the Art of Spiritual Direction and William J Connolly

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Sep eleven, 2019 Tamara Spud rated it really liked information technology

In Barry & Connolly's Practice of Spiritual Direction I was struck with encouragement that spiritual directors should possess a kind of love the authors chosen a "surplus of warmth" in order to foster relationships with the diverse personalities and life circumstances. I appreciated the additional insight to that surplus of warmth as the three attitudes: commitment, effort to understand, and spontaneity. The attitude of spontaneity every bit defined by the authors felt specially encouraging to me as I In Barry & Connolly's Practice of Spiritual Direction I was struck with encouragement that spiritual directors should possess a kind of love the authors chosen a "surplus of warmth" in order to foster relationships with the diverse personalities and life circumstances. I appreciated the additional insight to that surplus of warmth as the three attitudes: commitment, effort to understand, and spontaneity. The attitude of spontaneity as divers by the authors felt especially encouraging to me as I've wondered about what information technology means to be myself in relation to those I directly:

"Spontaneity means that spiritual directors are themselves, not controlled and inhibited past their part every bit spiritual directors, only able to express their own feelings, thoughts, and hopes when expressing them volition be helpful to directees. Without spontaneity, 'commitment and effort to sympathize will appear cold, impersonal, and stereotyped'."

Another favorite quotation that describes so well the qualities of a spiritual director that I'd promise to describe me:

"The kinds of men and women most likely to engender trust in others are those described in the same report as adult persons. They are not perfect, only they are relatively mature. They show signs of having engaged in life and with people. They are optimistic, simply not naive, good-humored, simply not glad-handers. They have suffered, but not been overcome by suffering. They have loved and been loved and know the struggle of trying to exist a friend to another. They have friends for whom they intendance securely. They have experienced failure and sinfulness - their own and others' - but seem at ease with themselves in a fashion that indicates an experience of being saved and freed past a power greater than the power of failure and sin. They are relatively unafraid of life with all its low-cal and darkness, all its mystery."

Barry and Connolly offered some helpful insight into the realm of entering into prayer with those who may feel God, prayer, church, and spirituality in ways that differ from my own experience. They recommend that spiritual directors possess a knowledge of diverse Christian religious experiences in a posture of empathy and awareness of non-Christian religious experiences in lodge to "transcend...personal absolutes" and remain open to a "sense of wonder" toward the capability of God to communicate with people through a variety of experience.

In this way, I'thou becoming less fearful of the more abstract terms I've read in my written report of spiritual management. For example, the following explanation of God every bit Mystery felt helpful to me:

"The Mystery nosotros call God is simply that - mystery; non mystery in the sense of an unknown, but eventually knowable, stranger, merely mystery in the sense that God is too rich, as well deep, and too loving to be knowable and is, therefore, God. Spiritual directors can be only helping companions to those who travel the way of such a God."

Another paragraph I found especially helpful equally I consider offer spiritual direction as a wife of a parish priest was Barry and Connolly's description of "working alliances" and "conflicting loyalties" in chapter 9.

"Spiritual direction, therefore, explicitly acknowledges what is often merely implicit in other forms of pastoral care: that the directees' desire for more life, more integration, more than union with God is grounded in the indwelling Spirit and that God is an active Other in the human relationship. The working alliance is thus grounded in mystery and explicitly acknowledges that the manner, too, is mystery."

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Ch. 2
"In the modern world where unbelief has go or is rapidly becoming 'the natural and normative condition,'believers have two options. One is to retreat into smaller and smaller ghettos of 'true believers; who reinforce one another'south 'beleaguered religion.' The other is, for the Christian, to become too the centre of Christianity. (For those of other faiths it is to go to the heart of their faith.) That heart is the. experience in faith, hope, and love that Jesus is my savior and the world's and t Ch. 2
"In the modern earth where unbelief has become or is quickly becoming 'the natural and normative condition,'believers have two options. One is to retreat into smaller and smaller ghettos of 'true believers; who reinforce one another'due south 'beleaguered organized religion.' The other is, for the Christian, to go also the heart of Christianity. (For those of other faiths information technology is to go to the eye of their faith.) That center is the. experience in faith, promise, and love that Jesus is my savior and the world's and that I want to answer to him." (18)

Ch. 3
"Spiritual direction is help with the evolution of one's relationship with God.... Directors practise not create relationships betwixt God and their directs; they try to foster such relationships." (31)

Ch. 4
"What does a spiritual manager practice?" (1) empathetic listening (2) paying attention (iii) affirming (4) assisting in clarification (five) raising questions when the straight wants them, and (6) helping the direct to recognize the affective attitudes that influence his or her mental attitude to God. (47)

In learning to contemplate God: "They would benefit more from spending time at first in some activity they enjoy that has a wistful attribute to it." (53)

Ch. 6
"Traditional Christian teaching on spiritual life has often spoken of movements of the spirits. In his Rules for the Discernment of Spirits, Ignatius of Loyola describes feature movements of the 'good spirit' and the evil spirit.' A major props of the 'evil spirit' is to thwart the movements of the 'good spirit' toward God." (86)

"Since God is semper maior - always greater - i can expect that relating to God will mean being open to continuous novelty and thus continuous change of images. Spiritual idolatry could be seen as the unwillingness to allow God be other than one'due south nowadays prototype." (93)

"Resistances frequently crystallize around some kind of secret: There is something I don't want God, or my director - or oftentimes enough, myself - to know well-nigh. The resistance begins to occur when the 'secret' gets shut to the surface of sensation." (104)

"Directors should use direct and nontechnical words with people." (106)

Ch. seven
"If we recognize that discernment is, infamy, nothing more than than being able to recognize and admit differences, we can appreciate both its simplicity and its value." (109)

"Often enough, such dullness and altitude occur (in prayer) considering important affective attitudes are not being expressed." (111)

(In prayer) "Ignatius is not alarmed at the prospect of sadness or upset; it is unruffled equanimity that bothers him." (113)

Determination
"Those who are familiar with the Exercises frequently speak of a 'Showtime Week' or a '2d Week' dynamic. In a language that seems more conspicuously expressive of the actual feel of retreat ants, we would refer to the 'First Week' dynamic as that stage when directs are desirers of, and struggling against, God's willingness to love and save them, warts and all. the dandy achievement of this dynamic is the liberty to receive love, salvation, forgiveness from God. The 'Second Week dynamic represents the struggle of Christians to take on the values of Jesus, identify with him, and care for what he cares for. the achievement is companionships with Jesus, their freedom to requite or to serve every bit Jesus gave and served." (206)

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Curt Review: I am considering going to formal grooming to become a spiritual director. Considering I am who I am, I decided to read widely about spiritual direction as part of the determination making process.

This is a classic (originally published in 1982). The authors are Catholic, but it is widely ecumenical in language and approach. The showtime two chapters are describing what spiritual direction is and what is supposed to reach. The rest is instruction for spiritual directors. This is the near

Short Review: I am considering going to formal training to become a spiritual manager. Because I am who I am, I decided to read widely well-nigh spiritual direction equally office of the determination making process.

This is a archetype (originally published in 1982). The authors are Catholic, but it is widely ecumenical in language and approach. The beginning ii chapters are describing what spiritual direction is and what is supposed to accomplish. The rest is instruction for spiritual directors. This is the most helpful volume written for spiritual directors I have read so far.

A slightly longer review is on my weblog http://bookwi.se/the-exercise-of-spir...

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Jun 19, 2021 Shannon rated information technology it was ok

If this book wasn't required reading for my training program, I wouldn't have read it. It took me nearly three months to finish it, but I did find the last section to be the best section. There was a lot of repetition from other books in the first two sections, but I did find the description of a manager and directee every bit beingness in an brotherhood together a good one.

Non a book I would recommend simply ultimately useful.

"Spiritual direction is a helping relationship, but the help offered is more than like that of a companion on a journey than of an expert who, earlier the journey begins, advises what roads to accept and answers the travelers questions" (145).

In this now classic book, Jesuit authors William Barry and William Connolly offer a very good overview of the exercise and challenge of spiritual direction. They cover a lot of ground - from the centrality of religious experience in Christianity today to the impor

"Spiritual direction is a helping relationship, but the help offered is more like that of a companion on a journeying than of an good who, earlier the journeying begins, advises what roads to take and answers the travelers questions" (145).

In this at present classic book, Jesuit authors William Barry and William Connolly offer a very skilful overview of the exercise and challenge of spiritual direction. They cover a lot of ground - from the centrality of religious experience in Christianity today to the importance of regular supervision for the individual spiritual director (and everything in between). This book is accessible and useful; it can be read as an introduction for those because spiritual management, a manual for those undergoing training in spiritual direction, and a guide for seasoned practitioners in the fine art of spiritual direction.

In "The Practice of Spiritual Direction" the authors reiterate ane thing over and over again: spiritual management is focused on the directee's personal relationship with God experienced affectively through prayer. This is non counseling; it does non seek to resolve a directee's personal bug one past i or assistance him or her to come up to grips with night secrets and twisted childhoods. Issues will be dealt with and bug will exist overcome, but merely through the relation between God and the directee. A spiritual director is non present to give communication, pedagogy, or solutions. He or she is non a psychoanalyst on the ane hand or a guru on the other hand. A manager is like a midwife, drawing out from each directee that which already exists. As a midwife, a director asks provocative questions that reach to the heart and allow a directee to manifest thoughts, feelings, and desires direct to God.

I read this as part of a spiritual direction training program. While not as eminently practical and useful as Maureen Conroy's work, this serves every bit a very necessary overview and foundation for the practice.

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I accept begun a new position this year, and in that office I am able to offer some spiritual direction to the team members that I work with, and my own spiritual managing director suggested this book every bit a helpful and exemplary introduction into the practise. I establish it to be just that! Although at times it leaned a bit on the formal and/or instructional side (particularly the commencement, which introduced the history of spiritual direction, and the concluding chapters that were focused on the elements of the relat I have begun a new position this twelvemonth, and in that role I am able to offering some spiritual direction to the squad members that I piece of work with, and my ain spiritual director suggested this book equally a helpful and exemplary introduction into the practice. I found it to be only that! Although at times information technology leaned a bit on the formal and/or instructional side (particularly the beginning, which introduced the history of spiritual direction, and the final chapters that were focused on the elements of the relationships directors have with directees and supervisors), I largely found this book to be really richly written. I was grateful for the attention to dazzler that seemed to deport through, subtle but withal present and in that mode elevating it from being a more than straightforward read. I found a smashing deal of wisdom within its pages that have not only been formative for helping me to understand and shape my fledgling exercise of offering spiritual direction to others, only too on a personal level deepened and enlivened my own spiritual life. ...more

Sep 08, 2019 A.J. Mendoza rated it really liked it

Barry and Connolly do a wonderful task diving deeper into the idea of leading someone into finding God in their experiences and using those discoveries to develop one'southward matrimony with him. This is a must read for anyone wanting to go a spiritual direction, seeing every bit how our authors clearly line out who a spiritual manager is and who a spiritual director is not. Utilizing a variety of aboriginal Christian writings, psychoanalytic philosophy, and modernistic experiences, Barry and Connolly show their educ Barry and Connolly practise a wonderful chore diving deeper into the idea of leading someone into finding God in their experiences and using those discoveries to develop one's union with him. This is a must read for anyone wanting to go a spiritual direction, seeing every bit how our authors clearly line out who a spiritual director is and who a spiritual managing director is not. Utilizing a diversity of ancient Christian writings, psychoanalytic philosophy, and modernistic experiences, Barry and Connolly show their teaching and expertise throughout every folio. I will warn you lot. This is non a volume to discover "format" for one-on-one or group scenarios. It is a "why" book and not a "how". Thus, this book is not to be taken by itself, but instead can be the field lines in which the game is played, so to speak. ...more

iii.five. My goal is to read all of the varied perspectives and philosophies on Spiritual Direction. Though SD is not only a Christian practice, this is an explicitly Christian book. The authors do give a nod occasionally to the experiences of others in different traditions, and stress the trust in God inherent in sitting with someone every bit a companion. Barry and Connolly have a lot of good things to say, especially in the latter half of the volume when they get into the interpersonal dynamics of the SD r 3.5. My goal is to read all of the varied perspectives and philosophies on Spiritual Direction. Though SD is not only a Christian do, this is an explicitly Christian volume. The authors practise requite a nod occasionally to the experiences of others in dissimilar traditions, and stress the trust in God inherent in sitting with someone every bit a companion. Barry and Connolly accept a lot of proficient things to say, especially in the latter half of the volume when they get into the interpersonal dynamics of the SD human relationship. ...more

Information technology's a basic text for those hoping to become Spiritual Directors, or fifty-fifty but hoping to know more nigh the process.
Though, I retrieve the book shows it's age a fleck by referring to theologians of the 1960s-80s as "modernistic" thinkers.
Direction, and Supervision of directors, is discussed almost clinically… which helps in learning but makes information technology seem formulaic; which they say is annihilation but since every directing human relationship is different.

October 31, 2021 Rachel rated it really liked it

Actually solid theoretical intro to spiritual direction. This book did a great task defining terms and getting to the centre of the purpose of management- facilitating a deeper relationship with the Lord. I'm especially thankful for the chapter on wistful life. Even though this book is a flake dated, I notwithstanding found plenty of relevant insight hither. Actually solid theoretical intro to spiritual direction. This book did a great task defining terms and getting to the centre of the purpose of direction- facilitating a deeper relationship with the Lord. I'yard especially thankful for the affiliate on contemplative life. Fifty-fifty though this book is a flake dated, I nevertheless found enough of relevant insight here. ...more than

Excellent book on the nuances of Spiritual Management, but it is a dumbo read which means you'd want to sit with it and consider the data carefully. It provides splendid definitions of the purpose of spiritual management for the director and as a directee. Fantabulous book on the nuances of Spiritual Direction, just information technology is a dense read which means you'd want to sit with it and consider the information advisedly. It provides excellent definitions of the purpose of spiritual direction for the director and as a directee. ...more

Deeply thoughtful and practical. Focused on the specifics of spiritual direction as it'south one unique ministry building, but very applicable to all pastoral intendance. All pastors ought to read this one. Deeply thoughtful and practical. Focused on the specifics of spiritual direction as it'south one unique ministry, but very applicative to all pastoral care. All pastors ought to read this i. ...more

So many thoughts. I will exist delving into this.

Jan 10, 2019 John Buchanan rated it it was amazing

Summit shelf. Written by people who have had long experience in the piece of work of spiritual direction. Realistic and frank; it feels as if the authors have zip to prove.

A Solid Blend

Peachy mix of history, theory and practice of spiritual direction. Appreciated the fictionalized dialogues equally a ways to dissimilarity different approaches.

Very hulpful and stimulating

This book is very helpful and stimulating to a beginning spiritual managing director like me. Information technology provides a mirror to reverberate on, and grow in i'southward experience.

Very hulpful and stimulating

This book is very helpful and stimulating to a beginning spiritual director similar me. Information technology provides a mirror to reflect on, and grow in i'south experience.

...more

Jun 22, 2020 Andy rated it actually liked it

Very helpful overview on the practice of spiritual management within the framework of a Christian worldview.

Apr 30, 2021 Dawn Grabs rated it it was astonishing

This review has been hidden considering information technology contains spoilers. To view it, click here. The first chapter or two were difficult because it was more theory. The rest of the book is very helpful though for how to deepen your relationship with God and aid others do this.

Fantastic resource for everyone accompanying others in their walk with God.

Great book for would be spiritual directors

Very helpful book nu two seasoned spiritual directors. Thorough insights combined with transcripts of actual cases. Also a section on supervision for the director.

This volume has a great Biblical and spiritual background to providing insight on Spiritual Management. It's focus is on fostering Relationship with God, which is really what Religion itself is all most. In fact, there are many insights on prayer and condign closer to God in this book that I would recommend it, at least Function 2 of it, to people other than Spiritual Directors.

Practical and thorough book on Spiritual Management from defining information technology to fostering the relationship between managing director and directee. It's a deep dive into the nuts and bolts. I previously read this book in 2022 as a lay managing director in training. Now in a formal training program, this book is a much welcomed guidebook for looking at spiritual directing with a magnifying glass. This will be a volume that I go back to over and over for practical help, course correcting, and problem solving as a Spiritual Dir Practical and thorough book on Spiritual Direction from defining it to fostering the relationship between director and directee. It'due south a deep dive into the basics and bolts. I previously read this book in 2022 as a lay manager in training. Now in a formal training programme, this book is a much welcomed guidebook for looking at spiritual directing with a magnifying glass. This will be a book that I go back to over and over for practical help, class correcting, and problem solving equally a Spiritual Director. ...more

Feb 07, 2010 Tristy rated it liked information technology

When I was in seminary, this was the only book almost Spiritual Direction that was fifty-fifty close to being Interfaith. Now, I believe there are a few more options, simply none really capture authors William Barry & William Connolly's openness and grounded communication and guidance. That beingness said, everything shared in this volume has a Christian arroyo. The Williams just presume that anybody agrees that Spiritual Direction is ever about the human relationship with God and Prayer. I beg to differ and my private p When I was in seminary, this was the just book virtually Spiritual Direction that was even shut to being Interfaith. Now, I believe there are a few more than options, but none actually capture authors William Barry & William Connolly's openness and grounded advice and guidance. That being said, everything shared in this book has a Christian approach. The Williams just assume that everyone agrees that Spiritual Direction is always about the human relationship with God and Prayer. I beg to differ and my private practice shows that EVERYONE has a spiritual life (whether they even use that word, or not) and Everyone has a right to a companion in Spiritual Direction, even if their spiritual lives circumduct around their garden, or their art, or their relationship with a mountain. If you lot can handle all the God talk and notwithstanding receive the deeper gifts of this volume, it is a wonderfully helpful read that breaks down many important aspects of the Spiritual Direction relationship, from transference to fostering a contemplative attitude, it's all here and information technology'due south all helpful. ...more

Apr 01, 2009 Nate rated it it was astonishing

Really bang-up introduction into the differing aspects of spiritual direction from two Catholic priests with open up arms to Protestants. It taught me a lot of things about what I should be looking for as a directee, and how to help people overcome obstacles in their relationships with God. This really clarified the purpose of spiritual direction -- to help people attend to what God is saying to them through their life circumstances, and to respond accordingly. Information technology's a primary foundation of Christian Really slap-up introduction into the differing aspects of spiritual direction from two Catholic priests with open arms to Protestants. Information technology taught me a lot of things nearly what I should be looking for as a directee, and how to help people overcome obstacles in their relationships with God. This really antiseptic the purpose of spiritual management -- to help people attend to what God is saying to them through their life circumstances, and to respond accordingly. It's a primary foundation of Christian discipleship, no thing what stripe. ...more

A very practical book which lays an excellent foundation for the practice of a form of spiritual direction that is entirely focused on helping people develop a growing, intimate human relationship with a loving God. Information technology helps spiritual directors facilitate, non boss, the procedure. This book is very lucidly written and total of wisdom built-in of long, prayerful and practical experience. This volume is must reading for anyone who is considering, or who is fulfilling, a vocation in this form of ministry. Thi A very applied volume which lays an fantabulous foundation for the practise of a form of spiritual direction that is entirely focused on helping people develop a growing, intimate relationship with a loving God. It helps spiritual directors facilitate, not dominate, the procedure. This book is very lucidly written and full of wisdom built-in of long, prayerful and practical feel. This book is must reading for anyone who is considering, or who is fulfilling, a vocation in this form of ministry building. This is the kind of volume I want to read over again periodically to let information technology sink in. ...more

December 31, 2016 Jeremy rated it it was amazing

This is the book I've been looking for! All the books on spiritual direction I've read to this betoken have been rather vague and abstract, which is understandable given the nature of spiritual management. All the same, I've been wanting to read about the practical aspects of what spiritual direction looks like. This is that book.

I would not recommend this book to anyone who isn't currently pursuing the contemplative aspect of the Christian life as the book will probable be either uninteresting or even of

This is the book I've been looking for! All the books on spiritual direction I've read to this signal have been rather vague and abstract, which is understandable given the nature of spiritual direction. However, I've been wanting to read about the practical aspects of what spiritual management looks like. This is that book.

I would not recommend this book to anyone who isn't currently pursuing the contemplative aspect of the Christian life as the book will likely be either uninteresting or even off-putting.

...more

December eleven, 2012 Amy Beth rated it really liked information technology

This book is written to explain how to get a spiritual managing director, simply information technology is merely every bit informative for the person who wants to meliorate in prayer. The essence of the volume is that condign close to God is like any relationship--it takes time, actuality, and communication. As in other relationships, periods of closeness will be intermingled with times when we pull away for many reasons. The all-time solution is to realize what our blocks are and to talk to God directly about them.

Aug 26, 2008 Melinda rated information technology actually liked it

First-class explanation of spiritual direction in both the manager's office and the directee's part. It gives examples and comments and looks into contemplation..."Those who are helped by spiritual management will, we hope work for the coming of the kingdom of God on globe..." p.199 Which is basically the whole signal of the book and of spiritual direction. Splendid explanation of spiritual management in both the managing director's role and the directee'south part. It gives examples and comments and looks into contemplation..."Those who are helped by spiritual direction volition, we hope work for the coming of the kingdom of God on earth..." p.199 Which is basically the whole signal of the book and of spiritual direction. ...more

William (Bill) Barry, a distinguished spiritual managing director and author, was born in Worchester, MA. He entered the Society of Jesus in 1950, studied philosophy in Germany from 1953 until 1956, and was at Weston Higher for theology studies from 1959 until 1963. Ordained a priest in 1962, Barry went on to earn a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Michigan in 1968.

In 1969, he began tea

William (Nib) Barry, a distinguished spiritual director and author, was built-in in Worchester, MA. He entered the Society of Jesus in 1950, studied philosophy in Deutschland from 1953 until 1956, and was at Weston College for theology studies from 1959 until 1963. Ordained a priest in 1962, Barry went on to earn a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Michigan in 1968.

In 1969, he began teaching psychology at Weston School of Theology, Cambridge, MA, and in 1971 was named manager for the Center for Religious Development. He served in both capacities until 1978, when he was put in charge of germination for the New England Jesuit Province. Barry was the Banana Manager of Novices for the Province (1985-88) when he was named Rector of Boston College.

From 1991 to 1997, he served every bit Provincial of the New England Jesuits. Following that, he was named co-director of the Jesuit Tertianship Program. Barry directs retreats at Campion Center in Weston, MA.

Despite such a busy and committed life, Barry establish the time to write fifteen books, including The Exercise of Spiritual Direction, God and You, Finding God in All Things, Spiritual Direction and the Encounter with God, Who Do You Say I Am?, With an Everlasting Dearest, and A Friendship Similar No Other.

Barry has the rare ability to present complex spiritual issues in clear, well-written prose. He is one of the well-nigh influential Ignatian commentators at piece of work today.

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"Spiritual direction, therefore, explicitly acknowledges what is ofttimes simply implicit in other forms of pastoral care: that the directees' desire for more life, more integration, more wedlock with God is grounded in the indwelling Spirit and that God is an agile Other in the human relationship. The working alliance is thus grounded in mystery and explicitly acknowledges that the style, too, is mystery." — i likes

"When I enquire myself what nigh frequently prevents me from doing expert, I may discover that information technology is non impulses to evil, but a fear that I will be idea of every bit dissimilar by my friends and colleagues. Or information technology may exist a question that cannot be answered like: "How practise I know that spending energy beingness kind to people effectually me is really worthwhile?" Oft the same question that now prevents me from making artistic Christian decisions also immobilized me ten years before. Inner arguments that persistently succeed in preventing us from responding to God are exceptionally hardy. The aforementioned question, if it is constructive at all, can continue to be effective for decades. Such questions and inner arguments can be recognized for what they are by the fact that they seldom lead to answers and consistently stop motion toward God." — 1 likes

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