A “Best Spiritual Book of the Year.”
—Spirituality & Practice
Presents personal accounts from the lives of people representing a broad spectrum of religious and spiritual traditions to show how we can find guidance and inspiration from people of other faiths—without ever leaving our own.
Howard A. Addison
Paperback
5½ x 8½, 240 pp | 978-1-893361-41-6
An ancient spiritual practice rediscovered—and re-imaginated—for today.
This fascinating introduction to an ancient spiritual practice is for all of us who are searching for fresh spiritual insight. People of all faiths—and even those with no particular religious involvement—are discovering spiritual direction.
Traditionally identified with Christianity, but also resembling the relationship between teacher and student in Buddhism, sheikh and disciple in Islam, and rebbe and Hasid in Judaism, spiritual direction is a distinct kind of relationship for enhancing spiritual growth. And its renewed popularity has led to a now uniquely accessible modern phenomenon: interfaith spiritual direction.
Howard Addison presents personal accounts from the lives of people representing a broad spectrum of religious and spiritual traditions to show how we can find guidance and inspiration from people of other faiths—without ever leaving our own. This one-of-a-kind guide explores:
- Where to find spiritual guidance within your own faith community or beyond it.
- How spiritual direction can help you, even if you come from no formal religious background.
- Why and when it may be appropriate to seek a spiritual guide from a faith other than your own.
- What interfaith spiritual direction means for the future of religion and spirituality in our world.
“Excellent … shows the rich benefits as well as the risks…. Offers valuable tips on what to expect from spiritual direction.”
—John Schlenck, coordinating editor, American Vedantist (quarterly American Hindu journal)
“The first-person accounts in this book are a rich source of stories showing the many ways God calls us home.”
—Dr. Carol Ochs, co-author, Jewish Spiritual Guidance
“Addison is a resourceful and pensive scout who’s discovered the new territory that we will all be exploring in years to come. Interfaith spiritual direction is the wave of the future and this pioneering work covers the turf.”
—Frederic Brussat, co-author, Spiritual Literacy and Spiritual Rx
“Offers very concrete experience and practical insight…. Can greatly benefit spiritual companions in any tradition.”
—Rev. Tilden Edwards, executive director, Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation; author, Spiritual Friend
“Anyone interested in a deepened spiritual life will find Addison’s readable and thought-provoking book a happy addition for the journey, but those with an interfaith interest will be especially fascinated.”
—Congregations: The Alban Journal
“Howard Addison is a deeply committed rabbi who is willing to be taken beyond the limits of his own experience through prayer and dialogue with persons of varying denominations and faith traditions. The fruit of this many-faceted learning is evidenced in his writing.”
—Sr. Rose Mary Dougherty, SSND, author, Group Spiritual Direction
