Overview

"Love Is The Why is a collection of poetry that explores how love is at the center of a queer minister's theology and her way of being in the world. The book contains three sections: one focused on loving our bodies as they are; one on connection with the divine feminine, and seeing ourselves in the holy and the holy in us; and one on social justice grounded in love. Through these poems, you can find the inspiration you need to embody love in the world. Rev. Diana K. McLean is a Unitarian Universalist minister, a queer woman, a mother, and an activist. She lives in Minneapolis with her wife Rev. Shay MacKay, with whom she co-created the ministry of Sacred Depths (www.sacreddepths.com), with the mission of helping people deepen their connection with the divine within and beyond themselves through creativity and contemplation. They share their home with one dog, one cat, and many books. We live in a world that often discourages curiosity and dismisses the redeeming power of love. ""Love is the Why"" is a beautiful subversive invitation to dive into our wonders and explore our own whys. Diana K. McLean gently guides the reader in exploring why and also how to love ourselves, our bodies, the divine, and justice for all creation. Love is the why and it is a gift to embrace and share with others. - Rebecca Wilson, Poet & Storyteller at 10 Camels. Author of Unraveling: Coming Out and Back Together. In her first book of poetry, Love is the Why, Diana McLean, claims herself to be a ""Minister ...reclaiming poet and will work to earn activist"" yet her activism and poetry radiate on each page and poem with raw emotion and a call to the action of Love. As we, and she, enters middle age, she calls us to Love our bodies while allowing the guilt of the past to soften rather than simply forcing it away. We are the Divine Feminine and McLean's realization of this in her words strikes deep into each of us as we feel her words calling us to Love each body part, each archetype, each finger and wrinkle and stretch mark. Using this Love of self to become the activist, McLean further calls us to Love all those whose lives we can help and heal; from the immigrant child to the ones lost to a needless, unending war, to the very Earth Herself. - Kelly Christine, MFA"

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9781960326898

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Reviews

"The poems in this book are more than pieces to observe; they are our poems, written not just from McLean's heart but from our own. She reveals the real, lived humanity in all of us - from our concerns around aging, our understanding of what it means to be love and be loved, and the ways we are called to love and compassion. McLean bridges the gap between personal and universal, and heals us all with her lyrical offerings. - Rev. Kimberley Debus, Community Minister of the Arts and Worship 'Love is the Why' is more than a book of poetry-it's an accessible and inclusive work that beautifully explores themes of self-love, the body, and love for others, in all forms. It resonates deeply with the essence of love in all its forms. - J.A. Kazimer, author of Curses! A F***ed-Up Fairytale Rev. Diana McLean's debut offering of reflective poems, Love Is The Why, encourages us to contemplate our own bodies, our own connection to the divine of our understanding, and our own commitment to justice. She models vulnerability, being the love she seeks in the world. Have your journal open as you explore these poetic meditations. Pay attention to what resonates. Write in the margins what you would change in order to make it true to your own experience. Connect with what is rising in you from the verses. I literally cut out the last poem and posted for to my morning prayers. - Rev. Tandi Rogers, Director and Designer of the Spiritual Direction program at Meadville Lombard Theological School's Leadership Institute for Growth, Healing, and Transformation ""Reclaiming activism as a mode of care, Diana's poetry is an intimate journey toward embodying love for self, for the holy, and for the world; and connects the power of the divine feminine with ordinary lives. Like Adrienne Rich and Judy Grahn, Diana M inspires and uplifts. This book is invaluable for anyone seeking profound truth and empowerment."" - Rev.Amy Beltaine, Chair, Spiritual Direction Program, Cherry Hill Seminary Diana McLean's Love is the Why is rueful, grace-filled, passionate, funny, and deeply honest. In the opening section, she speaks to us of the fragility and strength of our bodies, and all the ways they connect us to our ancestors. Then, her words explode off the page as she channels the searing power of the divine feminine and releases a fierce compassion for the countless souls harmed by violence and injustice. ""Women,"" she tells us, ""write your own biographies""-and in this brilliant collection, she has done just that. - Rev. Laura Horton-Ludwig, Spiritual Director, Life Coach, and Shamanic Practitioner Compassion, interconnectedness, and the transformative power of poetry and ministry form the sacred geometry of Love is the Why. Inspiring us to act as ""love's agents,"" McLean illuminates the infinite facets of love-desire, rage, faith, grief, wonder, and more. Through her poems, we come to understand love as home, as altar, as birthright and legacy, and as abundantly available even in the most challenging times. - Lisa Birman, author of How to Walk Away"

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