2022/05/29

LIGHT IN MY DARKNESS eBook : KELLER, HELEN, Silverman, Ray: Amazon.com.au: Kindle Store

Light in My Darkness

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to navigationJump to search
Light in My Darkness
Helenkellerlightinmydarkness.jpg
Cover of the edition published by Chrysalis Books in 2000
AuthorHelen Keller
GenreSpiritual autobiography
PublisherDoubleday, Page & Company
Publication date
1927

Light in My Darkness is a book, originally published in 1927 as My Religion, written by Helen Keller when she was 47 years old. The book was written as a tribute to Emanuel Swedenborg whom Helen regarded as "one of the noblest champions true Christianity has ever known". This book is regarded as Keller's spiritual autobiography in which she openly told that "the teachings of Emanuel Swedenborg have been my light, and a staff in my hand and by his vision splendid I am attended on my way".

The original publication was loosely put together and hastily printed by Doubleday, Page & Company. Nevertheless, it sold well in 1927 and has remained in print ever since. In 1994, Ray Silverman, a Swedenborgian minister and literary scholar, thoroughly revised and edited My Religion, organizing the eight unwieldy sections of the first edition into twelve distinct chapters with subheadings to clarify their contents. Furthermore, important materials not present in the first edition were added to elucidate and expand the original text. Other revisions included modernization of several words and phrases, substitution of inclusive language where appropriate, correction of spelling and typographical errors, alteration of punctuation to conform to modern standards, and emendation of a few historical inaccuracies. Extra paragraph breaks were added and a very few passages that distracted from the main messages were delicately pruned. These revisions were negligible next to all that was retained.[according to whom?]

In 2000 a second edition of Light in My Darkness was published which included an article that was originally published in Guideposts magazine in 1956, when Keller was 76 years old. The article, which was reprinted by Guideposts in 1995, is significant in that it establishes the fact that Keller was indeed a lifelong Swedenborgian. It is in this article that she writes,

Since my seventeenth year, I have tried to live according to the teachings of Emanuel Swedenborg. By "church" he did not mean an ecclesiastical organization, but a spiritual fellowship of thoughtful men and women who spend their lives for a service to mankind that outlasts them. He called it a civilization that was to be born of a healthy, universal religion—goodwill, mutual understanding, service from each to all, regardless of dogma or ritual.

Also included in the 2000 edition is a quote from Keller's last published book, Teacher (1955). In it she speaks of her undimmed enthusiasm for Swedenborg's teachings. She does this by first quoting the American poet, Walt Whitman who wrote: "O Spirit, as a runner strips/ Upon a windy afternoon/ Be unencumbered of what troubles you--/ Arise with grace / And greatly go, with the wind upon your face."

Keller then adds, "In that state of exhilaration I had accepted the teachings of Emanuel Swedenborg, had drunk in his interpretation of the Bible, fearless, reverent, yet as unconfined as the sun, the clouds, the sea."

The change in title from My Religion to Light in My Darkness is significant. The new title is taken from one of Keller's poetic statements in which she declares, "I know that life is given us so that we may grow in love. And I believe that God is in me as the sun is in the color and fragrance of the flower, the Light in my darkness, the Voice in my silence."

Reception[edit]

Readers were divided by those impressed by her faith and those disappointed that the famous deafblind activist advocated Swedenborgianism rather than a more "mainstream" religion.





LIGHT IN MY DARKNESS eBook : KELLER, HELEN, Silverman, Ray: Amazon.com.au: Kindle Store



LIGHT IN MY DARKNESS Kindle Edition
by HELEN KELLER (Author), Ray Silverman (Editor) 
Format: Kindle Edition


4.5 out of 5 stars 43 ratings



See all formats and editions


Kindle
$9.17Read with Our Free App
Paperback
$27.93
1 Used from $13.463 New from $25.17

One of Time's women of the century, Helen Keller, reveals her mystical side in this best-selling spiritual autobiography. Writing that her first reading of Emanuel Swedenborg at age fourteen gave her truths that were "to my faculties what light, color and music are to the eye and ear," she explains how Swedenborg's works sustained her throughout her life.

This new edition includes a foreword by Dorothy Herrmann, author of the acclaimed Helen Keller: A Life, and a new chapter, "Epilogue: My Luminous Universe."
Read less

Print length

196 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Chrysalis Books

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Chrysalis Books; 2nd edition (31 October 2017)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 3090 KB
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Print length ‏ : ‎ 196 pagesBest Sellers Rank: 574,048 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)544 in Psychology Education & Training
1,134 in Religious People Biographies
1,451 in New Age Mysticism (Books)Customer Reviews:
4.5 out of 5 stars 43 ratings




Customer reviews
4.5 out of 5 stars
Top reviews from Australia

There are 0 reviews and 0 ratings from Australia


Top reviews from other countries
Translate all reviews to English

Khurram Chishtie
5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring read!Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 6 April 2019
Verified Purchase

An inspiring read about life and makes us think!
Report abuse

Hanna
1.0 out of 5 stars Poor qualityReviewed in the United Kingdom on 12 June 2019
Verified Purchase

Poor quality
Report abuse


Petra Fischbäck
5.0 out of 5 stars Prima Buch, sehr empfehlenswert.Reviewed in Germany on 15 April 2002
Verified Purchase

Dieses Buch gibt nicht nur einen interessanten Einblick in das Leben und die Denkweise von Helen Keller, sondern liest sich auch noch angenehm. Man fühlt sich danach so richtig gut. Durch ihre Behinderung hat sich Helen Keller offenbar ein großes Maß an Idealismus bewahrt, was dem Rest der Welt nicht möglich ist.
ACHTUNG: Bei diesem Buch handelt es sich um eine Neuauflage von "My Religion", falls jemand wie ich das Glück hatte, ein Original von damals ersteigern zu können.

One person found this helpfulReport abuse
Translate review to English

Laura H
5.0 out of 5 stars WowReviewed in the United States on 15 September 2013
Verified Purchase

I never knew that Helen Keller was a Swedenborgian! I'll bet most people don't, either. But she ardently and fervently embraced the teachings of Emanuel Swedenborg when she was about 16 years old. She wrote about how it changed her life, how it gave her the strength to carry on in her darkness and silence. In this book, she described vivid experiences of her own in which she was transported into the spiritual world. She saw the bright colors and beauty of that world. She was completely whole and restored in that world. She came to realize the purpose of her life on earth, as dark and silent as it was -- it was to serve others, to help the needy in any way she possibly could. She found her calling, she was an inspiration to the whole world, and she credits Swedenborg's teachings for her spiritual awakening.

17 people found this helpfulReport abuse

Larry Wagner
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful book. Helen Keller was truly a very special person.Reviewed in the United States on 24 December 2008
Verified Purchase

Beautiful book. Re-edited from her own original work, "My Religion", and made more coherent.

Helen goes into some detail about what makes Swedenborg's Christian doctrine such a beautiful Christian religion for her, and how it gave her the inspiration to live a life in dignity and inspiration to others (!) and to overcome or deal with her handicaps for almost 80 years.

It has a few funny moments, such as her description of nature walks with an elderly friend. With her uncertain speech and his elderly hearing, he would have to ask her to repeat herself, but to do this he'd spell a question in her hand. With his advancing arthritis, his shaking hands letters could be difficult for her to decipher.

She is an amazing writer, inspite of total lack of sound or sight to experience those senses. Despite total blindness and deafness, she writes with vibrant color and imagery.

14 people found this helpfulReport abuse


Light in my Darkness
 Want to Read
Rate this book
1 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
Light in my Darkness
by Helen Keller, Dorothy Herrmann (Foreword), Ray Silverman (Editor)
 4.15  ·   Rating details ·  268 ratings  ·  24 reviews
One of Time's women of the century, Helen Keller, reveals her mystical side in this best-selling spiritual autobiography. Writing that her first reading of Emanuel Swedenborg at age fourteen gave her truths that were "to my faculties what light, color and music are to the eye and ear," she explains how Swedenborg's works sustained her throughout her life.

This new edition includes a foreword by Dorothy Herrmann, author of the acclaimed Helen Keller: A Life, and a new chapter, "Epilogue: My Luminous Universe." (less)
GET A COPY
KoboOnline Stores ▾Book Links ▾
Paperback, Second Edition, 196 pages
Published January 1st 2000 by Chrysalis Books (first published 1994)
Original TitleLight in My Darkness
ISBN0877853983  (ISBN13: 9780877853985)
Edition LanguageEnglish
Other Editions (7)
Light in My Darkness 
Light in My Darkness (My Religion) 
Light in My Darkness 
111x148 
Minu usk
All Editions | Add a New Edition | Combine
...Less DetailEdit Details
FRIEND REVIEWS
Recommend This Book None of your friends have reviewed this book yet.
READER Q&A
Ask the Goodreads community a question about Light in my Darkness
54355902. uy100 cr1,0,100,100 
Ask anything about the book
Recent Questions
how read a book on goodreads? , please help me
1 Like · Like  6 Years Ago  Add Your Answer
See 1 question about Light in my Darkness…
LISTS WITH THIS BOOK
Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. JamesFifty Shades Darker by E.L. JamesGabriel's Inferno by Sylvain ReynardCataclysm by C.L. ParkerSupernova by C.L. Parker
Books I reach for in the middle of the night...
32 books — 40 voters
The Story of My Life by Helen KellerTeacher by Helen KellerThe Miracle Worker by William  GibsonMiss Spitfire by Sarah  MillerLight in my Darkness by Helen Keller
Helen Keller & Anne Sullivan Macy
33 books — 7 voters


More lists with this book...
COMMUNITY REVIEWS
Showing 1-30
 Average rating4.15  ·  Rating details ·  268 ratings  ·  24 reviews

Search review text


All Languages
More filters | Sort order
Sejin,
Sejin, start your review of Light in my Darkness

Write a review
R.K. Goff
Oct 23, 2011R.K. Goff rated it really liked it
A beautifully written piece on Helen Keller's love and devotion to her religion. She explains the basic beliefs of Swedenborg Christianity, and then in her own lyrical style talks about how it has touched her, and how wonderful it is.

I read a lot of religious books from many different religions. This one is amazingly approachable, even if you disagree with her religion. She writes from a completely personal "I" perspective, and is never offensive or exclusionary. Honestly it was just a highly pleasant read. You feel good when you're done reading it. (less)
flag8 likes · Like  · comment · see review
Lee Woofenden
Dec 17, 2013Lee Woofenden rated it it was amazing
Shelves: swedenborg, mysticism, spirituality, christianity
I've read Light In My Darkness several times. Each time I enjoy it more.

Helen Keller is known as an inspirational figure, an author, an activist, even a socialist. She is less known as a Christian mystic and avid reader of the spiritual writings of Emanuel Swedenborg (1688-1772).

Light In My Darkness is more than Keller's exposition of her religion and tribute to Emanuel Swedenborg. It stands on its own as a personal expression of Keller's own spirituality and mystical experience. Yes, you will learn something about Swedenborg's teachings in this book--and those teachings are beautiful enough in themselves. But more than that, you will be touched by a soul who reached out to the spiritual level of reality, and found it to be her true home. (less)
flag5 likes · Like  · 1 comment · see review
~LAURA~ ~Jones~
Mar 03, 2009~LAURA~ ~Jones~ marked it as to-read
I would like to read this book because Id like to see how a blind and deaf person writes.
flag3 likes · Like  · comment · see review
Helen
Aug 20, 2009Helen rated it liked it
Shelves: biography
Helen Keller traces her spiritual development. Swedenborgianism, with its concepts of a universal spiritual reality and brotherhood, a loving God, and an afterlife in which no one would suffer from limitations and handicaps, appealed to Helen.

You have got to think that someone with the handicaps that Helen Keller dealt with was searching for answers and meaning. She was an amazing woman who thought deeply.
flag2 likes · Like  · comment · see review
Sean
Sep 16, 2008Sean rated it it was amazing
At my first dinner in Heaven, I will be seated between Eleanor Roosevelt and Helen Keller. So many beautiful ideals and life positions.
flag2 likes · Like  · comment · see review
Sharon Field
Oct 28, 2016Sharon Field rated it really liked it
Shelves: 2016-challenge
Basically a rewrite of My Religion. A very approachable introduction to Swedenborg's views on religion which formed the basis on which HK based her lifetime of work (less)
flag2 likes · Like  · comment · see review
Leslie
Jul 30, 2009Leslie rated it it was amazing
Helen Keller is one of my heros. It's interesting to read of her religious affiliation - Swedenborg's philosophy. ...more
flag2 likes · Like  · comment · see review
Diane
Jun 05, 2009Diane rated it it was amazing
Keller's observations are ever fresh and pertinent, and I will begin again on this one again very soon, though I don't think I finished it completely. I was pleasantly surprised with Keller's insights and presentation. ...more
flag1 like · Like  · comment · see review
D Steven Ledingham
Aug 12, 2013D Steven Ledingham rated it it was amazing  ·  review of another edition
Great insight into the thinking of Helen Keller
flag1 like · Like  · comment · see review
Shivani Loka-Laksmi
May 30, 2013Shivani Loka-Laksmi rated it liked it
Beautiful, incredible spirit. None other like her in this realm. However, I found it a bit antiquated, naturally. Maybe I was a bit distracted, I was reading it along with many other modern memoirs.
flag1 like · Like  · comment · see review
Janine
Aug 21, 2020Janine rated it liked it
It's hard to know how to read religious writing, especially when you don't share the writer's convictions. Keller was often criticized for the "literary-ness" of her writing, and that is certain true here, where she is writing in the devotional-writing genre which by its nature seeks to use words to capture emotion and reflection about the spiritual world.

This re-ordered edition starts with a biography of Helen Keller written by Dorothy Hermann, whose longer biography I reviewed here. It then moves through a series of chapters where Keller writes first, about her own religious development, and then about Swedenborg's life and writings. I must confess that I found these Swedenborg chapters heavy going. They were fairly lengthy and wordy, and I was not particularly comfortable with her full-throated adulation of Swedenborg's ideas. I wondered if the context in which I was reading them was wrong, so I decided to read them after my morning meditation, when I'm in a more contemplative mood. They still remained turgid and flat. However, I did enjoy the shorter chapters near the end of the book, which did lend themselves to 'devotional'-type reading.

For my complete review, please visit:
https://residentjudge.com/2020/08/22/... (less)
flagLike  · comment · see review
Lee Richardson
Jun 27, 2017Lee Richardson rated it it was amazing
Started going to the New Church again, and someone there handed us this book. It is a very powerful book, as I never new how Helen Keller was a Swedenborg. Keller is extremely intelligent, and makes a captivating case for the new church. Her explanation of Swedenborg's thoughts and ideas are something I've never heard articular this well before, and makes me think I'll try to read some of Swedenborg next.

Some of the background on Swedenborg's life in Chapter 2 is just astonishing. He went from writing books such as "The Brain", "The Economy of the Animal Kingdom", etc... all the way to "Heaven and Hell". Indeed, part of the major appeal of Swedenborg is that fact that he is a scientist, and tries to explain things as powerful parables, opposed to dogma. (less)
flagLike  · comment · see review
Careful
May 29, 2019Careful rated it it was amazing
Shelves: zz-keller-helen, zz-swedenborg
Sensed many of the same things Swedenborg experienced.
flagLike  · see review
Patrick
Apr 11, 2021Patrick rated it it was amazing
A great introduction to Swedenborgianism by a wonderful woman. It is an easy read, and entertaining. You learn some about Helen Keller, but the book is mostly about her beliefs.
flagLike  · comment · see review
Richard
Dec 03, 2017Richard rated it really liked it
Very interesting to see this alongside D.T. Suzuki's work on Swedenborg. (less)
flagLike  · comment · see review
Ratna
Oct 15, 2019Ratna added it
i want detected her life story
flagLike  · comment · see review
Joe
Nov 03, 2007Joe rated it really liked it
Helen Keller speaks in a beautiful, touching, inspiring way about her faith, which was influenced profoundly by the Swedish scientist, philosopher, and visionary, Emmanuel Swedenborg. Many of Swedenborg's teachings resonate with gospel truths restored through Joseph Smith. I believe Swedenborg was one of the forerunners who helped prepare the way for the gospel to be restored. He knew & understood so much, though not the fulness. (less)




Posted by at
Labels: