Tyger

Three new books with meditative and inspirational qualities are available at the UUA Bookstore.

Falling into the Sky ($8) is the 2013 UUA meditation manual, edited by the Rev. Abhi Janamanchi and his son Abhimanyu Janamanchi, a leader in Unitarian Universalist youth and adult leadership circles. Falling into the Sky compiles forty writings from UU ministers, leaders, and lay people. These meditations evoke “vivid vistas of imagination and reflection,” according to promotional materials for the book.

Also newly available is War Zone Faith: An Army Chaplain’s Reflections from Afghanistan ($8) by Army Chaplain Capt. George Tyger, a UU minister, who served in parish ministry before entering the Army Chaplain Corps. Here’s the marketing copy: As an Army chaplain deployed to Afghanistan, George Tyger has seen and experienced things that many of us cannot fathom: naked children throwing rocks at him in the street, a playground in the middle of a Taliban graveyard, and incredible violence, anger, loneliness, and fear. Determined to find meaning in the midst of it all, Tyger reflects on his faith, his prejudices, and his privilege, and shares the unique perspective he has gained while serving and ministering in a war zone.

Both of these books are published by Skinner House.

The Rev. Tom Owen-Towle has self-published a new book, Wake Up! Daily Lessons for a More Liberated and Living Life ($18). The book is aimed at individuals and families. It could also be useful for spiritual-practice groups, for covenant and meditation groups, and for worship readings.

Writes Owen-Towle: “We will probably choose, on any given day, to accomplish at least one thing we truly enjoy. We always find time for the ‘must’ jobs too. We may even set aside moments for accomplishing a radically new or different task. However, most of us will do everything imaginable to circumvent quietude. We’re too busy filling up when we need to empty out. We need moments of plain, unadorned, unremitting stillness.”