The book carries the subtitle; ‘The Divine Virtues and Treasures of the Heart’ and this becomes very clear in the text, because in many ways this is a beautiful and encouraging book.. What the author has achieved in this book is to list each of the universal principles and divine virtues, showing the reader that regardless of the origin of our beliefs, the sacred scriptures provide us a universal source of wisdom, holiness, inspiration and spiritual nourishment. It certainly made me stop and think and it’s just a pity that more of us don’t hold these beliefs, because if we did the world would be much more welcoming and an awful lot safer. Phenomena Magazine ISSUE 174/ October 2023 ~ Phenomena Magazine, Review

The author is a former Dean and Professor of Law, and I couldn’t help wondering if he was related to the late judge and philosopher David Hodgson, author of Mind Matters. He seeks to identify universal ethical principles present in all religious traditions - principles that unite rather than divide. He formulates 36 divine virtues, with a chapter for each and succinct illustrative quotations from scriptural references. These include compassion, conscience, detachment, fearlessness, forgiveness, humility, patience, quietude, simplicity, wisdom and truthfulness. The structure lends itself to contemplative daily reading, while the qualities and selections represent refractions from the one divine Light, the realm of spirit and truth. As the author maintains, ‘these Divine Virtues must be embraced and internalised and their pristine source rediscovered. To cleanse the downstream waters, the upstream waters must be purified.’ Highly recommended. ~ David Lorimer, Paradigm Explorer Scientific and Medical Network

As knowledge exponentially increases, the application of the wisdom of the elders recedes. But why must this be so? Can we not explore and affirm what unites and binds humanity together and what has brought us to this point in human history? Hodgson also adds that due to these questions and more, he has searched the sacred scriptures of the most prominent religions and belief systems to determine not what divides or differentiates them but to identify and celebrate the common spiritual and ethical foundations upon which they are all based. Furthermore, he hopes that the readers who consider themselves spiritual and/or religious, those who are interested in interfaith dialogue and those who may still be searching for their own truth will be able to identify with and embrace in their lives the Divine Virtues and Universal Ethical Principles which bind these religions together like an ethereal mortar. And so, in closing, whilst previous works have generally focused on ancient wisdom, this must-read book extends beyond wisdom to include 35 additional virtues or spiritual principles underpinning these great and diverse religions. ~ Exclusive Magazine, Review

For many years, the Holy Grail of Religious Studies has been an explanation of common foundations of the world's great religions. No consensus has yet emerged, but Douglas Hodgson has brought fresh insight to the issue. Bringing a unique set of skills including legal studies and human rights, Hodgson brings much needed clarity to the question of the spiritual and ethical principles common to the world's faiths. In addition, he goes beyond the "Ivory Tower" to help explain how all people of goodwill can apply these principles to everyday life. I highly recommend the book. ~ Professor Matthew Ogilvie, Professor of Theology, former Dean of the School of Philosophy and Theology, University of Notre Dame Australia

Love and kindness are a fundamental part of all religions. Douglas Hodgson has drawn upon many inspirational quotations from different religious traditions within his book to help us understand the similarities between these traditions. Transcendental Spirituality, Wisdom and Virtue: The Divine Virtues and Treasures of the Heart is an inspirational book. ~ Thupten Lodey, Buddhist Bikshu

Our religious beliefs, despite predictions that they would disappear from our lives, continue to play an important part in contemporary society. Religious faith provides society with cohesion and solidarity and sense of community through shared beliefs, together with social influence which promotes moral, ethical and empathetic behaviour in society. More importantly, it offers meaning and purpose in answering existential questions, particularly in a pandemic environment, with many of us now thinking about our mortality. Yet there are distressing consequences arising from differing religious beliefs and practices as evidenced by the countless wars and conflicts that have had an overt or covert religious dimension throughout history and increasingly to the present day. Sadly, today we live in a time of increasing prejudice and persecution with the followers of most major religions reporting increasing hostility and, in many cases, violence. What the author has achieved in Transcendental Spirituality, Wisdom and Virtue: The Divine Virtues and Treasures of the Heart through an extensive comparative listing of each of the universal principles and divine virtues, is to show the reader that regardless of the origin of our beliefs, the sacred scriptures provide us universally with wisdom, holiness, inspiration and spiritual nourishment. Clearly the author has achieved a primary objective in writing by assisting readers to reflect on their own spirituality and faith but more importantly to understand and appreciate the spiritual unity across our individual beliefs. At no time in history has it been more important to take time to learn about our neighbours' culture and beliefs. This book will greatly assist us in commencing this important journey. ~ Professor Philip Evans, University of Notre Dame Australia