concepts. Trained in existential psychology, Welwood earned his Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Chicago in 1974. He was the Director of the East/West Psychology Program at the California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco and associate editor of Journal of Transpersonal Psychology.

Reviews

[Erika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very inspiring collection of essays! Some of my favorites were Writing Fearlessly by Natalie Goldberg and all the pieces by Thich Nhat Hanh. I feel like I understand meditation much better now- it doesn’t have to be sitting on the floor, posed and uncomfortable. I’ve learned I can find peace while driving and just while breathing

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been working for more than 50 years on the issues dealt with in this book. I found most of the chapters moving and profound, also helpful and inspirational.

We all need to be reminded of what is important and that we are not alone; we are one.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I keep going back to this book for inspiration and to ground. Wonderful book to own and bring out every once on a while to refresh one's spirit.

[Julian Maddock · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of my all-time favourite books. Excellent, heart-opening chapters by some of the greats of the spiritual path.

[Carl Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of 35 essays intended, I think, to survey eastern sensibilities to the western mind through exploring ways that daily mediation and daily life are not only compatible but are interwoven. The essays themselves ranged from insightful to interesting to a bit tedious. I am, apparently, very western in my thinking so am often somewhat challenged; I found the best of these essays though resonated with me, reminding me of such as Brother Lawrence, Isaac Pennington and Rufus Jones.

[Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a collection of essays. Confession: my rating is only based on part of the book...it had to be returned to the library. Of what I read, some of it was good, but overall, not all that inspiring.

[Hilary Thompson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This beautiful book contains spiritual writings/teachings about meditation, spirituality and "The Everday Life as Spiritual Path." It's good - especially if you are into meditation.

[Janelle]

Amazing. This books reaches in and caresses my soul.

[Linde]

touts living in the moment ... good call.

[Parker]

didn't finish