Sacred America, Sacred World: Fulfilling Our Mission in Service to All

"A sacred vision for America is thus one in which America is helping to advance the next stage of planetary evolution out of a sense of compassion, service, and dedication while modeling the changes that are needed first within our own borders," writes Dinan early in this passionate manifesto. He offers advice for the politically and spiritually minded, well timed for the run-up to one of the most polarizing elections in U.S. history. Dinan aims to help an entire country through the transformation of each citizen, rather than engage in the individualistic self-help language that's typical of the genre. Speaking to both left and right, Dinan hopes to unify citizens, though he clearly leans more heavily toward the (feminist) left. Prose-wise, Dinan switches between tech language, regularly speaking of upgrades and operating systems, and esoteric spirituality self-help-isms, with talk of energies and creativity and other empowering terms intended to motivate and inspire. Though it's not clear how Dinan can achieve the sweeping transformation of America he desires, his overarching ideas about the role of women and his desire for peace in the Middle East (as two examples) will appeal to liberal readers looking for a fresh, activist perspective from the self-help camp. (July)