Contemplative by Design: Creating Quiet Spaces for Retreats, Workshops, Churches, and Personal Settings [Perfect Paperback]

Jane J. Young (Author), Gerrie L. Grimsley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2008

It's hard to hear oneself think in today's culture much less refresh one's soul. Sights and sounds - from ads placed on the back of toilet doors to loud ringtones or cars pulsing with bass - assault us every day. Peace and quiet seem out of place in 21st century everyday life. It's time to mute the cacophony. Meaningful and serene contemplative silence is possible. And it doesn't require an expensive trip to a spa. "We yearn for rest, and our souls hunger to be fed, yet we seldom give ourselves permission to respond to these yearnings," the authors write. "The quiet spaces described in these pages are places intentionally designed to invite sabbath rest and to encourage reflection on, and quiet awareness of, the Spirit of God." Jane Young and Gerrie Grimsley met when they agreed to help create meditative spaces for a summer retreat center event. Their innovative and yet practical efforts were so well received that they now teach others how to arrange settings and objects (such as a photograph, a leaf, a pencil) to encourage spiritual reflection and, most importantly, achieve stillness. Learn from their experience and inspiration to create your own simple prayerful oasis in your church or home that encourages new ways of communing with God. Their guidance offers a gentle hand to the path of awareness of the everyday sacred. Receive the refreshment of God's hospitality through your own experiential prayers and quiet spaces. Be still, and know that I am God.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Jane J. Young is a retired teacher whose current interests include environmental and peace issues, writing, liturgical dance, and choral music. As well as authoring 2 books, several of Jane's poems have appeard in various publications. She and her husband, Garland, live at Lake Junaluska, North Carolina. Gerrie and her husband served four years at a mission training base in England, and were privileged to lead students to India, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. As well as co-authoring, Contemplative by Design, Gerrie leads workshops on the importance of "quiet spaces" in ones daily life, and sets up quiet spaces when invited. Gerrie and Greg live in Hermitage, TN, and enjoy visits from children and grandchildren.

Product Details

• Perfect Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Upper Room (September 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0835899691
• ISBN-13: 978-0835899697
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7.8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #638,556 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars How to's of contemplative spaces, March 31, 2009

By 

D. Bostic (Dallas, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Contemplative by Design: Creating Quiet Spaces for Retreats, Workshops, Churches, and Personal Settings (Perfect Paperback)

Contemplative by Design: Creating Quiet Spaces for Retreats, Workshops, Churches, and Personal Spaces
When I first saw this wonderful book, I was intrigued by the purposeful, yet creative, examples of how to create a sacred space of contemplation. I was impressed by the way the authors, Gerri Grimsley and Jane Young, have brought together - in one book - all the details that make for a meaningful, contemplative experience.
I used this book for a retreat recently and everyone was touched in some significant way by one, if not all, the 6 spaces we set up (out of 15 available in the book).
As a person with passion for things contemplative, I am so thankful for this reference, as it is sometimes difficult to explain to another person how to get to a contemplative state, even when the person's own needs or desires invite gentle guidance. It can be used as a primer or for those who are already well on the journey of contemplative practices. Each person relates on his or her level of experience, so there is no gauge of proficiency to get in the way of finding that quiet, silent place where one can be with God.
The book is not cluttered with predictable images that take away from the intended message. I was moved by the almost sacred simplicity of the photography and artwork in each section. Coupled with Scripture verses and inspiring poetry reflecting those Scriptures, these elements together seem a perfect visual and written set up of what is to come. It is an invitation to "come and see" what is then brought to life in each of the chapters. There are three parts to each chapter which gives you not only background for that particular space, but instruction on how to create the space, then use it.
It is obvious that a lot of thought...and yes, contemplation...went into bringing this book to life for the rest of us. Grimsley and Young take you step-by-step through the fundamental process of building the space and then help you to bring that space alive so that the experience is meaningful on many levels. They have left plenty of room for one's own creative expression, and in fact, encourage it.
I will be using this incredible book again and again as a tool to help others "come and see" what awaits them through contemplative living.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not what I expected, October 1, 2008

By 

Ulysses Castillo "ulyssescastillo" (Eudora, KS United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Contemplative by Design: Creating Quiet Spaces for Retreats, Workshops, Churches, and Personal Settings (Perfect Paperback)

I originally purchased this book because it was recommended in a magazine as a book for designing creative altars. But that isn't what this is about.

What the book is actually about is creating what I have generally called "prayer stations." That is, some table (or "space") with objects or scriptures to interact with in a prayerful way. For example, in chapter 1, "All of Life," a table is set up with a Bible and some pictures (landscape and/or portrait) from National Geographic or some such and participants are invited to read Psalm 139 and contemplate where they see God in one of the pictures.

There are a total of 15 examples in the book. Each example has 2 parts: first, the "leaders" portion with a list of all the materials needed and "procedures" for executing the design and second, a "participants" portion with what participants are asked to do/read.

The "materials" section is usually quite good.

The "procedure" section is always quite silly. The first instruction is always "reserve the space". The last instruction is always "pray a blessing over the space." The middle part is pretty obvious: some variation of "set it all up."

There are no pictures, so no sense for how a tasteful looking space might actually look like.

Most of the prayer stations are designed to be used by only 1 participant at a time. This limits the possibilities and much adaption would be required if you had multiple participants at the same time.

Still, it is a nice set of prayer stations that can be used in a variety of settings, and I do plan on using some of these ideas from time-to-time.