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"/>    Sippin’ on Top of
the World
Toasting Good Times
and Better Days
David White
WineSpirit Institute
For the Study of Wine and Spirituality
www.winespirit.org
WingSpan Press Enjoy this YouTube Trailer, a 45 second video and voiceover that captures the Soul of Sippin' : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fG6CdRh_Xfk If you love wine and the joy and connection that comes from sharing it with friends and family, this book is for you. Sippin’ on Top of the World is filled with 88 inspirational wine passages―“Sips”―describing benefits of wine in your lifestyle, in moderation and balance, inviting you to be in this moment: celebrating life, promoting healthy living, enhancing food, and engaging spiritual lessons from the vineyards. Many Sips include material for toasts, identified by bold italics, and questions inviting further reflection, conversation and questions of your own. “These ‘Sips’ of wisdom from the WineSpirit community nourish us as they quietly guide us to a richer sense of self. Wine is an apt metaphor in the search for deeper meaning and fulfillment. The grape is crushed, fermented, and reborn as a lovely beverage able to develop and mature at a pace undreamt of by other agricultural products. So, too, we humans are shaped, broken and remolded by life and its endless circumstances. By example, wine brings us closer to the mystery of who we are. “More often than not, the shared world we live in survives on ‘fast food’ forms of wisdom that distract from our true selves. In many ways our spirit’s quest is to more fully understand who we are and our relationship to life. Reading these short communiqués from the vineyard front reminds us that taking the time to ask real questions supports our desire to know ourselves with greater clarity and compassion.” -Burke Owens, Director of Communications, Bonny Doon Vineyard, Sommelier
“Within Biblical tradition, wine, like bread, is a quintessential food: a food for the body, a food for the soul. Our ancestors made it part of their most sacred moments, times set apart from the day-today world. A good wine, a good friend, a quiet moment: together, these essential components of our lives give life meaning. Americans tend to look at wine as something other than holy, a pleasure that’s all too secular. David White brings wine back to its true place, a place the ancients understood far better than we. So open a bottle and open this book: it will open your soul.” -Jehon Grist, Ph.D. Executive Director, Lehrhaus Judaica
Sippin’ on Top of the World is a collection of eighty-eight,
from over one hundred and sixty, brief writings, distributed
as an email series, titled A Sip of WineSpirit, generated, mostly,
by Executive Director David White. The focus is on insights,
shared over hours of conversation: lessons from the vineyard
and life balance, vs. daily reality. Each Sip invites you to toast,
now and again, what is good in life, and times and people that you treasure.
Enjoy Sippin’ on Top of the World…and celebrate what is
special about your life and the people with whom you share
your journey.
Cheers!
Sippin’ Suggestions for Using the Book
PERSONAL REFLECTION: Set aside time in your day for
Sippin’ and reflection……with a glass of wine… savoring a Sip
and the moment… stopping and noticing all that is good, and
for which you feel gratitude
SHARE TOASTS: Enjoy Sippin’ with friends during the
evening… choosing favorite toasts, including passages in
bold italics... wonderful for dinner parties and celebrations…
toasting special times and memorable occasions
JOIN IN THE CONVERSATION: add to the Sippin’
Reflection Questions, at the end of each Sip, and write a Sip of
your own. Send your questions and Sip to
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
,and we may include them in future editions.
ADD PERSPECTIVES ON WINE AND SPIRITUALITY:
Engage a unique way to appreciate wine … and spirituality
….Sippin’ old traditions in new light… providing fresh
perspectives on your religious, cultural and spiritual paths
GROUP DISCUSSION: Use for weekly, or monthly,
discussion groups … Sippin’ wine and spirituality, in daily
life…with friends and kindred spirits …. Life’s preciousness,
shining through your life stories
WINESPIRIT GROUP ACTIVITY: Bring WineSpirit into
your neighborhood ... Sippin’, while you share insights, at
meetings, and blogging on the WineSpirit Website... Sippin’ on the Inside… Sippin’ the best of life―wine-based perspectives on life balance and well-being. Sippin’ on home to your spiritual and religious traditions and upbringing―seeing your sacred connections in new light. Sippin’ vintage bottles of life’s significant moments, sharing unique stories and memorable times. Sippin’ words and images, engaging you in spirit, mind, and heart. Different Sips for different folks, sharing Sippin’ notes. Table of Contents
Sippin’ Foreword and Acknowledgments ...............................vi
Introduction ..................................................................................ix
Sippin’ Suggestions for Using the Book ..................................xii
Section I -- Breaking Down Barriers: Wine and Spirituality
Sip 1: Breaking Down Barriers: Wine And Spirituality .......3
Sip 2: What Scales Do You Use To Evaluate Wine And People?.........................................................................................5
Sip 3: When Does Your Opinion Count More Than The Experts?........................................................................................7
Sip 4: Who Knows Wine Better Than A Sommelier? ............9
Sip 5: What Can Harley Davidson Teach The
Wine Industry? .........................................................................11
Sip 6: A Lifetime Of Grace Bestowed In A Moment ...........13
Sip 7: What Happens In Accessing Inner Beauty? ..............15
Sip 8: How Could Wine Calm Your Mind And
Open Your Spirit? ....................................................................17
Sip 9: What Could Happen By Extending The
Conversation? ...........................................................................19
Section II – Gleaning Lessons From The Vineyard
Sip 10: How Do Wines You Choose Reflect The
Values You Live? .....................................................................23
Sip 11: How Is A Vine Mightier Than A Drill? ....................25
Sip 12: What Are Parallels In The Mellowing Of
Wine And People? ...................................................................27
Sip 13: How Does Wine In Moderation Help Restore Balance? .....................................................................................29
Sip 14: When Wine Goes In … The Secret Goes Out...........31
Sip 15: How Could Cabernet Enhance Appreciation
Of Your Relationships? ...........................................................33
Sip 16: How Does Tending The Vineyard Extend
To One Another? ......................................................................35
ii
Sip 17: How Does Sustainability Extend From
Vine To Glass? ..........................................................................37
Sip 18: What Contributes To Your Having A
Good Day? ................................................................................39
Sip 19: How Does Wine Differ From Other Beverages Containing Alcohol?........................40
Sip 20: Where Is The Balance Between Constancy
And Change? ............................................................................42
Sip 21: How Do You Balance What Is Old And New? .......43
Sip 22: How Does Passion For Quality Bring Out The
Soul In Wine? ............................................................................45
Sip 23: What Brings Out Your Passion? ................................47
Sip 24: What Lessons Of The Vineyard Could You
Apply In Daily Life? ................................................................49
Sip 25: What Is Your Best Time Of Day … Or Night? ........51
Sip 26: How Do You Handle Ups And Downs Of
Holiday Cheer? ........................................................................53
Sip 27: How Does The Human Touch Bring Out
Nature’s Best? ...........................................................................55
Section III – Toasting Good Times And Better Days
Sip 28: How Can Raising Your Glass Elevate
A Moment? ...............................................................................58
Sip 29: When Does A Glass In Hand Evoke
Gratitude? .................................................................................60
Sip 30: How Does Wine Contribute As A Wellness
Medicine? ..................................................................................61
Sip 31: How Does Your Cup Overflow With Life? .............63
Sip 32: When Do Words Mean More Than You Say? .........65
Sip 33: A Toast That Went Round The World .....................67
Sip 34: How Could The Holiday Spirit Be With
You All Year? ............................................................................69
Sip 35: How Could Each Day Be A Holiday And A Memorable Day? ......................................................................71
Sip 36: How Do You Catch Time In A Bottle? .....................73
Sip 37: Where Were You When ...? ........................................75
ii
Sip 38: How Do You Celebrate Spring’s Promise Of Renewal? ...................................................................................77
Sip 39: When Is It Good To Go Home Again? .....................79
Sip 40: Does A Toast Make You Feel Included
Or Excluded?.............................................................................81
Sip 41: How Did An After-dinner Toast Create A Life Memory? ...................................................................................83
Sip 42: How Did A Wedding Toast Turn Loss Into Joy? ...84
Section IV – Savoring Life’s Blessings
Sip 43: How Does Tasting Wine Enhance Tastes
Of Life? ......................................................................................88
Sip 44: What Is Special About Opening Wine? ...................90
Sip 45: How Could Eating Slowly Be A Diet For
Healthier Living? .....................................................................92
Sip 46: What Wines Contribute To Great Memories? .........94
Sip 47: What Are Tales Of Times Empowering Sweet Memories? .................................................................................96
Sip 48: When Sharing Wine Calmed Nerves In A
Time Of Danger ........................................................................98
Sip 49: How Full Is Your Cup Of Life? ...............................100
Sip 50: How Could You Have Your Vacation And
Keep It Too? ............................................................................102
Sip 51: What Turns Ordinary Into Extraordinary? ...........104
Sip 52: I Am The Wine ..........................................................105
Sip 53: How Is Life’s Delicate Nature Reflected In A
Wine Glass? ............................................................................107
Sip 54: How Is Body Language Relevant In Wine
And In People? .......................................................................109
Sip 55: How Is Wine Unique Brain Food? ..........................111
Sip 56: How Do You Go With The Spirit Of Flow? ...........113
Section V – Finding Spirituality In The Details Of The Day
Sip 57: Sippin’ On Top Of The World .................................116
Sip 58: What About TeaSpirit, BreadSpirit, And
Olive OilSpirit? .......................................................................118
Sip 59: What Does Ritual Mean To You?.............................120
iv
Sip 60: When Does Pouring Wine Celebrate The
Golden Rule?...........................................................................122
Sip 61: What Is Valuable About Clinking Glasses? ..........124
Sip 62: How Do The Mondavis Bring Spirituality
Alive?........................................................................................125
Sip 63: Wine’s Spirituality Enriches Its Other
Qualities ..................................................................................127
Sip 64: How Could You Make The S Word
(Spirituality) More User-friendly? .......................................129
Sip 65: How Do Moments In The Past Enrich
Today’s Presence? ..................................................................131
Sip 66: What Do You Do When A Gift Turns Bad? ..........133
Sip 67: How Could The Ritual Of Passing The
Cup Apply Today? ................................................................135
Sip 68: How Has Changing Your Place Changed
Your Fortune? .........................................................................137
Sip 69: What Could Move An Agnostic Toward
The Divine? .............................................................................139
Sip 70: When Is It A Sin To Be Holy? ...................................141
Sip 71: How Do Wine Growers Treat The Land? ..............143
Sip 72: How Molecules Of Water And Wine Added
Meaning To Life .....................................................................145
Section VI – Harvesting Wisdom Of The Ages
Sip 73: How Do You Recharge Spiritual Batteries? ..........148
Sip 74: How Could Vines And Veins Awaken
You To Life? ............................................................................150
Sip 75: What Is Your Prescription For Health? ..................152
Sip 76: How Do You Age Gracefully?..................................154
Sip 77: What Are You Planting For The Future? ...............156
Sip 78: What Is The Risk In Saving Wine For
Another Day? .........................................................................158
Sip 79: Life … What Are You Saving It For? ......................160
Sip 80: How Does Happenstance Contribute To
Who Or Where You Are Today? .........................................162
Sip 81: How Does Wine Celebrate Community And
Rebirth Through The Ages? .................................................164
Sip 82: How Could You Turn A Bad Wine Into A
Very Good One? .....................................................................166
Sip 83: How Does Culture Grow From The
Ground Up? ............................................................................168
Sip 84: Wine Sex: Do Wines Have A Gender? ...................170
Sip 85: How Could Breaking Some Rules Bring
The Best To Life? ....................................................................172
Sip 86: What Does TGIF Mean To You? .............................174
Sip 87: How Do Multi-course Meals Enhance
Courses Of Life? .....................................................................175
Sip 88: How Does WineSpirit Connect With
Larger Realities? .....................................................................176 About the Author David White is co-founder and executive director of WineSpirit Institute for the Study of Wine and Spirituality. He is dedicated to bringing WineSpirit principles, connecting wine and spirituality with community building, into daily life. Toward that end, he has crafted some150 of more than 170 Sips of WineSpirit—brief writings accentuating wine’s contribution to vibrancy and meaning in everyday contexts, and the material upon which Sippin’ on Top of the World is based. In 1991 he left his position as rabbi of Congregation Kol Shofar in Marin County, California, to pursue an avenue to translate and apply principles for community building into secular settings. WineSpirit is one outcome of that search. He also facilitates bi-weekly men’s and women’s groups exploring life balance in Napa, and serves as spiritual leader of Congregation B’nai Israel in Vallejo. He was born and raised in San Francisco. He received a BA from the University of California, Berkeley, and was ordained as rabbi at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America with an MA in Theology in 1975. In 2002 he was awarded an honorary doctorate from the Jewish Theological Seminary of America. Father of Joshua and Elana White, he has been married for 30 years to his best friend and life inspiration, Sharon L. Cohn. Click on this Sippin' Cover image or put the following link in your browser if you would like to buy Sippin' from Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/images/1595943129/sr=1-1/qid=1242525521/ref=dp_image_0?ie=UTF8&n=283155&s=books&qid=1242525521&sr=1-1
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