Reviews
“In a situation fraught with shock, suffering, fear, and grief, Patrick Swift discovered the power of religious wisdom to calm, comfort, heal, and inspire. Now, Dr. Swift thoughtfully and beautifully shares with us a collection of some of the wise words from diverse spiritual traditions that can do for us what they did for him—evoke an appreciation for diversity, provide counsel that creates a longing for unity, instill peace within us personally, and inspire us to work for peace globally.”
~ Rev. Dr. C. Welton Gaddy, President of The Interfaith Alliance
“Dr. Swift's work manages to show not only that there is wisdom in all the world's great faith traditions, but also the remarkable similarity of religious message. In this era when we are told that our differences should divide us, Dr. Swift's work shows so clearly that our differences can be blessings.”
~ Rev. William Sinkford, President of the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations
"One Mountain, Many Paths can touch the spirit of a sixteen-year-old as well as my sixty-six-year-old spirit. Each of the passages included in this book has been a path to peace for many people down through the ages."
~ Fr. John Stack, Dallas, TX
“A New York doctor’s moving collection of spiritual wisdom, gathered in the wake of 9/11.”
~ Dr. Diana L. Eck, Professor, Harvard Divinity School
"At the heart of One Mountain, Many Paths is the optimistic belief we can create a world where harmony prevails. Dr. Patrick Swift, who serves as clinical neuropsychologist on the brain injury unit at NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases, sat with one of his patients as they watched the horrific events of Sept.11 take place just outside their window. Impacted by the results of religious intolerance, Swift began collecting quotes from Buddhism, Taoism, Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Confucianism, Hinduism, Sufism, Sikhism, Shinto, Baha’i, Zoroastrianism, Jainism, and indigenous tribes of North America and Africa. One Mountain, Many Paths focuses on common ground, affirming we are more alike than we are different. While the subtitle refers to common sense, the passages are challenging, not in their understanding but in their application. For instance, “It is the way of the Tao to return injury with kindness,” and “In bringing harmony to an intense conflict, lingering feelings can remain. How can such harmony be considered a success? The wise forgive the debts of others.” Following a brief introduction are 100 quotes under eight topics and a bibliography of sacred writing."
- Connie Mears, New Age Retailer Magazine
