An Altar in the World

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An Altar in the World: A Geography of Faith | Barbara Brown Taylor

“I think it pisses God off if you walk by the color purple in a field somewhere and don‘t notice it” - Shug Avery

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monalyisha

An Altar in the World: A Geography of Faith | Barbara Brown Taylor

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I have more thoughts about this book than a Litsy review warrants. I think the crux of it is that I found many beautiful passages that spoke to me…but I don‘t think it‘s a perfect book.

Barbara Brown Taylor writes, “Every job has revealed some ability I did not know I had, just as it has exposed some clumsiness I was pretty sure I had.”

I think, in this (rightfully) sensitive and inclusive time, Taylor‘s writing is sometimes clumsy. 👇🏻

monalyisha 1/11: At one point, she even refers to her accidental “oafdom.” What I‘m left feeling unsure about (and there should be NO such ambiguity) is if there‘s occasionally something insidious seeping through that‘s more close-minded than clumsy. (edited) 3w

monalyisha 2/11: For instance, she writes, “We are players but we do not direct the play. Certain decisions were made for us before we were even born. Did you decide to be born in Wichita? Was being a girl your first choice?” The sticking point for me is that we do not have a choice about where we were born. (edited) 3w

monalyisha 3/11: We DO have a choice about how we present our bodies to the world. We have the power to make our outsides match our insides…even if we can‘t change where we‘re from. We can also *leave* the place we‘re born. But she provides no further exposition on the matter. So, to me, this set-up feels like a false equivalency. It feels like dangerous territory. (edited) 3w

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monalyisha 4/11: I worry that with her focus on the incarnation and on matter *mattering* to God, that it‘s entirely possibly BBT could hold anti-trans sentiment. This may be totally off base! The point is that there should be NO SUCH AMBIGUITY. With a more careful writer, there would not be. (edited) 3w

monalyisha 5/11: There are other instances where her position in the world shines through (cis, white, white-collar). She refers to a particular place in the Bronx as “a pretty scary neighborhood” and proclaims that the Uber driver who shuttles her away from it (without any concrete example of threat), “saved her.” (edited) 3w

monalyisha 6/11: This abuts a chapter about “loving the stranger” where she asserts how divinely-inspired it is to “surrender the priority of your own safety for love.” I guess I‘m not convinced that BBT walks the walk as well as she talks the talk, despite her insistence that this book is meant to provide practical instruction. (edited) 3w

monalyisha 7/11: In other places, I made notes about passages where it felt like she was shaming the listener: for being overweight; for being a sex-worker; for not being part of a religious community (she says that these folks (folks like me) feel like they “need to walk off a cliff all by themselves” — and I don‘t get the sense that she admires our sense of adventure). (edited) 3w

monalyisha 8/11: On the whole, I found her tone to be too judgmental, while asserting that she absolutely was NOT being judgmental! This tonal problem is one that the church itself struggles with. It‘s interesting that she was once a representative of their governing body. (edited) 3w

TheBookHippie This is my petty comment. I loathe her and believe her to be dangerous. 3w

monalyisha 9/11: Onto the good stuff, of which there was *plenty!* Many of her thoughts about reverence, awe, & attention hit home. In particular, I loved her thoughts about Moses and what made him special (his willingness to “turn aside” and “look”); her account of walking through a laurel portal with her husband, finding their way in the breathing, moonlit dark… (edited) 3w

monalyisha 10/11: …and her assertion, inspired by the Jewish candle-lighting ritual which illuminates Shabbat, that rest and freedom are intrinsically linked.

An Altar to the World won‘t become my new Bible (though, BBT would insist that the Bible doesn‘t have to be treated like your Bible [infallible teachings, taken wholesale]). (edited) 3w

monalyisha 11/11: I will take from it her suggestion to read Wendell Berry poems to trees. I will take from it her proclamation that “The meaning we give to what happens in our lives is our final, inviolable freedom.” 3w

monalyisha @TheBookHippie That‘s certainly a passionate position! Which details made you feel so clear in your conviction? I feel a lot muddier with the info I currently have. 3w

monalyisha Tagging those of you who I know have read this, so I can get your two cents. 💞 @kspenmoll @BarbaraJean 3w

TheBookHippie @monalyisha she irritates me, I said it was petty 😅🤷🏻‍♀️… there is something in her writing and speaking that feels extremely dangerous to me. I know people love her and get a lot from her. I personally don‘t trust her. Her vibe is off for me and I also find her very condescending. 🤷🏻‍♀️😅 I love your review. It‘s very honest. I love a lot of Berry‘s poems. And a lot of his religion I do not. 🙃 I‘m fun. 3w

Amiable What a wonderfully written and thoughtful review. 3w

kspenmoll I did quote some passages from her that I liked… I grew up white & privileged (except for my femaleness)when Catholics, Jews, blacks, browns, whites were largely separated geographically, which meant socially, politically, & psychologically. Life has changed me because I sought that change & grasped the new. I went to a regional integrated HS when the nuns & priests were throwing off their habits & leaving the church in droves. So maybe 🔽 3w

monalyisha Thank you, @TheBookHippie & @Amiable ! Christine, it can be hard to put your finger on the source of “vibes.” I‘m totally sympathetic to that! I need to read more Berry. Coincidentally, a friend (who‘s going through a really difficult time) just texted me that he was currently reading the tagged and was so grateful that he was. I think I‘ll pick up his most famous, A Timbered Choir, next.

World-Ending Fire: The Essential Wendell Berry

kspenmoll 🔼 I can relate to some of her experiences. I avoided certain areas of Hartford (although I lived there several years) & the reality is poverty & violence still exists & there are places my students tell me not to drive thru aline-they know, they live there. Not sure what I trying to say here. @monalyisha @TheBookHippie Am I making sense?! Also I do enjoy Berry‘s

A Timbered Choir: The Sabbath Poems, 1979-1997

(edited) 3w

monalyisha @kspenmoll You *are* making sense. I just think language is so important. Why refer to “urban neighbors” as being a challenge to love, or call a residential area a “pretty scary neighborhood,” when you could introduce more nuance by calling it something like, “a neighborhood with high need and a high crime rate to match”? Neighborhoods aren‘t scary. They‘re a symptom of a scarier reality. Wealth disparity is scary. (edited) 3w

monalyisha @kspenmoll I think when your whole M.O. is careful attention, that ethos needs to be applied to your language. 3w

monalyisha @kspenmoll Another example: at one point, she talks about the “adolescent energy” of Hawaii. She writes, “its divinity had not yet suffered from the imposition of shopping malls.” But what about the suffering on the sugar plantations? It feels like she‘s negating the very real, historical suffering of the people. 3w

monalyisha @kspenmoll I think so much of her writing *was* considered and crafted. The part where she discusses the beattitude plays, for instance, brought me to literal tears! Or her final discussion of transubstantiation (how Jesus has no hands but ours, no bread other than that which we make…How we ARE his body? Gorgeous!). But if you bring a judgmental tone to your writing and then aren‘t perfect yourself? 😬 That‘s a hard position to find yourself in. (edited) 3w

TheBookHippie @monalyisha She, the author, White Privilege is for sure, the number one feeling I get is bigot and unsafe ally. The vibe is way offffff. Oy.

Berry can be very very soothing. Some of his poems I read over and over. I'll have to go look which book I own, I know it's a collection. 3w

monalyisha @TheBookHippie I guess, overall, I did feel like she was trying. And I think she succeeds in a lot of radical ways! She seemed open to me, and willing to admit her mistakes. But I do have concerns. I‘m inclined to think that it comes down to being a little out of it (which is evidence of privilege) and a lack of timely care. She doesn‘t know she‘s leaving room for interpretation. 3w

kspenmoll @monalyisha Now I understand what you‘re saying! You have a wonderful way with the words. 3w

JamieArc I think I read this (or at least one of hers) as I was leaving the evangelical church, and I remember I was glad to have read it at that hard and confusing time as a transitional piece. This was also just at the point that I started to examine my own whiteness, so I wasn‘t paying attention to certain aspects of it. I wonder what she would say for herself 16 years later. (edited) 3w

monalyisha @JamieArc Oh! I was not *remotely* conscious of the fact that this was published more than a decade ago! That actually blew my mind. 🙈 It‘s an important detail to consider. I just saw it on more than one #AuldLangSpine list and assumed it was new, which is entirely my fault! Thanks for pointing it out! I did try to Google her stance on trans rights… but I didn‘t find anything directly related. (edited) 3w

monalyisha @kspenmoll Thank you. 🥹 3w

TheBookHippie @monalyisha I think for sure she does not know her privilege. I too appreciate any effort of any kind. I just didn't feel she was genuine. But I love this conversation! 3w

monalyisha @TheBookHippie @kspenmoll @JamieArc Yes! I‘m so happy I had people to discuss it with. 😊 3w

DrSabrinaMoldenReads I loved this book too 3w

BarbaraJean Thanks for the tag! And my thoughts aren‘t going to fit just one comment, so you‘re not alone! You‘re very right about the clumsiness/inconsistency, and I really appreciate your thoughtful review. I‘m frustrated I didn‘t pick up on more of the issues you raise—a measure of my own privilege that I missed a lot of the examples you pointed out, and was willing (perhaps too generously) to give her a pass on others. I think it‘s partly generational, ⬇ 3w

BarbaraJean (Cont'd) ...but I agree with @JamieArc that some of it can also be chalked up to when this was written. I really resonated with the chapters on getting lost and finding purpose (but even the purpose stuff comes from privilege, so…). I‘m not at home and don‘t have my copy handy, but doesn‘t she have a whole passage about a power outage where she tries to acknowledge her privilege while coming across as super privileged? ⬇ 3w

BarbaraJean (Cont'd) Same with her reflections on physical labor while volunteering at a shelter? All of that tracks with @TheBookHippie‘s vibes! And BBT‘s background as an Episcopalian tracks with the white privilege, unfortunately. I say that as someone who left the evangelical church and landed at an Episcopal church because of its progressive & affirming theology. The Episcopal Church is trying, and there‘s a lot of good intent (and actual good) there, ⬇ 3w

BarbaraJean (Cont'd) ...but a lot of the people in the pews are still pretty darn privileged and white. Much like BBT and this book. @kspenmoll Also, perhaps not coincidentally, I‘ve been (very slowly) reading through Berry‘s Timbered Choir for the past few months… 3w

TheBookHippie @BarbaraJean My vibes have never been wrong in all my life. It is annoying but helpful. OY VEY. 3w

BarbaraJean @TheBookHippie My husband gets similar vibes and I tend to find it annoying… then inevitably I have to admit he was right 😆 3w

TheBookHippie @BarbaraJean Mr BookHippie suffers the same issues 😂😂😂😂♥️ 3w

monalyisha @BarbaraJean I actually don‘t have my copy anymore, either! I passed it along to my stepmom, who I think will appreciate a lot of BBT‘s ideas. I just met her & my dad for brunch and I finished the book while my husband drove. 😅 My stepmom finds comfort in religion but she also has a bit of a wild streak, which always comes as a surprise given some of her other identities (Canadian, special or accessible education teacher turned principal)…👇🏻 3w

monalyisha @BarbaraJean There‘s a line that reads, “More to the point, there are times when dancing on tables is the most authentic prayer in reach, even if it pocks the table & clears the room.” My stepmom‘s been kicked out of at least one bar for that exact kind of “authentic prayer.” So. It seemed right. 🙈 I underlined the sentence and directed her to it in my inscription (where I also mention that it‘s not a perfect book & note my favorite bits). 3w

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monalyisha

An Altar in the World: A Geography of Faith | Barbara Brown Taylor

I‘m not sure about this one yet.

I added it to my list when going through #AuldLangSpine recs with a fine-toothed comb. I asked my husband to buy it for my birthday. I decided to dive in now to scout it as a potential gift for my stepmom. I think I support the author‘s overall message. I‘m not sure (yet) whether I‘m here for her *tone.* TBD.

It might not have been a natural follow-up to “A Well-Trained Wife.” Religious content is tricky atm…

TheBookHippie I cannot. If you needed the probs only person who 🤮🤢 this book. It‘s HER. Not necessarily the content for me I think. 3w

Meshell1313 🤣🤣🤣 3w

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kspenmoll

An Altar in the World: A Geography of Faith | Barbara Brown Taylor

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So ends this meditative, lingering experience, with this quote from Rumi. Appropriate for our current time. #NFNovember #book1

Bookwormjillk

BarbaraJean 💜💜 “Let the beauty we love be what we do.” 💜💜 3mo

Bookwormjillk Lovely. I need to add this to my list too. 3mo

TheBookHippie I love Rumi. 3w

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monalyisha Oh, this part made me grumpy. I want to read. I also want to sit out on the porch (which was another thing she begrudged in a separate chapter). 😅 Sitting out on the porch IS a way to inhabit your body. You don‘t have to go for a walk. 😜 There‘s a chance I may have put on this song by The Punch Brothers as my (very tame) form of mini rebellion. https://open.spotify.com/track/5a4ZTEMp6wULHTEzJclKxt?si=QMFL2AxvRem8Cdrqy17Ogw 3w

monalyisha To be clear, there‘s a time for reading and a time for action; a time for sitting and a time for walking. Just…let me sit & read when that‘s what I‘ve determined is best. Okay, Barbara?! 😆 3w

kspenmoll I am always reading on my porch except winter!!I lie around tons. But walking in nature is therapy for me, either alone or as a communal time when I hike or walk with others. I appreciate everyone‘s comments and ideas. It certainly has me thinking! (edited) 3w

kspenmoll @monalyisha I think I must‘ve just picked and chose what I enjoyed and ignored the rest. I don‘t remember the begrudging of sitting on the porch reading, but then again it was a while back that I read the book. 3w

kspenmoll @monalyisha fabulous song! 3w

monalyisha @kspenmoll Thank you! I did really enjoy a lot of the book. I passed it on to a family member, who I think might find it more expansive than I did. The image of the laurel tree portal will stick with me. I almost wanted to keep the book for myself, to highlight the sentences that DID make a difference to my thinking. But it felt more meaningful to share. 3w

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kspenmoll

An Altar in the World: A Geography of Faith | Barbara Brown Taylor

Love love walking barefoot on the beach- but today i walked around my school building(shoes on!) noticing,listening,touching,reveling in the natural world around me.It was a windy day,with leaves swirling all around me. 💨🍁🌺🗿🪶🐦‍⬛ Many “altars.” #NFNovember

Bookwormjillk

Bookwormjillk 🍁❤️🍁❤️🍁❤️ 3mo

Singout A poignant quote as I visit my parents: my dad has just returned from rehab after three months and will probably never walk again. He‘s trying very hard with walkers, wheelchairs, and stair gliders, but it‘s really hard. For him and us. 3mo

dabbe 🧡🍁🤎 3mo

kspenmoll @Singout I am so sorry to hear about your dad & how devastating it must be for him & all of you to feel his struggle. Sending love.❤️ 3mo

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kspenmoll

An Altar in the World: A Geography of Faith | Barbara Brown Taylor

#HyggeHourReadathon
Tonight I will be snuggled in my bed with my cats, a book, a cup of hot tea, & ginger cookies. Heavenly!

TheBookHippie, jenniferw88, Chrissyreadit, AllDebooks

TheBookHippie Heavenly indeed! 3mo

Bklover Sounds wonderful! 3mo

AllDebooks Perfect x 3mo

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kspenmoll

An Altar in the World: A Geography of Faith | Barbara Brown Taylor

#NFNovember

Bookwormjillk

AnnCrystal 🥲💝💝💝. 3mo

Suet624 Oh, this brought tears. 3mo

dabbe 🤎🍁🧡 3mo

kspenmoll @AnnCrystal @Suet624 @dabbe Beautiful book. It seems to intersect with The Universe in Verse & the #naturalitsy book, The Cabaret of Plants, which I just opened. 3mo

AllDebooks Oh this hit home! I'm saving this. Thank you x 3mo

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kspenmoll

An Altar in the World: A Geography of Faith | Barbara Brown Taylor

Shadowy photo, but #white for #coverlove

Eggs, Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Eggs Perfection 🤍🤍 7mo

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BarbaraJean

An Altar in the World: A Geography of Faith | Barbara Brown Taylor

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What a beautiful exploration of non-traditional spiritual practices: of finding God in the everyday. I loved this! The chapters on getting lost and finding purpose were especially meaningful for me during a time where I‘ve stepped “off the path” so to speak, taking time to regroup and discern a new vocation and way forward.

Texreader What a beautiful cover! And excellent review. Stacked 8mo

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BarbaraJean

An Altar in the World: A Geography of Faith | Barbara Brown Taylor

“I am a guest here, charged with serving other guests—even those who present themselves as my enemies. I am allowed to resist them, but as long as I trust in one God who made us all, I cannot act as if they are no kin to me. There is only one House. Human beings must either learn to live in it together or we will not survive to hear its sigh of relief when our numbered days are done.”

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HeatherBookNerd

An Altar in the World: A Geography of Faith | Barbara Brown Taylor

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This was an especially good choice to read during the scaled back times of Covid. It seems an appropriate time to return to the basics of faith, to look more closely at the profound insights to be found in the every day events we often miss in the midst of our busyness. The chapter on prayer and the one on suffering were particularly enlightening. I love the way BBT writes and the openness with which she embraces her relationship with God.

Kimzey I agree, it is a perfect pandemic read. Our class is taking one chapter per month and focusing on a different spiritual practice each month. (edited) 4y

HeatherBookNerd @Kimzey that‘s a terrific idea. 4y

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Caterina

An Altar in the World: A Geography of Faith | Barbara Brown Taylor

After my run I enjoyed some spiritual practice time before starting my day. 😊 My days are much better when I make this kind of space in the morning. 💕

Don't worry, in my thorough cleaning after this picture and before my friend comes to visit at lunchtime for a couple days, I cleaned that spiderweb out of my window. 😂 My spider friend and I peacefully coexisted for a while, but he moved out so I cleaned up! 😂

Kimzey @Caterina Our rector is leading a book study on Barbara Brown Taylor‘s book starting this week. I am not surprised to find you‘ve posted on this title. 😊. I hope your summer is going well. Will your seminary be holding in-person classes this fall? 5y

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Caterina

An Altar in the World: A Geography of Faith | Barbara Brown Taylor

Since I'm resting my pinched nerve and didn't run/walk this morning, I was able to make space for an hour of just me and God before work (above). It really got me started on the right foot! Now, after a frenzied work day of planning, shopping for a couple hours straight, and setting up for Vacation Bible School next week, I am home at last. 😊 Time to kick my heels up and relax with a good book! #BookFitnessChallenge #BFC #BFCr2 #BookNerdHerd

BarbaraJean Love Barbara Brown Taylor! Are you reading the tagged book? It‘s high on my TBR but I haven‘t gotten to it yet. I really enjoyed

Learning to Walk in the Dark: Because God often shows up at night

Megabooks Sounds fantastic!! 👍🏻👍🏻 6y

Caterina @BarbaraJean Yes! It's the one on top of the stack. It's my first Barbara Brown Taylor, and I'm loving it so far! My dad got it for me because he thought I'd love it. I'll have to add Learning to Walk in the Dark to my TBR! 6y

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brennareadsbooks

An Altar in the World: A Geography of Faith | Barbara Brown Taylor

Okay, The Regional Office Is Under Attack! might not count because it's an ARC but hey, it's a pretty minimalist cover on my shelf... #augustphotochallenge #MinimalisticCovers #augustofpages

TheSpinecrackersBookClub

MrBook A cover is a cover, to be judged or my judged 😎👍🏻. 9y

maximoffs Out of sorts 😍😍😍😍 9y

brennareadsbooks @steverogers Sarah Bessey is a personal hero. 😍😍 9y

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