God is No Laughing Matter: Observations and Objections on the Spiritual Path - Softcover

Cameron, Julia

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1585421286 ISBN 13: 9781585421282

Publisher: TarcherPerigee, 2001

Synopsis

In God Is No Laughing Matter, bestselling author Julia Cameron takes a witty, powerfully honest, and irreverent look at the culture of "spirituality" today and offers insight to enable readers to determine their personal spiritual path. The important thing to remember, she says, is that God is both more humorous and more humane than we've been taught.

With her trademark "sparkling prose" (Publishers Weekly), anecdotes, and helpful techniques, Cameron's thought-provoking essays paint the spiritual journey in a refreshingly clear light. Addressing the way in which spiritual "experts" have clouded the message, her book shows readers how to improve concentration and how to make conscious choices that heighten their individual autonomy as well as enrich their lives and their communities.

About this title

Review

Ever since she wrote The Artist's Way Julia Cameron has championed the belief that creativity is a spiritual act and even a birthright. If readers ever feel that their creativity is blocked she has always suggested that they look inward for inspiration and guidance. She explains, "All of the tools that I teach are the tools of inner listening.... When people tune in that way, they not only hear their own personality; they also hear a higher octave of guidance."

In a sense, Cameron has always nudged her readers to forge a more conscious relationship with God. So it isn't any surprise that she would eventually tackle this topic head-on in God Is No Laughing Matter. This inspirational book is formatted as a series of essays, and each one ends with a suggested "Experiment" or "Exercise." This essay structure gives the book lightness and approachability, which is fitting, considering that her main premise is that we need to lighten up so that we can better approach God. When challenging the notion that "God is no laughing matter," she writes, "I'm not so sure about that. Look at octopuses, for example. And baboons with those hilarious bright red asses."

Sound superficial? Don't make me laugh. This is actually one of Cameron's most articulate, spirited, and ripened books yet. Although she underscores some of the spiritual advice that's already being said (slow down, simplify, be still), readers will find plenty of fresh and original essays in a book that really matters. --Gail Hudson

About the Author

Julia Cameron has been an active artist for more than three decades. She is the author of more than thirty books, including such bestselling works on the creative process as The Artist’s Way, Walking in This World, and Finding Water. Also a novelist, playwright, songwriter, and poet, she has multiple credits in theater, film, and television, including an episode of Miami Vice, which featured Miles Davis, and Elvis and the Beauty Queen, which starred Don Johnson. She was a writer on such movies as Taxi Driver, New York, New York, and The Last Waltz. She wrote, produced, and directed the award-winning independent feature film God's Will, which premiered at the Chicago International Film Festival, and was selected by the London Film Festival, the Munich International Film Festival, and the Women in Film Festival, among others. In addition to making films, Cameron has taught film at such diverse places as Chicago Filmmakers, Northwestern University, and Columbia College. She is also an award-winning playwright, whose work has appeared on such well-known stages as the McCarter Theater at Princeton University and the Denver Center for the Performing Arts.

Edition details

• Publisher: TarcherPerigee
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 1585421286
• ISBN 13: 9781585421282
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 320