cover image SACRED WOUNDS: Succeeding Because of Life's Difficulties

SACRED WOUNDS: Succeeding Because of Life's Difficulties

Jan Goldstein, . . ReganBooks, $24.95 (256pp) ISBN 978-0-06-009657-1

Goldstein (Life Can Be This Good), who is an ordained rabbi, speaks from the perspective of one who has endured great pain. Goldstein's wife left him and, after their separation, he became the primary caregiver of his three young children. He describes here the acute emotional agony that he felt during this period, but relates how he discovered his ability to draw on unexpected resources in order to rebuild his life. In this self-help manual, Goldstein recommends a nine-step progressive plan for utilizing the painful experiences life doles out that will enable those who are wounded to work through their distress and emerge as stronger people. The author provides many anecdotes to illustrate his program. Deborah, who was an alcoholic, had to go through the first step of acknowledging the wound of childhood abuse before she could take action to become sober. Several steps, such as embracing the hope and generating the blessings, rely heavily on the healing power of meditation and prayer. This will be of the greatest interest to those seeking an introspective spiritual process of healing. (Jan.)