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Walking the Way of Harriet Tubman: Public Mystic and Freedom Fighter
Harriet Tubman, freedom fighter and leader in the Underground Railroad, is one of the most significant figures in US history. Her courage and determination in bringing enslaved people to freedom have established her as an icon of the abolitionist movement. But behind the history of the heroine called "Moses" was a woman of deep faith.
In Walking the Way of Harriet Tubman, Therese Taylor-Stinson introduces Harriet, a woman born into slavery whose unwavering faith and practices in spirituality and contemplation carried her through insufferable abuse and hardship to become a leader for her people. Her profound internal liberation came from deep roots in mysticism, Christianity, nature spirituality, and African Indigenous beliefs that empowered her own escape from enslavement—giving her the strength and purpose to lead others on the road to freedom.
Harriet's lived spirituality illuminates a profound path forward for those of us longing for internal freedom, as well as justice and equity in our communities. As people of color, we must cultivate our full selves for our own liberation and the liberation of our communities. As the luminous significance of Harriet Tubman's spiritual life is revealed, so too is the path to our own spiritual truth, advocacy, and racial justice as we follow in her footsteps.
In Walking the Way of Harriet Tubman, Therese Taylor-Stinson introduces Harriet, a woman born into slavery whose unwavering faith and practices in spirituality and contemplation carried her through insufferable abuse and hardship to become a leader for her people. Her profound internal liberation came from deep roots in mysticism, Christianity, nature spirituality, and African Indigenous beliefs that empowered her own escape from enslavement—giving her the strength and purpose to lead others on the road to freedom.
Harriet's lived spirituality illuminates a profound path forward for those of us longing for internal freedom, as well as justice and equity in our communities. As people of color, we must cultivate our full selves for our own liberation and the liberation of our communities. As the luminous significance of Harriet Tubman's spiritual life is revealed, so too is the path to our own spiritual truth, advocacy, and racial justice as we follow in her footsteps.
- GenresSpirituality
172 pages, Hardcover
Published February 14, 2023
12 people are currently reading
109 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 23, 2022
**This review is going to be reflection as much as review, so if you're wanting a straightforward, just-business review, this is not the review you're looking for.**
I requested a review copy of Theresa Taylor-Stinson's Walking the Way of Harriet Tubman: Public Mystic and Freedom Fighter because I thought it might be a book my mother and I would enjoy reading together. My mom was what I think of as the "best" kind of Christian: she always had an eye out for places she could make a difference and and followed through with action; her prayers where silent and full of concerns for our planet, our species, for those facing crises or violence of any kind; and she didn't proselytize. She read about faith and was particularly interested in the kinds of faith that sustained those facing oppressions or working to transform our world.
I am not a Christian. I'm an agnostic with a strong sense that I need to do right by people and planet regardless of whether a G-d exists. I'm also convinced that if there is something like G-d, there are many paths to that divinity. One path is not enough for the vastness of our universe and the cultures and life forms it contains—most of which we know absolutely nothing about.
So, I requested Walking in the Way of Harriet Tubman because it was a title I imagined my mother would enjoy and that we might be able to talk about. My mother, however, died in May before this book was released, so those conversations won't happen. I did read the title with my mother in mind, knowing that we couldn't talk it over, but thinking about the different ways it would/did speak to each of us.
I'm interested in—though also somewhat uneasy about—the idea of modern-day prophecy. The divine voice prophets hear in one way or another can lead to remarkable work for justice, but it can also send people on crusades determined to draw narrow lines for others to exist within. I'm deeply grateful for individuals like John Lewis and Martin Luther King, Jr., and I embrace wholeheartedly the notion that they were (and still are, even though they're no longer with us) prophets.
I first encountered the concept of modern-day, specifically Black prophecy through
Black Prophetic Fire, a collection of carefully edited conversations between Cornell West and Christa Buschendorf. Together they examine the lives of modern-day prophets and the ways their faith not only comforted or inspired them, but made their lives as warriors for change possible.
What I found most interesting in Walking in the Way of Harriet Tubman is Taylor-Stinson's assertion that a key difference between the Western concept of prophecy and the indigenous African concept of prophecy (which is the tradition Tubman would have learned from those around her) is that the West focuses on prophets as individuals removed from the community. Taylor-Stinson depicts African prophecy as being community oriented. The prophet doesn't withdraw from the world, but is an active member of a community and uses their prophecy to support the entire community. In the case of Tubman, that support took the form of freedom. Taylor-Smiths shows us that while Tubman originally found her way to freedom alone, she dedicated her life to helping as many members of her extended community as possible to make their way to freedom.
Each chapter in Walking in the Way of Harriet Tubman is composed of a reflection by Taylor-Stinson on a particular aspect of Tubman's life as a prophet. Each chapter ends with a suggested "Practice," a way for readers to try to evoke a similar, community-minded prophecy within themselves. I can imagine my mother embracing these suggestions for practice, meditating on them as she went through the business of her daily life. For me, embracing this practice would be a longer journey, one I don't know that I would choose to take because of my distrust of the effects of prophecy-gone-wrong. As white women, neither my mother nor I am Taylor-Stinson's primary audience. Walking in the Way of Harriet Tubman is a book by a Black woman, written for Black community—a book that might speak to me, but not directed to or concerned with my particular needs as a reader.
In sum, Walking in the Way of Harriet Tubman is a powerful book that will, I believe, speak clearly and supportively to the community for which it's written—and will also prove valuable for individuals outside that community who are willing to embrace wisdom from experiences and practices that are not their own. That's how my mom would have approached this book, and she would want me to see the ways it could speak to me as a white agnostic considering what it means to do right in the world and how that right can be done.
I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher via EdelweissPlus; the opinions are my own.
I requested a review copy of Theresa Taylor-Stinson's Walking the Way of Harriet Tubman: Public Mystic and Freedom Fighter because I thought it might be a book my mother and I would enjoy reading together. My mom was what I think of as the "best" kind of Christian: she always had an eye out for places she could make a difference and and followed through with action; her prayers where silent and full of concerns for our planet, our species, for those facing crises or violence of any kind; and she didn't proselytize. She read about faith and was particularly interested in the kinds of faith that sustained those facing oppressions or working to transform our world.
I am not a Christian. I'm an agnostic with a strong sense that I need to do right by people and planet regardless of whether a G-d exists. I'm also convinced that if there is something like G-d, there are many paths to that divinity. One path is not enough for the vastness of our universe and the cultures and life forms it contains—most of which we know absolutely nothing about.
So, I requested Walking in the Way of Harriet Tubman because it was a title I imagined my mother would enjoy and that we might be able to talk about. My mother, however, died in May before this book was released, so those conversations won't happen. I did read the title with my mother in mind, knowing that we couldn't talk it over, but thinking about the different ways it would/did speak to each of us.
I'm interested in—though also somewhat uneasy about—the idea of modern-day prophecy. The divine voice prophets hear in one way or another can lead to remarkable work for justice, but it can also send people on crusades determined to draw narrow lines for others to exist within. I'm deeply grateful for individuals like John Lewis and Martin Luther King, Jr., and I embrace wholeheartedly the notion that they were (and still are, even though they're no longer with us) prophets.
I first encountered the concept of modern-day, specifically Black prophecy through
Black Prophetic Fire, a collection of carefully edited conversations between Cornell West and Christa Buschendorf. Together they examine the lives of modern-day prophets and the ways their faith not only comforted or inspired them, but made their lives as warriors for change possible.What I found most interesting in Walking in the Way of Harriet Tubman is Taylor-Stinson's assertion that a key difference between the Western concept of prophecy and the indigenous African concept of prophecy (which is the tradition Tubman would have learned from those around her) is that the West focuses on prophets as individuals removed from the community. Taylor-Stinson depicts African prophecy as being community oriented. The prophet doesn't withdraw from the world, but is an active member of a community and uses their prophecy to support the entire community. In the case of Tubman, that support took the form of freedom. Taylor-Smiths shows us that while Tubman originally found her way to freedom alone, she dedicated her life to helping as many members of her extended community as possible to make their way to freedom.
Each chapter in Walking in the Way of Harriet Tubman is composed of a reflection by Taylor-Stinson on a particular aspect of Tubman's life as a prophet. Each chapter ends with a suggested "Practice," a way for readers to try to evoke a similar, community-minded prophecy within themselves. I can imagine my mother embracing these suggestions for practice, meditating on them as she went through the business of her daily life. For me, embracing this practice would be a longer journey, one I don't know that I would choose to take because of my distrust of the effects of prophecy-gone-wrong. As white women, neither my mother nor I am Taylor-Stinson's primary audience. Walking in the Way of Harriet Tubman is a book by a Black woman, written for Black community—a book that might speak to me, but not directed to or concerned with my particular needs as a reader.
In sum, Walking in the Way of Harriet Tubman is a powerful book that will, I believe, speak clearly and supportively to the community for which it's written—and will also prove valuable for individuals outside that community who are willing to embrace wisdom from experiences and practices that are not their own. That's how my mom would have approached this book, and she would want me to see the ways it could speak to me as a white agnostic considering what it means to do right in the world and how that right can be done.
I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher via EdelweissPlus; the opinions are my own.
July 28, 2024
A friend loaned me this book, thinking I would enjoy it. I especially loved the practices at the end of each chapter and the calls to find God and ourselves in nature. I actually read the book outside while bird watching. It was a spiritual retreat. The book is a call to action and will clearly help you to free your mind and access your spirit.
March 15, 2023
Christian and Islamic mysticisms make as their goal to achieve greater union with God. These forms of spirituality tend towards an individualistic interpretation of this goal. An individual privately seeks a mystic union with God. In contrast, African mysticism has traditionally been rooted in benefiting the community. Union with God is seen as benefitting the entire group. Contemporary African-American religion combines both of these approaches in an approach Therese Taylor-Stinson calls “public mysticism.” She explores this theme in this devotional book that walks through the spirituality of the great Harriet Tubman of Underground Railroad fame.
This book is a devotional and not a history nor a biography. Those looking for a straightforward treatment on the life of Harriet Tubman will be disappointed. Instead, this work meditates upon her life using contemporary concepts of spirituality and broadly religious practices. Although Taylor-Stinson is a Presbyterian, the tenor of the book is simply monotheistic and could be used by a Muslim, Christian, Jew, or agnostic.
As with a lot of devotionals, the wording can be a bit repetitious and verbose. Taylor-Stinson adds a section at the end of each chapter which transforms a concept (the subject of the chapter) into a practice, such as reading a song, writing a poem, or taking a spiritual walk. These practices are not focused on one specific religion but are more about communing with yourself, the universe, and if so inclined, the Creator of the universe.
My biggest criticism of this book comes in its form. I’m not sure there is enough variation in the life of Tubman to make a multifaceted devotional book out of it. The concepts of “public mystic” and “freedom fighter” are helpful, but these two concepts over the course of a book can come out a bit thin and repetitive. Taylor-Stinson attempts to supplement Tubman with another African-American public mystic Howard Thurman. Although this general approach investigates the themes differently, it makes the subject matter swerve off the course of Tubman’s life. Perhaps a devotional with one chapter devoted to one particular figure would be better.
Overall, those inclined to seeing religion’s impact on civil rights and communal justice will appreciate this book’s approach. Also, those interested in seeing different forms of spirituality than their own will benefit from the broad perspectives offered here. Even those who may not be traditionally religious but are open to a broad spirituality will find much to appreciate. If Harriet Tubman found some degree of external and internal freedom despite tremendous challenges of racism, disability, and misogyny, then we can benefit from following her example today.
This book is a devotional and not a history nor a biography. Those looking for a straightforward treatment on the life of Harriet Tubman will be disappointed. Instead, this work meditates upon her life using contemporary concepts of spirituality and broadly religious practices. Although Taylor-Stinson is a Presbyterian, the tenor of the book is simply monotheistic and could be used by a Muslim, Christian, Jew, or agnostic.
As with a lot of devotionals, the wording can be a bit repetitious and verbose. Taylor-Stinson adds a section at the end of each chapter which transforms a concept (the subject of the chapter) into a practice, such as reading a song, writing a poem, or taking a spiritual walk. These practices are not focused on one specific religion but are more about communing with yourself, the universe, and if so inclined, the Creator of the universe.
My biggest criticism of this book comes in its form. I’m not sure there is enough variation in the life of Tubman to make a multifaceted devotional book out of it. The concepts of “public mystic” and “freedom fighter” are helpful, but these two concepts over the course of a book can come out a bit thin and repetitive. Taylor-Stinson attempts to supplement Tubman with another African-American public mystic Howard Thurman. Although this general approach investigates the themes differently, it makes the subject matter swerve off the course of Tubman’s life. Perhaps a devotional with one chapter devoted to one particular figure would be better.
Overall, those inclined to seeing religion’s impact on civil rights and communal justice will appreciate this book’s approach. Also, those interested in seeing different forms of spirituality than their own will benefit from the broad perspectives offered here. Even those who may not be traditionally religious but are open to a broad spirituality will find much to appreciate. If Harriet Tubman found some degree of external and internal freedom despite tremendous challenges of racism, disability, and misogyny, then we can benefit from following her example today.
June 27, 2024
Beginning with the positives: each chapter of this book closes with a practice, ranging from centering prayer, reflections on spirituals, and other exercises that tie in with some aspect of Tubman's life. These exercises are very interesting and well done. However, the actual chapters, and the book's content overall, are frequently repetitive and tangential. The book is certainly not a biography of Tubman (nor is it advertised as such), however, it's difficult to classify it as even a story of Tubman's mysticism. Depictions or "proof" of Tubman's mysticism are mostly limited to nebulous references to "dreams" and "visions", with very few examples or descriptions of these experiences given. It requires the reader to already be familiar with Tubman's life and experiences, and then be able to contextualize and understand these experiences as being "mystical". The author includes many personal stories and descriptions of visions/dreams, which, although interesting, detract from the idea of this book being a story about Harriet Tubman's life and spirituality. After reading, I'm unsure as to whether the book was intended to be a historical narrative about Tubman's spirituality, or, instead, a book that attempts to give practical applications for tenets of her beliefs.
I was provided a free advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through the LibraryThing Early Reviewers program. This in no way influences my review.
I was provided a free advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through the LibraryThing Early Reviewers program. This in no way influences my review.
February 27, 2023
I received a copy of Walking the Way of Harriet Tubman: Public Mystic & Freedom Fighter by Therese Taylor-Stinson for review. Now the author states in her preface that this is not a simple straight forward history, which is what I was hoping to get, and she is accurate to her word. Setting this aside however, I found the book to be disjointed, poorly laid out and written and too often repetitive.
It is likely that I am not the targeted audience for this book, and I was not comfortable with the way the labeled Harriet Tubman as a mystic nor how they define mysticism in the book.
I was disappointed in the how limited the story of Harriet Tubman was, and how the author kept returning to the same simple platitudes and descriptions, too often referring to her narcolepsy as a spiritual event.
I fully encourage everyone to read a book an make their own determination on its value and not to rely on someone else's evaluation of a book, I however rate this book a 1 star book and would not be able to recommend to anyone as a book on Harriet Tubman and am looking to read another book on her soon. That being said the passion of the author on her subject is felt throughout the book and I have no doubt she put her heart and soul into it.
This is my own opinion and doesn't reflect anyone else.
It is likely that I am not the targeted audience for this book, and I was not comfortable with the way the labeled Harriet Tubman as a mystic nor how they define mysticism in the book.
I was disappointed in the how limited the story of Harriet Tubman was, and how the author kept returning to the same simple platitudes and descriptions, too often referring to her narcolepsy as a spiritual event.
I fully encourage everyone to read a book an make their own determination on its value and not to rely on someone else's evaluation of a book, I however rate this book a 1 star book and would not be able to recommend to anyone as a book on Harriet Tubman and am looking to read another book on her soon. That being said the passion of the author on her subject is felt throughout the book and I have no doubt she put her heart and soul into it.
This is my own opinion and doesn't reflect anyone else.
February 11, 2024
I met Therese Taylor-Stinson at a gathering of the Shalem Society, and was drawn to read her book about Harriet Tubman as a public mystic. The term "public mystic" is a useful one, and I don't remember encountering it until reading this book. A mystic, as the author explains, is one whose spirituality is rooted in contemplating the Mystery of what some call God and others call, simply, Mystery. A "public mystic" is one whose spirituality is directed not only inward, toward her own freedom, but also toward the liberation of her community, and of societies and individuals everywhere. From this book I learned how Harriet Tubman's mysticism was grounded in her African roots, just two generations back. I am now drawn to further reading about this immensely powerful, small, disabled woman who was able to lead so many to freedom. I am also mindful how the history of Christian spirituality has concentrated on the teachings of white men (and a few white women) and overlooked important figures of African origin or descent. As she tells Harriet's story, Therese invites us to consider where we remain in bondage, and to walk with Harriet toward freedom in our own lives.
August 1, 2023
What I enjoyed most about this book was the invitation to do a spiritual practice after the different reflections offered in each chapter of Harriet as a mystic leading us to freedom that is both exterior and interior. If you just read through the book and skip the practices I believe you will miss the most important part of the experience. The practices invite us into expanding our own mystical understanding and insight. This is not meant to be a history book about Harriet Tubman but it is meant to be a mystical journey with her. I found taking time to do the practices helped me connect more deeply with my own mystical desires. I also appreciated the definition of Contemplation as one inclusive of African Contemplation that points all our contemplation as that which should be in service to the community and not just in service to an individuals personal experience of God. So read the book but only if you are going to commit to the practices as well!
October 29, 2025
I enjoyed reading about Harriet Tubman as a Christian mystic and seeing how Taylor-Stinson developed a spiritual formation practice from Tubman’s life and work. I also enjoyed that it is a relatively quick read, so I was able to mull over the practices and ideas in greater detail. I gave three stars because I felt the way the Taylor-Stinson related current events woven within the chapters didn’t give multiple perspectives. So I felt that it read like Tubman’s life and the Apothecary were (and the reader’s response should be!) aimed at only one perspective - the author’s. So to me, it polarized the response and felt exclusive. However, I did enjoy hearing her perspective on events. I just didn’t like the way she edited it in. I guess I’m being really picky! 🙃 Overall, it was a worthwhile read. I didn’t give 4 or 5 stars because it didn’t fully sink in with me. But I did really enjoy reading the book and think anyone else would too.
December 12, 2023
Walking The Way of Harriet Tubman is a devotional guide. I wanted to learn more about what Tubman did as a guide on the Underground Railroad but that was not Therese Taylor-Stinson’s purpose in writing it. In a brief 150 the author shows how African and African American faith practices helped Tubman and others find inner freedom and actual liberation. Tubman is called a public mystic who shows others the way by example. There are still public mystics among us the book says. Among them we have examples of Dr. King, Malcolm X , William Barber and others.
March 4, 2023
I love this small book with big ideas. Each chapter looks at an aspect of Mrs. Tubman's life and how she succeeded in her dangerous journeys up and down the East Coast in the antebellum South. After each chapter, the book offers ways in which we can put these ideas to practice. The process is powerful, and I am still drafting some sections even after finishing the book.
March 25, 2023
This is not a biography that focuses on the spiritual elements of Harriet Tubman's life. It is a guidebook on public mysticism that uses a few moments in Harriet Tubman's life as touchstones. The religious discussion of internal freedom is an interesting one.
February 26, 2024
I really wanted to like this book. There were parts of it that I really did. But it read kind of like a bunch of essays that were put together and so there was so much redundancy.
February 11, 2023
If you’re interested in a traditional biography of Harriet Tubman, this may not be the book for you. If, however, you would like to emulate Tubman’s remarkable accomplishments, you may well find insight and inspiration here. Taylor-Stinson appraises aspects of Tubman’s life and devout faith and offers suggestions to her readers for ways to implement these in seeking freedom whatever spiritual obstacles they (we) face. A different take on an important historic leader.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews