How Do We Know When It's God?: A Spiritual Memoir

Rating:
Summary: an interesting, engaging, honest portrayal of spiritual thir
Review: As always, Dan Wakefield offers us an interesting, engaging, honest portrayal of his spiritual hunger--a craving that both leads him to places of darkness as well as hope. Without self-pity, Wakefield offers his mistakes and shortcomings as part of the pilgrimage of growth. This book, like his others, are candid and refreshing--the perfect read for imperfect pilgrims searching for an authentic voice in the world of spirituality.

Rating:
Summary: beautiful and stirring account
Review: Dan Wakefield is that rare writer who calls himself to reckon for his acts and thoughts and by his courageous example calls the reader to ask the hard questions of himself. Written with humor and humility, How Do We Know When It's God is a light in the darkness.

Rating:
Summary: An amusing and interesting spiritual autobiography
Review: If you are a fan of Indiana-bred novelist and spiritual writer Dan Wakefield, then make sure that you don't pass up this book! Although the title does not acknowledge any "Part 2", this book is actully a follow up to Wakefield's earlier spiritual autobiography "Returning". But whereas "Returning" dealt with the story of Wakefield's coming to faith in God after years as an atheist, this book deals with the up ever-winding Christian journey that Wakefield has lived since then. If you are fan of Wakefield's novels, then this book will give you some real insights as to what he was thinking and living when he wrote "Selling Out" and "Under The Apple Tree" in particular. This book also tells the story of how Wakefield's first novel, "Going All the Way", was made into a movie, with much involvement and enthusiasm from Wakefield himself. The book is quite episodic in its narative, and each chapter seems to move from one crisis and/or triumph to another. My favorite chapter deals with the time that Wakefield attended a supposedly Jung-ian "Post Christian" retreat, which in fact turned out to be nothing short of an anti-Christian brainwashing camp! The way in which Wakefield wisely deals with the pushy "Post Christian" group leaders, and verbally defends his faith in Christ along the way (under the worst of adversity and peer-pressure!), makes for some real page-turning moments! Some traditional Christian readers may be put off by Wakefield's almost brutal honesty in places. He admits to alcohol and drug abuse (although he has since gotten sober). He recounts several unhealthy sexual releationships, with a variety of diverse and willing women, and he is not above using occassional profanity. But if these things do not scare you away, then "How Do We Know When It's God" is well worth your time and money!

Rating:
Summary: An amusing and interesting spiritual autobiography
Review: If you are a fan of Indiana-bred novelist and spiritual writer Dan Wakefield, then make sure that you don't pass up this book! Although the title does not acknowledge any "Part 2", this book is actully a follow up to Wakefield's earlier spiritual autobiography "Returning". But whereas "Returning" dealt with the story of Wakefield's coming to faith in God after years as an atheist, this book deals with the up ever-winding Christian journey that Wakefield has lived since then. If you are fan of Wakefield's novels, then this book will give you some real insights as to what he was thinking and living when he wrote "Selling Out" and "Under The Apple Tree" in particular. This book also tells the story of how Wakefield's first novel, "Going All the Way", was made into a movie, with much involvement and enthusiasm from Wakefield himself. The book is quite episodic in its narative, and each chapter seems to move from one crisis and/or triumph to another. My favorite chapter deals with the time that Wakefield attended a supposedly Jung-ian "Post Christian" retreat, which in fact turned out to be nothing short of an anti-Christian brainwashing camp! The way in which Wakefield wisely deals with the pushy "Post Christian" group leaders, and verbally defends his faith in Christ along the way (under the worst of adversity and peer-pressure!), makes for some real page-turning moments! Some traditional Christian readers may be put off by Wakefield's almost brutal honesty in places. He admits to alcohol and drug abuse (although he has since gotten sober). He recounts several unhealthy sexual releationships, with a variety of diverse and willing women, and he is not above using occassional profanity. But if these things do not scare you away, then "How Do We Know When It's God" is well worth your time and money!

Rating:
Summary: Keeping the faith over "the long haul"
Review: It's been twenty years since I wrote Returning: A Spiritual Journey, about the rediscovery of faith after being an atheist for most of my adult life. I wanted in this new memoir to write about keeping the faith "over the long haul," when there are more than one "dark nights of the soul," when the fresh-ness of re-discovery wears off. There are still new ways to connect and to find "the path, what the Navajos call "the gleaming way." I hope others who have made mistakes and endured disillusionments will find hope and solace in my own experiences. I am a Christian and also draw sustenance from other paths, including Judaism, Buddhism and the physical discipline of yoga. My slogan is a quote from Philo of Alexandria: "Be kind; for everyone you meet is fighting a great battle." Dan Wakefield

Rating:
Summary: Laugh, shudder and be inspired!
Review: This book asks the most important question: where does guidance come from, where does impulse come from? How can we know when we're following our hearts, our highest wisdom, and when we're being tugged by dark forces? Does it matter? Wakefield's account of his journey is searingly honest, moving, and alwyas laced with humor, usually at his own expense. It's a delight to read and I recommend it strongly to seekers on any path, or those who follow the pathless path.

Rating:
Summary: A "how not to do it" book definitely worth reading!
Review: Wakefield described this book as "how not to do it", an extremely accurate description. In addition to being very informative, it is an extremely enjoyable read. He leads the reader through all of his victories AND his (many) mistakes and defeats. Although this book doesn't contain all "the answers", I felt so much better just knowing that the spiritual wilderness I am currently traversing has been survived by someone who lived to write about it! Thanks Dan!

Rating:
Summary: A "how not to do it" book definitely worth reading!
Review: Wakefield described this book as "how not to do it", an extremely accurate description. In addition to being very informative, it is an extremely enjoyable read. He leads the reader through all of his victories AND his (many) mistakes and defeats. Although this book doesn't contain all "the answers", I felt so much better just knowing that the spiritual wilderness I am currently traversing has been survived by someone who lived to write about it! Thanks Dan!