Wayne Teasdale, who died in the fall of 2004, was a pioneer of a movement he called "interspirituality' which he saw as "identifying and embracing the mystical core or common ground of the world's religions." He was a lay monk who combined the traditions of Christianity and Hinduism in the way of the Christian Sannyasa. For more information on his life and work, see our Remembering Spiritual Masters profile.

In this daybook, Teasdale brings together a unique collection of insights and inspiration from all the mystical traditions. He calls it "a teaching vehicle, a raft of divine wisdom. Its focus is on the whole picture of our moral, spiritual, intellectual growth. Our growth means becoming the exquisite persons we are all capable of becoming." Brief aphorisms, sayings, proverbs, and writings from writers, poets, philosophers, scientists, novelists, saints, politicians, and everyday people are followed by Teasdale's commentaries on them. He suggests you approach each entry — they are numbered to 365 but not dated so it can be used for many years — using the Christian contemplative practice of Lectio Divina: "The lectio approach includes four levels or moments: reading, reflection, a movement in the depths of our being called prayer of the heart, and rest or contemplation. It is best to emphasize reading and reflection either in the early morning before starting the day's activities, or at night. After reading, let the absorbed ideas churn in your heart."

Many of the quotations cover the same subject from different religions: you will find material on compassion, love, listening, joy, kindness, forgiveness, imagination, prayer, contemplation, attention, suffering, attachments, and much more. Here is a sampler of quotes from Teasdale's daybook:

"The greatest accomplishment in life is to be who or what you are, and that is what God wanted you to be when he created you.
— Abbot Thomas Keating

"At first, before descending to this world, the soul is imperfect: she is lacking something. By descending to this world, she is perfected in every dimension.
— Moses de Leon

"A weapon is an enemy even to its owner.
— Turkish proverb

"If you are to fight, fight against your own desires.
— Jain proverb

"Compassion is the keen awareness of the interdependence of all things.
— Thomas Merton

"Happiness is a perfume you cannot pour on others without getting a few drops on yourself.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

"To love what you do and feel that it matters — how could anything be more fun?
— Katherine Graham

"You always carry within yourself the very thing that you need for the fulfillment of you life purpose.
— Malidoma Some