We learn at an early age that a ‘good’ title tends to be a short and sweet summary of a much larger idea. It’s a point reinforced by a cursory glance at any list of enduring works, regardless of genre or format. In that regard, Kim Bentley’s AN INTRODUCTION TO SPIRITUALITY is appropriately named. A comprehensive analysis of spirituality as it pertains to both religion and contemporary living, Bentley offers readers a clear and concise explanation of a myriad of ‘core spiritual principles’ in the hope that a better understanding of this topic will inform a greater sense of purpose. It’s an admittedly lofty goal, but Bentley is more than up to the challenge.
As one might expect, AN INTRODUCTION TO SPIRITUALITY features a clear, logical layout, not unlike a textbook. Divided into seven chapters, Bentley begins by outlining and defining spiritual growth, making a compelling case for the many benefits one can hope to obtain. From there, readers are offered an in-depth look at everything from free will and faith to heaven and hell. While the Australian author leans heavily on the book’s extensive bibliography, Bentley does an admirable job of tying together a massive amount of information, breaking down some notoriously nebulous topics into easily digested portions of text. Additionally, the book is complemented with a variety of visual aids (graphs, illustrations, etc.), which add an element of palpability to some pretty complex spiritual systems (such as chakras or the various levels of consciousness).
On one level, AN INTRODUCTION TO SPIRITUALITY delivers exactly what it promises: a brief introduction to spirituality. While the book’s one hundred and forty pages of text make for a quick read, there are moments (such as the section regarding death and the afterlife) that feel a bit too brief. Furthermore, while Bentley integrates a small sampling of holistic ideas into his outline, an argument could be made that this book’s title is a bit of a misnomer, something that the inclusion of the phrase ‘Judeo/Christian’ would quickly remedy. And therein lies the one glaring issue with this book—a fair amount of spiritual common ground is required to fully capitalize on Bentley’s teachings.
A long-time member of the New Church in Victoria, Bentley’s personal experience as a Christian informs much of this book’s content and the research it is built upon. That’s not to say there isn’t an element of general applicability here, but some of Bentley’s ideas, such as the role inherent talent plays in our life’s purpose, may present a barrier to entry for readers who simply don’t share his perspective. Again, it’s something that a more specific title would likely resolve. Still, the Melbourne-based writer’s heart is clearly in the right place, something underscored by his concluding message: “May you be inspired to be courageous in applying these learnings and insights throughout the remainder of your life…” If inspiration was his goal for readers, it’s one that Bentley will likely accomplish time and time again.
Regardless of one’s cultural or spiritual background, there’s a lot to be gained from Kim Bentley’s AN INTRODUCTION TO SPIRITUALITY–you just might have to take a chapter or two with a grain of salt.
~James Weiskittel for IndieReader