Holy Listening, Margaret Guenther
Holy Listening, Margaret Guenther
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Holy Listening
The Art of Spiritual Direction

Author: Margaret Guenther

Narrator: Suzie Althens

Unabridged: 5 hr 37 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 11/17/2020


Synopsis

Margaret Guenther uses the images of the spiritual director as host, teacher, and midwife to describe the ministry of spiritual direction today. She pays particular attention to spiritual direction for women, and addresses such down-to-earth questions as setting, time, and privacy. The stories of real people bring the practice of spiritual direction alive.

"In [this book], I will attempt to describe the shape that spiritual direction might take for people of our time, aware that the subject is an elusive one. I am speaking to the beginner, those persons lay or ordained, with or without formal theological training, who find themselves drawn to this ministry. Perhaps they feel the stirring of their own unacknowledged gifts. Or perhaps they wonder about receiving direction, whether it is a ministry available to 'ordinary people' or reserved for the especially holy. I hope some dark corners will be illuminated and some questions answered."

About Margaret Guenther

Born in 1929, Margaret Guenther was an Episcopal priest, wife, mother of three children, grandmother, spiritual director, mentor of spiritual directors, and retreat leader. She served as emeritus professor at General Theological Seminary in New York City, where she taught ascetical theology. She was also the director of the Center for Christian Spirituality, a pioneering program for the training of spiritual directors. She was a noted retreat leader and lecturer both in the United States and abroad, traveling as far away as China and Australia to speak at conferences and lead retreats. In later years she was associate rector of St. Columba's Church in Washington, DC. She passed away in 2016.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Danielle on August 23, 2024

Even if you have no intent of ordination or spiritual direction, Guenther’s words on hospitality, listening, and discernment is a gentle, flowing stream of wisdom as we work toward encountering others as Jesus would. “Blessed are those who number babies and animals among their friends; in their embo......more

Goodreads review by Bob on October 28, 2013

I've read several works on spiritual direction and what I most appreciated about this was the author's down to earth approach to these matters. She begins by speaking of herself as an "amateur" in these things, which carries both the notion of learner and lover. At points I've been put off by the pr......more

Goodreads review by John on December 04, 2020

This book is superb, a classic for the person that wants to sit better with other people as they struggle on their spiritual journey.......more

Goodreads review by Megan on July 28, 2019

Spiritual Direction was something brought up in the Episcopal church. Recently I have been jealous of the sacramental practices in the Catholic church ( even though I am not Catholic). The main purpose of spiritual direction is holy/attentive listening and having a loving presence. I am glad this pr......more

Goodreads review by Alex on January 09, 2023

I have greatly benefited from spiritual direction over the years, even from the very first session. One of my resolutions or "inclinations" in 2023 is to potentially explore taking spiritual direction classes myself and I found 'Holy Listening: The Art of Spiritual Direction' an invaluable, insightf......more