‘There are two levels, and not just one, with which humanity reaches out to the Ultimate Reality. One is with the mind; the other is with the heart and spirit.' Photo: Book cover for To Thine Own Self Be True: A spiritual journey
To Thine Own Self Be True: A spiritual journey by Howard Grace
Author: Howard Grace. Review by Daniel Clarke Flynn
This is a small book of thirty-two pages but it is not a quick read – there is much in this gem to reflect on. Howard Grace recounts a journey of four score years from militant atheist, to becoming a believer in ‘shared humanity’ as a Christian, to, finally, a Quaker.
It helps to think beyond our personal limits, he says, and does. Beginning with incidents of loss, then to a feeling of inner liberation, Grace served in a movement called Moral Re-Armament, which became Initiatives of Change. From the outside, this looks like faith and prayer in action, but he got there as an atheist pursuing a utopian vision. Deep down, he soon recognised a conviction to live for a greater purpose and slowly began to feel more open to the sense of what people mean by ‘God’s leading’. He notes that ‘there are a growing number of people who think of themselves as spiritual but not religious’ and asks, ‘what might be the bridge between people whose perspective is from some sort of a belief in God, and others to whom this is meaningless?’ The good news is that a bridge between religion and spirituality exists, and this book helps. Most people who pursue spiritual paths do not dismiss belief in a higher power (or, in Grace’s words, ‘Ultimate Reality’). Their belief may be that such power cannot be named, described, or defined, but only experienced. Over 2,500 years ago Lao Tzu wrote that: ‘A way that can be described is not the Eternal Way.’
Expressing spiritual beliefs outside of religious traditions can be dangerous. In 1901 William James noted that most religious pioneers who spoke of their spiritual awakenings – like George Fox – were chased, persecuted, or… crucified.
Grace began attending Quaker Meetings in Newbury when his local Baptist church hired a conservative minister. It was an easy transition. Grace had been practicing silence for over fifty years and he enjoyed the acceptance he found among Friends.
Two paragraphs summarise the powerful messages in Grace’s story. First: ‘At a time when many are retreating into identity groups, and in many cases ceasing to talk to the “other”, how do we build trust with those on other sides of the fault lines, and make this a priority in our daily commitment? This is the challenge facing all of us who have conviction that our common humanity overrides all other group allegiances.’
Then: ‘There are two levels, and not just one, with which humanity reaches out to the Ultimate Reality. One is with the mind; the other is with the heart and spirit. The first seems to predominate in traditional theology. But, when seeking an inspired way forward, we surely need to focus more on the second. Fostering compassion is a major component of our lives, and common to all.’
It is a fascinating life story.
Book available at: https://midthamesquakers.org.uk/resources.
