Spiritual Direction and the Encounter with God

Author: William A. Barry
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780809133055
Category : Experience (Religion)
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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 is 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.

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. +

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 and Meditation

Author: Thomas Merton
Publisher: Liturgical Press
ISBN: 9780814604120
Category : Body, Mind & Spirit
Languages : en
Pages : 114

Book Description
Examines the meaning and purpose of spiritual direction. Also provides insights into how to meditate.

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.

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.

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.

Starting Something New

Author: Beth A. Booram
Publisher: InterVarsity Press
ISBN: 0830897194
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 186

Book Description
Do you have a creative, Spirit-inspired idea stirring within you but have little or no idea how to nurture and realize that dream? Drawing from her own life-changing experience and the stories of others, spiritual director Beth Booram has written this book to guide you through the spiritual process of identifying and acting on your God-given dream.

Becoming Who God Wants You to Be

Author: W. Paul Jones
Publisher: Upper Room Books
ISBN: 083581324X
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 142

Book Description
For those who do not have a spiritual director – or are curious about the concept – W. Paul Jones has crafted a series of topical meditations that facilitate self-guided spiritual direction. In this refreshing approach to the means of spiritual growth, you will explore self-guided spiritual direction with the ultimate spiritual director – The Holy Spirit. Examine your inner thoughts, truths, difficulties, and triumphs through reflection questions at the end of each chapter that prompt introspection and ultimately direction in your spiritual life. Chapter Topics Include: Abandonment, Being Second, Covenant, Envy, Prayer, and Religion

Spiritual Direction in Context

Author: Nick Wagner
Publisher: Church Publishing, Inc.
ISBN: 0819222097
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 195

Book Description
"God created us to be lovers," writes Nick Wagner in his introduction to Spiritual Direction in Context. "When we love, we are in right relationship. We are acting for justice. The ministry of every spiritual director, in any context, is to serve as a guide into the depths of that love relationship." Here, in this provocative collection of essays, respected leaders in the field of spiritual direction explore the myriad of contexts in which this relationship takes place and offers practical ways to respond to them. As the popularity of spiritual direction grows, directors are facing situations that monks and nuns - for centuries the exclusive practitioners of this profession - never had to face. The essays in this book, drawn from Presence, the journal of Spiritual Directors International, look deeply at spiritual direction in a number of contexts, including the workplace, with the aging, in hospitals, with women's groups, with youth, with the homeless, and with those in mourning. Spiritual Direction in Context is the third in the SDI series.