An ECPA 2003 Gold Medallion Finalist! We need companions on our spiritual journey. The modern world has taught us to value autonomy and individualism. Our churches often see spirituality as personal and private. But we cannot go long in our Christian pilgrimage before realizing that isolation leads to spiritual barrenness. We soon discover that our souls long for accompaniment, intimacy and spiritual friendship. As a result, many Christians today are rediscovering the ancient practice of spiritual direction. In this inviting guide, David G. Benner introduces readers to the riches of spiritual friendship and direction, explaining what they are and how they are practiced. Spiritual direction moves beyond mere moral lifestyle accountability and goes deeper than popular notions of mentoring or discipling. Through prayerful, guided attunement to God's activity, sacred companions provide care for the soul. If we are to experience significant spiritual formation and growth, our souls must be nurtured through spiritual companions. Benner, well-accustomed to God's work through relationships, models the kind of traveling companion who can move us toward deeper intimacy with God.
Sacred Companions
and over one million other books are available for Amazon Kindle. Learn more
| ||||||||||||||||||||
Book Description
Frequently Bought Together
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Spiritual direction is in vogue, although like so many other practices found in contemporary spiritual expression, it's a time-honored discipline for spiritual development. Benner, with impressive credentials in depth-psychology and psychoanalysis and author or editor of multiple books in the field, gives evangelical Christians a gentle introduction to spiritual direction and friendship, and to the mystical knowledge of God in which these practices are rooted. He acknowledges early in the book the skepticism of his intended audience. "Protestants are often suspicious of mysticism," he writes, linking this observation to a criticism of excessively intellectual processing of God's word as revealed in the Bible and as proclaimed from the pulpit by centuries of preachers. There is another way of knowing God, Benner suggests, and spiritual direction is a useful and legitimate tool for working toward this theologically unimpeachable aim. He uses the Protestant-friendly language of "spiritual discipline" and "prayer" and widens the meaning of these terms by adding Catholic figures such as Ignatius Loyola, Thomas Merton and Henri Nouwen to the mix. He also draws upon early Christian history and its practice of centering prayer. His writing is occasionally repetitive and abstract too many words circling around a core of meaning. On the whole, however, Benner's book represents a vital attempt to stoke the fire of spirit in order to grow in Christian faith.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
About the Author
David G. Benner is director of the Institute for Psychospiritual Health and Distinguished Professor of Psychology and Spirituality at the Psychological Studies Institute in Atlanta, Georgia. An experienced spiritual director and retreat leader, Benner is the author and editor of many books, including the Baker Encyclopedia of Psychology and Counseling and Care of Souls. He is an executive editor of the journal Conversations.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images? |
More About the Author
Dr. David G. Benner is an internationally known depth psychologist, author, lecturer and cartographer of the human spirit and soul. The underlying passion of his life has been the understanding and pursuit of transformation - not merely healing or even growth, but the unfolding of the self associated with a journey of awakening. This has been the focus of his more than three decades of work in psychoanalytic psychotherapy and his more recent work as a transformational architect and coach. He can be found online through his website at http://www.drdavidgbenner.ca/ or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/DrDavidGBenner or Twitter @drdavidgbenner.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
19 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Recently, I've started getting interested in the Spiritual Direction, so I picked up this book. I expected it to be a practical book about how to give spiritual direction. And, I'm glad to say that I was not disappointed.
Dr. Benner gives us two paths of "Spiritual Accompaniment": spiritual friendship (which is informal) and spiritual direction (which is more formal). He also gives useful examples (even transcripts of actual sessions) and general principles which are quite informative for anyone considering pursuing spiritual direction, either as director or directee. My favorite chapters are probably the last two, though. Here, he considers placing spiritual accompaniment in two specific contexts. First, there is the small group. His chapter here outlines the use of the Lectio Divina (a form of devotional reading for those who are less familiar with it) in fostering deep spiritual sharing in a small group rather than simply using a small group for fellowship or Bible study. Second, there is marriage. Sadly, many marriages, even if successful, lack spiritual content, and Dr. Benner offers ideas of how actively pursuing spiritual friendship and direction with your spouse can be a relationship which draws you together spiritually.
Sacred Companions is written for someone who is relatively new to spiritual accompaniment, and as such is written with relatively little jargon. Also, he includes an extensive topical list of suggestion for further reading on a number of topics, from prayer to Lectio to spiritual direction and theology.
If you're looking for a book that's a good introduction to spiritual accompaniment, then this is a book I would certainly recommend.
Dr. Benner gives us two paths of "Spiritual Accompaniment": spiritual friendship (which is informal) and spiritual direction (which is more formal). He also gives useful examples (even transcripts of actual sessions) and general principles which are quite informative for anyone considering pursuing spiritual direction, either as director or directee. My favorite chapters are probably the last two, though. Here, he considers placing spiritual accompaniment in two specific contexts. First, there is the small group. His chapter here outlines the use of the Lectio Divina (a form of devotional reading for those who are less familiar with it) in fostering deep spiritual sharing in a small group rather than simply using a small group for fellowship or Bible study. Second, there is marriage. Sadly, many marriages, even if successful, lack spiritual content, and Dr. Benner offers ideas of how actively pursuing spiritual friendship and direction with your spouse can be a relationship which draws you together spiritually.
Sacred Companions is written for someone who is relatively new to spiritual accompaniment, and as such is written with relatively little jargon. Also, he includes an extensive topical list of suggestion for further reading on a number of topics, from prayer to Lectio to spiritual direction and theology.
If you're looking for a book that's a good introduction to spiritual accompaniment, then this is a book I would certainly recommend.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
By Susan
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is an excellent book that will challenge and expand your view of spiritual mentors/directors. I read this book with my small women's group and we got a lot out of it. The best part is it not only talks about spiritual direction, but it also gives practical advice and examples. It is both theoretical AND practical in nature, which is sometimes hard to find. Highly recommend!
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This book is an exceptionally good introduction to the meaning of personal relationships that are called "spiritual friendship" and " spiritual direction". Good spiritual formation doesn't happen well on a purely individual level. It's important to have some trusted person(s) with whom one can discuss just about anything and be vulnerable and open. American Protestant Christianity in particular has been too individualistic for it's own good. The "just me and Jesus" mindset works out little better than "just me" without a third person who is just as committed to life as a spiritual journey being there to observe and help discern the direction of the Holy Spirit in one's life.
David Benner does a very good job of clearly describing the qualities and characteristics of spiritual friendship and spiritual direction, how they differ from each other and from other similar relationships like counseling, life coaching, discipleship, etc. and how then can be combined in a small group setting or (even!) within the marriage relationship. I highly recommend this book for those who want a good basic understanding of what it means to be "sacred companions". This is a much needed ministry within the church today. I'm very thankful for the people who have filled this role in my life.
David Benner does a very good job of clearly describing the qualities and characteristics of spiritual friendship and spiritual direction, how they differ from each other and from other similar relationships like counseling, life coaching, discipleship, etc. and how then can be combined in a small group setting or (even!) within the marriage relationship. I highly recommend this book for those who want a good basic understanding of what it means to be "sacred companions". This is a much needed ministry within the church today. I'm very thankful for the people who have filled this role in my life.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Helpful resource
I am looking forward to implementing several ideas. Being a spiritual director is an awesome task and this book is encouraging.
Published 4 months ago by Coleeta Cash
4.0 out of 5 stars
Sacred Companions: the gift of spiritual friendship & direction
A great used book. Thanks. The book was in very good condition and arrived in the promised amount of time. I appreciate being able to order used books.
Published 6 months ago by Roger Ellis
5.0 out of 5 stars
Companionship on our journey
I was asked to walk alongside a woman recently and at the same time, due to my profession, was advised to seek out a spiritual director. Read more
Published on June 5, 2010 by Brenda C. Vanno
5.0 out of 5 stars
Discover Spiritual Friendship
This past summer I attended a seminar in which one of the speakers talked about the importance of having spiritual friends. I was intrigued. Read more
Published on January 18, 2010 by Stephen W. Hiemstra
5.0 out of 5 stars
Delightful
Very insightful and practical for the person interested in Spiritual Direction. I will definitely be reading it again right after I finish it the first time through. Read more
Published on November 9, 2009 by Neil Taylor
5.0 out of 5 stars
Spiritual Direction Book
This book was a gift for a spiritual friend of mine. She is taking classes on becoming a spiritual director. Read more
Published on December 17, 2008 by ADE
5.0 out of 5 stars
Essential
This book is essential for anyone who wants to go deeper with God. It discusses all aspects of spiritual friendship and spiritual direction, with an emphasis on prayer and... Read more
Published on March 12, 2005 by Penni L. Smith
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great book-highly recommend!
If you're looking for an excellent introduction to spiritual direction and spiritual friendship, this is your book. Read more
Published on January 16, 2004 by made4purpose
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 100
books:
See all 100 books this book cites
- The Spiritual Exercises (Hodder & Stoughton Christian Classics) on 5 pages
- Seeds of Contemplation by Thomas Merton on 5 pages
- Interior Castle by St. Teresa of Avila on 5 pages
- New Seeds of Contemplation by Thomas Merton on 5 pages
- Dark Night of the Soul: A Masterpiece in the Literature of Mysticism by St. John of the Cross by E. Allison Peers on 4 pages
See all 100 books this book cites
Books on Related Topics
(learn more)
|
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Listmania!
|
|
