A FORMER RESEARCH PHYSICIST, DOUGLAS VEST IS AN EPISCOPAL PRIEST LIVING IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. HE CONDUCTS WORKSHOPS AND RETREATS IN THE USA AND EUROPE, OFTEN WITH HIS WRITER/LECTURER WIFE, NORVENE. WITH HIS UNUSUAL PERSPECTIVE, VEST DERIVES AN ENGAGING SPIRITUALITY FROM THE CARIBBEAN ISLAND OF ST. CROIX. HIBISCUS BLOSSOM IS PREGNANT WITH ASSOCIATIONS ABOUT HIS OWN NATURE AND RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHERS. THE KALEIDOSCOPIC REEF, THE DECAYED SUGAR MILLS, THE SEA BIRDS WHICH CANNOT LAND ON WATER, THE SCROLLWORK ON A BALUSTRADE IN FREDERIKSTED- ALL PROVIDE IMAGES FOR DEVELOPING IN EACH OF US AN INTENTIONAL, ROBUST AND GROUNDED ISLAND SPIRITUALITY. QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS FOR DISCUSSION GROUPS FOLLOW EACH CHAPTER. VEST'S RECENT BOOKS INCLUDE WHY STRESS KEEPS RETURNING (LOYOLA), AND SAUNTERING INTO HOLINESS (SOURCE).