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Mark Townsend is a priest at the edge! The place where new ideas and new understandings are formed is always at the edge. It is a place that institutions, because they demand conformity to the institution, cannot go. But it is always there, out on the edges that new thinking, new imaginings, new dreams happen. --Revd. Peter Owen-Jones, Presenter of BBC s Around the World in 80 Faiths Bottom of the Pond.)
Enjoyed it very much! --Cherie Blair
I started this book expecting to skim it and found myself reading every page. It is a wonderful quest romance, a story about the nature of religion, magic, England, modernity and many other things as well. --Professor Ronald E Hutton
Enjoyed it very much! --Cherie Blair
I started this book expecting to skim it and found myself reading every page. It is a wonderful quest romance, a story about the nature of religion, magic, England, modernity and many other things as well. --Professor Ronald E Hutton
Product Description
"The Path of The Blue Raven" is the story of a struggling man who all his life has wrestled with questions, searched for meaning and discovered it in unexpected places. Although representing the beginning of a new adventure in one man's life, this book is not just his story for it also offers a beautiful and breath-taking collection of real-life stories of others who walked a similar path and have found great healing and blessing through nature based spirituality. To many cultures, the raven was and is a symbol of initiation into a new path. In sharing his own journey, the author introduces readers to a world of like-minded people who have stepped off the mainstream path onto the path of personal magic. As the ex-Catholic monk Thomas Moore says, 'The soul has an absolute, unforgiving need for regular excursions into enchantment. It requires them like the body needs food and the mind needs thought.' This book offers pilgrims (of any path) a way back to the rich and deep inner magic of childhood dreams.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Path of the Blue Raven is an inspiring book that explores the challenge of developing an authentic relationship with the Divine. Part biographical part exploration, the author looks at the way his own path has developed over the past few years and the influences that inspired him. The book is very easy read as Mark is a very humorous writer. I read it in a couple of days as I couldn't put it down! His approach is to tell his life as it is which is often painful honest but he shows how pain brings great insightful treasures. Mark treads the path from entrenched `churchianity' absorbed by ideas of perfectionism and being successful to realising authentic spiritual life wells from unconditional love and acceptance.
Later in the book are contributions from others who have chosen paths off the beaten track. They range from Christo-Druid, Celtic Christian, Pagan Druid and Native American. These offerings add further insights into what it means to live an authentic spiritual life from other faith viewpoints.
This book will help anyone who is struggling to come to terms with their sense of faith but struggle to find their faith reflected in any institutional church. I really recommend anyone to buy this book. Read it and then buy Mark's other books, especially The Gospel of Falling down which is currently making huge waves in the church.
The book will also upset many that become insecure when others discuss anything other than what they think is the `right way to God'. Yet such a book that invites us to think through what we are doing can be no bad thing.
Later in the book are contributions from others who have chosen paths off the beaten track. They range from Christo-Druid, Celtic Christian, Pagan Druid and Native American. These offerings add further insights into what it means to live an authentic spiritual life from other faith viewpoints.
This book will help anyone who is struggling to come to terms with their sense of faith but struggle to find their faith reflected in any institutional church. I really recommend anyone to buy this book. Read it and then buy Mark's other books, especially The Gospel of Falling down which is currently making huge waves in the church.
The book will also upset many that become insecure when others discuss anything other than what they think is the `right way to God'. Yet such a book that invites us to think through what we are doing can be no bad thing.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Mark Townsend's book, "The Path of the Blue Raven" is best explained by its subtitle: "From Religion to Re-Enchantment". As we read with Mark we realise we are sharing a truly honest account of his journey into re-enchantement,a path I am also travelling. Church going folk have been taught to see God through beliefs: doctrines and ways of behaving. Since the enlightenment in the west we have forgotton that once the world was 'enchanted', a place of mystery, fear, joy and magic - a domain for encounter with Life itself. The prologue makes us realise that we have always had the wings to fly spiritually, but most of us just tuck them out of the way. Mark has not done that, and it has proved a hard path, which we are invited to fly with him.
Mark, through this book, makes it possible to rediscover that we can be set free to explore beyond the confines of religious orthodoxy. For him it is in nature and magic that his exploring has centred. We are invited into his life and thought, and discover a sincere Church of England priest, trying to adapt to individual needs by shaping ceremonies to mark life's changes, often beyond the limits of his church structures. He shares the pain of rejection by the Church for having too much integrity. We are led to understand that religion and the "divinity" in nature are not two different things, but two aides of one coin.
Part 2 opens with a summary of what the "spirtual", "awakened" life can be. Ideas like, "The source of life is pure limitless love." and "All religions and paths lead to the same goal" and, "the heart of the spiritual life is the search for wisdom and compassion." Like me he has explored the burgeoning literature describing the 21st Century's post modernist discovery that all faiths and paths are valid ways to express our partnering in divinity.
The strongest sections of the book are his Journal entries, where he often, in confusion and pain, delves deep into his heart to hear the voice of Love, Compassion and Forgiveness. That Voice calls us all to "Re-Member" - to know the "voice of your deepest self" as your God. I loved his Chapter called a "Re-enchanted reading of Christianity". Quoting Tom Harpur he quotes his Seven Principles of Cosmic Christianity. Everyone should check these out. It was for me, my own way being made plain. The Pagan Christ
In the final part of the book, "Tales form Beyond the Magic Doorway" we are introduced to Celtic Christianity, Druidry, Paganism and American Indian wisdom. Insiders share much insight from their own journeys,and the book is strengthened by letting their own voices speak.
Without a doubt I would recommend this book to those on the journey from orthodox religion to a living encounter with the divine within and in all life, and for anyone else with courage to explore.
I have also bought two other books by Mark Townsend from Amazon, and am pleased to also commend those books:
The Wizard's Gift
The Gospel of Falling Down: The Beauty of Failure, in an Age of Success
Rev John Hetherington, Kendal
Mark, through this book, makes it possible to rediscover that we can be set free to explore beyond the confines of religious orthodoxy. For him it is in nature and magic that his exploring has centred. We are invited into his life and thought, and discover a sincere Church of England priest, trying to adapt to individual needs by shaping ceremonies to mark life's changes, often beyond the limits of his church structures. He shares the pain of rejection by the Church for having too much integrity. We are led to understand that religion and the "divinity" in nature are not two different things, but two aides of one coin.
Part 2 opens with a summary of what the "spirtual", "awakened" life can be. Ideas like, "The source of life is pure limitless love." and "All religions and paths lead to the same goal" and, "the heart of the spiritual life is the search for wisdom and compassion." Like me he has explored the burgeoning literature describing the 21st Century's post modernist discovery that all faiths and paths are valid ways to express our partnering in divinity.
The strongest sections of the book are his Journal entries, where he often, in confusion and pain, delves deep into his heart to hear the voice of Love, Compassion and Forgiveness. That Voice calls us all to "Re-Member" - to know the "voice of your deepest self" as your God. I loved his Chapter called a "Re-enchanted reading of Christianity". Quoting Tom Harpur he quotes his Seven Principles of Cosmic Christianity. Everyone should check these out. It was for me, my own way being made plain. The Pagan Christ
In the final part of the book, "Tales form Beyond the Magic Doorway" we are introduced to Celtic Christianity, Druidry, Paganism and American Indian wisdom. Insiders share much insight from their own journeys,and the book is strengthened by letting their own voices speak.
Without a doubt I would recommend this book to those on the journey from orthodox religion to a living encounter with the divine within and in all life, and for anyone else with courage to explore.
I have also bought two other books by Mark Townsend from Amazon, and am pleased to also commend those books:
The Wizard's Gift
The Gospel of Falling Down: The Beauty of Failure, in an Age of Success
Rev John Hetherington, Kendal
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The Path of the Blue Raven
Mark is an ordained Priest...and also a Magician.
He now lives an `enchanted life' having lost himself to disillusionment with 10 years of `organised religion'.
This is a lovely account of his path from being angry and upset with what religion couldn't offer him, divorce, re-marriage and finally regaining "the flames of my more intuitive and imaginative faculties" to a sense of peace with himself. Mark's true account of what happened, how he coped, what led him to `where he is now', resonates with what most of us would wish for ourselves.
I enjoyed seeing the world through his eyes: the dilemmas placed before him and how he not only managed to leave his old life behind, but create such a new empowering one.
The title of the book is best explained in Mark's own words: "My blue raven is a mythic soul-friend who beckons me forward to face new challenges, open myself to life's mysteries and trust that I too can fly."
I heartily endorse this book, it will open your own heart to life's wonder and enchantment.
Mary English, Astrologer and Author of How To Survive a Pisces.
Mark is an ordained Priest...and also a Magician.
He now lives an `enchanted life' having lost himself to disillusionment with 10 years of `organised religion'.
This is a lovely account of his path from being angry and upset with what religion couldn't offer him, divorce, re-marriage and finally regaining "the flames of my more intuitive and imaginative faculties" to a sense of peace with himself. Mark's true account of what happened, how he coped, what led him to `where he is now', resonates with what most of us would wish for ourselves.
I enjoyed seeing the world through his eyes: the dilemmas placed before him and how he not only managed to leave his old life behind, but create such a new empowering one.
The title of the book is best explained in Mark's own words: "My blue raven is a mythic soul-friend who beckons me forward to face new challenges, open myself to life's mysteries and trust that I too can fly."
I heartily endorse this book, it will open your own heart to life's wonder and enchantment.
Mary English, Astrologer and Author of How To Survive a Pisces.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Book Review on The Path of the Blue Raven
Awens to All:
Here is a copy of my Extensive Review of this Book:
It mainly chronicals his path to Enlightenment from when he used to be a Church of England... Read more
Here is a copy of my Extensive Review of this Book:
It mainly chronicals his path to Enlightenment from when he used to be a Church of England... Read more
Published 3 months ago by TheDruid-3X3
You too could fly
This is a book I intend to part with - not the norm for me. Not because it isn't worth keeping, but because it is a book that needs to be shared. Read more
Published 23 months ago by Phil R
Dare to question!
I loved this honest, searching and open man by the end of this book. Mark Townsend is an Anglican priest who dared to question and follow his heart on a magical journey. Read more
Published on 16 Mar 2010 by Dibby
A journey from religion to spirituality
The Path of the Blue Raven: From religion to re-enchantment, by Mark Townsend, O Books, 2009, 242 ff.
A journey from religion to spirituality
By Howard A. Read more
A journey from religion to spirituality
By Howard A. Read more
Published on 24 Feb 2010 by Dr. H. A. Jones
All paths are entwined
I love books. I have many books that I've picked up, flicked through, started reading and then left half-read. Read more
Published on 26 Dec 2009 by N. E. Fountain
Inspiring honesty
I loved this book. As someone else who started on a Christian path and has now wandered into a nature-based spirituality, I found it very inspiring. Read more
Published on 19 Dec 2009 by Katherine
I'm an atheist, and I loved this!
I bought this book on the strength of a brief chat with Mark, where he displayed more compassion and consideration in 3 minutes than I had ever heard in a pulpit. Read more
Published on 5 Nov 2009 by Caitlin Sagan
its magic!
The book charts Mark's spiritual journey from institutional religion to something, well, rather different and exciting. Until recently Mark was a dog collared parish priest. Read more
Published on 29 Oct 2009 by P. J. Anderson
Simply superb!
I received a copy of Mark's newest book through my postbox direct from the
publisher on a Saturday morning. I started reading it on the Monday and
finished the next day. Read more
publisher on a Saturday morning. I started reading it on the Monday and
finished the next day. Read more
Published on 22 Oct 2009 by Ms. P. C. Kennedy Allan
phenomenal!
This bok is absolutely essential reading for anyone who asks questions about the nature of life, the universe, God, paganism, the deeper meanings of seemingly insnificant things. Read more
Published on 16 Oct 2009 by Adele Nozedar
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