Universal Love: Surrendering to the God of Peace - by John Dear Paperback

About the Book

"How to live a life of peace and nonviolence by surrendering every day to God, or Universal Life"-- Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

Advance Praise & Reviews
"In this short, valuable, and practical book, John shares his conversations with a young spiritual seeker named Will who came to him seeking spiritual guidance. As I read each chapter, I felt like I was meeting with John for coffee, sharing my struggles, and receiving his wisdom and encouragement. This book is a treasure."--Brian McLaren, author, Faith after Doubt

This book arose from a young man's request that John serve as his spiritual director. He did not believe in God, but he believed in "love and truth and compassion." John replied that those are all names for God, and they agreed that they would speak of Universal Love. From this beginning, John discovered a new understanding of spirituality, and his own life of peacemaking as an exercise in "surrendering to the God of Peace." In short reflections, he outlines what this means, offers practical exercises, and shows how this might lead us more deeply into the meaning of discipleship in a world of violence and conflict.

From the Back Cover

US$20.00
RELIGION / Spirituality
RELIGION / Peace
John Dear
UNIVERSAL LOVE
Surrendering to the God of Peace ISBN 978-1-62698-651-0 Orbis logo Cover design: Ponie Sheehan

Review Quotes

Advance Praise & Reviews

"In this delightful book, we are invited to listen in as Fr. John Dear guides a young friend on a journey of surrender to God, and the possibilities of Universal Love."--Rev. Cyprian Consiglio, New Camaldoli Hermitage, Big Sur, CA

"In this short, valuable, and practical book, John shares his conversations with a young spiritual seeker named Will who came to him seeking spiritual guidance. As I read each chapter, I felt like I was meeting with John for coffee, sharing my struggles, and receiving his wisdom and encouragement. This book is a treasure."--Brian McLaren, author, Faith after Doubt

"In these moving meditations, Fr. John Dear shows how Universal Love meets us right where we are -- even in doubt -- and gently calls us into prayer, nonviolence, and service. Fr. John Dear's latest book testifies to love's power to transform lives." -Kerry Kennedy, President, Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Center

"This conversational book nourishes the spirit in the process of embracing and surrendering to the God of Peace. Through conversations over coffee (or tea), John and his friend explore the mystery and challenge of the beatitude mandate: "Blessed are the peacemakers." In turbulent times this is nourishment for staying engaged." -Sr. Simone Campbell, SSS, author of Nun on the Bus and Hunger for Hope, and recipient of the 2022 Presidential Medal of Freedom

"Father John Dear has a rare gift for clarifying what is at the heart of the message of Jesus, and Universal Love: Surrendering to the God of Peace carries that gift in a very real way. This book feels like a call that brings us back to our hearts and to what actually matters. It speaks just as clearly to those who are new to the spiritual life as to those who have been trying to live it for decades. John invites us into silence, into the presence of the One who loves us, and who alone can take our wounds, our anxieties, and our longings and slowly transform them into our unique gift to the world. Over time, as our hearts are gently disarmed, we begin to look and love more like Jesus, and to trust the peace he promised. This is the kind of book you keep close, return to often, and find yourself wanting to place in the hands of a friend you care about."--Rev. Adam Bucko, author of Let Your Heartbreak Be Your Guide: Lessons in Engaged Contemplation

About the Author

Rev. John Dear is a priest, long time peace activist, lecturer, and author of 40 books including The Gospel of Peace. He is the founder and director of www.beatitudescenter.org and offers a weekly podcast, "The Nonviolent Jesus Podcast." Visit www.johndear.org.