The magic of the ordinary surrounds us every day, often unnoticed in the hustle and bustle of everyday life. It can be found in the simplest of moments and the most mundane of objects. It is a reminder that there is beauty and wonder in the world, even in the most ordinary things. Take a walk through the park and you may notice the sunlight filtering through the leaves, casting a soft, dappled glow on the ground. You may hear the chirping of birds, creating a symphony of sound that is both soothing and joyful. These moments, though seemingly ordinary, have the power to transport us to a place of tranquility and peace.
I am not at all certain Winkler’s instructions are sufficiently in depth to allow novices to effectively conduct healings, but this seems to be in keeping with his view of Jewish shamanism. He stresses that studying technique alone is insufficient for a mastery of shamanism, and he cites accounts throughout the Talmud that emphasize “moral conduct and conscientious behavior” are prerequisites to mystical mastery. Winkler indicates Magic of the Ordinary was intended simply as an introduction to Jewish shamanism, and he states his plans to write more books on the subject. Based on this book, I, for one, will look forward to these future offerings.
He offers guidance for living in accordance with the Sacred Walk, a way of life that includes sensitivity towards and respect for all the living beings around us in the physical world plants and animals, as well as other humans. One special category of spirit that might be called upon during the practice of shamanism was the sheydim half-human, half-angel spirit beings who could manifest in both the material and spiritual worlds.
These moments, though seemingly ordinary, have the power to transport us to a place of tranquility and peace. In our homes, we are surrounded by objects that we often take for granted. A cup of tea in the morning, a warm shower, or a comfortable bed are all things that we rely on for our daily routines.
“Difficult Magic of the Ordinary”
I still remember the opening session of the 2002 Festival of Faith & Writing. It featured the poet Stephen Dunn, who just the year before had won the Pulitzer Prize.
That long ago April noontime came to mind again when I learned that Dunn died last week of Parkinson’s disease.
Rita Dove, a one-time U.S. poet laureate, observed that Dunn was someone who “achieves that most difficult magic of the ordinary.” And that’s what I remember about him: he was unassuming and wry, charming and deeply thoughtful. That, and the poem that he shaped his talk around, which I share below. It’s a poem that in its utter ordinariness of topic navigates profoundly complicated territory indeed, including the twist of that wonderful final line. See if it doesn’t make you think about your own silently sung songs, your own reckoning with “what’s comic, what’s serious,” your own sense of the stories that have pull in your life. It’s a great poem, I think, one that has stayed with me over twenty years. So I share it, with gratitude, with you today.
At the Smithville Methodist Church It was supposed to be Arts & Crafts for a week, but when she came home with the "Jesus Saves" button, we knew what art was up, what ancient craft. She liked her little friends. She liked the songs they sang when they weren't twisting and folding paper into dolls. What could be so bad? Jesus had been a good man, and putting faith in good men was what we had to do to stay this side of cynicism, that other sadness. OK, we said, One week. But when she came home singing "Jesus loves me, the Bible tells me so," it was time to talk. Could we say Jesus doesn't love you? Could I tell her the Bible is a great book certain people use to make you feel bad? We sent her back without a word. It had been so long since we believed, so long since we needed Jesus as our nemesis and friend, that we thought he was sufficiently dead, that our children would think of him like Lincoln or Thomas Jefferson. Soon it became clear to us: you can't teach disbelief to a child, only wonderful stories, and we hadn't a story nearly as good. On parents' night there were the Arts & Crafts all spread out like appetizers. Then we took our seats in the church and the children sang a song about the Ark, and Hallelujah and one in which they had to jump up and down for Jesus. I can't remember ever feeling so uncertain about what's comic, what's serious. Evolution is magical but devoid of heroes. You can't say to your child "Evolution loves you." The story stinks of extinction and nothing exciting happens for centuries. I didn't have a wonderful story for my child and she was beaming. All the way home in the car she sang the songs, occasionally standing up for Jesus. There was nothing to do but drive, ride it out, sing along in silence.
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Jennifer L. Holberg
I am professor and chair of the Calvin University English department, where I have taught a range of courses in literature and composition since 1998. An Army brat, I have come to love my adopted hometown of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Along with my wonderful colleague, Jane Zwart, I am the co-director of the Calvin Center for Faith and Writing, which is the home of the Festival of Faith and Writing as well as a number of other exciting endeavors. Given my interest in teaching, I’m also the founding co-editor of the Duke University Press journal Pedagogy: Critical Approaches to Teaching Literature, Language, Composition and Culture. My book, Nourishing Narratives: The Power of Story to Shape Our Faith, was published in July 2023 by Intervarsity Press.
Reviewed by Roberta Louis.
But if we take a moment to appreciate these simple pleasures, we can find joy and gratitude in the small things. The magic of the ordinary also extends to our relationships with others. The love and support of family and friends are often the bedrock of our lives. Whether it is a simple hug, a kind word, or a shared laugh, these everyday acts of connection have the power to uplift and nourish our souls. Even in the midst of chaos and uncertainty, the magic of the ordinary can provide a semblance of stability and comfort. It is a reminder that life is made up of a series of small moments, and that it is in these moments that we find meaning and purpose. So let us not overlook the magic of the ordinary. Let us take the time to appreciate the beauty and wonder that surrounds us each day. Let us find joy in the simplest of moments and gratitude in the most mundane of objects. For it is in these moments that we truly begin to experience the magic of life..
Reviews for "Celebrating the Sacred in the Ordinary: Embracing Everyday Magic"
1. John - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Magic of the Ordinary". I found the plot to be predictable and unoriginal. The characters were flat and lacked depth, making it hard for me to connect with any of them. Additionally, the writing style felt choppy and awkward. Overall, I just didn't find anything extraordinary about this book.
2. Mary - 1 star - "Magic of the Ordinary" was a complete letdown for me. The pacing was incredibly slow, and I found myself bored throughout most of the story. The world-building was also lacking, making it difficult for me to fully immerse myself in the magical elements. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, and I couldn't help but roll my eyes at some of the cheesy lines. Overall, I regretted picking up this book and would not recommend it to others.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Magic of the Ordinary", but it fell short for me. The concept of blending magic with everyday life seemed interesting, but the execution was lackluster. The writing lacked finesse, and the characters felt one-dimensional. The romantic subplot felt forced and unnecessary, adding nothing to the overall story. I was left feeling underwhelmed by the end, wishing for a more engaging and original tale.
4. Robert - 2.5 stars - I found "Magic of the Ordinary" to be an average read. The plot had potential, but it felt rushed and underdeveloped. The author introduced interesting ideas but failed to fully explore them. The writing style was decent, but the constant info-dumping made it hard to stay engaged. Overall, it was an okay book, but I expected more depth and complexity from the storyline.
5. Jennifer - 1 star - "Magic of the Ordinary" was a big disappointment. The characters were completely forgettable, and the dialogue felt forced and unrealistic. The world-building was weak, leaving me with more questions than answers. The pacing was off, with long stretches of nothing happening followed by rushed and unexciting action scenes. I struggled to finish this book and would not recommend it to anyone looking for a captivating fantasy read.