Matthew Fox: Essential Writings on Creation Spirituality

Edited with an Introduction by Charles Burack

Modern Spiritual Masters Series

To encapsulate the life and work of Matthew Fox would be a daunting task for any save his colleague Dr. Charles Burack, who had the full cooperation of his subject. Matthew Fox, best known for his bestselling book Original Blessing, became a cause célèbre when, after being silenced by the Vatican for a year, he was forced out of the Dominican order, and subsequently became an Episcopal priest. Through fifty years, more than 40 books translated into 78 languages, and countless engagements as teacher and mentor, Fox earned recognition by figures as varied as Thomas Berry, Bede Griffiths, Joseph Campbell, Clarissa Pinkola-Estes, Rabbi Zalman Schacter-Shalomi, Joanna Macy, Leonardo Boff, Mirabai Starr, Richard Rohr, Sr. Joan Chittister and David Korten.

In his Introduction to Matthew Fox, Dr. Burack recounts the life and influences that helped form Fox’s outlook and spirituality, from the medieval mystic Meister Eckhart to 20th century Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel. The book then presents selections from all Fox’s major works in 10 sections: “The Creation Spirituality Tradition,” “Dreams and Visions,” “Science and Creation Spirituality,” “Creation Mystics,” “Spiritual Practice, The Cosmic Mass, and Creativity,” “Combating Evil: Prophecy and Compassion,” “Youth, Education and Work,” “Social, Political, and Ecological Activism,” “Church and Beyond,” “Deep Ecumenism, Interfaith.” The book includes an inspiring conclusion by Fox himself: “The Future: A Letter to Young Seekers.”

ADVANCE PRAISE

“Matthew Fox is one of humanity’s tiny band of indispensable universal teachers, and this magnificent comprehensive compendium of his essential teachings—brilliantly introduced and edited by Charles Burack—should be in the backpack of every spiritual seeker. . . . No one writing and teaching today has done so much, so wisely, so groundedly, so passionately, to give to us the sacred foundation and the sacred tools we need to be able to go forward and birth a new world from the ashes of the old. Do not miss this book, and give it to everyone you can think of.”—Andrew Harvey, author, The Hope and Engoldenment: A Year with Kabir

“For me in today's world, the wise and eloquent presence of Matthew Fox is ever again a source of wonder and gratitude.” —Joanna Macy, author, World as Lover, World as Self

“The critical insights, the creative connections, the centrality of Matthew Fox’s writings and teaching are second to none for the radical renewal of Christianity. You miss him and you miss the trajectory of the reform Christianity and our return to the real sources.” —Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, Center for Action & Contemplation, Albuquerque, NM

“There is not another man on the planet who has championed the sacred feminine with a fraction of the wisdom, scholarship, creative fire, and holy chutzpah as Matthew Fox. This collection of Fox’s most life-giving insights blesses the connection between caring for our Mother-the-Earth and lifting up marginalized voices, between waking up from the dream of separation and stepping up to mend the net of creation.”—Mirabai Starr, author, God of Love and Wild Mercy

“What a great service to us all is this beautiful book, curated by Charles Burack, a loving quintessence of Matthew's lifetime of revolutionary blessings and transformative teachings! I am overwhelmed by its power, liberating and glorious—breathtaking in its radical critique of the institutional misuse of any religion as accessory to mental and social imperialism, and breathgiving in its joyous revelation of what he calls the “creation spirituality” that, I fully agree, animates all the saving teachers of our world. . . . I feel so grateful for Matthew’s quest for the Cosmic Christ, who leads Christians into true friendship with all loving spiritualities, and for Charles Burack’s wise curation of Matthew’s transformative insights that shine forth from every page of this precious little book. . . .Read it joyfully, and it will change your life!”—Robert “Tenzin” Thurman, author, Man of Peace: The Illustrated Life Story of the Dalai Lama of Tibet

“Matthew Fox’s work holds an enormous importance in elaborating and sharing a spirituality adequate to our time. He also does not fail to criticize the type of society in which we live, in which there is no place for spirituality. And this is urgent if we want to save life on our planet.”

—Leonardo Boff, author, Cry of the Earth, Cry of the Poor

“A beautiful selection of Matthew Fox’s vast treasury of writings that is inspiring a new generation of mystic explorers, justice makers, cosmic thinkers, Earth keepers and environmental activists.” —Robert Holden, author of Higher Purpose, Holy Shift and Finding Love Everywhere.