Practicing Presence: The Spirituality of Caring in Everyday Life

Rating:
Summary: An important book
Review: Like the other reviewer said, this definately isn't a how-to guidebook. But it gives a theology of caring that every professional care-giver, and every ordinary human being, ought to think about. The section on learning how to care about your true self is simply brilliant, and the way Walters weaves in the nunc dimmitas story from scripture (Song of Simeon) is clever and insightful. A very good read. and it's the first time anybody's been able to explain Martin Heidegger in language I can understand! :))

Rating:
Summary: An invaluable tool for care-givers
Review: One of the main points in this little gem of a book is that care-giving isn't just for professional care-givers but instead is a requirement for anybody who wants to be fully human. Be that as it may, Walters' book is still something that professional therapists, pastoral counselors, nurses, retirement home workers, and anyone in the business of caring will want to read. It gives the reader a deeper appreciation for why caring is so spiritually important, and this is something anybody who cares for a living and faces the occupational hazard of burnout needs under their belt.

Rating:
Summary: A beautiful book
Review: The word "care" is thrown around today so often that it doesn't mean much anymore. But Kerry Walter's book offers a lovely, beautiful discussion that helps us take the word seriously again. According to him, caring is more than just an emotion or a set of behavior. It's the process by which we become complete humans in touch with one another and God. This is a timely message--that a full human isn't necessarily somebody whose rich or real smart or famous or powerful, but someone who knows how to care. Wonder if we'll ever quite get it?