By Kellie B. Gormly

Published: Thursday, November 24, 2011

During a travelling marathon that spanned 14 years, author Dana Micucci says she discovered her true spirituality and set of beliefs.

Not one to conform to any one organized religion or set of theological beliefs, the McCandless native examined many spiritual traditions, looked within, and formed her own beliefs that incorporate elements of many traditions -- including New Age thought, Buddhism and Christianity.

Micucci -- a journalist whose work has appeared in publications that include the New York Times and Town & Country magazine -- will be at Penguin Bookshop in Sewickley on Friday to visit with readers and sign copies of her new book, "Sojourns of the Soul: One Woman's Journey around the World and into Her Truth." The memoir describes Micucci's visit to seven destinations -- including Egypt, Peru and the Australian Outback -- and how each stop sculpted her spiritual journey.

"My inner journey, mystical experiences ... magazine articles simply cannot contain that very personal experience," says Micucci, 50, who lives in Taos, N.M. "I really felt compelled to put this in a memoir."

All religious systems, she believes, share common truth and lead to the same place -- whether one calls it God, the source, creative energy, the universe, or something else.

"There are no boundaries," Micucci says. "It has been for me a ... tapestry of teachings. I am very grateful."

God, to her, is an energetic source. "I believe in an absolutely divine energy that we are connected to at all times, whatever you want to call it," Micucci says. "We are all manifestations and expressions of it."

She left the Catholic faith at a young age because it felt too confining and rigid, although Micucci says she completely respects organized religions.

"It's not my nature to follow one particular path; it feels too confining to my soul," she says. "I created my own path ... and I write about that search, and its challenges and trials. ... It takes you beyond fears, judgment and doubts."

Micucci says she hopes to share her insights with people on Friday, and inspire them to tap into their own spirituality.

"I really hope that it inspires them to examine their own journey through life and to maybe open them to new ways of being, thinking and feeling in their own spiritual quest," she says.

Additional Information:

Dana Micucci

What: Talk and book signing

When: 7 p.m. Friday

Where: Penguin Bookshop, 420 Beaver St., Sewickley

Details: 412-741-3838 or website

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