Spiritual Direction 101

Spiritual Direction 101
Author: Teresa Blythe
Publisher:
Total Pages: 212
Release: 2018-03-07
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 9781947826205

Spiritual Direction 101 brings spiritual guidance down to earth, making it accessible to people from a variety of spiritual and religious traditions. This book gives you the "here's how it's done" information, such as tips, tools, stories and descriptions to assist spiritual directors and build awareness in those seeking spiritual help.

Spiritual Direction 101

Spiritual Direction 101
Author: Teresa Blythe
Publisher:
Total Pages: 212
Release: 2018-03-07
Genre:
ISBN: 9781955821292

Wondering what spiritual direction is all about? Looking for a practical guide that covers everything from finding a spiritual guide to becoming one? This is your "how-to" book on the history, practice and ethics of spiritual guidance. Spiritual Direction 101 brings spiritual guidance down to earth, making it accessible to people from a variety of spiritual and religious traditions. This book gives you the nitty-gritty "here's how it's done" information, such as tips, tools, stories and descriptions to assist spiritual directors and build awareness in those seeking spiritual help. Spiritual Direction 101 is all you need to demystify the art of spiritual guidance and prepare you for a meaningful encounter--whether as a seeker or a guide. If you want an easy-to-follow primer, written from practical experience and years of training new spiritual guides, this is the one book to add to your spiritual library.

50 Ways to Pray

50 Ways to Pray
Author: Ms. Teresa A. Blythe
Publisher: Abingdon Press
Total Pages: 281
Release: 2010-10-01
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1426728247

For individual or group use “It is my hope that this book will provide at least fifty ways you may take steps in a lifelong walk with God. It is written for you, the seeker and sojourner, as well as you, the church leader, youth minister, retreat facilitator, or worship planner. It is for all of us who thought we only knew one way to pray.” --from the introduction The explosion of interest today in Christian mystics, ancient prayer practices, and guided meditations speaks to a need for more hands-on tools that will help us pray in traditional as well as new and exciting ways. This book is intended to address that need. Each of the exercises includes not only instructions on how to use it as a prayer practice, but also some background, an introduction, a statement of intention, and tips to help you become comfortable with the practice. For those of you wanting to lead these practices in a group, there are special instructions and information in the Leader’s Guide at the end of the book. “Rich with wisdom drawn from the wellsprings of Western spirituality, this remarkable book is a sustained experience of spiritual direction offered by a seasoned spiritual guide.” -John S. Mogabgab, editor of Weavings journal "This book does more than point to ways of prayer; it serves as encouragement, guide, and partner for those who want to connect in prayer in ways that move beyond words." -Doug Pagitt, author of BodyPrayer and pastor of Solomon's Porch “This is a basic, balanced, and accessible guide to the variety, promise, and practice of prayer. Read it to deepen your understanding of prayer; use it to deepen your life in God.” -Frederick W. Schmidt, author of What God Wants for Your LifeClick here to read a sampleTable of ContentsTeresa A. Blythe is a writer, spiritual director, and frequent conference speaker on topics of popular culture and spirituality. She has co-authored Meeting God in Virtual Reality and Watching What We Watch, along with numerous essays and reviews for Beliefnet, Spirituality & Health, and Publishers Weekly. Teresa serves as Program Coordinator for the Hesychia School of Spiritual Direction at the Redemptorist Renewal Center in Tucson, AZ.

An Introduction to Spiritual Direction

An Introduction to Spiritual Direction
Author: Chester P. Michael
Publisher: Paulist Press
Total Pages: 242
Release: 2004
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 9780809141746

An Introduction to Spiritual Direction is a clear, nuanced and practical handbook for spiritual directors and directees that examines what it means to be spiritually whole and the process that gets us there. It is based in part on the two-year training course that the author conducts at Spiritual Direction Institute, the teachings of the depth psychologist, Carl Jung, and the Christian traditionalists, among them, St. Francis de Sales, Ignatius of Loyola, Teresa of Avila, and John of the Cross. It is further conjoined with sections on the qualities of the good director and directee, with fascinating forays into the nature of temperament and psychological type. The core of the book is devoted to its larger question, the actual growth and acquisition of spiritual wisdom, where the stages, pitfalls, remedies, rewards, as well as the importance of spiritual direction, especially during times of crises, are examined in numerous comprehensive sections. Dovetailed with chapter notes and questions, index, and extensive bibliography, An Introduction to Spiritual Direction deserves recognition by directors, directees, counselors, students and practitioners of psychology, and religious educators. It is a great starting point for spiritual exploration. +

See God Act

See God Act
Author: Michael Drennan SJ
Publisher: Messenger Publications
Total Pages: 181
Release: 2021-09-27
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1788124995

This book is born out of a wide range of practical experience of more than 20 years in working with people training for the ministry of spiritual direction. Spiritual direction recognizes that there is an energy in life that moves a person outwards and influences the direction taken. The focus of the ministry is to help the person notice those movements and make good choices that enhance the Christ-like quality of life. It acknowledges that the Holy Spirit is the primary director. See God act. The book seeks to provide a broader vision of the ministry drawing on insights from spirituality, scripture and psychology. These bring a fuller understanding of the person created by God, capable of knowing and responding to God. It acknowledges that many of the difficulties that arise in the direction of life are at the human, not the faith, level. Patterns are laid down in early life and can continue into adulthood. This can be so without much awareness of their source, though their influence may be evident. Even in a prayerful reflective life, further help may be needed to bring greater freedom from unconscious influences. Moreover, freedom is a key mediator to facilitate moving on to accept the gifts God offers. Life is dynamic, not static, involving an inner and an outer journey. We live in relationships with God, self, others and all creation. Jesus is active in life and meets people where they are but does not leave them there. The invitation is onwards. Attention is drawn to, and there is an exploration of the dynamics involved in the different relationships to bring greater clarity to them. The experience of working with people has highlighted the need of this development. Prayer that comes out of life and flows back into life is key to this. May the book inspire you to navigate your ongoing journey in the Lord in an integrated way.

Candlelight

Candlelight
Author: Susan S. Phillips
Publisher: Church Publishing, Inc.
Total Pages: 271
Release: 2008-03
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0819222976

As She Begins each spiritual direction session, Susan Phillips lights a candle to symbolize God's presence. Candlelight: Illuminating the Art of Spiritual Direction offers an intimate view of spiritual direction through narratives of actual sessions. Tracing the stories of nine men and women, this book-part travel guide, part professional resource-illuminates the journey of Christian discipleship nurtured by the ancient practice of spiritual direction.

Guidance in Spiritual Direction

Guidance in Spiritual Direction
Author: Charles Hugo Doyle
Publisher: Sophia Institute Press
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2024-02-20
Genre: Religion
ISBN:

Spiritual direction is a vital aspect of the priestly ministry. It launches souls on the road to Heaven and keeps them oriented as the pathway becomes narrow and steep. Everyone -- from the pope to the most innocent of children -- needs spiritual direction. In these rich pages, Msgr. Charles Hugo Doyle shares wisdom and practical advice on the process that holds rewards not only for priests but for lay faithful as well. As Fr. Edward J. Hogan of St. Mary's Seminary in Baltimore observed when the book was first published in 1958, "There are countless souls ripe for sanctity, full of generosity and desire, and needing only the expert advice of a divinely ordained doctor of souls to advance toward sainthood. Yet how often they remain unattended!" Fr. Hogan observed that some Catholic priests hesitate to engage in spiritual direction and to reap the harvest of saints it can produce because they suffer from "a feeling of inadequacy and of lack of the requisite knowledge for so sensitive an undertaking." This is why the famed Msgr. Doyle wrote this book. He guided a generation of priests in the time-tested methods of spiritual direction and even today serves as a guide for lay Catholics who want to progress in holiness but have yet to find a spiritual director of their own. In one timeless volume, Msgr. Doyle lays out the classic principles of Catholic spirituality and distills advice from saints who were commonly regarded as the greatest spiritual directors of their time. You will discover: The art of maintaining a devotional spirit all day long How to advance through the "spiritual stages" The stumbling blocks to genuine meditation Seven brief prayers that can increase your devotion at Mass Eight indicators that you are growing in holiness Ten proven methods to advance in virtue You will also find ways the devil tries to disrupt you on the path to holiness and how to effectively battle the seven deadly sins. Additionally, you will learn about the danger of scruples, how to overcome them, and how to replace fear with a childlike trust and confidence in God. St. Vincent Ferrer, the great Dominican saint, said about spiritual direction, "A person who has a director by whom he allows himself to be guided . . . will more easily and quickly arrive at perfection than he ever could by himself." This book is a must for every serious Christian's spiritual library.

Holy Listening

Holy Listening
Author: Margaret Guenther
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
Total Pages: 162
Release: 1992
Genre: Spiritual direction
ISBN: 1561010561

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.

Still Listening

Still Listening
Author: Norvene Vest
Publisher: Church Publishing, Inc.
Total Pages: 225
Release: 2000-10
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0819218146

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

To Tell the Sacred Tale

To Tell the Sacred Tale
Author: Ruffing, Janet K., RSM
Publisher: Paulist Press
Total Pages: 250
Release: 2011
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1587689006

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.