Gene Ruyle

Gene Ruyle, philosopher, psychologist, Episcopal priest, playwright and composer, has written The stuff of a lifetime, a revised version of an earlier book, Making a life. In it, he talks about soul and spirit and how we have lost our way; in his words, “your soul is what your being is becoming.” He gives us the tools to understand human experience and how we can make our life meaningful. He then gives us examples of persons who have found their souls and have lived life in several different modes: James Cagney, Nikos Kazantzakis, Pul Tillich, Oriana Fallaci, Thomas Jefferson, and Stanley Keleman.

There is an excellent glossary and an annotated bibliography including classic and new works. Footnotes give extra help in understanding the text as well as citations to works that can be consulted. There are exercises and reflections that add to the experience and should not be skipped.

This is not a book for the faint hearted and it cannot be read all in one sitting, then put away. It is a life’s work and must be read, re-read and savored. In the end, it is up to each person to “see… the soul, sens(e)… the spirit, and mov(e)… on to more.”… (altro)