Press Kit for Buddies Share Their Spiritual Journeys
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Contact Information: John Pratt Bingham binghambooks@gmail.com www.binghambooks.com
Buddies Share Their Spiritual Journeys
by John Pratt Bingham Resource Publications, an imprint of Wipf and Stock Publishers 9798385239764 / paperback / $17/£13/AU$ $27
www.wipfandstock.com
New Title from John Pratt Bingham
Buddies Share Their Spiritual Journeys
Sixteen older men were asked to describe their spiritual journeys while on a retreat. They responded by opening their souls and speaking with rare honesty, courage, and vulnerability. The candor of the men revealed a tapestry of beliefs: most were Christian, though some attended church and others did not. One was Jewish while others identified as spiritual, agnostic, or atheist. The retreat provided a forum where the men presented authentic accounts of how their spiritual journeys unfolded in a secular society.
The men shared how they apply their spiritual values to daily life, speaking of inner-world challenges, such as dealing with imperfections, doubts, and fears, and outer-world experiences, like suffering child abuse, the war in Vietnam, and alcoholism. This confidential sharing created a stronger bond among the men, a connection characterized by respect and empathy.
Buddies is a personal and engaging collection of stories, each written, to paraphrase John of the Cross, "with no other light or guide than the one which burns in their heart."
John Pratt Bingham is a retired Episcopal priest and licensed marriage and family therapist. He is the author of two other books on spiritual matters: Inner Treasure: Psychological Reflections on Teachings of Jesus and God and Dreams: Is There a Connection?
How did the idea for Buddies Share Their Spiritual Journeys occur to you?
In the early 1970s, an Episcopal parish in Washington, DC, experimented with the laity. A small group shared their spiritual journeys among themselves. The clergy were surprised by the laity's enthusiasm for the opportunity to tell their stories. The excitement of the experience transcended the parish, reaching nearby seminary students like me. Fifty-five years later, I recalled the exercise and decided to see if interest in sharing spiritual journeys still existed. It does.
Could you tell me why you chose this subject matter, and why you are qualified to write about it?
As an Episcopal priest and licensed psychotherapist, I have dedicated my life to exploring the intersection of spirituality and psychotherapy. My background has given me insights into spiritual journeys, enabling me to write competently about them.
What is a spiritual journey, and why is thinking about it essential?
If we accept that there is more to life than materialism, the realm of the Spirit opens to us. This non-physical dimension offers different values and purposes for living. Describing our relationship with the Spiritual realm reveals how our convictions and doubts shaped our lives.
What message from your book would you like the reader to grasp?
It is possible to cultivate a direct relationship with the Spiritual realm and to interact with our Higher Power, regardless of our belief system. The men's narratives illustrate that there are many paths to the Holy.
What's a surprising thing you learned while putting together this book?
The contributors opened my eyes to the vastness of spiritual journeys. Among the insights that jumped out to me were the importance of accepting one's imperfections, the divine dimension of beauty, the affirmation of guardian angels, and the number of men committed to putting their Spiritual values into daily practice.
Who has influenced your writing the most?
Overall, Morton Kelsey, John A. Sanford, and Robert A. Johnson served as mentors during my transition into adulthood. For this book, Erich Neumann's ideas provided a framework for spiritual development,
C.G. Jung offered insights into the psyche's workings, and Evelyn Underhill shed light on mystical experiences. Additionally, Christian, Jewish, Islamic, and Taoist theologians, as well as poets and ethicists, influenced my understanding of encountering the Holy.
On Monday, May 20, 2024, sixteen elderly men and I traveled to a picturesque resort in the heart of Old Town, San Diego. I carefully chose a place that provided comfort and fostered our shared experiences. This was a continuation of a cherished tradition spanning decades that has woven the fabric of our lives together. The setting included a full kitchen and a tuned piano, which brought a smile to Paul's face, our chef and musician extraordinaire. Paul's gourmet meals have been a highlight of our meetings since the early years of tents and campfires. As we shared meals, went on outings, and indulged in snacks, we updated our stories, some of which were true. Our conversations included the hush money trial of Trump, the wars in Gaza and Ukraine, and the implications of Justice Samuel Alito's flying his MAGA flags. These shared experiences, these times of laughter and learning, bind us together.
Since our last meeting, our hearts have been heavy with the loss of two African American members, Ray and Fred. Their energy and humor were a vibrant part of our group, and their absence was keenly felt. Their loss left a void in our discussions and shared experiences. Paul created a floral display in their honor, and Hal brought a painting he'd done of the men. The group observed a moment of silence, a small tribute to their memory and profound impact on our lives. Their empty chairs, once filled with laughter and wisdom, now remind us of our friends' absence.
The passing of Ray and Fred sparked a new direction for our group: to reflect on the deeper aspects of life and the afterlife. We decided to delve into our spiritual journeys, a topic that had never been the group's focus. Initially, the suggestion was met with resistance. It's a challenging subject, especially for those who don't believe a spiritual realm exists. However, after much discussion, we all agreed to share without engaging in theological debates, allowing us to comfortably reveal a deeper, more personal side of ourselves. One member said, "I think the Buddha said something like a candle can't burn without fire and man can't live without a spiritual life." Some toes were stepped on during the presentations, but no one took offense.
I did not define the contents of a spiritual journey for the men, though I did send a list of topics to use as prompts to help them get started. Each fellow chose what to include in his presentation, and their accounts reflect this. What emerged were deeply personal reflections, each a unique soul journey. Sharing this material brought us closer to one another and created intimacy among us.
Our group is a tapestry of diverse backgrounds and experiences, each thread adding richness to our collective journey. We have lawyers, university educators, therapists, priests, blue-collar workers, and a scientist. Quite a few members are veterans, some of whom found solace in their faith after their time in Vietnam. While most identify as Christians, we also have a Jewish member and others who are agnostic or atheist. This diversity was not a source of division but a testament to our unity, respect, and appreciation for each other's paths. Each member feels like he belongs.
The names and identities of this year's participants have been changed to protect their privacy. Their presentations, however, are their actual experiences.
"In these touching and poignant stories by sixteen men, we encounter a rich exploration of faith. The variety of perspectives is likely to offer readers some narratives that resonate deeply and others that challenge. But all the stories invite reflection on one's spiritual journey and beliefs."
—Bingham Powell, rector, St. Mary's Episcopal Church, Eugene, Oregon
"A group of articulate men consider their lives, their 'spiritual journeys', and essentially tell us how and what brings body and soul into a healthy union. They ask, How important is your early childhood experience of the holy? What's 'religion?' Does church play a role in a healthy journey? What shatters your relationship to the sacred, and what are the experiences that knit you into healing and wholeness? Their stories help us notice where and how we become aware of the mysteries of our soul and how we might build a healthy union with our inner life. The men are generous in sharing their experiences with us, and their stories offer a compelling invitation to examine our sacred journeys."
—Gertrud Mueller Nelson, author of To Dance with God
"Buddies is a well-crafted, moving collection of insights and stories of spiritual journeys shared by members of a men's group led by John Bingham. They discuss the important distinction between the influences of organized religion and the direct spiritual encounters that shaped their lives. John combines his wisdom as an Episcopal Priest and his insights as a psychotherapist to create a unique and very engaging read."
—Alexander Shester, MD, Jungian analyst
"This book is exactly what it says on the cover. It is an account of sixteen male friends getting together to share their spiritual journeys. In an age of toxic masculinity, it is refreshing to read these frank, honest, and emotional stories. They are all very different because the men come from different backgrounds and have different spiritual experiences. The narrator lets the men speak for themselves, so what we get is an insight into how men think about God."
—Mark Hargreaves, rector, St. James by-the-Sea, La Jolla, California