Christina Baldwin is the author of the bestseller Life's Companion: Journal Writing as a Spiritual Quest and Calling the Circle: The First and Future Culture. She has been teaching seminars and workshops for more than 20 years. In this brief but graceful resource she presents "seven whispers" that came to her and make up the central focus of her spiritual life. Baldwin refers to them as "an ecumenical mantra. Their language is universal. . . . They are short, memorable phrases that can be recited as prayer and remembered in moments of need."

The first whisper, "maintain peace of mind," is a cornerstone of the spiritual life. This intention can be solidified in morning prayer and then carried throughout the day by listening to the Spirit within, what is commonly called our intuition.

Another whisper is "surrender to surprise." This one stands up against the ego's drive for self-preservation and security. All too often we are "locked up in our agendas" and unable to be available to the marvels that present themselves in the moment. However, in a culture where mastery is honored, the practice of surrender is very difficult.

"Ask for what you need and offer what you can" is a double whammy that speaks to our ability to take care of ourselves and to serve others. Baldwin taps into a challenge that is right on target when she writes: "In the coming years, I believe that we in the West will be challenged as never before to look at the question of what we really need and what we have the obligation to offer in order to re-establish balance in the global family." This point is well taken, given the huge disparity between the lifestyle of Americans and the rest of the world.

Baldwin's seven whispers are helpful guidelines to achieving a whole-hearted spirituality in everyday life.