Spiritual Directors – The Reading Journey

Paul writes – One of the really significant events of 2006/07 was my participation in, and completion of an 18-month Spiritual Director training programme. It was a wonderful mix of practical work (in respect of “self” and directee) and theory. Spiritual direction is about the Spirit in Mission, “mission” in its fullest sense as having to do with shalom and fullness of life.

In terms of theory, and in case others are thinking about and discerning an invitation to become spiritual directors, I thought I’d list books that were important to me during the course, and books which I keep coming back to.

In no particular order:

·              Seeking God in All Things: Theology and Spiritual Direction by William Reiser.

·              Inner Way: Toward a Rebirth of Eastern Christian Spiritual Direction by Joseph J. Allen.

·              The Discerning Heart: Discovering a Personal God by Maureen Conroy.

·              Care of Mind, Care of Spirit: A Psychiatrist Explores Spiritual Direction by Gerald G. May.

·              The Dark Night of the Soul: A Psychiatrist Explores the Connection between Darkenss and Spiritual Growth by Gerald G. May.

·              Guided by the Spirit: A Jesuit Perspective on Spiritual Direction by Frank J. Houdek.

·              Listening for the Soul: Pastoral Care and Spiritual Direction by Jean Stairs.

·              Tending the Holy: Spiritual Direction Across Traditions edited by Norvene Vest.

·              Jewish Spiritual Guidance: Finding our Way to God by Carol Ochs and Kerry M .Olitzky.

·              Spiritual Direction and the Gay Person by James L. Empereur.

·              Spiritual Direction and the Ebcounter with God: A Theological Enquiry by William A. Barry.

·              The Practice of Spiritual Direction by William A. Barry and William J. Connolly.

·              Mentoring: The Ministry of Spiritual Kinship by Edward C. Sellner.

·              Sacred Companions: The Gift of Spiritual Friendship and Direction by David G. Benner.

·              Companions on the Inner Way: The Art of Spiritual Guidance by Morton T. Kelsey.

·              The Sevenfold Yes: Affirming the Goodness of our Deepest Desires by Willi Lambert.

·              The Art of Discernment: Making Good Choices in Your World of Choices by Stefan Kiechle.

·              Uncovering Stories of Faith: Spiritual Direction and Narrative by Janet M. Ruffing.

·              Spiritual Direction: Beyond the Beginnings by Janet K. Ruffing.

·              Holy Listening: The Art of Spiritual Direction by Margaret Guenther.

·              A Woman’s Way: The Forgotten History of Women Spiritual Directors by Patricia Ranft.

·              When the Heart Waits: Spiritual Direction for Life’s Sacred Questions by Sue Monk Kidd.

·              Spiritual Direction: Wisdom for the Long Walk of Faith by Henri Nouwen.

·              Inviting the Mystic, Supporting the Prophet: An Introduction to Spiritual Direction by Katherine Marie Dyckman and L. Patrick Carroll.

·              Exploring Spiritual Direction by Alan Jones.

·              Soul Friend: Spiritual Direction in the Modern World (New Revised Edition) by Kenneth Leech.

·              God of Surprises by Gerard W. Hughes.

·              The Way of Spiritual Direction by Francis Kelly Nemeck and Marie Theresa Coombs.

·              The Discernment of Spirits: An Ignatian Guide for Everyday Living by Timothy M. Gallagher.

·              The Examen Prayer: Ignatian Wisdom for our Lives Today by Timothy M. Gallagher.

·              Spiritual Consolation: An Ignatian Guide for the Greater Discernment of Spirits by Timothy M. Gallagher.

·              The Pastor as Spiritual Guide by Howard Rice.

·              The Wisdom of Each Other: A Conversation Between Spiritual Friends by Eugene H. Peterson

·              Subversive Spirituality by Eugene H. Peterson.

·              Working the Angles: The Shape of Pastoral Integrity by Eugene H. Peterson.

Comments

[Rodney Neill]

I am impressed - there must be over 40 books. Do you have a favourite?

Rodney

[Paul fromont]

Thanks Rodney. In terms of a great little introduction that describes the lie of the land, the following is hard to get past.

"Inviting the Mystic, Supporting the Prophet: An Introduction to Spiritual Direction" by Katherine Marie Dyckman and L. Patrick Carroll.

Second would be:

"Care of Mind, Care of Spirit: A Psychiatrist Explores Spiritual Direction" by Gerald G. May.

[Gary Manders]

An impressive list Paul, if you have read them all!

[Paul fromont]

Hi Gary

As I hinted at in the post,I've read a lot of them, but others are a resource and an investment in my ongoing learning and development. They're books I'll come to...

Thanks for dropping by.