Words from the Water's Edge - by Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee (Paperback)

About the Book

"Words from the Water's Edge: Mystical Writings of Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee" is a vast and comprehensive anthology of a lifetime's work as well as a deeply personal telling of the author's own spiritual journey. Spanning more than three decades of teachings, this book of hand-picked sayings from selected writings, interviews, and some never before published works, shares wisdom from Vaughan-Lee's three distinct and interrelated focus areas: Sufism, oneness and the interdependence of life, and Spiritual Ecology-a call to know and relate to the Earth as a sacred being. Throughout, Vaughan-Lee seamlessly weaves in the story of one soul's journey, including the sorrows, ecstasy, and ultimately the love at the foundation of his life and path. Whether through personal reflections or general teachings, the book compels readers to embrace the Original Instructions that can align humanity at this time of cultural and ecological upheaval. Relevant to the committed spiritual seeker as well as to anyone searching for meaning, "Words from the Water's Edge" provides inspiration and guidance for how to live in - and beyond - "these broken times." Specific chapters explore topics such as the transformative power of love on the spiritual path, ways in which the Earth grows and changes in harmony with human consciousness, and how we can collectively respond to the Earth's need for relationships of care amidst the current climate crisis. For those familiar with Vaughan-Lee's recent work, they will recognize a tone of sorrowful acknowledgement of humanity's missed opportunities for cultural regeneration and spiritual evolution. However, "Words from the Water's Edge" includes timely guidance on how to take responsibility for a future grounded in spiritual awareness and in harmony with planetary forces beyond even the Earth. Vaughan-Lee has always been a master of sharing truths relevant to many people at many times, and this book is no exception. At its heart, however, is a deeply personal story of devotion to the Real that has unfurled itself throughout one mystic's lifetime of service. "These sayings leave traces of a lifetime walking between the worlds, holding a thread that has taken me into the beyond of the beyond, as well as back to the simple bliss of my garden, the red-tailed hawk sitting on a branch outside my window. And the ocean remains just over the hill, as wild and endless as the empty spaces in the heart, and the silence that has always called to me." -Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee"--

Book Synopsis

Words from the Water's Edge: The Mystical Writings of Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee is a vast and comprehensive anthology of a lifetime's work as well as a deeply personal telling of the author's own spiritual journey. Spanning more than three decades of teachings, this book of hand-picked sayings from selected writings, interviews, and some never before published works, shares wisdom from Vaughan-Lee's three distinct and interrelated focus areas: Sufism, oneness and the interdependence of life, and Spiritual Ecology--a call to know and relate to the Earth as a sacred being. Throughout, Vaughan-Lee seamlessly weaves in the story of one soul's journey, including the sorrows, ecstasy, and ultimately the love at the foundation of his life and path. Whether through personal reflections or general teachings, the book compels readers to embrace the Original Instructions that can align humanity at this time of cultural and ecological upheaval. Relevant to the committed spiritual seeker as well as to anyone searching for meaning, Words from the Water's Edge provides inspiration and guidance for how to live in--and beyond--"these broken times."

Specific chapters explore topics such as the transformative power of love on the spiritual path, ways in which the Earth grows and changes in harmony with human consciousness, and how we can collectively respond to the Earth's need for relationships of care amidst the current climate crisis. For those familiar with Vaughan-Lee's recent work, they will recognize a tone of sorrowful acknowledgement of humanity's missed opportunities for cultural regeneration and spiritual evolution. However, Words from the Water's Edge includes timely guidance on how to take responsibility for a future grounded in spiritual awareness and in harmony with planetary forces beyond even the Earth. Vaughan-Lee has always been a master of sharing truths relevant to many people at many times, and this book is no exception. At its heart, however, is a deeply personal story of devotion to the Real that has unfurled itself throughout one mystic's lifetime of service.

"These sayings leave traces of a lifetime walking between the worlds, holding a thread that has taken me into the beyond of the beyond, as well as back to the simple bliss of my garden, the red-tailed hawk sitting on a branch outside my window. And the ocean remains just over the hill, as wild and endless as the empty spaces in the heart, and the silence that has always called to me."--Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee

Review Quotes

"There are a handful of souls in every generation who are vast in their vision and rooted in our common humanity. The great Sufi teacher Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee is one of those remarkable souls. In his new book, Words from the Water's Edge, Llewellyn assembles his mystical writings through the years. There you will find the notes of an inner explorer, gem after gem, unadorned and compelling. This book is an uplifting companion." --Mark Nepo, author of You Don't Have to Do It Alone and The Book of Awakening
"This collection of Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee's aphorisms, hand-collected by the author, is a basket of seeds to plant in your soul garden and harvest for a lifetime." --Mirabai Starr, Author of Wild Mercy and Ordinary Mysticism
"This beautiful primer--a collection of quotes and passages--distills (Vaughan-Lee's) work down to even more of its essential nature: Try one dose per day, and watch your experience change." --Elise Loehnen, host "Pulling the Thread" podcast, and author On Our Best Behavior

About the Author

Llewellyn Vaughan- -Lee, Ph.D., is a Sufi teacher and author. He has written a series of books giving a detailed exploration of the stages of spiritual and psychological transformation experienced on the Sufi path, with a particular focus on the use of dreamwork as inner guidance on the journey. Since 2000 the focus of his writing and teaching has been on spiritual ecology, the need for a spiritual response to our present ecological crisis (see Spiritual Ecology: The Cry of the Earth). He has been interviewed by Oprah Winfrey on Super Soul Sunday and featured on the Global Spirit series on PBS