The Alphabet of Paradise: An A - Z of Spirituality for Everyday Life »

Paradise is not in some far-off distant time or place, nor is it beyond death. It's here and now, a dimension of our everyday lives. From one of the most eloquent new voices in spirituality in years, Howard Cooper takes us on a voyage of discovery-into ourselves and into the past-to find the signposts that can help us live more meaningful lives.

In twenty-six engaging chapters-from A to Z-Cooper spiritually illuminates the subjects of our daily lives. He examines these sources by using an ancient Jewish mystical method of interpretation that reveals both the literal and more allusive meanings of each. Topics include: Awe, Bodies, Creativity, Dreams, Emotions, Food, Humor, Illness, Justice, Love, Money, Relationships, Sports, Uncertainty, Xenophobia, You, and more.

With remarkable range of cultural understanding and spiritual insight-from Salman Rushdie to soccer to sauerkraut-The Alphabet of Paradise helps us uncover the mystical meaning of our everyday lives.

Publishers Weekly

Taking an A-Z approach to spiritual enlightenment, British rabbi Cooper offers chapter-by-chapter essays for living a more meaningful life. At first glance, the alphabetized chapter titles seem like a forced device that serves Cooper's need for structure rather than the reader's need for enlightenment. But closer reading reveals a collection of carefully sequenced insights that build upon one another, layer by layer and letter by letter. Starting with a chapter on Awe, then Body, and then Creativity, the reader begins this study with a solid tripod of spiritual development. By the time we get to "Sport" we know we are in the hands of a unique and masterful essayist. The letter "S" could have inspired many racy titles, but Cooper chose to write about the decline of religious worship as it corresponds to the rise in the worship of popular culture. "The new football season is heralded as a secular epiphany worthy of our heart's devotion," he writes, while also noting that the word "fan" comes from the Latin fanaticus-"worshipper." Above all, this London-based rabbi is a modern mystic-skilled at spotting the everyday possibilities for spiritual growth. Whether discussing Princess Diana's death, brand name products or the pleasure of an unexpected phone call, Cooper shows how contemporary living can be informed by numerous religious teachings. This unusual alphabet is as satisfying as any visit to the rabbi's office-filled with funny anecdotes, warm to the core, and keenly attentive to the spiritual needs of the reader. (Apr.) Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.