Abounding Grace An Anthology Of Wisdom

Abounding Grace An Anthology Of Wisdom by M. Scott Peck

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• Hardcover

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• 
  

Author: 

• M. Scott Peck

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Summary:

M. Scott Peck, renowned for his writings on spiritual growth and author of the classic, The Road Less Traveled, has inspired countless people with his words of wisdom and insight. Now, in Abounding Grace, Dr. Peck presents us with a collection of his favorite quotations on such essential aspects of life as happiness, love, faith, and virtue. Gleaned from writers and thinkers, both famous and obscure, ancient and modern, these words-sometimes paradoxical, sometimes humorous, always eloquent and thought provoking-serve as guideposts on the road to a more spiritual existence. In his commentary introducing each of the 12 parts of his book, Dr. Peck challenges us to live a life of consciousness, goodness, and wholeness, and to look within ourselves and seriously consider how we may make the most of who we are. Through questions, examples, and anecdotes from his own experiences, Dr. Peck provides an original, fascinating, and enriching reading experience, creating, in truth, An Anthology of Wisdom. Abounding Grace is divided into 12 parts: Happiness, Courage, Compassion, Purity, Perseverance, Courtesy, Faith, Goodness, Love, Respect, Strength, and Wisdom. Dr. Peck has written a lengthy introduction and a commentary for each of the 12 parts. Below is an excerpt from his commentary on Happiness:"Happiness as an unmodified goal will likely be self-defeating. . . . Seek to be loved and you probably won't be; seek to love, on the other hand, and you probably will be. Look solely for happiness, and I doubt you'll find it. Forget about happiness, seek wisdom and goodness, and happiness will probablyfind you." The following are a few quotations from the same part:"Happiness depends upon ourselves." -Aristotle"The bird of paradise alights only upon the hand that does not grasp." -John Berry"When you jump for joy, beware that no one moves the ground from beneath your feet." -Stanislaw Lec"We all may have come on different ships, but we're in the same boat now." -Martin Luther King Jr."Arrange whatever pieces come your way." -Virginia Woolf "Joy is not in things; it is in us." -Richard

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The best-selling author of The Road Less Traveled presents an inspirational compendium of his favorite quotations on love, faith, courage, happiness, compassion, wisdom, strength, goodness, respect, purity, courtesy, and perseverance that serve as guideposts along the path to spiritual awareness.

Review:

Reading Abounding Grace is like taking a master's level class on "Spiritual Wisdom Through the Ages" taught by the old soul of M. Scott Peck. In editing this anthology Peck assembled what he considered to be the most well-written, inspirational, and enlightening quotes that speak to the top 12 virtues--happiness, courage, compassion, purity, perseverance, courtesy, faith, goodness, love, respect, strength, and wisdom. He then wrote an introductory essay on each virtue before presenting his lengthy selections of quotes.

When introducing the virtue of "Happiness," Peck asserts his controversial belief that, "The lie is that we are here on earth to be comfortable, happy and fulfilled.... The truth is that our finest moments are more likely to occur when we are feeling deeply uncomfortable, unhappy, or unfulfilled. For it is only in such moments, propelled by discomfort, that we are likely to step out of our ruts and start searching for different ways or truer answers--or even for God."

He follows this elegant essay with a series of profound, tender, and even playful quotes about happiness, such as "There is nothing more beautiful than cheerfulness in an old man's face." (Jean Paul Richter) "The secret of contentment is the realization that life is a gift, not a right." (Anonymous) As a bonus, Abounding Grace also makes a lasting reference book, one of the best sources of spiritually-minded quotes available. --Gail Hudson