Looking in the Distance: The Human Search for Meaning

by Richard Holloway

By the former Bishop of Edinburgh, Richard Holloway, Looking in the Distance celebrates the possibilities of life, its rewards and profound challenges, with a fresh, humane optimism that is both passionate and pragmatic. Fearlessly pondering life’s end, Holloway examines how doubts too often paralyze people. He explains, “A sentence is not finished till it has a full stop, and every life needs a dying to complete it … Our brief finitude is but a beautiful spark in the vast darkness of space. So we should live the fleeting day with passion and, when the night comes, depart from it with grace.” Written in the context of organized religion’s structural difficulties, Looking in the Distance is a highly personal and meditative work that helps us better understand the myriad ways in which the human search for wholeness and healing can be approached. Accessible, funny, inquisitive and ever hopeful, it will inspire all who read it.

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction, Religion, Christianity, Spirituality, Self Help, Theology

240 pages, Hardcover

First published July 30, 2004

About the author

Richard Holloway is a Scottish writer, broadcaster and cleric. He was the Bishop of Edinburgh from 1986 to 2000 and Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church from 1992 to 2000.

Reviews

[Fred Langridge · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this easy to read, interesting and observant.
I think its blurb was rather misleading! I'd say it's a reflection on how and why we can do the things that religion does well, without necessarily doing religion.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

For an (admittedly retired) bishop, Richard Holloway makes a surprising good case for Humanism. This a wide ranging and thoughtful exploration of why and how we should live without religion. Although it pulls no punches when discussing how harmful religion can be, Holloway manages to do so in a considered and un-confrontational way. Ideal for someone who is drifting towards atheism and Humanism, but not yet ready for unadulterated Dawkins and Hitchens

[Vivien · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bought at daunt books on Liam’s recommendation
Didn’t write any notes but I enjoyed the perspective and use of biblical stories and poetry
Led me to see him speak in edi 2024

Notes from the talk

Judging
Certainty is the enemy of faith, not doubt
Atheism is also, certainty that their isn’t god

Transcendence
Gracious agnosticism
That was then this is now, it’s outdated
Religion is fading but believe in the norms - forgiveness

It’s good to get into hot water it keeps you clean

Any progress comes from challenging norms

Inner security from parents then easy

Calvin - Pre destination
Knox - Protestant, Geneva. Dessert emptiness as close to god no interference, same as Geneva church emptiness

WH Auden
I love the fact that he happened
Religion is a kind of realised pretty
Last line - regret using Or die, should be And die

Yates
Bone shop off the heart

Mortality
Eschatological
Death to religion
Facticity

Don’t know if there is meaning but let’s live as if there is

Walking
Parable of humanity
Religion as human politics
Religions value as story, to tell us to live well

Belief game
Non believers don’t participate
Un believers believe no god

[Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author attempts to reconcile the empirically spiritual with the empirically secular. His arguments are permeated with a dour Presbyterian determinist inevitablity, which he will never escape no matter how far he removes himself from his previous experience as a high ranking prelate in the Scottish church. Broad generalisations and incessant references to ephemeral works of fiction to explain high level spiritual concepts ring hollow. He needs a good dose of the Ignatian spiritual exercises. (footnote: I enjoyed his book "Leaving Alexandria", more of a memoir of his own journey rather than an attempt to be an authoritative commentary.)

[Suzie Grogan · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a perfect book, full of wisdom, knowledge and a breadth of reading that leaves one feeling calm and better able to see life for what it is and can be. The ending, dealing with death, is especially poignant and so very true, if only Western society was better fitted to accept it.

[Jo Larkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wise and scholarly. Richard Holloway describes and argues how meaning, morality and goodness can be found and lived without religion. I found the final 'movement' on "Leaving"...death, particularly uplifting, hopeful and inspiring.

[معتصم الهقاص · Rating 1 out of 5]

لغة غير مسؤولة، وكاتب ما زاده تراكم الأعوام إلا كلالا في العقل وانطماسا في البصيرة. يتجاسر على الدين بلا دليل سوى الهوى. ترجمت منه ٥٠ صفحة فأودعتها الرفوف لئلا يتأذى بها أحد من الخلق

[Brett Genus · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this the most extremely useful book to discuss religion, enjoyed it very much that was over 10 years ago now....

[Pavel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written and thoughtful book, written by a person one can legitimately call “wise”.

[John Howes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good reflection on how life can have meaning.

[Swantje · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprised by this book because I just randomly found it in a second hand shop in Inverness. Did some research about the author and was delighted to find out that he was the bishop of Edinburgh for a long time and actively advocating for LGBTQ right and feminism. I enjoyed the wit with which he was bashing discriminating thoughts. He managed to successfully link quotes and historical background with his own observation of modern life. Good material to reflect on and motivated me to also write my own book one day.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recommended by a kindred spirit after a hard time, this book offered good words when those around me have had few. The last section was strongest by far.

[Tony Whatmough · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book!

[Tim Newell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written piece of guidance about the future of living now that there is a recognition of the failure of traditional faiths. Gave me some reassurance and I’ll return to it I’m sure

[Andrew Neuendorf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Live with passion, die with grace.