Embracing the Beloved: Relationship as a Path of Awakening

by Stephen Levine, Ondrea Levine

Overview

Stephen and Ondrea Levine devoted more than eighteen years to investigating the mind/body relationship, particularly as it relates to the states healing, dying, and grieving.  Their work has affected healing and medical practices worldwide. In Embracing the Beloved, the Levines turn their attention to what has been "our most significant spiritual commitment—our own relationship."

In this groundbreaking book, they demonstrate how to use a relationship as a means for profound inner growth and healing.  Their insights and anecdotes will benefit all who are drawn to looking inward, and all who seek a relationship as a path for spiritual renewal and merciful awareness of life.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780385425278
Publisher:	Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group
Publication date:	01/28/1996
Pages:	320
Product dimensions:	5.30(w) x 8.00(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

For over thirty-two years, Stephen and Ondrea Levine provided emotional and spiritual support for those who were life-threatened, and for caregivers. Through their healing and forgiveness workshops, many writings, and endless compassion, Stephen and Ondrea touched the lives of thousands of people all over the world.

Together. Stephen and Ondrea authored numerous books, including Who Dies, Embracing the Beloved, and A Year to Live, among others. Stephen passed away in 2016 at the age of 78.

Editorial Reviews

"If you aspire to transform an intimate relationship into a tandem inner journey towards spiritual realization, Embracing the Beloved is the most subtly articulated 'how to' book available."- Ram Dass

"A poetic and compassionate book about the healing potential of love and familial relationships... This should find its way onto the bookshelves of all who strive for greater insight into their own—and their partners'—deeper natures."- Publishers Weekly

"Stephen and Ondrea's work in among the deepest, most healing and heartfelt contributions to modern spiritual life in America.  What they offer in Embracing the Beloved is filled with blessings."- Jack Kornfield, author of a Path with Heart

"Perhaps the most spiritually ambitious 'relationships' book of the season."- New Age Journal

"Embracing the Beloved is [the Levines'] often moving... exploration of how relationship can be a path to God.  It mixes stories from the Levines' past... with philosophy and suggestions for meditations."- San Francisco Chronicle

From the Publisher

In today's climate of individual achievement and independence, it is refreshing that the Levines (Who Dies?) have parlayed their 17 years of spiritual work with the dying into a poetic and compassionate book about the healing potential of love and familial relationships. Deeply personal anecdotes and experiences with spiritual leaders, such as Ram Dass, are interwoven with free-form poetry and practical meditation techniques-to be done with one's partner-to help readers ``go beyond safe territory... to let go into the vastness'' of relationships. The authors comprehensively cover the healing power of relationships, including those with aging parents. Not just another pop-psychology book, this should find its way onto the bookshelves of all who strive for greater insight into their own-and their partners'-deeper natures. Author tour. (Jan.)

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

Drawing on spiritual insights from Zen Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, and C.G. Jung, the Levines, meditation teachers and counselors, suggest that the path to spiritual awakening is one with the journey to the Beloved in relationship. Mindfulness, forgiveness, and loving kindness characterize the relationship with the Beloved as it moves from the mere convergence of bodies to the mystical union of souls and beyond. Such fluffy pop spirituality as the Levines here practice is already readily available in the works of Matthew Fox and Joseph Campbell. Not recommended.

Library Journal