Publishers Weekly
01/18/2021
These words of encouragement from Choctaw elder and Episcopal priest Charleston (Sanctuary of the Spirit) offer a hopeful perspective on fixing a troubled world. Charleston describes the Native American place of worship know as the kiva, a hole dug into the ground that’s “a womb. It is a place of origins. It is where, according to my ancestors’ teachings, life first began.” To escape the primordial darkness of fear and worry about failing political, judicial, and societal institutions (which he compares to the original kiva), Charleston tells readers to “climb up the ladder into the light.” Each rung of the ladder contributes to a spiritual process—faith, hope, community, renewal, and transformation—that calls one to find clarity, transform reality, and promote justice. Charleston recommends that, rather than sugarcoating societal problems, humanity needs faith to imagine a better world. He proposes taking action together for a common good through interreligious cooperation, prioritizing truth, embracing change, and championing dignity and inclusion for all people. Readers will appreciate Charleston’s pride in Native traditions and his optimism that humanity can heal the scars of the past and rebuild what has been broken. (Jan.)
From the Publisher
"Readers will appreciate Charleston's pride in Native traditions and his optimism that humanity can heal the scars of the past and rebuild what has been broken." --Publishers Weekly
"Here is wisdom born out of a lifetime of listening faithfully to the voice of God. Here is wisdom we need for the living of these days." --Rev. Michael B. Curry, presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church and author of The Power of Love
"This book touched me as few do, which I take as proof that the author is in cahoots with the Spirit. Charleston is a spiritual medic who has given himself to a life of healing, and you will want to share his medicine with everyone you know." --Barbara Brown Taylor, author of Learning to Walk in the Dark and other books
"Ladder to the Light isn't a book to be read once and put aside, but one that should be read again and again, becoming part of our human journey. I highly recommend this book for all who are searching for a better way of belonging." --Kaitlin B. Curtice, author of Native and Glory Happening
"What an anchoring book--the wisdom in it is distilled through many traditions, and is available to us all!" --Bill McKibben, environmental activist and author of Falter and other books
"Defying conventional notions of religion, Steven Charleston places our feet on a trail of faith, blessing and hope leading us to truth and transformation. Through Native traditions and culture, we see a new vision of today's society--a tribal community of human beings moving toward justice as we search for the sacred." --Thom White Wolf Fassett (Seneca), author of Giving Our Hearts Away: Native American Survival
