Becoming Wise an Enquirey Into the Mystery and Art of Living

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Adriana Krista Tippett, forth with her phenomenal podcast On Being, does non cater to women or men. Are the topics of spirituality, religion, truth, science, …more than Krista Tippett, forth with her phenomenal podcast On Existence, does non cater to women or men. Are the topics of spirituality, religion, truth, science, literature, poetry, kindness, unity, social club, philosophy (etc. etc) gendered topics? Is the concept of humanity gendered?

More precisely, most of the reviewers of this beautiful book are women due to the fact that men do non often read books by women (especially books by women writers that are branded as "self-help," a categorization for this volume that I find paltry and defective).(less)

Community Reviews

 · 5,271 ratings  · 570 reviews

First your review of Becoming Wise: An Inquiry into the Mystery and Art of Living

Perchance, like me, you've listened to On Existence on your local NPR station or by podcast for years. Perhaps you listen not only to the gracefully edited version of the program only also to the messier, more intimate, unedited versions. If and then, you will dear this volume.

Perhaps yous've never heard of the author or her program but, similar Solomon of old, you yearn to exist wise. You too will find this book a refreshing stream in the desert.

Krista Tippett knows the power of a good beginning judgement. She has comme

Perhaps, like me, you've listened to On Being on your local NPR station or by podcast for years. Perhaps y'all mind not only to the gracefully edited version of the program but also to the messier, more than intimate, unedited versions. If so, you will love this volume.

Perhaps yous've never heard of the writer or her program merely, like Solomon of erstwhile, y'all yearn to be wise. Y'all too will find this book a refreshing stream in the desert.

Krista Tippett knows the power of a skilful first judgement. She has commented on how arrested she was by John O'Donohue's "It'due south strange to exist hither." Or Reinhold Niebuhr's "Man is his ain most vexing problem."

Her own get-go judgement reads, "I'grand a person who listens for a living." She begins with "I," not with a more afar journalistic tertiary person voice. The felicitous phrase "listens for a living" refers to far more her job. Information technology announces that she has a calling, one that involves living itself), and that she is seeking "voices non shouting to be heard."

The search for wisdom tin can't exist separated from the search for self-awareness. The subject and the seeker are one in this case. Like both of Tippett's other books, this one is an case of what Michelle Herman calls "stealth memoir." (http://www.riverteethjournal.com/web log...) It is "An Inquiry" as the subtitle states into "Mystery and the Fine art of Living." It is likewise an inquiry into a procedure of understanding ideas in relationship to man beings who explore them and, at their best, embody them. The gerund "Becoming" (similar "Being" in the championship of the radio program) can't be separated from Krista Tippett herself.

Pursuing wisdom in public over the course of the last twelve years could be an overwhelming and disruptive experience. After interviewing hundreds of people, reading non only their books just digesting other interviews and videos in training for conversation, the author might be forgiven if she never stepped back long enough to wait at the whole.

How does she make sense of all of it? By choosing five themes: words, mankind, love, faith, and hope. Anyone with a passing cognition of the Bible volition hear echoes of the prologue to the Gospel of John ("The Word became flesh. . .") and the famous "dearest chapter" I Corinthians 13. However, since these chapters are containers for people of many faiths and of no faith, these words describe no narrow orthodoxy but aggrandize capaciously to fit all of the above.

Each chapter includes big sections of interviews excerpted from the online transcripts of On Existence interviews. Once more, this could feel cumbersome or repetitive to readers. What prevents that from happening, yet, is the personal story of the author doing with her readers what she asks her subjects to exercise in radio interviews: reflect on how they themselves make significant, starting with the very first question, "what was the spiritual or religious groundwork of your childhood?"

I'm a lover of the memoir genre quite aware of the accusations critics have made against it, narcissism leading the way. For that reason, I love "stealth" memoir, the kind that doesn't announce itself and is quiet. The kind that includes both the writer and the reader merely provides what Parker Palmer would call a "third affair," a subject field much greater than either, a subject field big enough to inspire the kind of humility, marvel, and resilience that leads to wisdom.

The memoir sections inside this book illustrate i of the most profound truths virtually wisdom: it tin't be grasped. It's never in one case and done. It can't be extracted or abstracted indefinitely. Like the relationship between granddad and granddaughter and father and daughter, it keeps moving, irresolute, and growing. And it ends with hope.

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"History always repeats itself until we honestly and searchingly know ourselves."

Krista Tippett`s Condign Wise: An Inquiry into the Mystery and Fine art of Living is a book, every bit the title suggests, about "becoming wise". The volume is also about achieving and living with high moral standards.

"You try to appeal to the goodness of every human existence and you lot don't give up. Yous never give up on anyone."

Krista Tippett includes her personal thoughts and likewise from the conversations she had with many people of

"History always repeats itself until nosotros honestly and searchingly know ourselves."

Krista Tippett`south Becoming Wise: An Inquiry into the Mystery and Fine art of Living is a book, equally the title suggests, near "becoming wise". The book is as well nigh achieving and living with high moral standards.

"You try to appeal to the goodness of every homo and you don't give up. Y'all never give up on anyone."

Krista Tippett includes her personal thoughts and also from the conversations she had with many people of noesis. The volume focuses on five concepts - words, flesh, love, religion and hope.

"But I have seen that wisdom emerges precisely through those moments when nosotros have to concord seemingly opposing realities in a artistic tension and interplay: ability and frailty, birth and death, pain and hope, beauty and brokenness, mystery and conviction, calm and buoyancy, mine and yours.

An inspiring, informative and fun read!

"Nosotros take been treating Earth as a supply firm and a sewer. We have been grabbing, extracting resources from it for our cars, and our hairdryers, and our bombs, and we`ve been pouring the waste into it until its overflowing, merely our World is not a supply house and a sewer. It is our larger body. We breathe it. We taste it. We are it!"

"I'm stretching my point only a fleck when I say that in American Life, every vision must begin and end in an economic argument in order to be heard, on urgent matters of human life: labor, teaching, immigration, refugees, prisons, poverty, healthcare. Rename these "issues" in light what is at stake in human terms.

We know in our hearts and minds that we are bigger and wilder and more precious than numbers, more than complex than any economic outcome or political prescription can describe."

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I am a huge fan of her podcast but I could only finish one-half this volume and here's why: Tippett writes excellent sentences and paragraphs but, cohesively, this was not an first-class volume.

Information technology'due south like when you ramble on through a bottle of wine on a Friday night with an incredibly eloquent friend and she just keeps showing yous all these YouTube videos (except here it's poems) and you're like ugh Krista let's just have a straightforward discussion. Or maybe y'all bask that kind of stuff--in that instance yo

I am a huge fan of her podcast only I could merely finish half this book and hither's why: Tippett writes fantabulous sentences and paragraphs merely, cohesively, this was not an excellent volume.

Information technology's similar when y'all constitutional on through a bottle of wine on a Friday nighttime with an incredibly eloquent friend and she but keeps showing yous all these YouTube videos (except here it'south poems) and yous're like ugh Krista permit's but have a straightforward discussion. Or perchance you lot enjoy that kind of stuff--in that case you'd requite this 5 stars. So perchance I but needed a bottle of vino.

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Apr 09, 2016 KA rated it it was amazing

I nearly regretted buying this when I read the acknowledgements and saw that Tippett is BFFs with Serene Jones (the electric current and disastrous president of my old seminary). I'm glad I ignored my misgivings--this is peradventure the best book I've read in the last yr, maybe longer. Tippett draws on interviews with people of all faiths and none--mystics, activists, scientists, writers, teachers--and finds in them convergent messages about how to live well in an imperfect earth. The volume got amend and b I virtually regretted buying this when I read the acknowledgements and saw that Tippett is BFFs with Serene Jones (the current and disastrous president of my quondam seminary). I'm glad I ignored my misgivings--this is perhaps the best book I've read in the last yr, maybe longer. Tippett draws on interviews with people of all faiths and none--mystics, activists, scientists, writers, teachers--and finds in them convergent messages about how to alive well in an imperfect world. The book got ameliorate and better, with the last chapter (on hope) beingness and so beautiful and pertinent I wanted to read the whole matter out loud to my spouse. This is a volume on spirituality I think anyone open-minded could dearest, whether theist, animist, atheist, or other. ...more than

Dec 11, 2016 Joan rated it information technology was ok

too many adjectives! such odd phrasing! how does i translate '...some of the margins that are in fact the middle beat of society'? ; peradventure it is my current state of mind (as well much at work, too much writing on my part), but I gave upwardly on this volume subsequently the first department. It was simply likewise much work for non a lot of proceeds. Tippett has an interesting background and has interviewed many people who have things of interest to say, but the narrative pulling the pieces together was too heavily ornamen besides many adjectives! such odd phrasing! how does ane interpret '...some of the margins that are in fact the eye beat of guild'? ; perhaps it is my current land of mind (likewise much at work, as well much writing on my part), but I gave up on this book after the first section. It was simply too much piece of work for non a lot of proceeds. Tippett has an interesting groundwork and has interviewed many people who have things of interest to say, merely the narrative pulling the pieces together was likewise heavily ornamented for comprehension. I was also uncertain of whether I agreed with the premise of the book 'What makes usa man is our human relationship with each other'. (an update of 'no man is an isle'?) I stumbled over that one considering those engaged in contemplative lives are in relationships with whom? I did get a minor nugget in the form of a cracking quote 'Don't ask the mountain to motion. Merely take a pebble every fourth dimension you visit' from John Paul Lederach (an expert in conflict resolution) Perhaps some other time. ...more

February 29, 2020 Mara rated it liked information technology

I loved the content of this book, but it did not fully work for me as a book rather than as a collection of interviews from a podcast. This worked much meliorate for me when I switched to the sound, and with that said, I recommend but sticking to the podcast. You will get everything from it that this book has to offer (which is not nothing! merely that the book is superfluous IMO)

This review originally ran on Everyday eBook

Subsequently the commencement flavour of the podcast "Series" ended, my social media feeds were filled with pleas for new, amazing programs to heed to; one of the near suggested was On Being, hosted by Krista Tippett. Tippett's podcast is a series of conversations (ordinarily between Tippett and one guest) that explore what it means to be man. Guests include theologians from a variety of faiths, scientists of varied disciplines, authors, philosophers, poets, and act

This review originally ran on Everyday eBook

After the first season of the podcast "Serial" concluded, my social media feeds were filled with pleas for new, amazing programs to listen to; i of the most suggested was On Beingness, hosted by Krista Tippett. Tippett'southward podcast is a series of conversations (usually between Tippett and one guest) that explore what information technology means to be human. Guests include theologians from a multifariousness of faiths, scientists of varied disciplines, authors, philosophers, poets, and activists. In her new volume, Condign Wise: An Research Into the Mystery and Art of Living, Tippett distills some of what she has learned through her own life and through her numerous interviews and interactions into a guide on living.

Tippett's previous volume, Einstein's God: Conversations About Science and the Human being Spirit, was a New York Times bestseller; in it, Tippett collected edited transcripts of conversations that were nearly science and religion. Becoming Wise, while including many snippets of her conversations, follows more of a narrative arc and captures Tippett'southward voice, including her own life experiences and learning bend. From her childhood in Oklahoma to her experiences as a journalist in the divided Berlin to her experiences as parent, she gives her audition insight into how her own views have evolved and changed.

Condign Wise is structured around five themes expressed with deceptively simple words: Words, Flesh, Honey, Faith, and Promise. Accompanying each theme is a bully exploration of how it affects united states, how we tin can use it more effectively, how it fits into our greater civilization. This is not nearly wisdom as nosotros acquire in school: facts and reason. This is the wisdom of living in the world, living a proficient life, being present -- both physically and mentally. At i point, when addressing the question of what the commonality is amidst the wisest people she has met, she says, "an embodied capacity to hold power and tenderness in a surprising, creative interplay ... information technology is an feel of physical presence as much as consciousness and spirit."

The conversations in Becoming Wise are a wonderful antitoxin to our electric current political climate. Filled with potential and acceptance, Tippett encourages civilized, respectful debate, kindness, and forgiveness. When presenting her with the National Medal of Honor, President Obama praised her for "thoughtfully delving into the mysteries of man beingness." Becoming Wise is indeed a thoughtful swoop into the mysteries while also pulling together the anaesthesia of what nosotros can exist and what we can do.

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Finally. . . I finished this book! Though to be true, I scanned parts of it. A class at church building has been studying it, and it is not meant to be a written report book. We have had some skillful discussions, due mostly to the creativity of dissimilar facilitators. The book is loaded with gems, merely the formatting made it difficult for me to read. It has simply five chapters, which are sooooo long. My advice: listen to Krista Tippett'due south podcasts. They are more digestible. Finally. . . I finished this volume! Though to exist true, I scanned parts of information technology. A grade at church has been studying it, and it is not meant to be a study book. Nosotros have had some good discussions, due mostly to the inventiveness of unlike facilitators. The book is loaded with gems, merely the formatting made it difficult for me to read. It has only five chapters, which are sooooo long. My communication: heed to Krista Tippett's podcasts. They are more digestible. ...more

Jun 14, 2016 Anne rated it information technology was amazing

It has taken me a while to read this book because I simply always wanted to take information technology in a chip at a time, and and so sit with the lessons Tippett, host of the NPR testify On Beingness, offers upward, and savor them. Which ways that, having now read through to the last page, I feel I wouldn't be remiss to go dorsum to page one and start over: there is so much serenity, profound wisdom in this book.

Information technology is composed of six chapters: Introduction: The Historic period of Us; Words: The Poetry of Creatures; Mankind: the Body's Grace; Love:

Information technology has taken me a while to read this book because I only ever wanted to accept it in a bit at a time, and and then sit down with the lessons Tippett, host of the NPR show On Being, offers upward, and enjoy them. Which means that, having now read through to the last page, I feel I wouldn't be remiss to get back to page ane and start over: at that place is and then much quiet, profound wisdom in this book.

It is composed of six chapters: Introduction: The Historic period of The states; Words: The Verse of Creatures; Flesh: the Torso's Grace; Beloved: A Few Things I've Learned; Faith: Evolution; and Promise: Reimagined. Information technology seemed particularly appropriate to finish this morning on hope, given yesterday's tragedy in Orlando. There is then much ignorance and hatred in this world, and however information technology is important, imperative, non to succumb, only instead to nurture gratitude and hope and remain active, to fight against the bigotry and arrogance.

Tippett, over the years, has spoken with hundreds of wise men and women. In this volume, she turns to those conversations and reproduces some of the pithiest exchanges. Her quest feels very personal: she is trying to brand sense (and heart) of it all for herself. Simply her quest also feels universal—because don't nosotros all want to make sense of this crazy thing chosen life? The questions she asks, the thoughts she pursues, are questions and thoughts I might accept if I paid these matters more attention. I thank her for doing it for me.

My re-create of the book is bristling with flags. For this report, I call up I volition only quote some of the lines and passages that struck me.

"What does it mean to be human being? What matters in a life? What matters in a death? How to be of service to each other and the world? These questions are existence reborn, reframed, in our age of interdependence with far-flung strangers. The question of what it ways to be man is now inextricable from the question of who we are to each other. Nosotros accept riches of noesis and insight, of tools both tangible and spiritual, to rise to this calling. We scout our technologies becoming more intelligent, and speculate imaginatively nearly their potential to go conscious. All the while, we accept information technology in us to go wise. Wisdom leavens intelligences, and ennobles consciousness, and advances evolution itself."

She speaks of the enquiry into the nature of "soul" or "spirit" as leading "organically, along straight or meandering paths, into the roots of the curiosity that becomes, in adulthood, passion and vocation."

In i conversation, she discusses "generous listening," which itself is "powered by marvel. . . . It involves a kind of vulnerability—a willingness to be surprised, to allow get of assumptions and have in ambivalence." Generous listening, she says, yields better questions—because, contrary to what we acquire in school, there is such a matter as a bad question. "It'due south hard to run across a simplistic question with anything but a simplistic answer. It'southward hard to transcend a combative question. But it'due south hard to resist a generous question. We all have it in united states to formulate questions that invite honesty, nobility, and revelation. There is something redemptive and life-giving about request a better question." Surely, Tippett herself epitomizes generous listening. When she needs to "concur" a question, plough information technology over in her mind, dwell on information technology, she'southward not agape to do so.

"The crack in the heart where people on both sides absolutely refuse to see the other equally evil—this is where I want to alive and what I want to widen."

"Nosotros are matter, kindred with ocean and tree and heaven. Nosotros are flesh and claret and bone. To sink into that is a relief, a homecoming. Mind and spirit are as physical as they are mental. The line nosotros'd drawn between them was whimsy, borne of the limits of our understanding. Emotions and memories, from despair to gladness, root in our bodies. . . . Our bodies are longing and joy and fearfulness and a lifelong desire to be safe and loved, incarnate."

"If we are stretching to live wiser and not only smarter, nosotros volition aspire to learn what dearest means, how it arises and deepens, how it withers and revives, what it looks like equally a private good merely besides a common skillful. I long to make this word echo differently in hearts and ears—not less complicated, but differently so. Love as muscular, resilient. Love equally social—non just about how we are intimately, but how we are together, in public. I want to aspire to a carnal applied love—eros become civic, not sexual and nevertheless passionate, full-bodied. Considering it is the best of which we are capable, loving is likewise supremely exacting, non e'er merely again and again. Honey is something we only master in moments. Information technology crosses the chasms between united states, and likewise brings them into relief. It is equally convict to the human status as anything nosotros effort."

Oh, and there'south and so much more: about compassion, nigh assuasive our hearts to exist educated in relationship with others, about paradise beingness correct in front of us, nearly mystery (which "lands in us as a humbling fullness of reality we cannot sum upwards or pin down"), almost befriending reality in all its beauty and pain, virtually promise and truth.

She ends: "We are so achingly frail and powerful all at once, in this adolescence of our species. Just I accept seen that wisdom emerges precisely through those moments when we have to concord seemingly opposing realities in a creative tension and coaction: power and frailty, nascency and decease, hurting and hope, dazzler and brokenness, mystery and conviction, calm and buoyancy, mine and yours. . . . The mystery and art of living are as grand as the sweep of a lifetime and the lifetime of a species. And they are as close as beginning, quietly, to mine any grace and beauty, whatever healing and attentiveness, are possible in this moment and the next and the adjacent one after that."

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This book is exquisite. It reads like sacred text. I establish the chapters on "Words", "Love" and "Hope" especially wondrous. Krista Tippett shares so generously and thoughtfully insights and wisdom gained from conversation partners over a period of 12 years. This is a volume I desire to carry with me wherever I go and meditate on its wisdom daily.

Sep 15, 2016 Anita rated it it was amazing

Three years ago I read 30% of this volume and felt I was non grasping it. This time I listened to the audiobook narrated by the author. There are many clips of interviews she did with wise people. This time I did empathise and enjoyed the book immensely. It seems like such a wonderful resource of so much adept thinking. I bought the ebook later on listening to the audio, because in that location is then much that I want to follow up on. This book encouraged me to keep beingness the all-time me that I can exist. And so many wise Iii years agone I read 30% of this volume and felt I was non grasping it. This time I listened to the audiobook narrated by the author. In that location are many clips of interviews she did with wise people. This time I did understand and enjoyed the volume immensely. Information technology seems similar such a wonderful resource of so much skillful thinking. I bought the ebook after listening to the audio, because there is so much that I want to follow upwardly on. This book encouraged me to continue being the all-time me that I can be. So many wise people are saying that we need to keep hope alive. Doing the minor part that we have before us particularly in kindness is more important than we realize. That is merely i aspect of the wisdom in this book, merely it is what impressed me the most. I'm eager to read in print and expect more into some of these people. I savour Krista Tippett's OnBeing podcast and fantastic website. ...more

December 19, 2015 Robin rated it it was amazing

A cute collection of some of her most poignant interviews over the years, woven together with her ain wisdom. A rare book that I believe would be better in audio (as you hear the actual interviews rather than read the transcript). Update: Re-reading in impress was wonderful, since I could underline passage subsequently passage. If I had to cull i way, I would probably go with print, because there is and then much of beauty to note here. :)

May 25, 2017 Holly rated it actually liked information technology

Non-spiritual person that I am, I have always loved Krista Tippett'due south gentle, thoughtful tone and positive, respectful, interdisciplinary approach. Audio, of class. Non-spiritual person that I am, I take ever loved Krista Tippett's gentle, thoughtful tone and positive, respectful, interdisciplinary approach. Audio, of course. ...more

May ten, 2017 David rated it liked information technology

Krista Tippett is the host of the podcast On Being and equally such has the chance to interview hundreds of physicists, spiritual leaders, thinkers, activists and more on how they grapple with pregnant in the world.

In Condign Wise: An Inquiry into the Mystery and Art of Living, she narrows her focus on words, flesh, dear, faith and promise and dips in and out of a wellspring of past interviews. She's a good interviewer playing host to some incredibly smart folks.

The language is dense and prescrip

Krista Tippett is the host of the podcast On Being and equally such has the risk to interview hundreds of physicists, spiritual leaders, thinkers, activists and more on how they grapple with meaning in the world.

In Condign Wise: An Research into the Mystery and Art of Living, she narrows her focus on words, mankind, love, organized religion and hope and dips in and out of a wellspring of past interviews. She's a expert interviewer playing host to some incredibly smart folks.

The language is dense and prescriptive and is fabricated for thoughtful contemplation not the aggressive consumption of my usual fare. You just can't chug through Rilke like you're reading Rowling. I found myself tripping over the flowery optimism of the language. Still, I capeesh the exploration of ideas like how love demands attempt and we should fight against its cheapening by appending it to Fridays, water ice cream and "these shoes!" How faith is just as important to the atheist, and that science and faith need not be mutually exclusive. It's just that when epiphanies are had on every folio they tend to overlap and congeal diminishing their touch on for me.

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I loved some things most this volume and hated others. What I disliked virtually it was that it was very disorganized. The author loosely organized her thoughts into chapters (Words, Mankind, Beloved, Faith, Hope), but within the chapters, the material was very random and hard to follow. Too many disorganized ideas all piled together in no discernable order or pattern.
Now for what I loved about it: so many interesting and thought-provoking ideas, on the general topic of the pregnant of our human life! I es I loved some things about this volume and hated others. What I disliked virtually it was that it was very disorganized. The writer loosely organized her thoughts into chapters (Words, Flesh, Beloved, Faith, Hope), but inside the chapters, the material was very random and hard to follow. Besides many disorganized ideas all piled together in no discernable order or design.
Now for what I loved about it: so many interesting and thought-provoking ideas, on the general topic of the pregnant of our human life! I especially enjoyed the chapter on Dearest, which was the least-disorganized affiliate, too, and really focused in on the "dearest community" attribute of the Civil Rights movement. I took many notes and copied many quotes from this book (which was borrowed from the library) and will be thinking almost information technology for a long time.
Similar my reviews?
Check out my web log at http://www.kathrynbashaar.com/blog/
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Dearest her bear witness on NPR, just this book did not have a comparable narrative drive or strong sense of organizing thought. Some lovely quotes from her interviews make this a adept book to scan for the jewels.
I stopped on page 81.

Nov 06, 2019 Mehrsa rated it really liked it

If you listen to on being, there won't be much in here that is new, but it's still nice to listen to the bits of wisdom all in i identify

May 20, 2016 Denise rated information technology it was astonishing

Challenging and idea provoking, Krista Tippett weaves together portions of interviews/talks with scientists, theologians, activists, and people passionate about life with her own musings. Liked the audiobook and then well I'thousand purchasing the book. I think that I'll gain being able to underline important ideas and accept notes better with a impress copy, simply I'll miss out on hearing the voices of her guests. Brene Chocolate-brown's hesitation in answering Kirsta's question near what was on her list of negative tr Challenging and thought provoking, Krista Tippett weaves together portions of interviews/talks with scientists, theologians, activists, and people passionate about life with her ain musings. Liked the audiobook and then well I'g purchasing the book. I think that I'll gain being able to underline important ideas and take notes better with a print copy, but I'll miss out on hearing the voices of her guests. Brene Chocolate-brown's hesitation in answering Kirsta'southward question almost what was on her list of negative traits and and then her respond was a perfect example of being vulnerable. Not sure that bear upon volition come through in a impress edition. Perfect book for anyone who wants to alive a improve life, to have hope for humanity. Highly recommended! ...more than

How many books have I read in my life? Thousands?

And "Becoming Wise" is up in that location as one of the best.

Tippett writes:
"Spiritual humility is not about getting pocket-size, not about debasing oneself, simply about approaching everything and everyone with a readiness to come across goodness and be surprised. This is the humility of a child, which Jesus lauded. It is the humility of the scientist and the mystic. It has a lightness of step, non a heaviness of center."

And that is what this volume feels similar. Read it.

How many books have I read in my life? Thousands?

And "Condign Wise" is upwards there as one of the best.

Tippett writes:
"Spiritual humility is not about getting pocket-sized, not about pejorative oneself, but nigh budgeted everything and everyone with a readiness to see goodness and be surprised. This is the humility of a child, which Jesus lauded. Information technology is the humility of the scientist and the mystic. It has a lightness of step, not a heaviness of eye."

And that is what this book feels like. Read it.

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Dec 04, 2016 Emerge rated it it was ok

The excerpts from interviews were interesting, but most of the book is her commentary stringing them together.

Krista Tippett is a journalist.

"The soapbox of our common life inclines towards despair. In my field of journalism, where nosotros presume to write the first draft of history, we summon our deepest critical capacities for investigating what is inadequate, corrupt, catastrophic, and failing. The "news" is defined as the boggling events of the day, only it is nigh often translated as the extraordinarily terrible events of the day."

Allow'due south switch that idea around, she suggests. Let'south talk to people a

Krista Tippett is a journalist.

"The soapbox of our mutual life inclines towards despair. In my field of journalism, where we presume to write the first draft of history, we summon our deepest critical capacities for investigating what is inadequate, corrupt, catastrophic, and failing. The "news" is divers as the extraordinary events of the day, but it is most often translated as the extraordinarily terrible events of the twenty-four hour period."

Permit's switch that idea effectually, she suggests. Let'southward talk to people and see what wisdom they tin can share with usa.

That's what Tippett does in this book. She has sifted through hundreds of conversations she has had with people and she's shared the parts that bear on wisdom.

Here's one case from a chat Tippett has with md Rachel Naomi Ramen. Ramen tells Tippett a story her grandfather, a rabbi, shared with her when she was a child.

"In the beginning at that place was simply the holy darkness, the Ein Sof, the source of life. In the course of history, at a moment in fourth dimension, this world, the earth of a thousand 1000 things, emerged from the heart of the holy darkness as a great ray of light. And then, perhaps because this is a Jewish story, there was an accident, and the vessels containing the lite of the world, the wholeness of the world, broke. The wholeness of the world, the light of the world, was scattered into a thousand thousand fragments of calorie-free. And they fell into all events and all people, where they remain deeply hidden until this very day. At present, according to my grandfather, the whole human being race is a response to this blow. Nosotros are here because we are born with the capacity to find the subconscious light in all events and all people, to lift it upward and make information technology visible one time again and thereby to restore the innate wholeness of the globe. Information technology'south a very of import story for our times. This job is called tikkun olam in Hebrew. It's the restoration of the earth."

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Jan 07, 2018 Rebecca rated it it was ok

I love the On Being radio show; I sometimes listen to missed shows via podcast. I thought this book would distill what the author learned from her hundreds of interviews. Maybe it did, just I found it hard to keep reading. There were gems inside, only, as a whole, the writing felt scattered. Favorite parts were learning most the writer'due south Baptist groundwork, her time in Berlin, and her mention of and cheers to the Birchwood Cafe in Minneapolis. This book was chosen for my congregation to read toge I love the On Being radio show; I sometimes listen to missed shows via podcast. I thought this book would distill what the author learned from her hundreds of interviews. Peradventure information technology did, but I plant information technology hard to keep reading. There were gems within, just, equally a whole, the writing felt scattered. Favorite parts were learning about the writer's Baptist groundwork, her time in Berlin, and her mention of and thanks to the Birchwood Cafe in Minneapolis. This book was called for my congregation to read together; I look forward to our conversations about it. ...more

Jun 06, 2017 Debbi rated it it was astonishing

This is a wonderful audio volume! Listening to the voices of those interviewed by Krista Tippett is a existent souvenir. Although not every person resonated with me I found so much to love and think almost in this book. I may buy a newspaper copy to reference and use equally a guide to farther reading.

Mar 12, 2019 Meghan Burke rated it it was astonishing

A lovely, thoughtful book by a lovely, thoughtful person. And firmly in the "some books are better as audiobooks" camp.

Dec 02, 2019 Kris rated it it was amazing

Going to read this once more...this time with a highlighter! And so many great insights. Such a positive read...and not naively so.

May 09, 2016 Simon rated it information technology was ok

The volume's title is misleading. This is rarely about wisdom and the art of living, instead more oftentimes almost mystery, spirituality, christian faith, and interviews with spiritual personalities. The chapter on faith is the largest. The parts well-nigh wisdom are more about attitudes (promise, agape-love, faith), not active arts of living. I approximate if you're christian or very spiritual, you'll enjoy that.

Tippett's writing, while frequently inspired, is often flowery and imprecise. It sounds like what a somew

The book's title is misleading. This is rarely almost wisdom and the art of living, instead more than frequently well-nigh mystery, spirituality, christian faith, and interviews with spiritual personalities. The chapter on religion is the largest. The parts nigh wisdom are more almost attitudes (hope, afraid-dearest, faith), non active arts of living. I guess if you lot're christian or very spiritual, you'll savour that.

Tippett's writing, while often inspired, is oft flowery and imprecise. It sounds like what a somewhat hippie leader of a spiritual self-help group might say. Have this judgement for example:
"The anticipation of beauty, at the life-giving seam between what is sensory and spiritual, is a virtue that clarifies."
Apprehension is a sloppy word choice. How is it a virtue, how tin this seam give life, and how or what does this virtue clarify? Her writing paints a pretty picture show instead of precisely arguing concrete ideas.
Susan Sontag gave expert advice: Love words, agonize over sentences.

Sloppy is likewise the simple road Tippett has taken of merely printing whole extracts of interviews, instead of writing her own text for the most part, peradventure with short quotes. Of course editing a set of interviews into a book is fine, only one would hope for a fleck more added value, unless the interviews themselves are monumental and need all the space.

The saving grace of this volume for me are the wise words of the many many interesting personalities at the forefront of their organizations contained in these interviews. But yous can likewise heed to them online, so the value of this volume must be in Tippett's writing or editing. And in that location are also quite a few typos and grammar issues.

At that place really are quite a few wise words and interesting ideas as well from Tippett herself here, but compared to Schopenhauer's wisdom of life, Susan Sontag's journals, or de Botton'southward How Proust can change your Life, this was quite disappointing.
I'm pitiful to be so harsh, Tippet seems similar a wonderful person and these interviews done with love, it but didn't brand for what i'1000 looking for in a book.

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Aug 26, 2016 Jennifer rated it actually liked it

*4.five stars*
Poignant and idea-provoking. I've been cranky lately but even my land of heed didn't diminish the insights from many of these interviews and excerpts. I specially appreciated the recurrent emphasis on kindness respecting those who have different beliefs; non ever agreeing just refusing to run across those folks equally existence only what nosotros disagree with them about; and the mention of showing respect for others by refusing to dress poorly in public. Very recommended.

*What if we actually were c

*four.5 stars*
Poignant and thought-provoking. I've been cranky lately but even my state of mind didn't diminish the insights from many of these interviews and excerpts. I specially appreciated the recurrent emphasis on kindness respecting those who have different behavior; not e'er agreeing but refusing to run across those folks as being only what we disagree with them about; and the mention of showing respect for others by refusing to dress poorly in public. Very recommended.

*What if we actually were content with our lives? What if nosotros actually knew this was paradise? Information technology would be very hard to control us.*

*Spirituality doesn't await like sitting down and meditating. Spirituality looks like folding the towels in a sweet way and talking kindly to the people in the family even though you've had a long day.*

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Sep 15, 2016 Sarahjae rated it information technology was amazing

I could have finished this book days ago. I wanted to devour it. Only I also wanted to sit with it, to put it down every few sentences and allow the words sink in. And I could blandly say something like, Krista Tippett is everything. But it's not simply her, she brings in the words of various interviews over the years and you are humbled by her power to heed and do justice to those conversations. She weaves the stories of her interviewees in with the themes of breath, trunk, love and hope. Information technology's a I could have finished this book days ago. I wanted to devour it. Only I too wanted to sit with information technology, to put it downwards every few sentences and let the words sink in. And I could blandly say something like, Krista Tippett is everything. Simply information technology's not just her, she brings in the words of diverse interviews over the years and you are humbled past her ability to heed and do justice to those conversations. She weaves the stories of her interviewees in with the themes of breath, body, dearest and promise. It'due south a meditation.

There are no words I could provide that would practise this experience justice. I don't fifty-fifty know if I've truly caught every word. And then at this moment, I'g going to flip to the first page and start again.

...more than

Apr 18, 2016 Zip rated it really liked information technology

Condign Wise: An Research into the Mystery and Art of Living past Krista Tippett, award winning creator of the podcast On Being, is a distillation of her conversations centered on five facets of life – words, mankind, love, faith, and hope. I detect my reason for recommending it inside the book itself. "Taking in the skilful, whenever and wherever nosotros find it, gives the states new eyes for seeing and living."

Read my consummate review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2016...

Reviewed based on a publisher'due south galley

Becoming Wise: An Inquiry into the Mystery and Fine art of Living by Krista Tippett, honour winning creator of the podcast On Being, is a distillation of her conversations centered on v facets of life – words, flesh, love, faith, and hope. I find my reason for recommending it within the volume itself. "Taking in the proficient, whenever and wherever nosotros notice it, gives us new eyes for seeing and living."

Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2016...

Reviewed based on a publisher's galley received through NetGalley

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As a large fan of her podcast On being" ,this book was a swell review of well-nigh of her guests on the testify and of form a great insight in authour's approach to life & diverseness and her profession as journalist.
One of my favourite quotes( and they are so many!) is nigh humility.
"Spiritual humility is non about getting small, not about debasing oneself, just about approaching everything and everyone else with readiness to see goodness and to exist surprised."
This is indeed a personal life goal for my Equally a big fan of her podcast On beingness" ,this book was a great review of most of her guests on the evidence and of form a groovy insight in authour'due south arroyo to life & diversity and her profession as journalist.
1 of my favourite quotes( and they are so many!) is nearly humility.
"Spiritual humility is not well-nigh getting small, not well-nigh pejorative oneself, but most approaching everything and anybody else with readiness to meet goodness and to be surprised."
This is indeed a personal life goal for myself too and it tin create and then much focus and clarity. ...more than

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"I can disagree with your stance, it turns out, merely I can't disagree with your feel. And once I have a sense of your experience, you and I are in relationship, acknowledging the complexity in each other'southward position, listening less guardedly. The deviation in our opinions volition probably remain intact, but it no longer defines what is possible between us." — 37 likes

"Spiritual humility is non about getting small, non about pejorative oneself, merely nearly approaching everything and anybody else with a readiness to see goodness and to be surprised. This is the humility of a child, which Jesus lauded. It is the humility of the scientist and the mystic. It has a lightness of step, not a heaviness of heart. That lightness is the surest litmus test I know for recognizing wisdom when you run across information technology in the world or experience its stirrings in yourself. The questions that tin can lead usa are already alive in our midst, waiting to be summoned and made existent. Information technology is a joy to proper name them. It is a gift to constitute them in our senses, our bodies, the places we inhabit, the part of the globe nosotros tin see and touch on and help to heal. Information technology is a relief to merits our dearest of each other and take that on as an adventure, a calling. It is a pleasure to wonder at the mystery we are and detect delight in the vastness of reality that is embedded in our beings. It is a privilege to hold something robust and resilient called hope, which has the ability to shift the world on its centrality." — 18 likes

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Source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25894085-becoming-wise

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