A Way in the Wilderness: Refections of a Desert Pilgrim Paperback – August 29, 2013

This book is a beautiful work of an open and curious heart. It presents profound truths with simplicity, without the need to hide behind theological discourse, and challenges some of the common assumptions of "religious" people.Each chapter combines personal thoughts and recollections together with references to great thinkers such as the desert mothers and fathers. The author's use of personal stories, like Jesus' parables, "show" truths, rather than "telling" or "preaching" them. That method is very powerful and leaves the reader open to ponder these truths through his or her own experiences, to find his or her own way to and around those truths.It is an accessible and enjoyable read and I highly recommend it.

The wonderful thing about reading Paul Kowalewski's "reflections" is that the human insights relate to everyone's experience, regardless of secular or religious identity. This book borrow's from all spiritual and humanist traditions and by way of easily understood, well organized personal stories, not only stimulates the reader to think about his or her own life's journey, but how we relate to each other and with nature. Highly recommended and personally helpful reading, I have bought copies for many of my friends.

This author's thoughts about the desert, life, and our spiritual journey are so thoughtfully and beautifully expressed, Many of his meditations resonate so deeply within that I return to them again and again. Highly recommended.

I have enjoyed this book. Have read it over many times. I see many helpful ideas for living a better life.

Another book on spirituality. Makes me wonder why anyone needs another book on spirituality. The Northern Hemisphere's general and gradual crumbling of Church tends to make the point clear, village by village, neighborhood by neighborhood, church attendance goes down, average age goes up as if to remind the minister that at least there are funerals to do.So it goes, until it becomes abundantly clear that this collection is different. A Way in the Wilderness, by Paul Kowalewski, is a series of private reflections, yet not "me an' Jesus." reflections. The author writes, "The experience of God is never individualized, never just a private walk with Jesus." Rather, as though to show us how to experience God, the author cuts across culture and tradition, quoting from His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, an old Welshman listening to a hillside covered with music, and a physicist on what happens to music when it ends. Even the Buddha, and Crosby, Stills and Nash are represented here, as, of course, is Jesus too.Like any careful writing, this collection is not simply a bag of answers. Instead, the author invites us to move beyond the old way, the old toothless way in our search of holiness. He invites us to dig in and find from contemporary stories and deep wisdom, a way to a place people once called Eden.This book invites each of us to tell and listen to our own stories, to plumb our own experiences and those that others share around the table, and to find therein what some have called "a sacred peace - a thin place," right where we are.This is a little book that will engage individuals, and even groups, as they discover their own deserts, those hot and dry, and those "sporting such wildly exotic flowers in hues and blends of colors which even the most gifted artist would find impossible to replicate," and so discover their own way through.

A Way in the Wilderness: Reflections of a Desert Pilgrim has changed many of the ways in which I view my own spiritual journey, and it has given me support, encouragement, and insight to pursue real transformation with courage. Dr. Kowalewski speaks with an honest and unpretentious voice and the book highlights real people and real situations compiled to help one see that, while we are sometimes stuck in our religious beliefs, God meets us where we are and carries us through the tough times to a greater understanding. Drawing from vast experiences in his own life and the lives of others he explores how we can rely on our own spirit or soul to guide us to. This book is designed to help us get back on track if we find ourselves spiritually stuck, no matter what beliefs we currently may have. He shows us how our souls can be a guiding force helping us with letting go, to stop making harmful assumptions and with the decision making processes we face every day.

So many of us yearn for a meaningful spiritual life, but get derailed by religion (even when it means well.) How do you get the noise and clutter of our religious training out of our heads to hear the still voice of the Creator? Dr. Kowalewski takes us back the desert, the environment in which all the Abrahamic faiths began, and lets us hear ancient voices as once again new. I particularly admire the author's voice which is free of pedantry. He doesn't tell us what to think or do. Kowalewski invites us to get lost in the desert as the path to finding our connection to God.

Paul Kowalewski artfully weaves the wisdom of the major religions with skill and insight. The stories he uses from those same traditions clearly illustrate the spiritual moments he highlights. Paul is a gifted writer and this book is an inspirational read. By using the California desert as a frame of reference he also beautifully captures not only why so many of us call it home, but also consider it to be a spiritual oasis on our life's journey.