The Power of the New Spirituality: How to Live a Life of Compassi

A genius.” Caroline Myss

"According to Bloom, the new spirituality” includes elements not present in more traditional religious doctrines, such as stewardship of the environment and self-regulation of mood and behavior the application of knowledge gained from the study of psychology. Championing these points, Bloom declares himself an advocate of a more generalized spirituality that includes elements from a variety of faith traditions but also applies new knowledge and allows flexibility for operating in an ever-changing and pressurized world. The child of intellectual humanistic agnostics, Bloom found himself both perplexed and intrigued by his father’s Jewish roots and mother’s Lutheran background. In working that through, he discovered a hunger for understanding the values of numerous faith traditions forgiveness, compassion, thankfulness. The investigation gave Bloom the underpinnings that led to this offering of the best of both worlds, old and new." Susan DeGrane, Booklist

"Spirituality isn't all about crystals and auras. "The Power of the New Spirituality: How to Live a Life of Compassion and Personal Fulfillment" is a guide to spirituality for those who seek mental and emotional completeness where traditional religion has failed them, encouraging them to find their own soul and spirit separate from any of the metaphysical concepts often associated with spirituality. With much to ponder on the nature of spirituality, "The Power of the New Spirituality" is a core addition to any spiritual and motivational collection." The Midwest Book Review, January 2013

"William Bloom has been hailed as the UK's leading mind, body and spirit teacher.’ If so, the UK is well served for in his latest book Bloom summarizes with practices and well thought-out strategies the many ways to a deeply ecumenical, intelligently psychological and spiritually meaningful way of living deeply in the world. He is in tune with the spirit of our times and his book serves notice that there is spirituality after religion and even,
potentially, within religion. A genuine contribution to contemporary spirituality!” Matthew Fox, author, Original Blessing, The Coming of the Cosmic Christ, The Hidden Spirituality of Men and Christian Mystics

Bloom defines the essential qualities and processes of this new spirituality that spares us from the religious dogma that contaminates our spiritual lives with narrow-minded beliefs. Droves are leaving orthodox religions today, and will find this book a timely and profound validation for all seekers of divine wisdom and purposeful daily living.” Jacquelyn Small, Author, Becoming A Practical Mystic; The Sacred Purpose of Being Human; and Awakening in Time

William Bloom has gifted us with a deep and beautiful book, full of wisdom and kindness, which speaks clearly to the spiritual needs of our times. We are living through an exciting period in the history of spirituality. Like most aspects of human culture, spirituality is evolving at an ever-accelerating rate. This book is an important contribution to the emergence of a vibrant new way to appreciate the great Mystery of Life.” - Tim Freke, author of The Jesus Mysteries, Lucid Living and How Long Is Now?

If ever a book were needed by our modern world, this is that book. Nothing is more needed in our world today than a spirituality that can reach across the boundaries that we have created between ourselves and each other and ourselves and nature and enable us to create wholeness. That is precisely what Dr. William Bloom has articulated in this eloquent and excellent book which fires hope and opens a path of healing for anyone who reads and understands its message. I strongly recommend it and will recommend it to all my classes.”
- David Spangler, President of the Lorian Association and author of Apprenticed to Spirit and Introduction to Incarnational Spirituality

I enthusiastically applaud Bloom’s efforts to help us realize that all our traditional religions contain common wisdom and recognize the need for, and the presence of, a new spirituality that takes us beyond the limitations of these religions.” Margaret Placentra Johnston, Quest magazine, Summer 2013

"William Bloom is a British leader in the mind-body-spirit field with more than 30 years of practical experience, research, and teaching. He is the founder and co-director of the Spiritual Companions Project in the UK, a training in a multifaith and holistic approach to spirituality and pastoral care. He is also a meditation master and author of several books.

When Bloom asked a class on the new spirituality what it meant to them, they pointed to the following: compassion, consciousness, self-awareness, love, quest, death of self, trust, discernment, openheartedness, wholeness, full connection with God, self-respect, care and healing, peace, harmony, simplicity, letting go, understanding, freedom, and wisdom.

The author has narrowed this expansive list down to the three golden key behaviors found in all traditions and approaches to spirituality:

1. "Connection: your heart is touched and you connect with the wonder and energy of life.

"2. Reflection: you pause and reflect on your life and actions, and ponder how to change and improve.

"3. Service: you have a clear sense of what is right and what is wrong, and you act so as to do good for others."

There is an ethical undertow to these three spiritual practices which encompass traditional values, green values (protect and care for the natural world), psychological and emotional values (love, respect, and affection), and presence (radiate benevolence).

Bloom acknowledges that those questing for a new spirituality want to integrate it into their daily life at home, at work, and in community. To help facilitate that process, he presents exercises on determining the best gateways, discovering your distinctive spiritual style, and deepening your spiritual connection.

In his discussion of the role of reflection as one of the three golden keys to spirituality, Bloom takes a hard look at awakening, self-management, and the changes of spiritual growth. Some of the major obstacles to the transformation we seek are depression, the monkey-mind, conditioning (bad habits), yearning to maintain the status quo, enslavement to the many stories we tell ourselves, and desire as a form of suffering.

In the section of the book devoted to service, Bloom salutes all those who in the name and spirit of spirituality seek to make the world a better place by helping and supporting others, by doing good as a part of the universal flow, by acting in honesty and humility, and by caring for the natural world.

After assessing the spiritual dimensions of presence, prayer, and healing, Bloom concludes by celebrating spirituality as offering an "extra dimension" to life through values, practices, grand narratives, and wild possibilities." --Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality & Practice