Spirituality Outside the Lines - Seekers, Skeptics & Explorers

I'm amazed by the number of people I've met in the last decade who don't fit into any one religious "box." They draw inspiration from a number of traditions, and often feel uncomfortable in organized religious institutions. Most consider themselves lifelong seekers.

Here are a few resources for spiritual eclectics:

• Seeking Enlightenment Hat by Hat by mystery author Nevada Barr. A down-to-earth skeptic, Barr explains why she chose to convert to Christianity and join a neighborhood church.
• The Road Less Traveled and Different Drum by M. Scott Peck. These two books, written by another late convert who continued to appreciate the value of free inquiry and skepticism, are classics.
• The Red Book by Sera Beak. The intended audience is young women but anyone who has ever wondered if spirituality could be both practical and magical should read this. Check out her website spiritualcowgirl.com
• A Charmed Life by Patricia Telesco. For those who want to explore Pagan or Wiccan paths.
  
• Full Catastrophe Living by Jon Kabat-Zinn. A Zen-based guide to navigating life's rough waters. He heads the U. Mass. medical school's mindfulness program, the Omega Institute - eomega.org
• God's Politics by Jim Wallis of Sojourners, the organization for progressive, politically active Christians. See also
  
• Einstein's God - Conversations About God and the Human Spirit by Krista Tippett, who hosts the PBS radio program Speaking of Faith (speakingoffaith.publicradio.org).
• Create Your Personal Sacred Text by Bobbi Parish. The author leads readers through a process of reading passages from the world's sacred books such as the Bible, Koran and Vedas, then choosing passages to include in a personal book. After completing this step, she provides springboards for the reader to write her own sacred stories, poetry or sayings.
• Return to Love by Marianne Williams; As Above, So Below by Ronald Miller (definitely for seekers - it describes progressive variations on the largest world religions plus less well-known alternatives) ; To a Dancing God by Sam Keene.

The market (and libraries) are, in fact, awash in books, audio & digital resources and DVDs on spiritual exploration. These items are only a tiny sample.