In Search of Morality: How You Can Live a Fulfilling Life from the Inside Out

Schuller, Director of the Rancho Capistrano Spiritual Growth Center in San Juan Capistrano, Calif., here offers his solution to what he sees as a moral crisis in contemporary America. In the first part of his book, the author argues modern American culture encourages individuals to abdicate their moral responsibility. To make his point, Schuller cites the rise of violence, the lack of respect for authority and a rise in drug use in America today. The problem, as Schuller sees it, is that individuals often look outside themselves to find morality. Schuller believes that morality comes from the ""inside out."" For him, a change in heart brings about a change in the way one acts in the world. In a second section, then, Schuller lists nine virtues-love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness and self-control-that issue from an inwardly centered morality. Schuller's use of cliches (e.g. ""They were using language that would make a Marine blush"") makes for a simplistic book in which he never demonstrates how an inwardly centered morality based on love is really any different than a self-centered morality. (July)