In 1999, Phyllis Cole-Dai and James Murray chose to live on the streets of Columbus, Ohio, with the intention of offering sustained, nonjudgmental attention to everyone they encountered. This book chronicles their experiences, challenging readers to step out of their comfortable lives and confront the realities of homelessness. Accompanied by pinhole photographs taken by James with cameras made from trash, the narrative remains relevant today despite recounting events from 1999. It is described as an "eye-opening" and "life-changing" read. Readers are encouraged to take their time, perhaps engaging with one chapter per day for deeper reflection. While the book can be paired with Phyllis's "Practicing Presence," written on the tenth anniversary of their street experience, it is accessible to all, regardless of faith. It invites readers to explore fundamental human values through questions such as: How do we treat others as we wish to be treated? How do we extend love and hospitality to those who seem different? These timeless questions require daily contemplation and action. For those interested in further exploration, a free sampler of Phyllis's work is available by joining her mailing list. Categories for this book include spirituality, memoir, mindfulness, and social conscience.
Phyllis Cole-Dai Book order (chronological)
Phyllis Cole-Dai is a writer, editor, composer, and activist who unites her deep love of the arts with a passion for humanitarian service. Her work is driven by a profound desire to help create a more peaceable and equitable world, viewing the arts as vital to our ability to survive and grow. Through her diverse creative output, which spans poetry, prose, and music, she explores themes of presence and compassion, often drawing on personal experiences. Her writing and music are described as deeply emotional and visionary, resonating with readers and listeners on a profound level.
Beneath the Same Stars
- 332 pages
- 12 hours of reading
August 18, 1862. On the Sioux reservation in southwestern Minnesota, Indians desperate for food and freedom rise up against whites in the region. Sarah Wakefield, the wife of a physician, is taken captive with her two babies. Their fate falls into the hands of the warrior Caske, with whom she has slim acquaintance. As war rages, little does she know how entwined their lives will become. Beneath the Same Stars is the gripping story of two people, caught between worlds, who are willing to do almost anything to defend those they care about--including each other. But the drama is bigger than themselves. Tragic forces have been set in motion...