A Life of Being, Having, and Doing Enough

Muller's latest release was the November selection for South Austin Spiritual Book Group. Our Book Group was kicked off in 2005 with Muller's book, "Sabbath", so we are full circle with this title.I appreciated the contemporary editing with mini-chapters and some content inserted from Wayne's friends and inspirational luminaries.It is both a modern and ancient question to study the meaning of "enough" in our lives. It is a question I have pondered for perhaps forty years now. If you think about it for very long, the question begins to sharpen your values and challenge the meaning of your life.I felt better immediately after beginning this book because it helped me get underneath my to-do list and gain a greater sense of purpose to the movement and activity in my life. This material was perfect to read before the holidays begin--the book sets you up to come from a sense of deep value instead of the usual overwhelm that hits as Thanksgiving sets in.Wayne quotes Gerald May early on and hits me between the eyes with"Efficiency is the how of life. Love is the why." Muller discusses how we seem to get more points for efficiency in life than for love and how we confuse the two.Later Muller goes into how right actions do not necessarily mean right results, further exploring that bad things can and do happen to good people.I feel that this book, although not the least bit trendy itself, is part of a trend toward resource conservation, which I have seen reflected in everything from the small house movement to the holistic preservation of human adrenals. The book is a nice counterpoint to the three year olds I see in the grocery store who are already too absorbed with their handhelds to connect with their mothers. And the book gives me hope that there may be enough water after a summer of 90 days of 110 degree heat and no rain.This title was presented to our Group by representatives of Muller's micro-granting nonprofit, Bread for the Journey, from its local chapter in Austin. What Bread for the Journey does is apply in the community what the book talks about. Our Book Group found that to be so cool that many of us signed up to be engaged in BFTJ's local grantmaking process.

For those familiar with Wayne Muller and his work, it's no surprise to see another 5-star ranking for "a life of being, having, and doing enough."The philosophy of enough found in this book covers realms material, spiritual, economic, and (even) political. In his typical unhurried yet efficient style, Muller probes and questions society's penchant for more, more, more. He tells engaging stories in order to teach from his experience. He doesn't adopt the voice of expert, however; we're invited to go down this path of less (at times less is more and other times less is enough) together. I came across "a life of being, having, and doing enough" while doing preparation for presenting on my own book "Just a Little Bit More: The Culture of Excess and the Fate of the Common Good" (Blue Ocotillo Publishing, 2014). These two books are quite different in their approach - mine being the economic, sociological, and historical nuts and bolts of our current culture of excess - but they pair up quite well.Wayne's book is one that I will not only recommend to Amazon readers (you!) that I don't know, but one that I will purchase copies of in order to give to my good friends and loved ones: when you have some time, read this book and pay attention to its message. It's the type of book that doesn't have to be read in a one season setting. It can be taken in as needed. Its reading doesn't need to be rushed or hurried. It and its message will be there when its reader slows down - has had enough of the proverbial rat race - and is ready for some change of pace enlightenment.

This book has a lot of anecdotes and life lessons from a white minister from Harvard in overlooked communities. It’s light on evidence or more scientific approaches to self improvement and heavy on his life lessons. I find myself agreeing with most or all of the problems he identifies but the solutions portion is a bit less helpful. There’s some passages that mostly come across as bragging.The speed of the heart and mind chapter seems half baked, there’s a legit point in there about how processing emotions is difficult but his whole way of explaining it seems like a fallacy.There were several good parts that triggered some self reflection in the first half of the book, but in chapter 45 he talks about being part of a giant mistake where “good” intentioned people caused a massive harm and then writes it off as forces greater than ourselves. But it was clearly the people making decisions didn’t have enough hands on experience with the people they were helping, which struck me as a ludicrous rationalization and little to no taking of responsibility.I couldn’t read past that.Overall this is clearly someone who’s done great works, but I think having a coauthor with a different background or mixing in some cognitive science would really help solidify the advice he’s giving.

Every one of Wayne Muller's books has been a life transforming journey for me. I consider him my main mentor, reading his book Sabbath again and again since 2003 and giving away 25 copies! Like Sabbath, this book calls us away from the violence of busyness that besets modern life to refocus on what endures. I LOVE the short chapters - each a life lesson - that I can read again and again, each time going deeper into a centering reality that shifts my consciousness from the distractions of the complexities of the American lifestyle to the wholeness of simplicity and eternal truth. Once again, Muller crafts words that connect the reader with the rhythms of life - I call it "finding the pace of grace." And, yes, I've bought multiple copies of this book to share with friends and family! Next I will get the Kindle versions to carry the library of his works with me all the time! Hearing him speak in person is on my bucket list.

This book was deep and meaningful in ways to communicate key messages. It requires attention and flow in the reading. To some it may not be easy to read but once in the flow it’s a great book to read

I really loved this book - it is going more in-depth about what is important in life. It's not an easy read nor a simple self-help book. But I honestly loved it. If you're more into philosophy or like to refect on different aspects of life I really recommend it.

There are some great ideas in here and I have found much that is useful. The author speaks from the truth of his work and his life and I find myself changed because of it.

An uplifting, beautifully written book which sends a great message to anyone who feels they need to do more .. acceptance and mercy.. that is all we need more of...We are already enough.

This book is so important for the excessive world we live in now...enables a sense of inner freeing & peace...

Some good tips in here.