Books by Jim Conlon

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Books by Jim Conlon
Order Powerpoint presentation Download onto your computer	AT THE EDGE OF OUR LONGING: Unspoken Hunger for Sacredness and Depth Introduction by Diarmid O'Murchu, MSC I am fascinated by the title of this book. It evokes several connections with what modem scientists call "the edge of chaos" which does not describe the onset of chaos but its after-effects. Chaos theory describes a state of intemal dislocation, because the old certainties don't make sense anymore. The order begins to disintegrate, disorder ensues, and the system veers toward a freshly discovered sense of coherence. This is the edge of chaos. The old will never be the same again, but the new is still unfolding, sometimes confusing, chaofic, stretching, even exciting. It is not neat and precise like the old order, but intuition tells us that it is a great deal more real, and this is what compels credibility. Jim Conlon brings a creative and intuitive mind to this "edge of our longings," but he goes beyond the longing into the real of belonging. And the belonging is no longer just personal, interpersonal, or social. It is planetary, global, and cosmic. This is Conlon's revolutionary insight. Moving through the four spheres of Soul, Life, Earth, and the Divine, the psychologist with me hears resonances, of stages of developmental growth. The difference, of course, is that these are planetary/cosmic stages and not merely personal ones. This is precisely what the edge of chaos is about. The previous, familiar world of conventional wisdom no longer holds. The certainties crumble, the clarity fades, the boundaries are stretched, often beyond recognition. We are into new territory; disturbing, dangerous, challenging, but for growing numbers among us, exciting and promising. Assuredly, we have been there before, and nobody knows the territory better than the mystics both ancient and recent. Jim Conlon graciously acknowledges their enduring contribution. But even for the mystics there is a radical newness. We encounter a new evolutionary movement that is beginning to dawn upon our world. None of us has been there before. We need fresh wisdom for our time and for our journey. You would be advised to take along a copy of At the Edge of Our Longings. You'll find it a useful resource, solace for the turbulent times, guidance, at the crossroads, and above all reassurance for the different future that embraces our world in these opening decades of the 21' century." Reviews Review by Prairie Messenger, Muenster, Saskatchewan Review by Stephen Sharper (Toronto Star)
Order	THE SACRED IMPULSE A Planetary Spirituality of Heart and Fire Jim Conlon's book asks today's spiritual pilgrims to include in their search for the inner-peace a vision of humankind's unique place in the universe. This prophetic challenge calls for new ways of understanding the interrelationships that keep our planet viable. Writes Conlon, "As new millennium people, we are being called to live in unprecedented ways. We are called to invent for ourselves and for those who will follow us the cultural implications of a new and living cosmology. Some of these implications will demand enormous change in our views of behavior and professions." Yet, in the face of immanent environmental disaster and the growing threat of terrorism, THE SACRED IMPULSE, and the movement it describes and helps foster, offers new reason for optimism. For example, Conlon comprehends the positive impact of the new communication technologies on our culture. He writes, "The vision being evoked and fostered in our time will be animated by increased levels of communication. The evolving relationships embodying this web of compassion and tapestry of life will be marked by touchstone categories of reciprocity, information, support and common action." Conlon presents life as a three-dimensional journey: personal, communal and cosmic/universal. He develops the notion that our Spirituality must be grounded in our origins, both local and global, and that any damage we do to the earth damages not only ourselves, our community and our spirituality, but also those of future generations. James A. Conlon, is chairperson and director of the Sophia Center, a graduate studies program at Holy Names College in Oakland, CA. He is the author of several books including Geo-Justice and Ponderings from the Precipice.
Order	PONDERINGS FROM THE PRECIPICE Soulwork for a New Millennium A response to our turbulent times, a hope-filled invitation to ponder key questions that confront – thus to find the drive at the heart of our experience and relationships, to find expanded justice and the possibility of a planetary Pentecost. “To ponder means to weigh. James Conlon’s ponderings are not ponderous, not labored, yet they concern weighty matters worth weighing on the balance of the heart.” Brother David Steindl-Rast, O.S.B., Author of The Music of Silence “Jim Conlon has written a practical guide for doing soulwork. To read these prayers and ponderings is to engage in the praxis of renewing the soul.” Rosemary Radford Ruether, Author of Woman Healing Earth“This is an inspiring series of reflections that flash through the mind in the course of daily affairs at this threatening moment in the history of the Earth.” Thomas Berry, Author of The Dream of the Earth “Jim Conlon shows us how to make the most of this time of transition into a new, more ecological age by integrating our personal story with Earth’s own story. A book for ordinary folk who want to live more intentionally and grow spiritually day by day.” Miriam Therese Winter, Professor and Author of Woman Word, Woman Wisdom, and Woman Witness
E-mail for ordering information: jacstory@aol.com	EARTH STORY, SACRED STORY In this profoundly motivating book, author James Conlon proposes a new approach to life on Earth. He looks at the present ecological situation—including the depletion of natural resources, pollution, and the devastation of wilderness and wildlife—and urges readers to adapt a lifestyle more in sync with the needs of our planet. Earth Story, Sacred Story examines elements of our culture that are undesirable in terms of their ultimately negative impact on the quality of life in general. The squelching of creativity by modern institutions is seen by Conlon as particularly harmful; in this regard, he focuses on aspects of culture that can be changed and nurtured to enact a return to our creative origins. Conlon is conversant with the teachings of modern theologians in regard to Earth spirituality: Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, Thomas Berry, Gregory Baum, and Dom Helder Camara. He also draws on the wisdom of many secular social thinkers, such as Robert Bellah, Sam Keen, Frances Moore Lappe and Rollo May. Discussion questions at the end of each chapter, an extensive bibliography, and a concise glossary make this an ideal book for adult study groups. The individual reader will also find much that is of challenge and benefit in these pages. We explain things by telling their story – how they came into being and the changes that have taken place over the course of time, whether minutes or millennia… This is especially true in explaining those profound formative influences that have shaped our sense of the sacred. From the Foreword by Thomas Berry Co-author (with Brian Swimme), The Universe Story
E-mail for ordering information: jacstory@aol.com	GEO-JUSTICE A Preferential Option for the Earth Geo-Justice is a personal and planetary challenge, a new context for theological reflection, a way to discover our most timely task, the converging terrain between a spirituality of the Earth and social and environmental justice. “Geo-Justice initiates a new context for theological discussions of justice issues. Gone forever are the former dualism that pitted human social concerns on one side, and environmental concerns on the other. Conlon establishes a holistic orientation that assists us in exploring the justice implications of One Earth, that helps us hold our minds open both to the beauty and the crisis of our time, and that enables us to articulate our deepest convictions and plan or action.” Brian Swimme, Author The Universe is a Green Dragon: A Cosmic Creation Story “…The ecology movement which began with Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring…is the most significant transformation movement, perhaps, since the beginning of civilization….This book on Geo-Justice as a flowering of the entire movement.” Thomas Berry, Author of The Dream of the Earth “Jim Conlon has put together pieces of a new understanding of our mysterious journey in the universe, a new cosmology so much needed to lead us out of the current mess into a better next millennium. He will enter history for having coined the new concept and work of Geo-Justice.” Robert Muller, Former United Nations Assistant Secretary-General and Author of New Genesis: Shaping a Global Spirituality
E-mail for ordering information: jacstory@aol.com	LYRICS FOR RECREATION Language for the Music of the Universe Review By Rich Heffern Thomas Berry has described our present human culture as "autistic." By this he means that we humans are obsessed with understanding ourselves and with our own concerns, but refuse any attempt to understand the Earth and the natural processes from which we come. For example, signs of global warming abound yet we refuse to discuss it or take steps to prevent its worsening. This wide-spread autism is attributable in part to the separation of matter and spirit so common in our religious sensibilities. What's the cure? We need to establish a relationship with the Earth in which we humbly listen and learn. We must begin again in the important dialogue between ourselves and the wide universe beyond us. In Lyrics For Re-Creation, James Conlon, director of the Sophia Institute at Holy Names College in Oakland, California, calls for "Earth literacy," a way to begin in understanding and listening so that we can address the most urgent concerns of our times. The great, prophetic challenges of our time are the environmental and the social. "Our generation's challenge" writes Conlon, " is to foster a more intimate connection between humans and the natural world - to discover the sacred dimension in rocks, water, trees, humans and social institutions. This awakening to sacredness can support and promote new ways to restore the natural world and restructure society." Conlon contends that the story of our individual lives can become congruent with the great and sacred story of the universe. We are challenged to reinvent ourselves, our actions, and our culture so that we can discover who we are and find our place as we embark on the immense journey that will bring us home to ourselves and to the planet. Conlon challenges us to consider our dreams and our hopes for ourselves and for a better world. Then begin the strenuously invigorating work of finding action steps that can bring these hopes and dreams alive and make them possible. The new millennium is almost upon us, and the future of the earth and our human culture hangs in the balance. The actions we must take are varied and profound. Some of these actions Conlon offers that can move us into the future are: changing our lifestyles regarding work, housing, food and transportation; or being open to the voice that invites us into silence, meditation, and deeper levels of transformation; or knowing our bioregion, the place where we live, for the first time; or having new eyes and ears to see and listen to the young of every species; or participating in base groups to integrate what we feel, learn and practice. There are a million more steps we can take. This book is ideal for discussion or study groups. It is packed with reflection questions and action steps. The reader is offered the opportunity of a dynamic between his or her own particular life and the processes Conlon describes for renewing the face of the earth. It's not a book to read quietly in an armchair, but one to mark up, underline, and copy pages to hang on the wall. This is a book that will get used, even beat up. What are our true roles in a universe that is sacred? Read this book, interact with it, and begin to find out. Rich Heffern is Praying's review editor
Jim Conlon • 510-436-1427 • jacstory@aol.com