The Elixir of Air

Unguessed Gifts of Addiction

by Charles C. Finn


Formats

Softcover
£9.99
£9.75
Softcover
£9.75

Book Details

Language : English
Publication Date : 23/02/2005

Format : Softcover
Dimensions : 6x9
Page Count : 160
ISBN : 9781420812848

About the Book

Addiction of one kind or another touches us all. Given its destructive course, it would seem an unequivocal curse to be lamented. The thrust of The Elixir of Air, however, is that it need not be. Addiction can in fact be a hidden blessing for what it forces us to face and change in our lives, for the spirit journey it rudely launches us on. Which is not to glamorize the searing pain experienced by addicts and their loved ones. Addiction''s gathering force is such that only searing pain can stop us in our tracks long enough to make possible a life transformation. We are in the presence here of the great mystery of death required for rebirth. Addressing addiction brings us to holy ground.


About the Author

Charles Finn spent ten years in the Society of Jesus after graduating from high school in Cincinnati. With degrees in literature and psychology from Chicago’s Loyola University, he taught high school and then became a mental health counselor before relocating in 1979 to Virginia with his wife. He lives near Fincastle with his family and commutes to nearby Salem where he is a licensed professional counselor. He has counseled addicts since 1982.

 

Finn wrote the internationally-known poem “Please Hear What I’m Not Saying,” His website {www.poetrybycharlescfinn.com) gives information about “Please Hear,” five published books of poetry, and a collection of “Earthtalks.”

 

All of Finn’s writings relate to the spirit journey. His own has been grounded in Catholicism and nourished by Jesuit, Taoist, Native American, Creation-Centered and Quaker spiritualities.