If... Questions for the Soul - Hardcover

Evelyn McFarlane; James Saywell

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0679456368 ISBN 13: 9780679456360

Publisher: Villard, 1998

Synopsis

If you were God for a day, what would you do? If you had to remember the moment in your life when you felt the most alone, when would it be? If you were to name one event that most challenged your relationship with your family, what would you say? If your soul was a color, which color would it be? If you learned that there actually was a Heaven and Hell, what is the first thing you'd change in your life?
        The ultimate task we face in life is the process of finding and accepting our true selves, our souls. It's often too scary, too overwhelming, or too time-consuming to begin the whole introspective process of self-discovery. So we often don't look. Instead, we do such things as work harder, spend money, eat and drink more, or maybe just clean the house. But what we forget--or maybe never knew--about soul-searching is that this process can be deeply rewarding, fun, and even entertaining.
        In their bestselling series of If . . . books, If . . . (Questions for the Game of Life), If2 . . . (More Questions for the Game of Life), and If3 . . . (Questions for the Game of Love), authors Evelyn McFarlane and James Saywell have reintroduced the power of the question. These "If . . . " questions have served as icebreakers, after-dinner games, and a platform for intensifying relationships with one's friends, lovers, and self. Now, in If . . . : Questions for the Soul, they present a phenomenal collection of questions that will help you begin your soul search. These questions will inspire and challenge you and guide you to a deeper understanding of your soul.

About this title

Review

When it comes to understanding one's inner spirit, one's raison d'être, asking the right questions is often more important than finding the right answers. If...: Questions for the Soul does just that--providing a book full of key questions that can unlock mysteries or at the very least provoke some interesting dinner-party conversations. Questions include the following:

If you had to name the single most important ingredient for a spiritual life, what would you say it is? If you were to describe your attitude toward sin, what would you say? If you were to describe a way in which the soul of a person is tested, what would you say?

Although authors McFarlane and Saywell (If...: Questions for the Game of Life) avoid inserting their own conclusions or theories, the list of questions has an underlying goal. According to the authors, "This fourth collection of If...: Questions... is designed to help us explore--at our own pace, and to varying depth--that most hidden and essential part of ourselves." As a result, some questions have the weight of serious contemplation, while others offer a playful entry into the lifelong challenge of knowing one's soul. --Gail Hudson

About the Author

Evelyn McFarlane was born in Brooklyn and grew up in San Diego. She received a degree in architecture from Cor-nell University and has worked in New York and Boston as an architect. She now lives in Florence, Italy. In addition to writing, she lectures on architecture for the Elder Hostel programs and is a full-time student at the Florence Academy of Art.

James Saywell was born in Canada and lived in Asia as a child. Besides questions, he designs buildings and furniture. He divides his time between the United States and Italy.

Their first three books were: If . . . (Questions for the Game of Life), If2 . . . (More Questions for the Game of Life), and If3 . . . (Questions for the Game of Love).

About this edition

• Publisher: Villard
• Publication date: 1998
• ISBN 10: 0679456368
• ISBN 13: 9780679456360
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 144