Duckworth Books Ltd, 2025
ISBN: 978-0715655153
Reviewed by Ian Mowll
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This book is excellent. It is about the search for meaning in our rapidly changing world. It explores ayahuasca (a hallucinogen), yoga, tarot, astrology, manifestation, reiki, atheism, physical exercise, meditation, Nature spirituality, shamanism and raves. The importance of this exploration is best summed up by the author’s statement on page 8:
I hope to make the case that bridging the spirituality gap holds some urgency. In fact, the solutions to our problems, both personal and planetary, are often taken to be spiritual in nature.
As the author says, Christianity in the western world is (in general) losing its influence as it is adrift from finding good responses to many of the changes we are experiencing. But what is filling the gap in people’s need for meaning, purpose and connection?
The author personally experienced, and participated in, each area that she investigated. She also did not shy away from asking hard questions and probing for answers amongst the experts in each domain. And every time, she gave an honest appraisal, both positive and negative. This made for compelling reading as I often found myself saying “that’s the question I want to ask”. What I liked was the fact that the author’s approach was grounded in science (she has a background in science journalism) and yet she is also open to the mystical. She has an ability to tease out where science or the mystical are useful lenses to look for answers.
As the author personally engaged with each of the forms of spirituality, I was led through an authentic journey of exploration in mind, body and soul. It was well researched with helpful input from various experts. I was intrigued by the author’s ayahuasca ceremony which had a profound impact on her life. There is so much to explore in this growing area of spiritual and emotional development.
GreenSpirit is mentioned in the section on Nature based spirituality. And as the author came to one of GreenSpirit’s online events, she could talk about GreenSpirit with first hand knowledge. Nature based spirituality comes across well in the book with its healing, community spirit and how it can help reduce burn out for activists, amongst other benefits. As the author says on page 236:
… like every other Romantically inclined person since the Industrial Revolution, I do think something is broken in our society’s relationship with nature. Healing that disconnect strikes me as innately spiritual, and if earth-spiritualities are having a moment now, it isn’t a moment too soon.
As a result of reading this book, I have expanded my understanding of various spiritualities and I can see, more clearly, how Nature based spirituality fits into the wider cultural context. But perhaps most importantly, I felt like a fellow traveller with the author in my search for meaning. This strong sense I experienced of ‘me too’ shows me that I am not alone in my search and that others are asking similar questions. As Ram Dass said, “We’re all just walking each other home.” I want to extend a thank you to Abi for her commitment, courage and honesty in writing this book.