Karpinski (Where Two Worlds Touch), a spiritual teacher and counselor, offers a basic introduction to spirituality that will prove serviceable for those with no background in New Age thought but unenlightening for readers with any amount of experience. As this is a beginner's handbook, Karpinski deals with the "big issues": knowledge, revelation, discernment, body, love, will, faith, power, creating, transforming, enduring and serving. Karpinski's scholarship is sometimes sloppy, as when she claims that the Bible calls the Holy Spirit "the Light Body," or when she begins spiritual anecdotes with urban-legendish introductions about how a business consultant, family physician or art therapist told her that a particular inspirational story was true. The book has a glaring lack of primary sources, and too many of Karpinski's true-story examples are culled from daytime television talk shows, with Oprah Winfrey being the guru of choice. On the positive side, Karpinski writes with evident passion, gathering spiritual wisdom from many traditions, religions and teachers, including her own journey. Her application exercises are practical and thorough, even for readers who are not of a New Age bent. Still, the book's weaknesses far outweigh its strengths. In the crowded arena of New Age spirituality primers, this has few original insights to offer. (Apr.)
