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Nov/Dec 2000 issue (#48)

Spirit Matters
by Michael Lerner
Hampton Road Books
www.spiritmatters.net

We've heard of sustainable resource use, but in Spirit Matters, Michael Lerner presents what sustainable politics might look like. Lerner begins by pointing out that the most successful movements have had a spiritual base, such as the black churches that anchored the civil rights movement of the 60s. Importantly, conservatives were ascendant in the 80s and early 90s in large part because of their strong base in evangelical churches, which cared enough to welcome strangers and make sure some of their needs were met. As progressives regain momentum and rediscover their spiritual roots, Spirit Matters arrives in print to guide us along.

Yet, Lerner has some work to do if he wants to place progressive politics on a more spiritual base, considering that religious institutions have at times been the victimizing institutions that progressives have struggled against. Lerner begins to answer this question by pointing out that science has abuses as well, yet few are walking completely away from science.

Spirit Matters is an accessible read, that can stand separately from Lerner's prior works such as The Politics of Meaning where he proposed that seeking meaning is the central organizing principle of life. Spirit Matters describes the spirituality he envisions, as well as its likely effects on various aspects of society, from law to education to medicine.

Lerner is at his most persuasive when he talks about the need for a new "bottom line". It is the effort to create a more spiritual community and a new purpose for the here and now that harbors the transformative potential. History has shown that whichever political movement speaks to the deepest human needs for meaning and community and provides them in the here and now has been the ascendant community. In the broadest sense, only spiritual people make sacrifices for the good of a cause.

Spirit does indeed matter. If you're looking for a book that is accessible but attempts to intelligently grapple with what it takes to turn and transform the kaleidoscope we call society, without burning everyone out along the way, Spirit Matters should be at the top of your list.