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Jun 11, 2018 Elyse Walters rated it it was amazing

Audiobook memoir... read by Dani Shapiro.
...."Devotion" was a perfect fit-read for my mood.
Dani's writing is kinda- phenomenal!! Really GORGEOUS!!!

I establish it fascinating that Dani's Father was an Orthodox Jew and her mother was an atheists...

It's well-nigh impossible not to share the book's contents.... but my hands are tied.
MANY LIFE-WORTHY -THEMES ARE COVERED.

I Practice Want TO STRESS THIS IS A ***WONDERFUL***
AUDIOBOOK COMPANION...

Dani Shapiro faced her emptiness-her inner struggles - and the losses

Audiobook memoir... read by Dani Shapiro.
...."Devotion" was a perfect fit-read for my mood.
Dani's writing is kinda- astounding!! Really GORGEOUS!!!

I found it fascinating that Dani'southward Father was an Orthodox Jew and her mother was an atheists...

Information technology'south well-nigh impossible not to share the book'southward contents.... simply my hands are tied.
MANY LIFE-WORTHY -THEMES ARE COVERED.

I Practise WANT TO STRESS THIS IS A ***WONDERFUL***
AUDIOBOOK COMPANION...

Dani Shapiro faced her emptiness-her inner struggles - and the losses with gut honestly....

She spoke with grace, with clarity, and wisdom.

No... she doesn't provide answers -
However, Dani crafted a path to meliorate understanding and finding peace.
Sounds like a 'woo-woo' book?
Honest.... information technology's not!!!!

If you are Jewish - or not - take kids or non - married or not - lived through 911 or not- your parents are alive or not - y'all do yoga or not -
enjoy family dinners of pasta -French bread - and dessert - or not -
are a grouping joiner or non -
There is value in book for everyone.

Read it or not .... wishing freedom & well existence for everyone! ☯️

...more than

Apr 24, 2020 Lisa rated it really liked it

[3.8] Dani Shapiro's writing resonates with me and Devotion was enjoyable listening. This is my tertiary memoir past Shapiro and I notice that she does have the memoir formula downwards pat. Questioning, wondering, worrying, searching into her by... This memoir didn't movement me as much equally Inheritance simply I still liked information technology. [three.8] Dani Shapiro'south writing resonates with me and Devotion was enjoyable listening. This is my third memoir by Shapiro and I notice that she does have the memoir formula downwardly pat. Questioning, wondering, worrying, searching into her by... This memoir didn't motion me equally much every bit Inheritance merely I still liked it. ...more

Devotion: A Memoir by Dani Shapiro reflected upon the writer'due south self test of her ain life as she entered her forty's and establish her way into her fifty'southward. She had been brought upward in a very Orthodox Jewish home and community in Brooklyn, New York. Over the years, as her life took shape and evolved, Dani Shapiro constitute herself questioning the life she led while she lived with her parents and amid the most observant. Every bit she approached her 40's, Dani explored yoga, the teachings of Buddha and Devotion: A Memoir past Dani Shapiro reflected upon the author's self examination of her own life as she entered her twoscore'southward and found her fashion into her fifty's. She had been brought up in a very Orthodox Jewish home and community in Brooklyn, New York. Over the years, every bit her life took shape and evolved, Dani Shapiro institute herself questioning the life she led while she lived with her parents and among the most observant. As she approached her forty's, Dani explored yoga, the teachings of Buddha and connected to struggle to find the most comfy style to let Judaism back into her life and that of her family. She struggled to come to terms with loosing both her parents fairly young. She tended to question all aspects of her life but could not always find easy answers. Faith, One thousand-d, and spiritual guidance plagued her the most. Her findings and discoveries were and then enlightening. I found myself able to relate to some of the things Dani experienced and questioned. I listened to the audio CD read by Dani Shapiro. It was masterfully written and read. I highly recommend this book. ...more than

Jan 13, 2010 Marty rated it really liked it

This volume was great. I thought it was going to be another project-for-a-year-memoir (like Eat, Pray, Dearest or The Happiness Project), this time about finding spirituality. But it's much better than that - instead of being a formulaic project, it's a book-length meditation on the meaning of life, on joy, on mortality, and on God and organized religion. It's beautifully written and deeply absorbing.

Early in the volume, it's articulate that the author is a pretty anxious person:

"Nothing - admittedly nothing I could put

This book was nifty. I thought it was going to be some other project-for-a-year-memoir (like Eat, Pray, Beloved or The Happiness Projection), this time near finding spirituality. But it'south much better than that - instead of being a formulaic project, information technology's a volume-length meditation on the meaning of life, on joy, on mortality, and on God and religion. Information technology's beautifully written and deeply arresting.

Early in the volume, it's clear that the author is a pretty broken-hearted person:

"Aught - absolutely naught I could put my finger on - was the matter. Except that I was often on the verge of tears. Except that it seems that there had to be more than this hodgepodge of the everyday. Within each joy was a hard kernel of sadness, equally if I was always preparing myself for impending loss."

Um, how-do-you-do, that'south me. I struggle with many of the questions and feelings that Shapiro does, and I found it actually comforting to read this book. Both because I identified with her, and because though this book doesn't offer whatsoever answers, I feel like I sympathise but a little flake more how I want to live and how I want my life to be.

...more

Jul 17, 2011 Joan Winnek rated information technology information technology was astonishing

My first book by this author, it gripped and aware me, and prompted me to social club more than of her books. A well-written, thoughtful memoir that intricately explores many ambiguities, the book draws from private and particular experiences and circumstances, and doesn't lose its footing as it approaches meaning-of-life problems. It'southward how we live, explored from the perspective of one adult female, and enlightened by her explorations into many traditions and practices.

When I stop a book that particularly m

My first book by this author, information technology gripped and enlightened me, and prompted me to order more of her books. A well-written, thoughtful memoir that intricately explores many ambiguities, the book draws from private and particular experiences and circumstances, and doesn't lose its ground as information technology approaches meaning-of-life problems. It'due south how nosotros live, explored from the perspective of one woman, and enlightened by her explorations into many traditions and practices.

When I finish a volume that especially moves me, I go back through my postit flags and enter some passages on my quotations on this site. I don't know how to share these with my friends, but if yous get to quotes and sort for my name and the author (and championship maybe), you can see what I've recorded.

I can't resist adding, snarkily, that this book sharply contrasts with Elizabeth Gilbert's Consume, Pray, Love, which left me mildly disaffected--but at present I hate it.

...more than

Mar 04, 2010 Barb rated information technology liked it

I may take a rest from this genre (middle age spiritual quest) for awhile, fifty-fifty though I liked this book very much. Much like "discovering" maternity in my 20's and 30's, I'm coming head to caput with the visceral cognition of decease as a reality, non just some abstract occurrence in the far off hereafter. It's that fourth dimension of life when the busyness of children and career start to fade; the importance of things seems inconsequential; the body starts its defection and the essential "aloneness" of life reas I may accept a rest from this genre (eye historic period spiritual quest) for awhile, even though I liked this volume very much. Much like "discovering" motherhood in my xx'south and thirty'south, I'grand coming head to caput with the visceral noesis of death every bit a reality, not simply some abstract occurrence in the far off hereafter. It's that time of life when the busyness of children and career commencement to fade; the importance of things seems inconsequential; the body starts its revolt and the essential "aloneness" of life reasserts itself. No wonder we offset looking for answers!! And reading about others' journeys helps me with my ain. ...more

Apr 02, 2019 StMargarets rated it really liked information technology

I've been following this writer since I first picked up Fugitive Blue in the library way back in the early on 1990's. I was fascinated with the tension between her Orthodox Jewish groundwork and living in the secular world.

She followed up her novels with a series of memoirs and from them, I learned of her smashing love and respect for her father, a very devout man. I also learned how she never felt she fit in with his family and customs, but she kept seeking answers.

Well, taking an Ancestry. com tes

I've been post-obit this author since I commencement picked up Fugitive Blue in the library style back in the early 1990's. I was fascinated with the tension between her Orthodox Jewish background and living in the secular world.

She followed upwards her novels with a series of memoirs and from them, I learned of her swell love and respect for her father, a very devout man. I also learned how she never felt she fit in with his family and customs, but she kept seeking answers.

Well, taking an Ancestry. com test on a whim gave her an respond - that human being wasn't her bio dad. This memoir takes a deep dive into just how that happened (her parents were both expressionless when she discovered this). It seems her parents went to an unlicensed fertility dispensary. Her mother was inseminated with sperm from an bearding medical student.

Then this memoir is part solving a mystery and following clues - part vindication for ever feeling an outsider - and part how to deal with such an existential crises when you're 54 years old.

I thought the first two parts were handled well. The last - that existential crisis - is nonetheless a work in progress.

I judge the lesson I took away from this is that your story is never really over, it it? No keen bows to tie every thread together.

...more than

May 27, 2015 Stacye rated it it was ok

I had to work to go through this one. From the very starting time this author sounds whiny and self-involved. Every bit she goes on and on describing her navel, I could't help thinking "Damn! What would she do with a existent problem?" Ok...that'due south not fair. In that location was a scare with her child, but Come up ON! Move on already! Every bit she describes herself in her beautiful home in an affluent area where she probably looks good in her yoga pants, I flashed on Elizabeth Gilbert, whose volume I enjoyed much more than this but I had to work to become through this one. From the very offset this writer sounds whiny and self-involved. As she goes on and on describing her navel, I could't assist thinking "Damn! What would she do with a real problem?" Ok...that's not fair. There was a scare with her kid, merely Come up ON! Motion on already! As she describes herself in her cute dwelling house in an affluent area where she probably looks proficient in her yoga pants, I flashed on Elizabeth Gilbert, whose book I enjoyed much more than this but who, also, basically bought her enlightenment. Moral of this story? My income isn't high enough to achieve nirvana. But nosotros already knew that, didn't nosotros? ...more

February 01, 2010 Caroline rated information technology it was ok

It'south non that I can't savour a memoir well-nigh exploring ane'south spirituality -- for all its bug, I actually kind of enjoyed Eat, Pray, Love, the book with which this one volition inevitably be compared. Dani Shapiro's memoir is blessedly shorter, and far less indulgent, and really struck much closer to home. She'due south a mom, I'm a mom; her begetter had a deep connection to and daily practice of his faith, just similar my dad has. But for all that, and despite some lovely writing in spots, this left me just kin Information technology'south not that I can't savour a memoir nigh exploring one'due south spirituality -- for all its issues, I really kind of enjoyed Swallow, Pray, Dear, the book with which this one will inevitably be compared. Dani Shapiro's memoir is blessedly shorter, and far less indulgent, and really struck much closer to home. She's a mom, I'm a mom; her father had a deep connection to and daily practice of his organized religion, only like my dad has. Simply for all that, and despite some lovely writing in spots, this left me but kind of wondering what the large bargain was. ...more

May 04, 2010 Judith rated it information technology was ok

This year, I am interested in reading books about how people notice and/or lose their faith, which brought me to this volume about a heart-anile woman'due south search for her own religious and/or spiritual journey. She had a squeamish style and a nice story to tell, which is why I kept reading it. But by the time I was finished, I felt like I had spent an afternoon talking to a passenger in the seat abreast me on a trip across the country. Entertained just not aware. I think maybe I have read enough of thos This year, I am interested in reading books nearly how people find and/or lose their faith, which brought me to this book about a middle-aged woman's search for her own religious and/or spiritual journey. She had a nice style and a nice story to tell, which is why I kept reading it. But by the time I was finished, I felt like I had spent an afternoon talking to a rider in the seat beside me on a trip across the land. Entertained simply not enlightened. I think maybe I have read enough of those spiritual journey memoirs, only I am agape that this trend volition be pop for awhile notwithstanding to come.

I liked hearing about her handsome hubby and her beautiful son and their life together on a farm in Connecticut where they moved afterwards ix/11 from NYC. I really liked all the anecdotes almost her very wealthy and totally bitchy female parent and their doomed relationship. But I felt like an outsider when she described all the Jewish ceremonies and uniforms, rituals and icons. An outsider like someone was telling me, "You wouldn't come across the significance of this unless you were Jewish."

In the end, it was ultimately a very articulate and well-written volume. I merely found that I wasn't interested in the religious aspects of the book, which were the whole point of reading the book.

...more

February xv, 2010 Ashleigh Walls rated it did not similar it

I was really disappointed. Subsequently watching Dani Shapiro on the Today evidence describing her get-go face-to-face interaction with her yogi ("when the student is set up the instructor appears"), I had high hopes for this book. Instead information technology was self-serving and whiney the entire manner through. Ms. Shapiro's disjointed search to quantify or label her spirituality leaves the reader thinking she is cypher but a spoiled housewife. Nowhere in her story does she practice the true meaning of spirituality -- sharing. I was really disappointed. After watching Dani Shapiro on the Today show describing her first face-to-face interaction with her yogi ("when the student is ready the instructor appears"), I had high hopes for this book. Instead information technology was self-serving and whiney the entire way through. Ms. Shapiro'south disjointed search to quantify or characterization her spirituality leaves the reader thinking she is nothing but a spoiled housewife. Nowhere in her story does she practice the true pregnant of spirituality -- sharing. ...more

Apr 09, 2010 M rated information technology it was ok

I retrieve Dani is just not for me. This obsessive, night and heart-searching memoir details, extensively, her confused and disruptive thoughts about God and her place in the world which, though a relatable struggle, is simply not all that interesting when it's someone else's. I found this to be repetitive, whiny and irritating. It touched upon a lot of Liz Gilbert's thoughts in EPL, merely this one lacked the dial and likability and seemed to instead evangelize only the stream of consciousness and me me me -nes I think Dani is merely not for me. This obsessive, dark and heart-searching memoir details, extensively, her confused and confusing thoughts about God and her place in the world which, though a relatable struggle, is simply not all that interesting when information technology's someone else'south. I constitute this to exist repetitive, whiny and irritating. It touched upon a lot of Liz Gilbert'due south thoughts in EPL, but this one lacked the punch and likability and seemed to instead deliver only the stream of consciousness and me me me -ness. ...more than

Apr 04, 2014 Phyllis rated it did not similar information technology

This woman is an idiot. I wanted to slap her. She needs to do some volunteer piece of work and encounter people who really take issues.

I've mentioned this before - and the more I feel the life of a book reviewer/blogger, the more I firmly believe this to be truthful - books have a way of coming beyond our path when they are nigh needed, when they will speak to us the most. Over the by 2-plus years, as I have finally started paying attention, I have read many a novel or memoir that resonated with me specifically because they touched on something for which I too was searching. Dani Shapiro'due south Devotion is yet another instance I've mentioned this before - and the more than I experience the life of a book reviewer/blogger, the more than I firmly believe this to exist truthful - books have a fashion of coming across our path when they are almost needed, when they volition speak to us the most. Over the by two-plus years, every bit I have finally started paying attention, I have read many a novel or memoir that resonated with me specifically because they touched on something for which I too was searching. Dani Shapiro'south Devotion is nevertheless another example of this miracle.

Ms. Shapiro is facing what most of us without deep faith terminate upwards questioning - is this all at that place is to life? How many of us take sat in an endless meeting and wondered the same thing? How many of us have actually done something most it, whether it is searching out a like-minded group, starting a daily meditation practice, taking up yoga, attending a church group, or some other search for something larger than the mundane? When facing the balance of her life, at a personal crossroads and searching for peace of mind and a greater purpose, Ms Shapiro actively sought out these practices and shares her experiences with readers. Deeply personal, incredibly poignant, her soul-searching takes her on a roller coaster of a journey, through which the reader tin can glean his or her own cardinal points to adapt to his or her own life.

1'south search for greater pregnant is personal, as is Ms. Shapiro's. Yet, there is much a reader tin larn from Ms. Shapiro'southward journeying. Having faith, of whatever sort, ways standing on the edge of a precipice and not fretting well-nigh the fall, or the potential to autumn. Information technology ways living in the moment. This, to me, is the greatest gift and near meaningful lesson to be learned in this day and historic period of multi-tasking and abiding connection to the world.
"One afternoon at Garrison, Sharon Salzberg spoke about a Buddhist teach in India, a widowed woman with many, many children who had no time to sit on a cushion, meditating. How had she washed it then? Sharon had once asked her. How had she achieved her remarkable ability to live in the present?
The answer was simply this: she stirred the rice mindfully." (pg. 211)
To focus only on the task at hand means to live in the moment, to learn to put aside the fears and concerns, the demands and constant pulls nosotros feel in our lives. It allows us to be still and be calm, whether we are driving, writing, sitting in meetings, running errands or stirring the rice. Something so simple has the power to modify then much.

Devotion is not for everyone, although I practise feel at that place is much that everyone could larn from Ms. Shapiro'southward journeying. She goes into detail about her Jewish heritage, her religious upbringing and the conflicts that resulted as she grew older, rebelled, and started her own family unit. She spends a lot of fourth dimension discussing her yoga and meditation. In addition, her writing fashion is very journalistic. Each chapter is relatively brusque and discusses whatever happened to be on her mind at the time of writing. This means that the story of her son's illness is explained slowly throughout the story, popping up on one page and not mentioned again for another 20 or xxx pages. This modified stream-of-consciousness adds an air of poignancy and intimacy to the entire memoir, as the reader catches more than a glimpse of Ms. Shapiro'due south inner yearnings and struggles. The event is a beautiful reminder that wanting more is okay, but nosotros also need to be willing to put forth the effort to finding more than to life. For those who have always questioned, Devotion is a great start to ane's own search for more than.

Thanks to Erica Barmash from Harper Collins for my review re-create!

...more

I read Devotion in two days/ii sittings. The construction of the volume – chapters starting right where the concluding ended – made it difficult to find a place to stop reading and I loved information technology. Dani Shapiro's narrative was so personal and spoke to me on such a deep level and that construction gave me permission to go on reading…just one more chapter. What Shapiro wrote about: Is this all in that location is to life? If and so, why practise I feel similar something'southward missing?, and the spiritual quest that she began, is something unive I read Devotion in two days/two sittings. The structure of the volume – capacity starting right where the final ended – made information technology hard to find a place to stop reading and I loved it. Dani Shapiro's narrative was so personal and spoke to me on such a deep level and that structure gave me permission to keep reading…just one more chapter. What Shapiro wrote about: Is this all in that location is to life? If so, why do I feel similar something'due south missing?, and the spiritual quest that she began, is something universal to many of the states these days every bit we watch the ground nosotros once thought was impenetrable disintegrating before our eyes. Shapiro has what seems a overjoyed life, but at the root of her quest are a lot of loss, deep loneliness, and an inability to relinquish control of the uncontrollable. For those who accept experienced great loss and tragedy or have come through a "near miss" information technology is very difficult to trust that everything volition be okay. Instead, they spend most of their time thinking about what bad thing might happen side by side and how they can avert it. Shapiro addresses how "…we're all complicated by the way we were raised" as she tries to come to terms with her strict religious upbringing and the guilt she feels for seeking other ways to find God and meaning in her life other than just the Judaism in which she was raised.

I loved the interweaving of samskara (our knots of energy that each tells a story) throughout Shapiro'due south narrative. She says, "Release a samskara and you release that story. Release your stories, and all of a sudden at that place is more room to breathe, to feel, to experience the world" which is what she is doing by writing this book. We are all a compilation of these stories. Some nosotros share. Some nosotros cannot bare to acknowledge. I every bit loved Sylvia Boorstein's metta meditation chants (the condensed version). I believe it is a wonderful way to begin a meditation routine and is something so unproblematic that we can bring it with us wherever we get. There is also a do Shapiro discovers at a California yoga studio that she incorporates into the end of her yoga routine that is once again and so elementary, however extremely powerful.

There are so many stunning moments that pierced correct through me, so many questions that I have asked myself sitting correct there on the folio. Shapiro writes in such an attainable fashion y'all feel like you lot are taking the journey with her, discovering what she is discovering right there with her, and equally feeling her frustration at the lack of solid answers to the existential questions that haunt us. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is unsettled and is searching for that elusive something that will assistance them feel more grounded. Keeping an open mind and reading about others' experiences are the best ways to motility towards that more peaceful country of existence fifty-fifty if nosotros discover that there are no answers and we must but "live inside the questions."Devotion: A Memoir Dani Shapiro

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Aug 30, 2017 Sharon Brilliant rated it it was amazing

Shapiro has a fashion most her writing; simple and inspiring. Capacity don't necessarily run in chronological order simply at the cease you lot feel you've been invited into her globe and nothing is left unanswered. She has a beautiful way of choosing the most relevant moments to share, in order to have you relating and provoked, without necessarily wrapping events into an unrealistic dandy bow. This is the third volume I've binged of hers. The woman knows her way around a memoir. How amazing that she has gath Shapiro has a manner well-nigh her writing; simple and inspiring. Capacity don't necessarily run in chronological order but at the stop you lot feel yous've been invited into her world and zero is left unanswered. She has a beautiful fashion of choosing the most relevant moments to share, in order to accept y'all relating and provoked, without necessarily wrapping events into an unrealistic smashing bow. This is the third book I've binged of hers. The woman knows her way effectually a memoir. How astonishing that she has gathered so much creative steam from what life has given her. ...more than

October 02, 2017 Antonia rated it liked it

I read this because I'd merely finished Shapiro's Hourglass: Time, Memory, Wedlock and wanted more than, but this wasn't really it. I should have known from the title. In general, I'k just not interested in faith, prayer, and spiritual seeking. Shapiro is a really skillful writer and that kept me reading, but it was far less satisfying than Hourglass.

From the first page, I believed that Dani Shapiro was presenting an honest appraisal of her search for herself and the significant of her life. Every bit she pretty much bares her soul and her secrets, she seems to be exposing her fears and weaknesses in an effort to face them in the light of mean solar day and improve deal with them. She worries about things that oasis't happened just devises all sorts of scenarios about what might happen and so spends her time trying to prevent them from happening or prepares for t From the first page, I believed that Dani Shapiro was presenting an honest appraisal of her search for herself and the meaning of her life. Every bit she pretty much bares her soul and her secrets, she seems to exist exposing her fears and weaknesses in an effort to face up them in the light of mean solar day and amend bargain with them. She worries near things that haven't happened only devises all sorts of scenarios virtually what might happen then spends her time trying to forestall them from happening or prepares for their eventuality. She is wasting a lot of fourth dimension and endeavour on imaginary circumstances. Information technology tin can be exhausting and draining. She is plagued with insecurity. Having suffered through a near tragedy and some loss in her life, she is more than susceptible to fears about them recurring; nevertheless, I believe that having escaped and/or dealt with the suffering, i ordinarily becomes more sensitive to, and appreciates far more, the significant of life and its value. Life is seen through the lens of experience and there is an essential feeling of gratitude for the second adventure that has been given. In that location is a feeling that there might exist a greater power out there that is controlling events, someone else pulling the strings of the human puppets.
Through various events in her life, she explains the anxiety she experiences, just from living everyday. She connects with the reader and as I began to think well-nigh my own life, I remembered how I reacted in similar circumstances. It was every bit if I was seeing parts of my life through the mirror of her eyes. The writing fashion is light but the message is deep, not trivial.
At the end of the volume, Dani Shapiro is withal a somewhat quasi atheist, questioning her behavior and viewing the earth through the teachings of her religious background. She has taken a spiritual journeying and, although non really practicing her Judaism devoutly, she is instead following traditions and rituals. She explores her past, hoping for self discovery, looking inward, mostly through yoga meditation. She constantly engages in soul searching in an attempt to live in the moment and find inner peace.
There are 102 flashbacks which reveal her attempts to analyze and work through her worries; she explores her relationship with her mother, her experiences regarding ix/11, her attendance at AA meetings, her son's illness, her dearest for her begetter, and several other momentous occasions in her life.
Although at first, I wasn't sure I would like this book equally much equally I did, I came to really appreciate its message. It made me stop and remember most moments in my life, memories that I take non come to terms with, and helped me to view them in another light, more than openly and with less sorrow and anger. Her message, throughout the book, is "live safe, live happy, live stiff, live with ease". Paraphrasing from a quote in her book, "don't alive and then far into the hereafter that yous lose the present". Enjoy the moment. ...more

February 19, 2010 Erika Robuck rated it it was astonishing

"I had begun to feel–and it was a bitter feeling–that the world could exist divided into ii kinds of people; those with an awareness of life'southward inherent fragility and randomness, and those who believed they were exempt…I didn't know that there was a tertiary mode of being…The 3rd fashion…had to do with holding this paradox lightly in one's own hands." (Ch. 57)

Devotion: A Memoir, by Dani Shapiro, was released in January of 2010. This intimate exploration of Shapiro'southward spirituality was inspired by her son's

"I had begun to feel–and it was a bitter feeling–that the world could exist divided into two kinds of people; those with an sensation of life's inherent fragility and randomness, and those who believed they were exempt…I didn't know that there was a 3rd style of existence…The third way…had to do with holding this paradox lightly in one's own hands." (Ch. 57)

Devotion: A Memoir, past Dani Shapiro, was released in Jan of 2010. This intimate exploration of Shapiro's spirituality was inspired past her son's innocent questions about God and the afterlife that she couldn't reply. In small chapters and reflections, Shapiro reveals how a yogi, a rabbi, and a Buddhist helped guide her on her journey toward understanding. While she doesn't necessarily find the answers, she at to the lowest degree learns to ask the questions and find peace with her dubiety, her process, her heritage, and her loved ones.

I idea I'd dip a toe into this memoir and read it in small bites with all the other books I'one thousand reading, only it edged out everything else. Ms. Shapiro's voice is at once confident and unsure, serious and humorous, tranquility and assertive. Her honesty is captivating, and she has the backbone to name many of the struggles of family unit, career, and spirituality that others have difficulty articulating.

I enthusiastically and widely recommend Devotion. There are a g gems worth mentioning in the book, but without their context they lose their impact. I'll exit you with this small passage from Ms. Shapiro that sums up one of the simplest (even so most challenging) ways of finding significant among the chaos of daily life.

"Ane afternoon…Sharon Salzberg spoke about a Buddhist teacher in India, a widowed adult female with many, many children who had no time to sit on a cushion, meditating. How had she washed it, and then?…How had she achieved her remarkable ability to live in the present? The answer was simply this: she stirred the rice mindfully." (89)

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May 26, 2010 Kristen rated information technology it was amazing

I remember I came to this book at exactly the correct moment. Similar Dani Shapiro, I am looking to "opt dorsum in" to a religious - or, at least, a spiritual - identity and desire to "class – if not an opinion – a set of feelings and instincts by which to alive." Her struggles toward feeling and defining a presence in her life larger than herself especially resonated with me.

Shapiro presents the book in a serial of mini-chapters, which practice leap around a bit, merely which I think symbolize her search for lessons

I recollect I came to this book at exactly the correct moment. Like Dani Shapiro, I am looking to "opt dorsum in" to a religious - or, at least, a spiritual - identity and want to "form – if not an opinion – a set of feelings and instincts past which to live." Her struggles toward feeling and defining a presence in her life larger than herself especially resonated with me.

Shapiro presents the book in a series of mini-chapters, which do leap around a bit, but which I recollect symbolize her search for lessons in organized religion wherever she might find them. I suppose that this reflective memoir might edge on navel gazing at times, but, since I'm gazing at my navel in the same way these days, I felt lucky to join Shapiro on her journeying.

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Ugh. I got halfway thru and only couldn't take information technology anymore. The author was SO whiney and I idea her flippant attitude toward her religion was unnecessary and bluntly offended. Peradventure she achieves her sense of devotion past the finish of the memoir but I accept other books to read. Such a disappointment. Ugh. I got halfway thru and but couldn't take it anymore. The writer was Then whiney and I idea her brassy attitude toward her religion was unnecessary and frankly offended. Mayhap she achieves her sense of devotion by the finish of the memoir merely I have other books to read. Such a thwarting. ...more

Apr 09, 2012 Arielle rated it did not similar it

An fantabulous combination of being both dull and pointless. Plus, her transliterations from Hebrew to English language are terrible.

October 27, 2018 Chris rated it really liked it

A cute memoir about searching for answers. Sometimes we pick upwardly books at just the right time. This was ane of those cases.

iv.5 / 5 stars
Excellent memoir about the role of faith in daily life. I listened to the sound version read by author, but will also purchase a impress copy.

Aug 08, 2019 Emily rated it really liked information technology

I've been on a bit of a Dani Shapiro kicking lately, though I've been reading her memoirs in a foreign order: outset Inheritance: A Memoir of Genealogy, Paternity, and Dearest, her latest; followed by Slow Motion, her first memoir, published over twenty years earlier. In Devotion, published in betwixt the two I'd already read, Dani focuses on her spiritual quest, as a Jewish adult female who grew up witnessing her orthodox male parent'south intense devotion to the faith, only is now more of a lapsed Jew herself. Even t I've been on a bit of a Dani Shapiro kick lately, though I've been reading her memoirs in a strange order: outset Inheritance: A Memoir of Genealogy, Paternity, and Dearest, her latest; followed by Slow Movement, her first memoir, published over 20 years before. In Devotion, published in between the two I'd already read, Dani focuses on her spiritual quest, as a Jewish woman who grew up witnessing her orthodox father's intense devotion to the faith, merely is now more of a lapsed Jew herself. Even though I am not a Jew, I could chronicle to her search for pregnant and her own spiritual beliefs, through yoga, meditation, reading, so forth.

I found the book well-written and affecting, similar the memoirs I'd read previously, since I can relate to Dani Shapiro in many ways. I have several things in common with her, from being the same historic period, to dealing with the loss of a love father due to a automobile accident (and eerily, both our fathers were on strong painkillers post-obit back surgery, which contributed to the crashes), to miscarriage, to drinking too much at sure life stages, to an interest in and exercise of yoga. There are as well many differences between u.s.a., like her relationship with her prickly female parent and her Judiaism, of grade, only having anxious worries like the ones she explores in this book is yet another matter I could relate to. I retrieve maybe once ane loses a parent unexpectedly and tragically, it can pb to a loss of innocence and a bit of magical thinking: that since crazily bad things can happen in an instant, if one thinks about them, imagines them, perhaps one can proceed them from happening.

I took off one star because the focus on her Jewish faith was of less interest to me than the rest of the story, but really, that was my just ding. The pages flew by in this thoughtful memoir -- and her words made me think and reverberate on my own life besides.

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I find myself using Devotion like a book of daily reflections. I similar picking it up and reading one of the brief chapters and then pausing and thinking on it. Very meditative and relaxing, though Dani Shaprio writes this the manner she writes her fast paced novels: you go caught upwards in the tension of the first page and go along reading to discover out what could possibly happen adjacent to the narrator. Simply the questions on faith, and what we should pass on to our children in this world of doubt, resonates wit I find myself using Devotion like a book of daily reflections. I like picking it upwardly and reading 1 of the brief capacity and so pausing and thinking on it. Very meditative and relaxing, though Dani Shaprio writes this the way she writes her fast paced novels: yous get defenseless up in the tension of the offset page and keep reading to detect out what could possibly happen adjacent to the narrator. Simply the questions on religion, and what we should pass on to our children in this world of doubt, resonates with me each time I take a look. ...more

Parts of this I liked very much -- I'chiliad a sucker for sobriety stories -- and Shapiro has a articulate, straightforward writing style, but in the end I found the insights not quite besides.. insightful... equally I might have hoped. I was anticipating seeing something old in a new style, or seeing something heretofore unnoticed. That didn't quite happen. I didn't find annihilation new, although a few things I could easily place with. Perhaps another reader, in a different place in his or her life, would have a Parts of this I liked very much -- I'm a sucker for sobriety stories -- and Shapiro has a clear, straightforward writing style, simply in the cease I establish the insights non quite too.. insightful... as I might have hoped. I was anticipating seeing something former in a new fashion, or seeing something heretofore unnoticed. That didn't quite happen. I didn't find annihilation new, although a few things I could easily identify with. Perhaps another reader, in a different place in his or her life, would accept a different takeaway.
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December 04, 2019 Les rated it really liked information technology

Bodily Rating: 4.5/5

It'due south been at to the lowest degree a dozen years since I read Dani Shapiro'due south novel, Family History, and sadly, I don't remember anything virtually the book other than I liked it enough keep an center out for more than by this author. I picked upwards one of her memoirs (Slow Motility) earlier this year, only constitute information technology too depressing and gave up after threescore pages. I've had a copy of Devotion on my shelf for several years and decided to give information technology a try for Nonfiction November and am happy to say that I loved it! This b

Actual Rating: 4.5/v

It'due south been at least a dozen years since I read Dani Shapiro'due south novel, Family unit History, and sadly, I don't remember anything most the book other than I liked it enough keep an middle out for more by this writer. I picked up ane of her memoirs (Slow Movement) before this year, only constitute it too depressing and gave up afterwards threescore pages. I've had a re-create of Devotion on my shelf for several years and decided to give information technology a try for Nonfiction Nov and am happy to say that I loved it! This beautifully written memoir spoke to me on several levels and while some might disparage Shapiro's umbilicus-gazing, I was inspired by her honesty and desire to rediscover her spirituality, not only through the traditions of her Jewish faith, just with the incorporation of yoga and meditation, equally well.

Passages of Note:

I had reached the middle of my life and knew less than I ever had. Michael, Jacob, and I lived on meridian of a hill, surrounded by old copse, a vegetable garden, rock walls. From the outside, things looked pretty expert. Merely deep inside myself, I had begun to quietly autumn apart. Nights, I quivered in the darkness like a wounded animal. Something was very wrong, but I didn't know what it was. All I knew was that I felt terribly anxious and unsteady. Doomed. Each morning time I collection Jacob down a dirt road to his sweet little schoolhouse. We all got yearly physicals. Our well water was tested for contaminants. Goose egg--absolutely nothing I could put my finger on--was the matter. Except that I was often on the verge of tears. Except that it seemed that at that place had to be more this hodgepodge of the everyday. Inside each joy was a difficult kernel of sadness, as if I was always preparing myself for impending loss.

and

Turn right, turn left. Stay home that day. Take a unlike route. Cross the street for no apparent reason. Say yes, say no. Get up from the breakfast table, sideslip into the lift just as the doors are closing. Volume the afternoon flying. Bulldoze exactly lx-three miles per hr. Flip a money. Call information technology coincidence, luck, fate, destiny, randomness. Some would telephone call it the hand of God. I was sure what to call information technology. What I did know is that this was a huge, blinking neon sign I couldn't ignore or dismiss. All these seemingly disconnected bits--a new yoga class, a teacher'southward particular selection of a poem, the wonders of Google and Amazon, an impulsive i-click purchase, an agreement to participate in a local charity event--all these formed a pattern, invisible to encounter. Do this, a gentle vocalization seemed to exist saying. Now this. And now this. All of which had led me to exist seated adjacent to Stephen Cope: writer, yogi, scholar--and manager of the Institute for Extraordinary Living at Kripalu.

and

"Metta meditation," she went on, "is a concentration practice. It's the protection formula that the Buddha taught the monks: 1 of beingness able to depend on your own good heart. So"--she clasped her hands together--"how exercise we practice this? Past tempering one'southward ain middle and restoring it to balance. Metta is a practice of inclining the listen in the direction of practiced will."
Sylvia [Boorstein] then laid out for the states her four favorite phrases--variations on the Buddha's original phrases--to dirge silently during metta:

May I feel protected and safe.

May I feel contented and pleased.

May my physical torso support me with strength.

May my life unfold smoothly with ease.

The thought was to silently repeat the phrases again and over again, at first focusing on ourselves, just and so eventually directing the phrases to others: our closest teachers and benefactors; then our loved ones; our friends; strangers; and eventually--after much practice--to those with whom we take difficult relationships, or as it is known in Buddhist scripture, our enemies.

and

Writers often say that the hardest part of writing isn't the writing itself; it's the sitting down to write. The same is true of yoga, meditation, and prayer. The sitting downwardly, the making space. The doing. It sounds and then elementary, doesn't it? Unroll the mat. Sit down cross-legged on the floor. Simply do information technology. Close your eyes and express a silent need, a wish, a moment of gratitude. What's and so hard well-nigh that? Except--it is hard. The usual distractions--the clutter and piles of life--are suddenly, unusually enticing. The worst of information technology, I've come to realize, is that the thing that stops me--the shadow that casts a cold darkness across the all-time of my intentions--isn't the puppy, the electronic mail, the UPS truck, the school conference, the phone, the laundry, the to-do lists. It'southward me that stops me. Things get stuck, the osteopath in one case said with a shrug. He gestured to the area where the neck meets the head. The place where the body ends and the mind begins. Things get stuck. Information technology sounded so unproblematic when he said it. It's me, and the things that are stuck. Standing in my way.

and

May I be safe.

May I exist happy.

May I exist stiff.

May I alive with ease.

I recently asked Sylvia why she had simplified the

metta phrases. I knew there had to exist a reason. She smiled at me, then across me, as if looking over my shoulder into the distance. She nodded, every bit she often did before formulating a response.

"I wanted something I would always be able to say--in old age, in sickness--and take it be realistic," she said. "No matter what happens, I can always wish for strength."

I'm glad I didn't allow my disappointment in Ho-hum Motion sway my decision to skip reading Devotion. This inspiring memoir is one I plan to share with my yogi friends and return to in the hereafter. I'chiliad eager to read Shapiro'southward most recent memoir, Inheritance, and may even give Deadening Move another try.

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Feb 11, 2020 Jamie rated it actually liked it

This book past Dani Shapiro spoke to me with sentences like, "I had reached my life, I had built it by conclusion and by accident - and there would be no other." She grapples with forgiveness, happiness, and the search for inner peace. It has been since forever that I underlined many parts of a volume just I did in Devotion.

Dani Shapiro is the bestselling author of the memoirs Hourglass, Still Writing, Devotion, and Tedious Movement, and 5 novels including Blackness & White and Family unit History. She lives with her family in LItchfield Canton, Connecticut. Her latest memoir, Inheritance, will be published by Knopf in January, 2019.

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"It wasn't getting easier because it isn't supposed to become easier. Midlife was a bitch, and my educated judge was that the climb just got steeper from here. Carl Jung put it perfectly: "Thoroughly unprepared we take the footstep into the afternoon of life," he wrote. "Worse notwithstanding, we take this step with the imitation supposition that our truths and ideals will serve us as hitherto. But nosotros cannot alive the afternoon of life co-ordinate to the programme of life's morning; for what was smashing in the morning will be little at evening, and what in the forenoon was true will by evening take become a lie."
... I was writing a new program for the afternoon of life. The scales tipped abroad from suffering and toward openheartedness and love. [p. 182]" — 22 likes

"This sadness wasn't a huge part of me--I wasn't remotely depressed--merely still, it was similar a stone I carried in my pocket. I e'er knew information technology was there. [p. 179]" — xx likes

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