If you’re fascinated by the meeting point of world religions, Oak and Lotus is the perfect read! This inspiring book joyfully weaves together Celtic spirituality and the ancient wisdom of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Taoism, exploring the rich tapestry of religious traditions and practices. From Celtic symbols and folklore to the spiritual connections between Nature and faith, it highlights both the shared insights and unique perspectives of these traditions. Whether you’re drawn to religious diversity, intrigued by Celtic mythology, or eager to deepen your understanding of theology and religious studies, this book offers a fresh, accessible look at how different faith traditions can illuminate one another—and enrich our personal spiritual lives as well.

REVIEWS
Imagine the Celtic saint Brigid and the great bodhisattva Guanyin sitting down together for a cup of tea. I certainly would want to listen in to their conversation! Oak and Lotustakes us to a similar place. It’s a beautiful, expansive book about the joyful integration of Eastern and Western wisdom, a resource I expect to return to again and again.
— Carl McColman, author of The New Big Book of Christian Mysticism and Eternal Heart
Oak and Lotus is a joy to read. Bringing Celtic Christianity into conversation with three major Eastern faith traditions—Hinduism, Buddhism, and Taoism—this book delights the heart again and again with parallels both uncanny and enlightening. Reader-friendly, it draws you in and won’t let you go.
— Rev. John R. Mabry, PhD, author of God as Nature Sees God: A Christian Reading of the Tao Te Ching and A Christian Walks in the Footsteps of the Buddha
Kenneth McIntosh’s book, Oak and Lotus, is a masterpiece of scholarship, insight, and wisdom itself, focusing on the mystic heart of Celtic Christianity and three major spiritual traditions of Asia. I highly recommend this book for individuals as well as groups who want to deepen their spirituality.
— Edward Sellner, professor emeritus of theology, spirituality, and animal theology, author of numerous books on Celtic spirituality, including Celtic Saints and Animal Stories: A Spiritual Kinship
Critics may say, “This book is dangerous.” My reply is: “Being born is dangerous. Live dangerously and find the Divine at the heart of the universe.”
— Ray Simpson, author of many books on Celtic Christianity, including The Celtic Book of Day, Brendan’s Return Voyage: A New American Dream—Indigenous, Post-Colonial and Celtic Theology, and Celtic Christianity and Climate Crisis
Kenneth McIntosh’s Oak and Lotus takes you on a holy adventure in which you set sail in your coracle in companionship with Celtic pilgrims, Buddhist monks, Hindu sages, and Taoist wanderers. On your journey, you may catch a glimpse and receive guidance from Brigid of Kildare, St. Brendan, Gautama Buddha, and Lao Tzu. McIntosh describes a spiritual path, and more than that, he provides tools and practices for spiritual transformation. When you read this book, you take a voyage of discovery and venture toward far horizons. This is one of the most inspirational books you will read on interspirituality and the universal wisdom of the Celtic sages.
— Bruce Epperly, author of Jesus – Mystic, Healer, and Prophet and The Elephant is Running: Process and Open and Relational Theology and Religious Pluralism