An Introduction to Spiritual Direction: A Psychological Approach for Directors and Directees [Paperback]

Chester P. Michael (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 2004

An Introduction to Spiritual Direction is a clear, nuanced and practical handbook for spiritual directors and directees that examines what it means to be spiritually whole and the process that gets us there. It is based in part on the two-year training course that the author conducts at Spiritual Direction Institute, the teachings of the depth psychologist, Carl Jung, and the Christian traditionalists, among them, St. Francis de Sales, Ignatius of Loyola, Teresa of Avila, and John of the Cross. It is further conjoined with sections on the qualities of the good director and directee, with fascinating forays into the nature of temperament and psychological type. The core of the book is devoted to its larger question, the actual growth and acquisition of spiritual wisdom, where the stages, pitfalls, remedies, rewards, as well as the importance of spiritual direction, especially during times of crises, are examined in numerous comprehensive sections. Dovetailed with chapter notes and questions, index, and extensive bibliography, An Introduction to Spiritual Direction deserves recognition by directors, directees, counselors, students and practitioners of psychology, and religious educators. It is a great starting point for spiritual exploration.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Monsignor Chester P. Michael, who holds a doctorate in sacred theology from St. Mary's University in Baltimore, MD, conducts a training course in spiritual direction, is a giver and former director of retreats and workshops in this country and Canada, and has served as pastor and rector in dioceses throughout the United States during his many years of ministry. He is the publisher of Open Door, and is the author of seven books, including several on spiritual directorship.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Paulist Press (January 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0809141744
• ISBN-13: 978-0809141746
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #536,137 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars what's here is excellent! What's missing is critical!, April 7, 2004

By A Customer

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This review is from: An Introduction to Spiritual Direction: A Psychological Approach for Directors and Directees (Paperback)

As a minister working in spiritual direction and ministerial formation I read this book with great interest. The author presents some critical points in the journey of companioning others. His understanding of the different "levels" of faith, the work of individuation, the usefulness of Jungian thought to spirituality, is a most useful consolidation of such material. What is a major disappointment is his 'technique' that assumes that spiritual growth is all about 'us.' Nowhere does he state that effective direction is as, or even more concerned with what the Holy is doing in a directee's life as what the directee (or director) is doing. This alone is enough to have me not recommend this book to ministry colleagues and students.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Msgr. Michael's book most certainly does speak of the Holy Spirit, March 16, 2009

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Rae Stabosz "stabosz" (Newark, DE) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: An Introduction to Spiritual Direction: A Psychological Approach for Directors and Directees (Paperback)

Cautionary comment - I have not read An Introduction to Spiritual Direction from cover to cover. My purpose in posting these brief comments is to take issue with what two previous reviewers state, which is that the author does not take sufficient notice of the work of the Holy Spirit in spiritual growth. I was surprised to read that, coming to this book as a great fan of Msgr. Michael's previous title, Arise: A Christian Psychology of Love. I found it hard to believe that the author gives the Holy Spirit short shrift. So I began to browse the book. Almost immediately, I came upon Chapter 8, "How to Discern God's Will." Under the sub-heading "Openness to the Holy Spirit", Fr. Michael writes, "The primary purpose of spiritual direction is to help us maintain a constant openness to the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the presence of God's power, wisdom and love within the world and within each one of us. On the night before his death Jesus promised to send upon his apostles the gift of the Holy Spirit. He promised that this gift would remain with them always...the Holy Spirit reveals God's Will to us primarily during our daily period of personal prayer... the Holy Spirit is the invisible presence of God on earth... the Holy Spirit has an intense desire to become visibly present on Earth. "

A cursory glance through the rest of the book shows that the Holy Spirit is never far from the author's thoughts. I do not understand the criticism that says this book does not give the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity His due. The author flatly states, "Today we live in the age of the Holy Spirit and it is now the turn of the Third Person to become incarnate on Earth. This can only happen if we give ourselves over to the Holy SPirit in the same was that Mary did at the Annunciation."

3 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars disappointing, May 4, 2007

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another reader - See all my reviews

This review is from: An Introduction to Spiritual Direction: A Psychological Approach for Directors and Directees (Paperback)

I agree 100% with the reviewer "a Reader". I found the book to have more of a "self"-centered than a God-centered focus. I find it difficult to recommend this book to anyone truely looking to grow spiritually, either as a director or as a directee.