How Can I Let Go If I Don't Know I'm Holding On?: Setting Our Souls Free (An Explorefaith.Org Book) [Paperback]

Linda Douty (Author)

Book Description

Series: Explorefaith.Org | Publication Date: September 1, 2005

A look at the human need to let go - of people, perspectives, expectations, and dreams that block our path to God and our connections to others. The thread of loss is woven throughout life, and our spiritual journey is also entwined with the need to let go - of people, perspectives, expectations and dreams that block our path to God. His book examines a variety of letting-go struggles and offers ways to move on to a deeper spirituality. Full of specific strategies, as well as letting-go liturgies and prayers, It also contains reflection questions and suggestions, making the book suitable for small group study and adult formation classes.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

What kinds of things are we holding on to that prevent us from enjoying a deeper relationship with God? In this wise book, Douty, a spiritual director and United Methodist, calls readers to identify the hurts and resentments that might be affecting their relationships with God and others. Such hurts may be as simple as grieving the loss of a friendship that has run its course, or as profound as the betrayal of a spouse or partner. "A loving God leads us toward letting go as a natural process of the abundant life," Douty counsels. To help readers move on, she outlines some practical techniques such as breathwork, labyrinth walking, "dancing prayer," keeping a gratitude journal and creating something every day in the kitchen or garden. Though this will probably be most helpful to mainline and liturgical Christians, individuals of other denominations will find much that is useful on the road to healing. (Sept.)
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About the Author

Linda Douty, a spiritual director who serves on the leadership team of the Academy of Spiritual Formation, writes for religious publications, including The Upper Room and explorefaith.org. She lives in Memphis, Tennessee.

Product Details

• Paperback: 180 pages
• Publisher: Morehouse Publishing (September 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0819221325
• ISBN-13: 978-0819221322
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #252,689 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #91 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Protestantism > Anglican

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thought Provoking, Intelligent, Honest, Hopeful, November 18, 2005

By 

Kara (Upland, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How Can I Let Go If I Don't Know I'm Holding On?: Setting Our Souls Free (An Explorefaith.Org Book) (Paperback)

I agree with the previous reviewer. This book taught me so many things about how hanging on to past losses, failures, relationships, concepts and beliefs can be so unhealthy for us as human beings. Douty relates her own personal experiences as a way to help people feel they are not alone in these struggles. This book is very brave, honest account of how hanging on to the past can greatly impede our potential for peace and serenity in the present. This book was difficult for me to read at first because of the emotions involved and the extent to which I need to let go of so many things. But Douty comes out on the other side with lessons learned and a personal sense of inner peace that I aspire to every day. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is committed to travelling the sometimes frightening path to wholeness. This book will fill you with hope.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring, October 5, 2005

By 

Kelly Riley "KR" (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How Can I Let Go If I Don't Know I'm Holding On?: Setting Our Souls Free (An Explorefaith.Org Book) (Paperback)

Tremendous, compelling writing. I couldn't put it down. I could relate to so many of the stories in this book. It talks a lot about bettering your relationship with God, but it is about so much more than that. There's something in this book for virtually everyone.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Church Book Study Discussion Group Enjoys Book, March 13, 2007

By 

Barbara Craft "church chick" (collierville,tn) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: How Can I Let Go If I Don't Know I'm Holding On?: Setting Our Souls Free (An Explorefaith.Org Book) (Paperback)

Our church book study group has read and discussed a large number of books in the last several years and this book provided the material to spark the deepest and most soul searching reading and discussion we have ever experienced. None of us being perfect, we found that all of the areas that the author explored were painful to many of us also. We appreciated that the end of the book gave concise guidelines on how to let go, and that the author was so painfully honest about the areas of her life she needed to let go.