Susan S. Phillips
Autor von Candlelight: Illuminating the Art of Spiritual Direction (Spiritual Directors International)
Über den Autor
Susan S. Phillips (PhD. University of California, Berkeley) is executive director and professor of sociology and Christianity at New College Berkeley. She is a sociologist and trained spiritual director. Phillips is the author of several books, including Candlelight: Illuminating the Art of mehr anzeigen Spiritual Direction. In addition to lecturing internationally and leading retreats for churches and organizations, Phillips also teaches at Regent College in Vancouver, Canada, and Puller Theological Seminary weniger anzeigen
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Life in the Spirit: Spiritual Formation in Theological Perspective (2010) — Mitwirkender — 90 Exemplare
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Excellent book! I will reread it again, certainly. Many of the questions I have had about sd (can I allow a hug from a directee that wants one, etc.) she answers in this book. Even after being in direction and giving direction, this book addressed issues that have come up for me. It opened up a facet of spirituality that can be, but shouldn't be, shrouded in mysticism.
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kaulsu | 1 weitere Rezension | Jan 3, 2010 |
kaulsu | 1 weitere Rezension | Jan 3, 2010 | 
A collection of diverse authors on care in the health care field. Also has good stories that make an impact.
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Your contribution of this book to the collection would be most appreciated!
Your contribution of this book to the collection would be most appreciated!
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Phillips's prose awakens a hunger for the deeper Christian life. In her introduction, she shares this story from Matt who came to her for Spiritual direction (not his real name). Matt said to her:
If you have ever felt like this, you know the frustration of not living with Christ as your center,vnot maturing, and feeling unfruitful. Phillips describes this numbness and spiritual malaise as a circus--this place where we are either performer or spectator:
Phillips helps us move away from these roles by pursuing nurturing practices which cultivate our inner life.
There are several types of practices Phillips commends. She asks us to pay attention to our own life and the things we do which we find life-giving (chapter two). She advocates a contemplative listening posture-- a posture of receptivity toward God and others(chapter three). She invites us to 'stop' and practice Sabbath by turning away from the circus toward God (chapters four and five). In chapter six, Phillips calls us to a cultivated attention, a form of Christian mindfulness informed by "texts, communities, tradition, teachers and guides and the all-surrounding presence of God" (116). She also advises praying scripture (chapter seven), and developing relational attachments which nurture us, such as spiritual direction and friendship (chapters eight through eleven). These practices promote and help us live into a fruitful and complete life (chapter twelve and conclusion). An appendix gives guidelines for the practices of contemplative listening, sabbath living, lectio divina, finding a spiritual director, and cultivating friendship.
Eugene Peterson writes in the forward, "Susan Phillips has been for many years my writer of choice in matters of spiritual direction and maturing a robust Christian life" (9). He describes Phillips deft use of metaphor, her self-implicating naming and her skillful story telling (10-14). I could make a similar statement about Peterson, whose own books have been my go-to books for spiritual insight and pastoral advice. His commendation of Phillips is true, and I can see her quickly becoming a favorite author. This book made me hunger for a deeper, fruitful life. It is well illustrated by examples drawn from Phillips's life and from her role as a director and professor.
There are no shortage of books about spiritual disciplines. Some of them are mediocre, others quite good. However, the notion of spiritual disciplines often fraught by a too privatized and consumeristic picture of what it means to live the Christian life. Often we are given something new to try out as an addendum to our own over-full lives. What I appreciate most about Phillips's approach is the way she calls us to relationship--to finding a director or spiritual guide, and friends who will share the journey. Phillips focus is on personal, spiritual growth, but she sets this within a communal context.
Phillips's metaphors and images are organic and relational. She is wise guide, and there were no shortage of passages I underlined, mulled over and re-read.I give this five stars and recommend it for anyone else frustrated with life in the circus. May God use this book to enliven you with his life! ★★★★★
Note: I received this book from InterVarsity Press in exchange for my honest review.
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