Kahlil Gibran's little book of life

Lebanese poet, Maronite Catholic, and follower of Sufi mysticism Kahlil Gibran died in 1931, yet his most memorable work, The Prophet, continues to form and inform spiritual seekers. Author Douglas-Klotz (director, Edinburgh Inst. for Advanced Learning) identifies the work as "inspirational fiction" and intersperses quotes from the book with lesser-known works to demonstrate Gibran's reflections on the topics of life and living. Douglas-Klotz admits that while some of these sayings are comforting, others are confusing, even disturbing. This is, he claims, the mystic's willingness to engage chaos as well as peace, signifying Gibran's embrace of all of life. Short apothegms ("We live only to discover beauty/ All else is a form of waiting") are part of chapter-long meditations. A few do not easily reveal their deeper insights ("If I were you/ I would not find fault/ with the sea/ at low tide"). Selection notes provide an important guide for further reading; an "About the Author" endnote is also helpful. VERDICT Poems, parables, and stories for mystical hearts.-Sandra Collins, Byzantine Catholic Seminary Lib., Pittsburgh © Copyright 2018. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.