A Reflection on the book, The Way of the Dreamcatcher - Spirit Lessons with Robert Lax: Poet, Peacemaker, Sage, by S. T Georgiou.

Author · Steven T. Georgiou
Published by Novalis Press

Review by Tom Gilbert · © 2008

Once in a while I get around to reading a book that has been on my bookshelf for sometime. And occasionally it turns out to be a great gift to finally read it. There can be many reasons for not reading a book when you first get it including time, attention, other books and priorities. You know how that is, a book you plan to get to but for some reason it has to wait for the right time. I truly believe it was the Holy Spirit that finally prompted me to pick this one up.

The book is The Way of the Dreamcatcher: Spirit Lessons with Robert Lax: Poet, Peacemaker, Sage (Revised edition now available from Templegate Publishing - here ). It was written by Steve T. Georgiou, a teacher and writer from San Francisco who traveled to Greece seeking spiritual renewal. He had no idea who Robert Lax was or that he had been living on the Greek isle of Patmos (where the disciple John wrote the New Testament's Book of Revelation). He was steered to this poet and sage by residents of the island.

Robert Lax was a close friend of Thomas Merton. They went to school together in Columbia and were both converts to Catholicism, although Lax came from Judaism. Lax had a profound effect on Merton and many years later on the author of this book.

Over the course of several visits Lax revealed his gentle, humble, humorous and profound spiritual insights to his new "disciple". Lax had the gift that many poets have of seeing the world for its spiritual beauty. This American poet has never been fully appreciated in the United States for his poetry, but those who've encountered his minimalist, yet insightful, style are inevitably impressed. He's best known for his collection, Circus Days and Nights. Georgiou's back story helps the reader understand a bit about this wise sage, and their engaging dialog sheds wonderful insight on the spiritual journey and the importance of embracing the holiness of simple things and everyday life.

Lax is straightforward in his spiritual advice. And he's disarmingly funny. Don't expect a pious pep talk from a holy hermit engaged in navel-gazing upon some mountaintop. However, the conversations Georgiou shared with Lax are certainly enlightening, humorous, and profound. He walked his talk and the advice he dispensed is utterly practical and simple. Love is the key force was one of his main points.

Robert Lax was clearly a holy man who lived simply and was full of love for all of life. Steve Georgiou has done us a favor in writing this book and I encourage you to read it.

You can purchase The Way of the Dreamcatcher: Spirit Lessons with Robert Lax: Poet, Peacemaker, Sage online at our Living the Solution store . 

Revised edition now available from Templegate Publishing - Order it here