Spirituality

What does spirituality mean, and how does it affect my life? You'll find some answers (and questions) from a wide variety of traditions here.

Norris, a poet, examines "scary words" from the Christian tradition. If you find your own spiritual progress hampered or haunted by scary words, you'll find her reflections challenging and reassuring by turns. And it's on tape, too. (audio tape)

I recently purchased the Pocket Classics version of this classic so that I could tuck it into a pocket, handbag or backpack. Anyone who appreciates passion, immediacy and vitality will thrill to Goldberg's work. A must for writers and writer-wannabes, this book is also a treasure for anyone who wants to develop the ability to express themselves directly and compellingly. I know several folks who use this book as the basis for weekly "writes," get togethers in which they write for an hour or two according to Goldbergian principles. Try it, you'll like it. Why is it listed in Spirituality and Spiritual Practice? Read it and find out. (pocket classic)

Open Mind, Open Heart: The Contemplative Dimension of the Gospel
Thomas Keating

This is the first of three volumes about centering prayer and the contemporary Contemplative Outreach movement. It provides excellent instruction in the method of centering prayer, a meditative practice grounded in the Christian tradition. Anyone who has looked for spiritual development in eastern traditions but longed for practices that were connected to his or her own western culture may well find the answer here. (If not the answer, then some good questions...) Highly recommended.

Writings on centering prayer, a contemporary practice grounded in the under appreciated tradition of Western mysticism. An important volume for anyone with a Christian background who is drawn to contemplative or meditative practice.

Another book with a forward by the Dalai Lama (somebody ought to do a page of books vetted by the Dalai Lama...). From the cover: "As patients and therapists find themselves reaching for new solutions to their problems, the traditional distinctions between matters of the mind and matters of the heart are increasingly being questioned. This book is a major contribution to the explosion of discussion about how Eastern spirituality can enhance Western psychology."