Discernment: The Art of Choosing Well, Revised Edition [Paperback]

Pierre Wolff (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 6, 2003

Making good decisions are among the most difficult challenges in life. In Discernment: The Art of Choosing Well, readers will find a comprehensive guide to making choices, either individually or in groups. It is based on the time-tested spiritual exercises of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, the sixteenth-century founder of the Jesuits who developed a systemic way of considering and making choices.
The author, a renowned teacher of Ignatian spirituality, leads readers on a journey of self-reflection, focusing on the process of discernment rather than on the particular problem at hand. As a result, the decision-making process outlined here can be applied to decisions in any area of life, whether personal, professional, or spiritual.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Pierre Wolff is a notable teacher of discernment and Ingatian spirituality and an internationally acclaimed retreat master. Born in Marseille, France, he ministered as a Jesuit priest for almost forty years, traveling to a dozen countries and giving retreats and workshops on Ignatian spirituality. In 1988, he became a priest in the Episcopal Church. He has devoted most of his life to helping people learn to pray, use discernment to make decisions, and consciously grow their spirituality. He is now married and lives in Connecticut.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Liguori; Revised edition (June 6, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 076480989X
• ISBN-13: 978-0764809897
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #372,297 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Choice Advice, February 21, 2005

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wvano "wvano" (Philadelphia, PA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Discernment: The Art of Choosing Well, Revised Edition (Paperback)

Discernment is not so much about the dozens of don't-sweat-the-small-stuff decisions we make every day. Instead it's a process of bringing our best judgment and divine inspiration to bear on the major choices in our lives.

As such, this popular introduction to the art of discernment can be of benefit to a wide audience. Wolff presents the tradition of choosing wisely rooted in the writings of St. Ignatius of Loyola in a succinct and practical manner. He stresses basic principles such as taking adequate time, listening to both your head and heart, and clarifying your most deeply held values.

Though Christian values are emphasized, the author contends that these methods of discernment can profit people of various faith backgrounds, or lack thereof. He also provides helpful guidelines for group discernment.

33 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!, April 24, 2000

By 

Jennifer A. Drake (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Discernment: The Art of Choosing Well (Paperback)

This is a MUST for anyone who is in the process of making a significant decision and especially for anyone who struggles with the decision-making process. This succinct, practical and very insightful little book is a help that does not overwhelm. Rather, it takes the reader through a gentle journey of self-reflection, emphasizing the glory of free will and choice.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Practical for Action, May 29, 2007

By 

EdC - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Discernment: The Art of Choosing Well, Revised Edition (Paperback)

This book was a pleasant surprise. I am a Catholic involved in business leadership. I am frequently involved in making decisions that affect the lives of many people.

This book is one I expect to hold onto as a useful long-term reference. It offers a practical method for developing the ability to become more aware of God's will.

Even small steps in this direction have been personally ground-breaking for me. I highly recommend this book to those seeking to make decisions with the deepest personal integrity of a spiritually connected conscience.