Occupy Spirituality: A Radical Vision for a New Generation (Sacred Activism)

A deeply inspiring conversation between two radical thinkers who walk their talk; Rev Mathew Fox, - alternately been described as “The most important living Theologian” (Bishop Mark Andrews), and a "Heretical and dangerous thinker" (Cardinal Ratzinger, later Pope Benedict) - and activist and spiritual director Adam Bucko, who works with homeless young people in New York.It’s a book full of hope and challenge. Nowhere more than when they are discussing the issue of life purpose.They advocate courage and wildness, the need to live life without the safely of “An insurance policy.” As Rev Fox puts it “It is scary in the sense that awe is scary – it’s exciting, it keep you on edge, it keeps you alert and alive. It invites you to adventure. Isn’t every vocation an adventure? And that’s the warrior thing.”Both men are extremely honest, authentic and generous in the accessible way they share their wisdom. Wisdom is not a word I use lightly – but in this case it’s really appropriate. Rev Fox is the foremost authority on Thomas Aquinas and Hildegard von Bingen, Thomas Merton shaped his life when he proposed to Fox as a young man that he go to Paris to study under Pere Chenu, a Dominican who is often regarded as father of Liberation Theology. Adam Bucko draws on his experience of Buddhism and Sufi practices, his experience of psychology and integration of body work. Bucko also draws to great effect on his experience working with homeless and marginalised youth in New York – indeed among the most moving and inspiring parts of the book are the extensive quote from these young people.This is a book that really challenged me about how I live my life, a book that’s a call to action, and that will resonate with me I believe for a long time to come. After all as they remind us “We are the weavers of the fabric of modern society. We can weave love, truthfulness and peace or we can weave hatred and mistrust and war. We will have to wear whatever fabric we weave” (Vilamla Thakar quoted in afterward).

I purchased this book in high anticipation of stimulating ideas and concrete suggestions for how to change the world for the better. However, I found it to be tedious, redundant, and filled with pedantic generalizations and puzzling contradictions.For example, in the Foreward, Christian theologian Andrew Harvey writes, "The continuing, bewildering success of inanely narcissistic new age mysticism makes it clear that the baby boom generation is unlikely to wake up any time soon, let alone commit its immense resources to doing anything real or radical enough to avert or temper catastrophe" (p. xvi). However, this "new age mysticism" seems very much a part of what Bucko and Fox are advocating, even if they substitute "contemplation" for "mysticism." (Fox also equates "prophecy" with "action", an equivalence many will fail to see.) The authors promise to explain the difference between religion and spirituality, but never actually do so.Among the book's disconcerting devices is the appropriation of concepts from African-American theologian Howard Thurman. In the book, Fox says, "The great Howard Thurman makes an important distinction between the 'God of Religion' and the 'God of Life.' They are not always, unfortunately, the same thing, and when they are not, we have to return to the God of Life to rebegin not only religion but culture itself" (p. 6). However, what Thurman actually wrote in a chapter entitled "The God of Life is the God of Religion" in his book "Meditations of the Heart" (1953) was: "The idea that God is responsible for the ills of life is a great safety valve for the spirit of man. And yet it is much more. It springs out of a deeper insight: ultimately there must be no distinction between the God of Life and the God of Religion." The gratuitous references to Thurman in the context of a misrepresentation of his ideas are irritating as well as disconcerting.I found the book to be intellectually shallow and therefore extremely frustrating. Significant issues are raised but never explored to any meaningful depth. The book is constructed as a dialogue between the two authors, with sections that are constructed as interviews. However, many of the questions posed remain unanswered. For example, Bucko asks Fox, "What role did art and science play in your spiritual formations?" (p. 70). Fox's response refers to art but makes no mention of science at all, although a few pages later he briefly mentions that he has written two books on science and spirituality with Rupert Sheldrake (an author regarded by many as a purveyor of pseudoscience).I have to agree with another reviewer that the authors appear to be co-opting the "Occupy" concept to push their own agenda, which is essentially Christian proselytization to a young and susceptible audience of the vulnerable and disenfranchised. As passionate as they may be able their cause, which has many admirable goals, this is not a deep nor inspiring work. If the movement has merits, it deserves a better pitch than this.

The format of the back and forth dialogue between the younger and older agenerations was interesting. They covered some good topics. But I found Adam Bucko's life experience, while interesting and commendable, too foreign for me, as an American, to relate to. They brought out some good points about the need to take a serious look at how our government is being controlled by those with economic power and that we need to revolt against it. But they really offered no alternative and it came off to me as an invitation to anarchy.I have always appreciated Matthew Fox's creation spirituality and been saddened by the way he was treated by his Church and his own religious order. And while I certainly can't blame him for this, he does come across as more than a little bitter.

Matthew Fox is a world citizen with the courage to challenge the Catholic Church, and Adam Bucko is a world citizen challenging Wall St through the Occupy movement. Together they are today's Shamans - showing how to rise above the fear, self-interest and infighting that defeats humans and destroys Mother Earth. Read this book and be revived with new hope. Read this book and rediscover your own courage to resist giving away your life to the shallow, meaningless "life goals" we've all been sold: "success" being money, status and consuming ability; solo living not shared community; rationalism and materialism over spirit, feeling and love-based ways of nurturing and sustaining ourselves, and our fellow creatures and creation in the Earth.Star Rating: 5 Stars

The Occupy Movement has perhaps run it's course, but perhaps it still resonates with messages for the future - especially as its disparate views become refined and focused. This book is a step toward that perhaps.

A very significant read. Highly recommended.

Das beste Buch darüber wie man Spiritualität in den Alltag bringen kann. Der Dialog der beiden Autoren ist sehr inspirierend.

if you are aware of this scene and spirituality you are going to be very familiar with the discussion, I did not make it to the end because it simply was not engaging, however I do like the idea of trying to unpick a spirituality and motivation set from the occupy movement