Valusek stands with one foot on either side of the chasm that separates those who believe in God from those who do not, inviting us to build a bridge from the raw materials of our common humanity. I tremendously respect his effort. Eric Maisel, Ph.D., author of The Atheists WayThe Secret Sorrow is a poignant, mesmerizing memoir, proximately about the loss of faith but more generally about encounteringand working throughthe pain that accompanies the loss of meaning. Valuseks journey takes us into bleak territory, but never abandons us there. Instead, heleads us to a new place of affirmation centered in a sacred view of the natural world. I loved it.Ursula Goodenough, Ph.D., professor of biology, fellow of the American Academyof Arts and Sciences, author of The Sacred Depths of NatureJay Valusek has written beautifully about how mindfulness helped him find meaning and joy in the midst of great loss. Present, loving awareness became a powerful way of healinghis suffering, enabling him to emerge from the darkness of despair into the light of a new moment.Micki Fine, M.A., L.P.C., certified mindfulness teacher, founder of Mindful Living of Houston, Texas.