The Way of Spiritual Direction

by Marie Theresa Coombs, Francis Kelly Nemeck, Marie Theresa Coombs Hermit, et al.

Book Overview

This handy manual presents everything you might want to know about spiritual direction. But its focus is technical rather than inspirational. This being understood, it would be hard to find a more comprehensive treatment of the subject. The qualities of the good spiritual director are clearly set forth. Above all, the authors note, there must be a willingness to love and to listen with patience and gentleness, yet with courage to speak the often...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0814654479
• ISBN13: 9780814654477
• Release Date: July 1985
• Publisher: Liturgical Press
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.6" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

A Practical Guide to Spiritual Direction.

The authors have taken great care to not only give a great deal of information on spiritual direction, including plentiful references from scripture and other religious sources, but to cover many of the pitfalls and difficulties of establishing and maintaining effective and useful spiritual direction. I get a sense that the authors have personally spent a great deal of time both providing and receiving spiritual direction and have experienced both its benefits and potential difficulties. I think this is a must read especially if someone was intent on developing a resource (retreat center or such) for spiritual direction.

Superb book on the art of listening and of the practice of spiritual direction

A 'technical' book about spiritual direction. Tips for both spiritual directors and directees - what makes a good spiritual director, what can directees expect out of spiritual direction, pitfalls that both director and directees fall into. If you want to know what it takes to be a spiritual companion (mind you, this is a God-given calling), read this book. Most books on spiritual direction are about specific prayer styles and methods, or they provide 'practicums', that is, those books contain "To Do" and the exercises can be used for reflection and meditation purposes. "The Way of Spiritual Direction" however offers no such exercises except for a bit of bible references in the last part of the book under the chapter, "Personalized Retreats". What I find helpful in this book are the topics related to listening, loving the directee, and how the relationship between director and directee can be sustained in the light of God's holy presence. The topic on listening is extensively dealt with by the authors and I am made more aware of the 'technicalities' of listening, in other words, the art of listening to another without prejudice and preconceived ideas on my part. I find this to be one of the best books on the art of listening with a spiritual heart. Listening in a companionship such as spiritual direction is not one-sided. The authors present "Difficulties for the Directee in Listening" as well. Good food for a directee. Discernment, a hot topic in spiritual direction, is also dealt with in the book. How does one discern Divine Wisdom? How does one test out if indeed the inspiration is from God? How can a director be a co-discerner with his directee in listening to God's voice and inspiration? The writing is easy and light, sans technical jargons. A superb book to understand about spiritual direction - what "makes" a spiritual director and what makes a discerning directee. For one who is already a director, it makes food for thought - have I the qualities of a director? Am I called by God, or did I "make" myself a spiritual director? For one who is the directee, this book makes food for thought - do I understand why I am in spiritual direction? Is spiritual direction what I need now? Whom should I call upon to be my director?