"Towards Beloved Community"
by Cathal (Cal) Courtney
Paperback published April 2007 by Explore Publishing
Available from Amazon at £9.49
This slim volume of 141 pages will be a powerful challenge and inspiration, not only to every individual who reads it but especially to each of us as individual Unitarians and members of our various Unitarian communities. The book is based on lectures delivered by Cal at the Summer School in 2005. I have waited with great anticipation for this book and it has certainly more than lived up to all my expectations.
Drawing on his experience and understanding of the western traditions of religion and philosophy Cal recovers, and restates profound truths relevant to our society today where individuals are alienated, anxious and broken in spite of affluence. Turning to their gurus and looking for quick-fix answers doesn't begin to address the deep problems of a society full of individuals unable to live with uncertainties, brokenness and ignorance. Is it ever possible to come to terms with the suffering and injustice caused by power and greed, whilst we have plenty?
This is a wake up call for many of us caught up in the numbers game of growth as numbers decline. Cal successfully works from the premise that: 'Communities exist to support visions and not to support themselves: communities that support their visions grow'. The central calling of community is about love and not about self-preservation. We need to recognise that we are a community of imperfect people, seekers with love to share, a love which transforms lives.
Cal goes on to show how we need to be open to the mystery that reveals the presence of love connecting us to others and to the created world, not a mystery and revelation which backs up dogma and doctrine to be believed and written down. It is within the presence of this revealed and transforming love that we exercise our reason to work towards justice and fairness in the world. But as Cal deftly illustrates, reason itself doesn't wipe the tear away; that is done through sharing in love. It is this constant theme of sharing in the paradox of being both broken and blessed at the same time and the recognition that we live in the presence of love and are beloved. This is at the heart of the beloved community, a vision which we need to realise and promote.
There is much in this small book that will be of value to all Unitarians, so please read it and share your comments with us through the Forum or Newsletter. It is a life-changing book at individual and community level when brokenness and blessedness are experienced within the presence of love which when shared transforms the individual and the community.
If you buy its 'perfect partner' at the same time there is a special offer - £17.08 to include both, the second being Bill Darlison's The Shortist Distance – 101 Stories from the World's Spiritual Traditions. Bill can always be guaranteed to give us a brilliant read.
Joan Wilkinson