Tending the Holy


Book Description

Essays that explore spiritual direction from a variety of faith and cultural perspectives




Jesus, Our Spiritual Director


Book Description

Wendy Miller shows the deep biblical roots of Christian spiritual direction in her new book, Jesus, Our Spiritual Director. Very much aware of the growing interest among church leaders in Christian spiritual direction, Miller helps readers see the ways in which Jesus guided his first disciples. She encourages readers to grow spiritually through contemplative reading of the gospels. As readers explore the Gospels through Miller's guidance, they also gain insight into the spiritual lives of the disciples. Miller writers, for example, that readers will sense "the internal array of persons like Simon Peter, listening carefully to his submerged story of fear and anxiety which Jesus notices and brings to light." In reading this gentle guide to the Gospels, readers will discover that Jesus notices and brings to light their own "submerged" stories. Most important, Miller helps readers recognize ways in which God is in dialogue with disciples today. In addition to the Gospels, Miller includes stories of people that show the continued conversion that comes from Christ. Miller offers a groundbreaking book that demonstrates with clarity the ways in which spiritual directions is rooted in the Gospels and in the ministry of Jesus. Each of the thirteen chapters contains guidance for individuals and, beginning with chapter four, guidance for leaders. Here is an antidote for spiritual burnout.




Still Listening


Book Description

Cutting-edge essays, written by seasoned spiritual directors, which examine a variety of new frontiers in spiritual direction in the 21st century.




Holy Listening


Book Description

Describes the role and practice of a spiritual director as distinct from pastoral care and from psychotherapy. Compares the spiritual director to a midwife for the soul, describing actions of teaching prayer and offering exercise suggestions.




Spiritual Director, Spiritual Companion


Book Description

Updates his classic, Spiritual Friend Spiritual direction pioneer Tilden Edwards here shares the wealth of twenty years of experience he's gained since his classic book, Spiritual Friend. The fresh and insightful result covers both spiritual and practical sides of the art, from the nature of the soul to recommendations on payment rates. Both directors and directees benefit from this wholistic look that considers all of the person and not just his or her prayer life. At the book's heart, though, is spiritual direction at its best. Edwards examines new methods to nurture the soul, ways to recognize a true spiritual experience, and suggestions for being truly present during the process. Practical guidelines are also given for getting started with new directees, running group spiritual direction, evaluating sessions, and setting up a spiritual director peer group. In addition, Edwards gives a brief history of this special ministry and a view of its future. He also considers spiritual companionship in other religious traditions and their relation to a Christian framework. This new title offers enormous insight and support for both spiritual directors and directees, anyone considering entering spiritual direction, and all those ministers--from pastors to Christian counselors--who so often unexpectedly find themselves in the role of spiritual director. +




Show Me Your Way


Book Description

An ancient spiritual practice rediscovered--and re-imaginated--for today. This fascinating introduction to an ancient spiritual practice is for all of us who are searching for fresh spiritual insight. People of all faiths--and even those with no particular religious involvement--are discovering spiritual direction. Traditionally identified with Christianity, but also resembling the relationship between teacher and student in Buddhism, sheikh and disciple in Islam, and rebbe and Hasid in Judaism, spiritual direction is a distinct kind of relationship for enhancing spiritual growth. And its renewed popularity has led to a now uniquely accessible modern phenomenon: interfaith spiritual direction. Howard Addison presents personal accounts from the lives of people representing a broad spectrum of religious and spiritual traditions to show how we can find guidance and inspiration from people of other faiths--without ever leaving our own. This one-of-a-kind guide explores: Where to find spiritual guidance within your own faith community or beyond it. How spiritual direction can help you, even if you come from no formal religious background. Why and when it may be appropriate to seek a spiritual guide from a faith other than your own. What interfaith spiritual direction means for the future of religion and spirituality in our world.




Spiritual Direction


Book Description




Through Wind and Waves


Book Description

A guide is a welcome addition on most any journey. So it is with the greatest of all journeys: the journey to God. One of the Church’s most long-standing and fruitful traditions, spiritual direction is an instrument of God’s glory in the world. The act of clearing the way for the Holy Spirit is a delicate yet challenging matter, and one that requires humility, patience, and charity, among other virtues. Through Wind and Waves is a guidebook for those undertaking this important work. It offers wisdom for both the supernatural and the practical elements of spiritual direction. It shows that being a spiritual guide is not simply a matter of prayer and meditation, but one of a firm interior life, genuine friendship, and the daily realities of living one’s life for the Lord. That life will be marked by adventure, since every soul is unique and is led by the Spirit to blaze new paths to holiness. Filled with wisdom from the saints, as well as Jesus’ words in the Gospels, Through Wind and Waves is a valuable resource for those called to lead others into the safe harbor of God’s love. Rev. Francis Fernández-Carvajal holds graduate degrees in both History and Canon Law. Ordained in 1964, he is a priest of the Opus Dei Prelature and the author of many popular spiritual works. His seven-volume series In Conversation with God provides over 500 meditations to be used throughout the liturgical year. It has sold over 2 million copies and has been translated into many languages.




Spiritual Direction


Book Description

Spirituality.




Spiritual Direction and the Care of Souls


Book Description

In recent years, many Christian clergy, laity and mental health professionals have rediscovered the ancient practices of spiritual direction. Seen as a refreshing alternative to the techniques and limitations of modern psychology, such practices offer new insights for pastoral care. But many remain unclear on what spiritual direction is and whether its methods are applicable to their own clients and parishioners. Spiritual direction is a practice of Christian soul care that is found most notably in the Catholic, Orthodox and Episcopal traditions but is also present in Wesleyan/Holiness, Pentecostal/charismatic, social justice and Reformed communities. Predating modern counseling and psychotherapy movements but sharing key principles and insights for spiritual formation, spiritual direction offers significant resources for today s pastors, counselors, therapists, chaplains and other caregivers attuned to the work of God in people s lives. In this landmark volume, editors Gary W. Moon and David G. Benner, along with a team of expert contributors, provide a comprehensive survey of spiritual direction in its myriad Christian forms. Specific chapters offer careful historical perspective and contemporary analysis of how Christians from various backgrounds have practiced spiritual direction, with particular attention to each tradition s definition of spiritual direction, the process of authentic transformation, the role of the spiritual director, indicators of mature spirituality and other aspects of the spiritual direction process. Chapters also provide psychological and clinical insight into how spiritual direction is similar to, different from and can be integrated with psychotherapy and pastoral counseling to help others experience spiritual transformation and union with God.