John Muir: Spiritual Writings (Modern Spiritual Masters)

I did not know about the spirituality of Muir so I thoroughly enjoyed learning about it in this book. It proves that the beauty of nature has the capability to touch the soul unlike anything else. I also appreciated Muir’s amazing descriptions of nature around him. I felt as if I was there.

Muir grew up in central Wisconsin. Winters are harsh, summers are warm (continental climate). His father was rigid and did not want his children wasting time on frivolous matters. The countryside inspired Muir for the rest of his life through travels in southeastern North America and time in the Sierra Nevada. Here he is exclaiming what he felt and saw. This is not a religious text, but is filled with religious enthusiasm. Muir later described his thinking as his "second self" - that was always there to guide him in tough times and teach him in easy times. A very good read.

Before reading this book, I had not realized the spiritual depth of John Muir. Tim Flinders traces it from early in Muir's life and creates a spiritual biography. The Introduction and frequent editorial comments place the writings in context and the Timeline is fascinating in itself. I don't ever read very fast, but as I got into this book, I started slowing down, stopping to reflect after a few pages. As I got closer to finishing the book, I actually didn't want it to end.

The book gave a good short history of Muir's life and then for the most part posted various lengths of Muir's writings chronologically. Unfortunately, to remain "spiritual" for the Modern Spiritual Series some of Muir's clearly Christian writings were left out or downplayed by the compilation. But the book remains an inspiration nevertheless to Christians who also love the majesty of nature and seek words to describe it to others.

This is a well written book on the spiritual dimension of environmentalism. I am usually off put by people who claim to love the environment and tell me how to live but have no moral basis for their position and usually themselves do the opposite of what they say. This affirms the role each of us has to be good stewards of creation.

John Muir lived, breathed and became one with Nature when he stayed in Yosemite for a few years. Thank God he did. The Sierra Club is carrying out his work.

I love reading this while out in nature. He captures the essence of creation and the relationship between us, God and nature

Beautiful selections from a master writer and mountaineer. Thanks Tim.I've been to many of the places Muir writes about, and felt some of the spiritual joy he describes. I still wonder at entering these mountains with as modest a kit as he did.

Really a wonderful book. With some excellent lines . One knows the spiritual side of John Muir.