Awakening the Creative Spirit: Bringing the Arts to Spiritual Direction (Spiritual Directors International) (Spiritual Directors International Books) [Large Print] [Paperback]

Betsey Beckman (Author), Christine Valters Paintner (Author)

Book Description

Series: Spiritual Directors International Books | Publication Date: February 1, 2010

The new resource is designed to help spiritual directors and others use expressive arts in the context of spiritual direction. It is the latest book in the unique SDI series, designed for professional spiritual directors, but also useful for clergy, therapists, and Christian formation specialists.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"... [A]n inspiring and regenerating piece of work that teaches the intrinsic significance of the arts and the value of engaging body, mind and spirit in creative pursuit of awakening the Holy that resides within." -- Rebecca Bradburn Langer, D. Min., Adjunct Faculty, San Francisco Theological Seminary Program in Christian Spirituality, Spiritual Director, Pastor and teacher of supervisors in "Together In The Mystery" with Dr. Maria Tattu Bowen

"Christine Valters Paintner and Betsey Beckman showcase the gifts of storytelling, imagination, dance, visual art, music, movement, poetry and presence. Through a gentle weaving of their insightful work, with reflections from workshop participants and the community of spiritual directors, the authors prepare a dazzling palette for discovery and deepening." -- Marianne Hieb, RSM, ATR, MFA, D.Min., Director, Lourdes Wellness Spirituality Program, and author of Inner Journeying through Art-Journaling

"I put this at the top of the list as required reading for spiritual directors and spiritual formation classes. The clear, foundational writing introduces `art in service to the soul.' Brimming with multiple art forms, we get to hear the voices of directors and directees who are profoundly affected by the arts. This book is the next best thing to learning directly from such wise, inspiring teachers." -- Cynthia Winton-Henry, cofounder of InterPlay®, author of Dance--A Sacred Art, and What the Body Wants.

"Replete with exercises, examples, stories, and resources, Awakening the Creative Spirit offers the most comprehensive guide to date on how to develop the `spark of divine creativity' embedded in us all. Those of us engaged in teaching the art of spiritual direction will find in it a beautiful introduction to the arts as the `language of the soul.'" --Mary Rose Bumpus, RSM, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Spirituality, School of Theology and Ministry Seattle University Mary Rose Bumpus, RSM, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Spirituality, School of Theology and Ministry Seattle University

"We have been far too left-brained, verbal, and linear in our attempts to transform and mature actual people--intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually. Here we have two women filling the tragic gap--and beautifully so! Spiritual direction is the growing edge of ministry today and this excellent book will surely direct that growth." -- Father Richard Rohr, O.F.M.

"Word, image, music, dance: this book provides a rich vocabulary for entering more deeply into conversation and communion with the One who gives us the arts as path to knowing God." --Jan Richardson, artist and author, In Wisdom's Path: Discovering the Sacred in Every Season

About the Author

Christine Valters Paintner holds a Ph.D. in Christian spirituality from the Graduate Theological Union and is an adjunct faculty member at Seattle Universitys School of Theology and Ministry. She is also a registered expressive arts consultant and educator, author of Lectio Divina: Contemplative Awakening and Awareness, and art editor for Presence Journal. Betsey Beckman holds a Master of Ministry degree from Seattle University and is a nationally acclaimed liturgical dancer, story teller, and teacher of dancing. She also produces a series of storytelling DVDs through The Dancing Word.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Church Publishing Inc.; large type edition edition (February 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0819223719
• ISBN-13: 978-0819223715
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #97,739 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #49 in Books > Large Print > Religion & Spirituality

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This one's a keeper!, October 24, 2010

By 

ChessieBooks (VA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Awakening the Creative Spirit: Bringing the Arts to Spiritual Direction (Spiritual Directors International) (Spiritual Directors International Books) (Paperback)

I am a spiritual director in training and I have already discovered several persons who are exploring their own journeys with God through music, art, and dance. I wish that I had this book a year ago when I had my first spiritual direction session with an older lady rediscovering her love of drawing after years of listening to her strict religious father tell her it was a useless waste of time. In recent years, I have even found myself drawn to art journaling and poetry, both of which are included in this book.

Another reviewer mentioned that this book was not helpful in terms of traditional spiritual direction. There are numerous other books that address that subject. If that is what you are looking for then I would recommned the classic text The Practice of Spiritual Direction by William A. Barry and William Connolly. But, if you find yourself and/or your directees interested in the creative arts then this book is a goldmine of ideas to help you. There is also a very useful bibliography in the back listing many other useful sources.

Thanks for this book. It's just what I needed and I will definitely keep it as a reference in my spiritual direction library!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awakening the Creative Spirit, October 26, 2010

By 

Jo - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Awakening the Creative Spirit: Bringing the Arts to Spiritual Direction (Spiritual Directors International) (Spiritual Directors International Books) (Paperback)

Since I am a spiritual director, I will find this book a great help as more often than not the inner life and desires of a person are revealed in other than words. I appreciate this source as a help to such people. It will also be helpful for me to process my inner journey.

14 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars a mistakenly titled book, March 3, 2010

By 

jane "jane" (OH) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Awakening the Creative Spirit: Bringing the Arts to Spiritual Direction (Spiritual Directors International) (Spiritual Directors International Books) (Paperback)

Given that this book title refers to spiritual direction, I was surprised to find there is virtually no focus on classic direction within these pages. What is present in this work is a great overview of the use of arts in spiritual formation work. As individuals seek to find ways to encounter the Holy, these activities are quite useful. What is lacking in this book is the whole dimension of traditional direction--how is the Holy encountering the individual? What is God doing here? This unfortunate lack of a traditional contemplative listening focus betrays the title.