From Publishers Weekly
God is creative, and we are creative. That's the premise of Unity minister Butterworth's straightforward and inspiring guide to living a creative life. Although he uses the Genesis account as the book's organizing principle (his seven steps parallel the seven days of creation and rest), this is not a particularly Jewish or Christian book. Rather, Butterworth draws on teachings both Transcendentalist and New Age God is creativity, God is us, God is in us, etc. On the first day of creation, God said, "Let there be light," and Butterworth claims that seeking the inner light is likewise the first step in developing a creative self. He also dwells on the phrase "Let there be," suggesting that readers should take that phrase as their motto: "No suggestion of effort, no strain, no hurry... just let." The overall premise of the book is very, well, creative; Butterworth's use of the creation account in Genesis as a template for human creativity is surprisingly compelling. The exercises he includes at the end of each chapter, however, disappoint. Butterworth urges the newly creative to take a 10-minute breather in the park each week, for example, and to make a written list of their greatest disappointments in life. Such suggestions are predictable and virtually indistinguishable from those in many other self-help book. Still, on the whole this guide will speak to those who want to live a more intentionally creative and spiritual life.
Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
Butterworth, a Unity minister, has one main premise: that God is in all of us and that all that is creative can be tapped as long as we open ourselves to that Godhead. For his latest book, whose spiritualese some readers may find grating, he has divided his thesis into seven working points corresponding to the seven days of creation. Butterworth explains each day's inspirational meaning and offers a series of exercises to help readers release the creativity associated with it. Although somewhat Christian, Butterworth's contentions will not be embraced by the fundamentalist crowd. He avers, for instance, that the creation story is an allegory, and he specifically separates Jesus from Christ, positing that Christ is actually a part of all of us and that Jesus was just more able than most people to find the Christ within. Appropriate for public libraries whose patrons want to understand the connection between spirituality and creativity.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.
