In Indiana, as elsewhere, "the sacred [is] fighting for its place in a world of civil government and commerce, re-emerging over and over in all its diversity, its multitude of eclectic styles," notes editor Susan Neville in this fascinating collection of essays, poems, and photographs. The intent is to celebrate the links between spirit and place in Indianapolis. The Hoosiers writing here demonstrate the vitality of religion and the creativity of spirituality in an urban setting.
One of the best essays is by Scott Russell Sanders who attends a Quaker meeting in order "to slip out of my own small self and meet the great Self." Rabbi and feminist Sandy Eisenberg Sasso pays tribute to women's spirituality in diverse places and guises. Stephen H. Webb, a theologian, reminisces about the Protestant Church of his youth while Patricia Henley marvels at the interreligious dialogue at a Catholic monastery. Andrew Levy muses on his struggle to keep his Jewish identity alive in Indianapolis. Jim Poyser teases out some religious meanings while visiting the zoo with his two sons.
This volume is so interesting let's hope it encourages other cities to follow suit and have their regional writers meditate on spirit and place.
