Lynn Underwood has published widely in areas such as quality of life, cancer, stress, compassionate love, and the understanding of ordinary spiritual experience. She wrote "The Daily Spiritual Experience Scale" (DSES) with 16 questions designed to serve as a gateway to a fuller and richer life. Tens of thousands of people from all walks of life have worked with the DSES, which has been translated into more than 25 languages. This resource provides the backbone for this paperback. Underwood has set up a website to accompany the book: www.spiritualconnectionindailylife.com.

Here are 8 of the 16 questions:

1. "I am spiritually touched by the beauty of creation. ___
Never (1), Once in a while (2), Some days (3), Most days (4), Every day (5), Many times a day (6)

2. "I feel God's presence. ___
I feel the presence of the divine or holy.
Never (1), Once in a while (2), Some days (3), Most days (4), Every day (5), Many times a day (6)

3. "I experience a connection to all of life. ___
Never (1), Once in a while (2), Some days (3), Most days (4), Every day (5), Many times a day (6)

4. "How close do you feel to God? ___
How close do you feel to the divine or holy?
Not at all close (1), Somewhat close (3), Very close (5), As close as possible (6)

5. "I desire to be closer to God or in union with the divine. ___
Never (1), Once in a while (2), Some days (3), Most days (4), Every day (5), Many times a day (6)

6. "I feel God's love for me directly. ___
I feel divine love for me directly.
Never (1), Once in a while (2), Some days (3), Most days (4), Every day (5), Many times a day (6)

7. "I feel God's love for me through others. ___
I feel divine love for me through others.
Never (1), Once in a while (2), Some days (3), Most days (4), Every day (5), Many times a day (6)

8. "I feel a selfless caring of others. ___
Never (1), Once in a while (2), Some days (3), Most days (4), Every day (5), Many times a day (6)

It only takes about two minutes to answer the 16 questions but the after-effects linger, enabling people to use them as a tool for self-understanding and the enhancement of their spirituality. Underwood shows their relevance to relationships, health behaviors, pain, happiness and life satisfaction, stress, and burnout. She continues with themes that have emerged from the questions such as the flow of love, connection versus alienation, and translating God. Underwood concludes with chapters on connecting with other people using the DSES and other ways to continue to find spiritual flavor in life.