Seeking Spiritual Direction: How to Grow the Divine Life Within

by Thomas Dubay

Book Overview

Father Thomas Dubay has written a guide for Christians who are considering spiritual direction or who are already engaged in the process. He explains what spiritual direction is, the qualities to look... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0892838108
• ISBN13: 9780892838103
• Release Date: January 1994
• Publisher: Servant Publications
• Length: 301 Pages
• Weight: 0.76 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.2" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Cerebral - Father Dubay's Intellect can help you!

Father Thomas Dubay, a Catholic Marist Priest, has a magnificent mind. I bought and read this book when I was trying to find a spiritual director and as is discussed in this book, Spiritual Directors are not that easy to find. I was seeking Spiritual Direction, but, as the song goes, "I was looking for love in all the wrong places". Discernment is a long process and discernment helps us work through whether or not we seek Spiritual Direction and if we do, how do we find a Spiritual Director and what can we do while we are looking for one? I ultimately did find a Spiritual Director, but, alas, he was an itinerant Franciscan priest and I could only see him when he was passing through my remote geographical area. Then, I moved out of the area totally and he was re-assigned to South America simultaneously. So, even if one does find a Spiritual Director, due to demands on everyone in the Church, that Direction may prove to only be temporary, especially if one discerns that they desire their Spiritual Director to be a priest. Of course, a Spiritual Director does not necessarily have to be a priest. But, being choosy in selecting a Spiritual Director seems important and so if you do want to go down that road, read this book.

Practical and thorough guide

This is an immensely practical and thorough guide for anyone seriously seeking spiritual direction. The advice given will help you determine who would be a good match for you as a spiritual director. It also covers quite thoroughly the tendency to be our own guiding light and how to watch out for that tendency when seeking a spiritual director. There are several sections with handy question/answer format to quickly give the reader a grasp of the intent of spiritual direction and the benefits/demands this discipline entails. A good place to start when counting the cost of being a disciple.

simply superb

Spiritual direction is complex and sensitive. This author provides much clarity about the nature of spiritual direction, differentiating it from psychotherapy quite clearly. More than this, the book provides guidance in the need for direction and how to find someone who can meet the individual's needs. After reading this book, I wrote the author a note because I was so grateful for his wisdom.

Masterpiece of ascetic theology and loving application today

Father Dubay's presentation, refreshing in its "gospel truth" rather than trendy psychology or New Age pablum, is a brilliant exposition of ascetic theology, flavoured with deep insight and a "working knowledge" of true Christian charity. Father Dubay works from extensive experience, but his book is always solidly grounded on the Scriptures and the writings of the classic spiritual guides. He does not omit the "unpopular" notions (obedience, informed conscience, etc.) , and, relating them to the visions of Vatican II, makes it clear that the Church has never denied their vitality. Those who are not Roman Catholic, or whose primary emphasis is not on fidelity to the magisterium, should not find Father Dubay's stress on such fidelity to be off-putting. Obedience, in some sense, is always integral to spiritual direction, and there are other aspects of his thought that are valuable to all which "hide" behind these passages. For example, in one illustration, Father Dubay speaks of how a director must be honest in pointing out that contraception or failure for religious to wear distinctive garb contradicts Vatican teachings. These examples may be troublesome to non-Catholics, yet the underlying point is universal: how spiritual directors must keep those in their care from self-deception or rationalising. This is the "genuine article" - true ascetic theology. It is not a handbook for a weekend read that sets one to believing s/he has reached the heights of sanctity in a few days. My only regret is that it was not available twenty years earlier.

Comprehensive guide to those considering Spiritual Direction

Thomas Dubay has put together a comprehensive and practical guide for folks serious about their spiritual growth. Unlike many books written for those seeking advice in GIVING spiritual direction -- Fr. Dubay applies his many years of experience in giving spiritual guidance, in this book, to help those who are SEEKING spiritual guidance. The "question and answer" format that he uses throughout the book makes it very easy to read and understand. I highly recommend this book to anyone contemplating a deeper relationship with the Lord by way of Spiritual Direction.