No Nonsense Spirituality: All the Tools No Belief Required

Brittney Hartley has provided the world with a breath of fresh air in the space of atheism and in the space of spirituality. I had to force myself to put this book down, to take time to really appreciate and internalize the words she wrote. I wish I found this book sooner and I truly hope she has plans on writing again. She speaks of the chasm that arises between religion and atheism, how many people feel that there is something missing when they leave their religion - which seems to be something many atheists (including myself for a long time!) do not want to admit. But she is absolutely right! Human beings have a deep need for rituals, experiencing awe, having communities, understanding what their own core values are. We have an enormous capacity for morality and empathy. And Brittney has covered it all. This book really is "all the tools, no faith required" She gives us many examples of tools we can use in our own lives, to deepen our connection with ourselves and the world around us. She also references many other texts and I had to make a list of the ones that seemed most interesting to me - immediately adding them to my TBR. I absolutely adored this book and know it will be one I go back to, time and time again.

With the timeless wisdom of Marcus Aurelius; the spiritual compassion and strength of Viktor Frankl; the philosophical intellectualization of Hitchens, Harris, Dawkins & Dennett; the accessible insights of Brene Brown; the dot-connecting thoroughness of Yuval Harari; the practical application of understanding reality that is kindred to the works of Paul Farmer & Esther Perel; and in a kind & graceful voice that is all her own - Britt Hartley has written a masterpiece in the complex and highly charged labyrinth of spirituality. With an incredible level of wisdom and clarity, Britt has put forth a compelling and intellectually honest guide that fully takes into account our humanness, and which can be an invaluable support tool in the navigation towards a meaningful and thriving life. No Nonsense Spirituality is a must-read.

What do you do when you no longer fit into religion? Hopefully, you don't find yourself in a crisis. Our culture has a handful of "high-demand religions", of which one will likely find themselves in a crisis when they leave it. Mormon culture calls it a "faith crisis" but it's so much more than that. When one's whole identity was formerly defined by religion, quitting religion can lead to a loss of identity, a loss of community, feeling lost and hopeless, and possibly even the dark depths of depressive nihilism. And it can leave them vulnerable to other forms of "spirituality" that aren't much better than the one they left. Brittney Hartley paints a wide picture of the spiritual landscape, defining each path, and helping the reader create an intentional life. She provides information, rather than prescribing a particular path. She points out the positives and the pitfalls. She empowers the reader to make informed choices. I have appreciated and enjoyed Brittney's podcast, interviews, online courses, and now her book, No Nonsense Spirituality. I highly recommend this book to anyone who has let go of religion, particularly former Mormons, former Jehovah's Witnesses, former Scientologists, former Evangelicals...anyone who has left a high-demand, authoritarian religion. I've purchased several copies to share with others.

As an ex-Mormon who spent the last decade following the deep spiritual longings within, I never thought I’d give audience to a spiritual atheist. But after watching some of Britt’s YouTubes, I found myself intrigued enough to buy this book. Her research and thoughts are so thorough I found myself yet, again, dropping beliefs that no longer serve and carefully considering questions getting to the core of what I value. So much meat, here. Her final chapter was so nourishing in these troubled times, I found it motivating as I enter a new phase of life after my husband’s passing.

While the book is excellent, the title made me believe that there would be some actual "tools" to build a spiritual practice. While a good book for someone actively deconstructing or newly spirirually adrift, it is less helpful for someone who is comfortable without religion and seeking to create a meaningful, nonsense-free spirituality. The journal questions are great, but I would love to see Hartley write an applied, DIY companion book to help folks generate daily and periodic practices.

Thank you for this book, a great angle on spirituality and life. I follow this writer and medical provider online and I am so grateful for her life experiences and her ideas! Thank you for writing this!

This book has completely changed my life. Britt’s writing is so good, it’s like each sentence hits me like a semi truck. The chapter on the divine feminine is absolutely on topic and describes perfectly how I’ve been feeling as a woman in our society. I was gonna lend this to all my friends, but I need to keep this and re-read it and mark it up! I really appreciate the references to other books as well, provides sort of a reference guide for further reading. I don’t even really read books, but this I swear is shaping up to be my new philosophy guide for life.

I found the brief histories of th religions mentioned fascinating. The positive ways given to live without having to give all to a unknown being where great. Good practices and optimism.

But now she is no nonsense! Praise... whomever you support spiritually.

This book is priceless. It fills a huge, huge gap that is in urgent need of being filled. As a member of a Protestant church that has existed since 1618 without dogma’s (people write their own statement of faith) I have had lots of conversations, both with atheists and with people from high demand religions. Britt finally gives me the words to describe the tools spirituality has to offer. I love the book from cover to cover. I read the chapter about femininity first, but they are all equally enlightening and important. Must buy for any living creature, regardless of their denomination. Thank you so much, a lot of work must have gone into this one. I hope the next one will be picked up by a publisher - I am sure it will be!

I devoured this book! Through a simple writing style and conversational tone, the author decodes complex ideas to make them relatable. Highly recommend to those who are in that confusing state between religion and everything else.

I follow Britt on TikTok and the content is really thought provoking whilst accessible. I was excited to read the book and it’s lived up to expectations, really helped me to think through my half formed thoughts and have a better understanding of the relationship between spirituality, atheism, science and religion, and my own relationship with these. I also really appreciate the female perspective on these spaces. Thanks Britt!

I love Britts take. So happy I got it