In the Coracle

What is Christian Spiritual Direction?

January 17th, 2010, No Comments

I’ve been dong some reading on spiritual direction to prepare for an upcoming adventure with a friend, and I wanted to share some of what I’ve found.
The next two quotes are good words on spiritual direction from a uniquely Christian perspective, from SDI World.

The whole purpose of spiritual direction is to penetrate beneath the surface [...]

“He Loved Deeply”

January 12th, 2010, 1 Comment

Jason Francis passed away earlier today. I never did meet Jason, but we had many friends in common, attended sibling churches in the Vineyard movement (Jason was at Seattle Vineyard for years), were similar in age and life stage (he was 37, married with two kids), and everybody that I know who knew Jason loved [...]

Book Summary: The Desert Fathers: Sayings of the Early Christian Monks

December 17th, 2009, No Comments

The Desert Fathers: Sayings of the Early Christian Monks
Translated by Benedicta Ward
Penguin Classics (2003)

Description of the Book
The Desert Fathers: Sayings of the Early Christian Monks is Benedicta Ward’s translation of a group of sayings called the Verba Seniorum, distilled from the early Christian monks.

Interpretation of the Book
This translation is organized by topic. There are a [...]

Book Summary: Becoming Human by Jean Vanier

December 17th, 2009, No Comments

Becoming Human
by Jean Vanier
Paulist Press (1998)

Description of the Book
In Becoming Human, Jean Vanier challenges us to evolve as human beings by growing from solitary, lonely individuals to relational, communal beings that open ourselves to others.

Interpretation of the Book
Vanier writes five sections of the book, beginning by focusing on loneliness and the ways that we exclude [...]

Wendell Berry on Spiritual Journey

July 7th, 2009, No Comments

By Wendell Berry

And the world cannot be discovered by a journey of miles,
no matter how long,
but only by a spiritual journey,
a journey of one inch,
very arduous and humbling and joyful,
[...]

The Art of Spiritual Direction

June 14th, 2009, 2 Comments

“The art of spiritual direction lies in our uncovering the obvious in our lives and in realizing that everyday events are the means by which God tries to reach us.”

- Alan Jones, in the preface to the book “Holy Listening: The Art of Spiritual Direction” (Margaret Guenther)

Finding Sanctuary by Abbot Christopher Jamison (Book Summary)

May 22nd, 2009, 1 Comment

“Finding Sanctuary: Monastic Steps for Everyday Life” (Abbot Christopher Jamison)

Finding Sanctuary
by Abbot Christopher Jamison
Liturgical Press (2006)

Description of the Book
Modern life is characterized by an overwhelming sense of busyness. The Rule of St. Benedict, written 1500 years ago for an Italian abbey, provides practical insights about Christian living that can be applied today and provide sanctuary [...]

Sacred Companions by David Benner (Book summary)

May 21st, 2009, 1 Comment

“Sacred Companions: The Gift of Spiritual Friendship & Direction” (David G. Benner)

Sacred Companions
by David G. Benner
InterVarsity Press (2002)

Description of the Book
Sacred Companions describes spiritual friendship and spiritual direction for the contemporary Christian who wishes to be intentional about growing in their Christian life. Benner writes as a psychologist and a spiritual director, specifically aiming to [...]

Community and Growth by Jean Vanier (Summary paper)

May 20th, 2009, No Comments

“Community and Growth” (Jean Vanier)
Community and Growth
by Jean Vanier
Paulist (1989)

Description of the Book

Community and Growth is Jean Vanier’s reflection on spiritual growth in intentional communities, and is written from his experience with L’Arche communities for developmentally handicapped people.
In the author’s words, Community and Growth “tries to clarify the conditions which are necessary to life in [...]

To Pause at the Threshold (summary paper)

May 19th, 2009, No Comments

“To Pause at the Threshold: Reflections on Living on the Border” (Esther De Waal)
To Pause at the Threshold
by Esther de Waal
Morehouse (2001)
Description of the Book
To Pause at the Threshold is a short exploration of the boundary spaces in our lives and our response to these thresholds. In our everyday lives, we are often so busy [...]