If..., Volume 4 Questions for the Soul

by McFarlane, Evelyn; Saywell, James

• ISBN13: 9780679456360
• ISBN10: 0679456368
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1998-10-27
• Publisher: Villard

Summary

If you were God for a day, what would you do? If you had to remember the moment in your life when you felt the most alone, when would it be? If you were to name one event that most challenged your relationship with your family, what would you say? If your soul was a color, which color would it be? If you learned that there actually was a Heaven and Hell, what is the first thing you'd change in your life? The ultimate task we face in life is the process of finding and accepting our true selves, our souls. It's often too scary, too overwhelming, or too time-consuming to begin the whole introspective process of self-discovery. So we often don't look. Instead, we do such things as work harder, spend money, eat and drink more, or maybe just clean the house. But what we forget--or maybe never knew--about soul-searching is that this process can be deeply rewarding, fun, and even entertaining. In their bestselling series of If . . . books, If . . . (Questions for the Game of Life), If2 . . . (More Questions for the Game of Life), and If3 . . . (Questions for the Game of Love), authors Evelyn McFarlane and James Saywell have reintroduced the power of the question. These "If . . . " questions have served as icebreakers, after-dinner games, and a platform for intensifying relationships with one's friends, lovers, and self. Now, in If . . . : Questions for the Soul, they present a phenomenal collection of questions that will help you begin your soul search. These questions will inspire and challenge you and guide you to a deeper understanding of your soul. From the Hardcover edition.

Author Biography

Evelyn McFarlane was born in Brooklyn and grew up in San Diego. She received a degree in architecture from Cor-nell University and has worked in New York and Boston as an architect. She now lives in Florence, Italy. In addition to writing, she lectures on architecture for the Elder Hostel programs and is a full-time student at the Florence Academy of Art.<br><br>James Saywell was born in Canada and lived in Asia as a child. Besides questions, he designs buildings and furniture. He divides his time between the United States and Italy. <br><br>Their first three books were: If . . . (Questions for the Game of Life), If2 . . . (More Questions for the Game of Life), and If3 . . . (Questions for the Game of Love).

Excerpts

Chapter One

At the center of each of us lies our essential spirit. It is what defines us, makes us individuals, and gives us our ultimate strength. It gives us hope for a greater purpose to the life we lead, and the yearning for a sense of meaning. This core in us is something everyone is born with and will die with, and it is what many believe carries forth beyond death. It is our soul.

    It is unreachable in a literal sense--there is no one who can access it directly--but we inherently desire to know more about it, in order to better understand ourselves. If you could look into your soul, would you wish to? The ability to know ourselves involves great effort and courage, and is essential to the living of our lives.

    While a soul cannot be asked a question directly--or answer one at any rate--this fourth collection of "If ..." questions is designed to help us explore--at our own pace, and to varying depths--that most hidden and essential part of ourselves. It gently looks at the heart of our beliefs, fears, and hopes, as well as those of the people we love. Like all the If ... books, the collection is intended to be used randomly, and we hope the questions will be shared and will give rise to enriching and revealing conversations and deeper knowledge of ourselves and others. We have included some lighter questions as well, not to offend, but to ease the weight of the collection as a whole, and to include one of life's most important ingredients--smiles--with the contemplation that we intend the others to generate.

    May you find parts of yourself you weren't familiar with, and greet them with warm forgiveness.

If God were to grant you one favor, what would you ask?

If you could make one thing come true for the good of all souls on the planet, what would it be?

* * *

If you had to name a time when you could say that you were spiritually repressed, when would it be?

* * *

If you were to identify where the majority of your fears in life come from, what would you say?

If you could have changed one thing in the life of someone now deceased, what would it be?

* * *

If Heaven had to look like the inside of one of your friends' homes, whose would you pick?

* * *

If you could make one person you know more religious, who would you pick?

* * *

If you could make one person in the world less religious, who would you select?

If you could have witnessed one religious event, which one would you choose?

* * *

If you could have asked Jesus one question, what would it be?

* * *

If there was a time when the death of someone touched your sense of mortality the most, when would it be?

If there was a time when, despite your resistance, a change in your life turned out to be for the better, when would you say it was?

If you found out you did have a guardian angel, what would you name it?

If you had to pick the single most spiritual moment of your life so far, when would it be?

* * *

If you discovered that you were to die tomorrow, what would you do for the rest of today?

* * *

If you were to say there was a time in your life when your emotional attachment to someone was detrimental, when would it be?

If tomorrow you lost the person you love most in the world, how would your life change?

* * *

If you had to name the single most important ingredient for a spiritual life, what would you say it is?

* * *

If you had to choose one way that God's existence could be proven to the world at large, what would be the most convincing?

* * *

If you could have God's existence personally proved to you in one way, what would it be?

If you could, for the good of mankind, reverse one scientific discovery or development, what would it be?

* * *

If one thing you presently own were to become a religious relic, what would you pick?

If you decided today to do some serious soul searching, what would be the first question you'd ask yourself?.

* * *

If you were to sell your soul for one thing, what would you do it for?

If you had to pick the most sacred spot you've ever seen, where would it be?

* * *

If you were asked to make the case for the nonexistence of God, how would you begin?

* * *

If you were asked to make the case for the existence of God, what would be Exhibit A?

* * *

If you were to die tomorrow, how would you want to go?

If you were to assign people you know to represent each of the virtues and vices, who would be what?

* * *

If you had to honestly rate your own ego on a comparative scale of 1 to 10, with the average human scoring 5, where would you place it?

If you had to remember a time in your life when your own self-esteem was at its lowest, when would you say it was?

* * *

If you could take one possession with you into the afterlife (assuming there is one), what would you take?

If you were to be accompanied by anyone into the next world, who would you take?

* * *

If you could help one person you know find their inner spirit, who would it be?

* * *

If someone you know personally had to become the next pope, who would you want it to be?

* * *

If you had to cast the role of true evil in a new film, what actor would you select for the part?

If a good friend asked you to assist them with their suicide, how would you respond?

* * *

If you were to learn that there actually is a Heaven and a Hell, what is the first thing you'd change in your life?

* * *

If you could inherit any religious structure in the world, which would you choose?

If you were to construct a small altar somewhere in your home, where would you put it?

If someone you know had to become the next Dalai Lama, who would you want it to be?

* * *

If you decided to devote the next two years of your life to building a new church anywhere in the world, where would you put it?

* * *

If you were to name the single most important moment in history for organized religion, when would you say it was?

* * *

If you could determine one aspect of your own death, except its moment, what would it be?

If you had to name the best aspect of any single religion, what would it be?

* * *

If you had to name the worst aspect of any single religion, what would it be?

* * *

If you were to exchange souls for one day with someone you know, who would you want it to be with?

* * *

If you were to exchange souls for one day with someone from history, who would you pick?

If you had to name the one thing you most regret about your life up to this point, what would it be?

* * *

If you were to write your own epitaph today, what would it say?

If you could have met one religious figure from history, who would you choose?

* * *

If you could have met one figure from the Bible, who would you pick?

If you were to name the most spiritual person you know, who would it be?

* * *

If you had to name the least spiritual person you know, who would you elect?

* * *

If you had to name the moment in your life when you most needed the understanding of someone else, when would you say it was?

If you had to name the book that most touched your soul, which would you choose?

If you were to name the most spiritual of all current world political leaders, who comes to mind?

* * *

If you had to explain the difference between "religious" and "spiritual" in the simplest terms, what words would you use?

* * *

If you had to describe the ideal role of religion in modern society, what would you say?

* * *

If you could be buried or have your ashes spread anywhere on Earth, where would it be?

If you could add one thing to your life that you believe would make you more spiritual, what would it be?

* * *

If you had to eliminate one existing religion, which would you choose?

* * *

If you could undo one thing you've done in your life that has haunted you with guilt, what would it be?

* * *

If you had to recall the most insincere expression of faith you have ever come across, what would you say it was?

If you were to identify the one thing that you have always been the most superstitious about, what would it be?

* * *

If you were to name the person who most surprised you with their faith, who would it be?

If you were to name the person you know who has the most ideal understanding of faith, who would it be?

* * *

If you were to name the person who has given you true emotional strength, who would it be?

If you had to name one person you know who would make the most successful/convincing TV evangelist, who would it be?

If you were to become a monk or nun, which order would you enter, and where would you want to be?

* * *

If you were to better yourself in one way, how would you do it?

* * *

If you were asked for proof of your moral fiber, in what way or with what example would you establish it?

If you were to identify the inner need that your worst habit fulfills, what would it be?

* * *

If you could give the pope one piece of advice, what would you tell him?

* * *

If your soul were to be represented by a color, which color would it be?

* * *

If you were to add an eleventh commandment, what would it be?

If you could have avoided knowing about one thing during your life, what would it be, and why?

* * *

If you were to choose one television show to be banned for moral reasons, which would you pick?

If you had to name the one thing about yourself that would be the most difficult to change, what would it be?

* * *

If you had to name the one thing about yourself that would be easiest for you to change but that you never have gotten around to, what would it be?

If your parents were to confess to you the most shocking thing you can imagine, what would it be?

* * *

If one of your children were to tell you the one thing that would most upset you, what would it be?

* * *

If you were in need of emotional refuge, what would you do to find it?

* * *

If you were to describe the time or activity that makes you feel most spiritual, what would you say it was?

If you could have learned one life lesson earlier than you did, which one would you want it to be?

* * *

If you could teach someone you know one life lesson, who would it be, and what would they learn?

* * *

If you had to name the cause that you believe is the most worthy on the planet, what would it be?

If you were to construct a small religious altar in your home using only three things you now own, what would they be?

If you could have the power to make one person you know tell only the truth forevermore, who would you choose?

* * *

If you promised to never lie again in your lifetime, in what area would it be the hardest to uphold the promise?

* * *

If you could make certain that your parents knew one thing before they died, what would it be?

* * *

If you could give one thing to all the senior citizens of the Earth, what would it be?

If you could change one thing about a single religion, which one would it be, and how would you alter it?

If you could have your parents hear one thing as they die, what would it be?

* * *

If you had to describe the single most profound experience of your life so far, what would you say?

* * *

If you had to name the one experience that strengthened your character the most so far, what would it be?

If you were to play a particular piece of music to make you feel contemplative, what would you put on?

* * *

If you were to plan the menu of your last supper, what would it be?

* * *

If you were to say that you have one doubt about your heart and soul, what would it be?

* * *

If you could wear one outfit from your present wardrobe to enter Paradise in, what would you pick?

If you could have someone famous read your eulogy, who would you choose?

* * *

If someone famous were to unexpectedly show up at your funeral, who would you want it to be?

* * *

If you could face one of your fears head-on and conquer it, which would you pick?

* * *

If you could change your identity completely, what would the new you be like?

If you could have anything happen to your body after you die, what would you want to occur?

* * *

If you could meet one person before dying whom you have never met, who would it be?

* * *

If you had to name the hardest transition you have had to make in life, what would you say?

If you were to found a spiritual retreat, where would it be located?

(Continues...)

Copyright © 1998 Evelyn McFarlane and James Saywell. All rights reserved.