Get A Hold Of Yourself

by Xolani Kacela

Overview

This book is about living out one's personal faith and philosophical convictions fully in order to experience a life of confidence and authenticity. The writing encourages personal fulfillment through trusting oneself, developing spiritual disciplines, and connecting in a faith community. The work is grounded in contemporary spirituality, Howard Thurman's mysticism, and strategies for creating and maintaining healthy relationships.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940164459970
Publisher:	Xolani Kacela
Publication date:	12/07/2020
Sold by:	Draft2Digital
Format:	eBook
File size:	685 KB

About the Author

Raised by an atheist father and a deeply religious mother, Reverend Xolani Kacela began early seeing the world through a lens of many faiths and beliefs. His broad experience helps him appeal to a wide audience, both secular and religious. He serves as minister of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Las Cruces, NM, and has been minister at four other Unitarian Universalist churches as well as the United Methodist Church. He grew up a member of the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME). As Chaplain in the U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard, he served in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina, as well as in Guam and Iraq. He holds a Ph.D. in Pastoral Theology and Pastoral Counseling from Brite Divinity School.

His many publications on spirituality, faith development, grief, and relationships include articles, “Being One with the Spirit: Mysticism of Howard Thurman,” “One Session is Enough: Counseling African American Families,” and “Mature Religious Experience in the Midst of Death and Dying”; his book chapters include “To Wake, To Rise: Meditations on Justice and Resilience” and “Art and Wholeness in Church Life.”  His blog, masteringyourownfaith.com with an audience of thousands, explores issues ranging from maximizing one’s potential to race and politics. He contributes to NPR and community radio in Las Cruces, NM, and newspapers and radio in the Southwest.  He believes that everyone has the foundations for living a great life, using their own faith convictions as the cornerstone.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements: i

Preface vi

Introduction viii

Section I: What It Means To Have Sustaining Faith 1

Chapter 1: Understanding Sustaining Faith 2

Chapter 2: A Broad Description Of Faithing 13

Section II: From Faith To Exemplary Faith 27

Chapter 3: How Your Story Takes Root And Faith Emerges 28

Chapter 4: Confidence Leads To Self-Trust And Creativity 34

Chapter 5: The Faith Of Our Ancestors And Role Models 39

Chapter 6: Faith Threads 45

Chapter 7: Executing Your Faith 52

Chapter 8: Empowered To Live With Life's Mysteries 64

Chapter 9: Eventually, You Become Comfortable Living With The Unknown 74

Chapter 10: Trusting That The Spirit Of Life Is Always With You 77

Chapter 11: Committing Significant Energy To The Three Re-Enforcers Of Sustaining Faith 81

Section III: Mysticism As A Path To Faith That Works 93

Chapter 12: Demystifying Mysticism 94

Chapter 13: Personal Experiences Of Mysticism 100

Chapter 14: An Inside Look At Mystical Experiences 103

Chapter 15: Mysticism For All, Regardless Of Religious Tradition 106

Chapter 16: The Transformative Power Of Mysticism 110

Chapter 17: Love And Social Justice 116

Section IV: The Spiritual Practices 118

Chapter 18: Understanding The Importance Of Spiritual Practices 119

Chapter 19: Commitment 131

Chapter 20: Growing In Wisdom And Stature 134

Chapter 21: Suffering 141

Chapter 22: Prayer 147

Chapter 23: Reconciliation 157

Chapter 24: Spiritual Journaling 164

Chapter 25: Community 167

Chapter 26: Summary 173

About The Author 176

Bibliography 178

Index 194

Editorial Reviews

Get a Hold of Yourself by Xolani Kacela is an exploration into the development of one's personal faith as a strong foundation for personal actualization and for interacting with others. Get a Hold of Yourself is an inspirational and thought-provoking book that explores faith with a unique perspective. --Literary Titan - 4 Star Review

Kacela's writing is slightly formal, which doesn't obscure his authenticity, warmth, and humor, but rather gives his book gravitas. He has mapped out a unique space here, a place between traditional religion and New Age spirituality. His own experience with congregational worship and spiritual aid bestows him credibility, and he illuminates this spiritual trail with sacred texts of all religions and writings of a wide variety of spiritual mentors, including the renowned civil rights activist and mystic Howard Thurman. The book includes a 13-page bibliography of resource material at its end. --Blue Ink Review - Gold Star Review

From the Publisher