I'm God; You're Not: Observations on Organized Religion & Other Disguises of the Ego - Softcover

Kushner, Rabbi Lawrence

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1580235131 ISBN 13: 9781580235136

Publisher: Jewish Lights, 2012

Synopsis

Flashes of insight―surprising, entertaining, inspiring―from one of the most creative spiritual thinkers in America.

"The goal of all spiritual life is to get your ego out of the way―outwit the sucker; dissolve it; shoot it; kill it. Silence the incessant planning, organizing, running, manipulating, possessing, and processing that are the ineluctable redoubts of the ego. Not because these activities are bad or wrong or even narcissistic ... but because they preclude awareness of the Divine. To paraphrase the Talmud, God says, 'There ain't room enough in this here world for your ego and Me. You pick.'"
―from the Introduction

Tapping the experiences and wisdom of his career as a spiritual leader, Lawrence Kushner delights, surprises, challenges and inspires us. With his signature candor, wit and compassion, he helps us reconnect with the why and how of our spiritual lives. He encourages us to find new perspectives on the "life-stuff" that shapes them, and gently reminds us of the Source of it All.

These inspiring―often startling―insights will warm you during the dark times of your own doubts even as they brighten your quest for meaning, faith, identity, community―and holiness.

About this title

About the Author

Lawrence Kushner, author, lecturer and spiritual leader, is regarded as one of the most creative religious thinkers and writers in America. A commentator on National Public Radio's All Things Considered, he has focused us on spiritual renewal with wisdom and humor. Through his books and lectures, people of every faith and background have found inspiration and new strength for spiritual search and growth. It has been said that some spiritual leaders blend religion and psychology to help us walk better on the ground, but Lawrence Kushner draws on the wisdom of the mystics to help us dance better on the ceiling.

Kushner's acclaimed books include I’m God; You’re Not: Observations on Organized Religion & Other Disguises of the Ego; Honey from the Rock: An Easy Introduction to Jewish Mysticism; Invisible Lines of Connection: Sacred Stories of the Ordinary; The Book of Letters: A Mystical Hebrew Alphabet; Jewish Spirituality: A Brief Introduction for Christians; and In God’s Hands, an inspiring fable for children, with Gary Schmidt (all Jewish Lights).

Kushner served as rabbi at Congregation Beth El in Sudbury, Massachusetts, for almost thirty years; he is currently the Emanu-El scholar at Congregation Emanu-El in San Francisco, and an adjunct faculty member at Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion. He is fascinated by graphic design and computers (designing most of his Jewish Lights books). He enjoys Mozart, hanging around sailboats, and making his granddaughters giggle.

Review

"A window into the heart and soul of a man who models what it means to be a rabbi.... You will be touched by [his] gentle, lighthearted and compassionate ... Truth."
―Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, coauthor, Jewish with Feeling and A Heart Afire; author, First Steps to a New Jewish Spirit

"A wonderful collection of classic Kushner wit and wisdom. He has a gift for presenting profound ideas in phrase and story that speak to our lives."
―Rabbi Ellen Dreyfus, president, Central Conference of American Rabbis; rabbi, B'nai Yehuda Beth Sholom, Homewood, Illinois

“Larry Kushner experiences Jewish life with ... an extra measure of soul. Where we find closed doors, he finds open possibilities. Where we see endings, he perceives new beginnings. With love and humor, he invites us to see our Jewish lives through new eyes.”
―Rabbi Edward Feinstein, editor, Jews and Judaism in the 21st Century: Human Responsibility, the Presence of God and the Future of the Covenant

“So witty and entertaining that you won't want to put [it] down. [Its] deep wisdom and clear insight sneak up on you while you’re chuckling.”
―Rabbi David A. Teutsch, PhD, author, Spiritual Community: The Power to Restore Hope, Commitment and Joy

About this edition

• Publisher: Jewish Lights
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 1580235131
• ISBN 13: 9781580235136
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 256