SoulTypes

“God is hardwired into the human brain,” write Norton and Southern, consultants for faith-based nonprofit organizations, who believe each person has a distinctive spiritual DNA complete with a “code” that can be cracked in part by determining a person’s values, purpose and vision. By answering a series of questions that the authors pose throughout the book, readers can identify their “soul type,” one of four dominant ways in which they best express their spirituality: heart-centered, through gratitude and joyfulness; soul-centered, through contemplative practices and mysticism; mind-centered, through awareness and intellectual pursuit; and strength-centered, through commitment and service. The outcome is a life map that incorporates what readers have learned as they worked through the book and a strategy for practicing spirituality by developing their soul types. What sets this manual apart from the recent abundance of “life mapping” books—other than its emphasis on spirituality—is its refreshing simplicity and practicality. The authors guide readers through the process of determin ing their values, purpose and vision, and wisely reduce each soul type to its essence, offering a clear and full description in few words. People put off by complex and time-consuming life-mapping strategies are likely to find this one less daunting and more helpful. And though the authors don’t specifically address this, an awareness of the four soul types might benefit people of faith—and their leaders—in understanding each other’s approach to spirituality. (Mar. 26) (Publishers Weekly, February 23, 2004)