Healing the Western Soul

5 stars A Highly Useful ToolByE.D.on April 28, 2015Format: PaperbackFor the spiritual seeker, this is a highly useful tool. I’ve read my share of books on spirituality and psychology over the years, but this one is different. It has an aliveness that makes its message more immediate, more directly applicable.

That may be because Dr. Miller’s work combines the spiritual and the psychological, a deep academic knowledge of psychology with long clinical experience in spiritual development and therapeutic practice. She states early in the book her belief that “…spirituality without psychological self-exploration is incomplete. And psychology without spirituality is not very effective.” We get both here, as Dr. Miller takes us nimbly across both fields.

The result is that Healing the Western Soul has a realistic and grounded approach that makes it relevant and practical today. Its scholarly foundation generates a confidence that the reader is in competent, informed and respectful hands. And the anecdotal accounts from Dr. Miller’s work with clients make vivid how individual – yet shared – is the spiritual journey. Beyond knowledgeable, this author seems knowing.

Perhaps best of all: It’s written in a totally accessible and engaging style. It’s a good read!

Homecoming for the spiritual seeker is no easy journey. So many routes. Especially in our time. Healing the Western Soul invites us to look to where we started that journey – with a new openness to its healing power.CommentWas this review helpful to you?YesNoReport abuse


5 stars - I have no doubt that our world would be in much better shape. Nathan RByNathan R. Sklaron April 15, 2015Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseEveryone can benefit from Dr. Miller's unique perspective on mankind's spiritual side, which is often ignored by traditional mental health workers. This is a very important work. If read by everyone, I have no doubt that our world would be in much better shape. Nathan R. Sklar MDCommentWas this review helpful to you?YesNoReport abuse


5 stars - This book was a wonderful relief for meBySuzanneon April 14, 2015Format: Kindle EditionThis book was a wonderful relief for me. I've read so many books on spirituality--most of them about various Eastern traditions. I've practiced yoga, tai chi and Transcendental Meditation. All have been helpful but I've always felt somehow saddened, as if missing an essential part of myself. Dr. Judith Miller, an award-winning professor of developmental psychology at Columbia University, has brought me back to my Judeo-Christian roots and shown me how my own tradition holds within it authentic and powerful healing forces. I needn't go outside my background--I need only follow the clear, intelligent, profound teaching in this book.
In her chapter called "Our Mystical Ground," Dr. Miller writes about our "Western spiritual DNA", telling us that, "[Our] Western spirituality flows from a mystical understanding of the one God. It can also come through unconditional love, forgiveness and compassion, as exemplified by the teachings of Jesus, the Jewish rabbi." She goes on to say that following our Western path will open our hearts--although she points out that this will take much dedicated inner work. But, "By partnering with the Light, we come back into accord with our divine template, which is to heal, grow, and fulfill our unique life purpose...Through the soul we experience our true nature and identity," writes the author. "Soul knowledge can be imminent or transcendent, arising within or from beyond the self." And she goes on to say, "People must understand that our soul connects us to a higher spiritual reality. This connection is innate, not human-made. A person will go through life always adrift, unable to be sure about anything, diminished and unwise, when this connection is not known."

Dr. Miller has structured her book in three basic sections: First she talks of the healing nature of the soul and explains how religion, psychology and the New Age movement have left us adrift "...by denying or misunderstanding authentic Western spirituality." Secondly, she writes of God as experience, rather than concept, and contrasts the Eastern and Western inner developmental pathways, clearing up much of my personal confusion. Thirdly, she gives us the three stages of our Western, mystical path, explaining the experiences we can expect--and the serious challenges we will be called to face.

Overall, I give this wonderful book five stars--and would give it more, had Amazon made them available. I had trouble putting it down, something I usually only experience when reading fiction! I'm so glad I discovered it and I recommend it without hesitation to anyone called to personal healing and soul-development and also to those confused by mystical experiences that may have arisen in their lives.CommentWas this review helpful to you?YesNoReport abuse1 of 1 people found the following review helpful


5 Stars - Wonderful Read!ByBarbara H. Whitfield co-author of Timeless Troubadours, The Moody Blues Music and Message "Barbara Harris Whitfield, Author and Researcher"on March 19, 2015Format: PaperbackJudith Miller has always been a trail blazer. In this new amazing book, she takes us along on her hero's journey so we too may benefit as she has from leading an a amazing, caring and giving life. Thank you Judith for all you have given us from your great heart, mind and spirit!CommentWas this review helpful to you?YesNoReport abuse1 of 1 people found the following review helpful


5 Stars - This book is fascinating. I was riveted as I ...ByL.S.on March 19, 2015Format: PaperbackThis book is fascinating. I was riveted as I read it. Judith Miller clearly describes the stages of the spiritual journey as we in the West travel this path, both the high points and challenges. She includes numerous descriptions of people's experiences that shed light on the theory she presents. I gained a deeper understanding of my spiritual process as I read her book. Miller's writing style is clear and straight forward. I felt as if I was being personally guided by her as I read one chapter after the other.

Author Bio:

Dr. Judith Miller is a professor of developmental psychology at Columbia University, where she repeatedly receives the “Outstanding Teacher” award from students for her course, “Spiritual Development Across the Lifespan.” Additionally, Dr. Miller is on the faculty of the International Institute for Consciousness Exploration and Psychotherapy in Wittnau, Germany. A highly-regarded teacher and spiritual guide, she is a popular speaker and presenter for both lay and professional audiences alike. Her first book, Direct Connection: Transformation of Consciousness, documents her own path of spiritual discovery.

Currently, Dr. Miller also conducts psycho-spiritual training programs, retreats and workshops in several countries, including the U.S., Europe and China. When not traveling the globe for business and pleasure, she enjoys being a wife, mother and grandmother at her home just outside Philadelphia, PA.