The Spirituality of Imperfection: Storytelling and the Search for Meaning Paperback – December 1, 1993

This is one of the best spirituality books I have read in my 76 years of experience. Among the many thought and soul-provoking chapters in the book, the chapter on Forgiveness was a standout. Realizing that we all are imperfect enables us to accept and live our humanity together.

This book was wonderful - it allows me to accept myself as imperfect, which I am, and at the same time helps me to have forgiveness - for others and for myself.

One of my favorite spiritual books, I've read and reread this many times over the years and it's always rewarding, each time gleaning a little bit more that I'd missed from a previous read. I've gifted this book to quite a few sponsees and just friends over that time, and those who actually read it are as impressed as I was. One old, crusty acquaintance: Viet Nam vet, ten-years on the street, 20 years sober, not only thanked me publicly at a meeting, but added that he had started again back at the beginning, reading a little bit each morning. I don't know quite what prompted me to believe such an unlikely man would like this book, but mysterious ways and all that.

This book keeps drawing me back, especially when life feels messy and painful. Each time I pick it up, I grow a little more, and the mistakes that once felt heavy begin to carry meaning instead. It’s not a book that offers answers or fixes; it offers stories—raw, honest, and deeply human—and in those stories, I find what I need, without fanfare or formulas. It helps me see my own imperfections not as flaws to erase, but as pathways toward connection, humility, and growth.

Spirituality and religion are two different things, yet can intertwine.

For the third time, I read this book and loved the experience. 12/1/2016I just finished reading this book for the third time. The reason I return to this book again is because there are so many wonderful stories. In example after example, taken from many varied and diverse sources, simple concepts of spirituality are illuminated. I loved rereading the many stories that are included in this book, which demonstrate the power of connection between one person in another through honest storytelling. Even though Kurtz and Ketcham refer to both the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, as well the meetings function in healing, there are applications far beyond AA.It is an easy read and can easily divided up and read chapter by chapter. I highly recommend this book for spiritual seekers.--I was very pleasantly surprised by reading this book. There is a line between spirituality and religion. Many adherents to one reject the other. This book was comfortable for me. I don't want to reject my religion to gain spirituality. At the same time, I have come to believe that there is a vast amount of wisdom that I have gained form listening and sharing my story.I found myself marking certain passages and coming back to them again. This book has been the genesis of a few precious conversations with my sons. It has opened some very welcomed dialogues with some of my friends.I recommend this as both a book to be enjoyed from cover to cover, or one that can be taken in small quantities or studied by topics.Enjoy!Ron Tenney

The Spirituality of Imperfection was recommended to me for years, and somehow I managed to avoid or resist reading it. It found its way onto my Amazon Wish List and I received it as a Christmas present in 2008. I started reading it in September of 2009. I was immediately taken with the simple and fun way the authors present their points of view. This fun and profound little book has added to my life. It has added understanding of the spiritual quest. It has added understanding of my humanity. It has added to my appreciation the importance of forgiveness, both for me and my fellow humans everywhere. Especially profound is the manner in which these short little stories illustrate and illuminate the subject. These are not parables whose meanings must be interpreted by a master, but rather brief, humorous anecdotes that make clear the ideas and principles being shared. There are a good many references to Alcoholics Anonymous, and this in no way indicates the book is strictly for members of AA. I have already made it a gift this season to 4 people who are very important to me ... I hope they find as much joy and peace and understanding as I have. And maybe we can all share in our spiritual growth together.

Second time reading this pretty clear advisory on living a Spiritual Life. Realizing that we all have defects and really good attributes, we can move beyond wallowing in faults and/or past history. This is the Spirituality of Imperfection.