Spiritual Direction and the Encounter with God

Author: William A. Barry
Publisher: Paulist Press
ISBN: 9780809142941
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 132

Book Description
Is what we call "the encounter with God" merely a depth experience of the psyche or does it have a specific theological character? In this revised edition of his best selling book, William Barry shows how it it possible to understand an encounter with the Triune God in this world, and how that process can be interpreted and aided by a spiritual director. Using the insights of John Macmurray and John Smith, Barry describes how a relationship with God develops and how one can discern whether a particular experience is from God or not. This understanding of religious experience comes from a theology of community, communal discernment and ministry in the church. This book will be helpful to spiritual directors, educators and theologians, as well as all educated seekers desiring a deeper relationship with God. In this revised edition, the author has added reflections on God's presence to suffering and evil and to evildoers, updated the bibliography, and freshened his examples for the 21st-century reader. +

The Art of Spiritual Direction

Author: W. Paul Jones
Publisher: Upper Room Books
ISBN: 0835816184
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 305

Book Description
We all need companions and guides on our spiritual journey. W. Paul Jones believes that spiritual direction is essential for every Christian. "Along each person's pilgrimage are those who can make one's journey accountable and whose hospitality makes it possible," Jones says. In The Art of Spiritual Direction, you'll discover the answers to these questions and more: What is spiritual direction? What is the difference between spiritual direction and counseling? How can you know if you are called to the ministry of spiritual direction? What should happen in direction sessions? The appendixes feature helpful tools like the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, a Theological Worlds Inventory, the Enneagram, and other resources. Whether you are a pastor, church leader, or a layperson, you will benefit from the wealth of information contained in this book.

Prayer Primer

Author: Thomas Dubay
Publisher: Ignatius Press
ISBN: 1681493861
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 196

Book Description
Fr. Thomas Dubay, a renowned teacher and writer on prayer and the spiritual life, presents a simple, profound and practical book on the most important of all human activities, communion with God. Prayer Primer is written for intelligent adults (and teenagers) who want God and a serious prayer life, but it does not presuppose that they need or have a theological background. It does take up many questions rarely answered adequately in the classroom or from the pulpit, often not mentioned at all: Why pray? (be ready for some surprises) ... Why vocal prayer is important and yet should be limited ... What contemplation is and is not ... Praying with Scripture ... Family prayer - even how to introduce children to group meditation ... Prayer in a busy life ... Pitfalls and problems - together with solutions ... Buddhism? New Age? Centering prayer? ... What should you do when dry and empty and not at all inclined to pray? How do you even get started? ... Where and how to begin? ... Assessing progress ... Growing in depth. All of these subjects, and more, are clearly and concisely explained for citizens of this 21st century.

Spiritual Direction and the Care of Souls

Author: Gary W. Moon
Publisher: InterVarsity Press
ISBN: 0830876960
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 251

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.

Spiritual Direction

Author: Henri J. M. Nouwen
Publisher: Zondervan
ISBN: 0060754737
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 196

Book Description
Spiritual Direction gives us the unique and unrivaled experience of having Henri Nouwen as our personal spiritual director, answering our questions about the spiritual life in his wise, comfortable, and engaging style. With Nouwen's guidance, we can reorient our lives and open the door to true spiritual transformation. Henri Nouwen, the world-renowned spiritual guide and counselor, understood the spiritual life as a journey of faith and transformation that is deepened by accountability, community, and relationships. Though he counseled many people during his lifetime, his principles of spiritual direction were never written down. Now two of his longtime students, Michael Christensen and Rebecca Laird, have taken his famous course in spiritual direction and supplemented it with his unpublished writings to create the definitive work on Nouwen's thoughts on the Christian life. Stories, readings, and thematically organized questions for reflection and guided journal writing provide an unparalleled resource for spiritual direction, both for individuals and for small groups.

To Tell the Sacred Tale

Author: Ruffing, Janet K., RSM
Publisher: Paulist Press
ISBN: 1587689006
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 226

Book Description
This book shows the singular importance of narrative in the process of spiritual direction and reflects on this interactive process of sharing our sacred stories in pastoral contexts in order to hear and respond more deeply to the story God is telling in our lives.

The Alluring Voice of God: Forming Daily Encounters

Author: Carrell Jamilano
Publisher: Liguori Publications
ISBN: 9780764828416
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 144

Book Description
Written for young adults and Catholic teens who may be questioning their faith, The Alluring Voice of God invites them to experience God's voice in direct communication. By developing and living in a personal connection with God, readers of all ages longing for a closer relationship will discover our beloved Christ dwells in a prominent place in our hearts. Through various prayer exercises, lesson plans for group leaders and personal reflection guidance, The Alluring Voice of God addresses questions like: "Is God really listening?" "What is God calling me to do?" "Where is God in my life right now?" "How do I distinguish God's voice?" With relatable content and detailed instruction, anyone suffering a crisis of faith will learn to know and hear His loving and caring call.

Seeking God Together

Author: Alice Fryling
Publisher: InterVarsity Press
ISBN: 0830878157
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 156

Book Description
Experienced spiritual director Alice Fryling presents an overview of what group spiritual direction is and how it is practiced, offering practical step-by-step guidance for those who would like to start, lead or particpate in group spiritual direction.

Spiritual Direction

Author: Sue Pickering
Publisher: Hymns Ancient and Modern Ltd
ISBN: 1853118850
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 240

Book Description
Spirituality.

Seeking God In All Things

Author: William Reiser
Publisher: Liturgical Press
ISBN: 0814683673
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 188

Book Description
The practice of spiritual direction assumes a theology of the Holy Spirit, a theology of revelation and of the Church, and a theology of prayer. Seeking God in All Things explores each of these themes as the underpinnings of spiritual direction and examines what makes the Christian religious experience distinctive. Since not every experience of God bears a Christian imprint, William Reiser, SJ, asks whether and in what way a Christian might be ale to assist someone who is not Christian in developing his or her interior life. This question looks beyond suggesting the concrete steps a person might take in initiating, nurturing, and solidifying a way of praying. It looks, rather, toward the fundamental issue of helping others as they discover and deepen their relationship to the mystery of God. Chapters are It Is God Who Directs," *Imagining Divine Action in Human Lives, - *Where Do Holy Desires Come From? - *What's Distinctive About the Christian Religious Experience? - *Further Elements of Christian Distinctiveness, - *The Incarnation as a Starting Point for Spiritual Direction, - and *Should Christian Spirituality Move Beyond Jesus? - William Reiser, SJ, PhD, is a professor of theology in the religious studies department at Holy Cross College, Worcester, Massachusetts. Over the past twelve years, he has also served as an associate staff member at the Center for Religious Development in Cambridge. He is the author of Jesus in Solidarity with His People, published by Liturgical Press. "