Spiritual Labor: Spiritual Life

"Spiritual Labor - Spiritual Life" is a compilation of 52 spiritual reflections intended for the reader's own spiritual work. Each of the reflections deals with living as a spiritual person within ordinary daily relationships and encounters. The authors draw from their own experiences as spiritual leaders, learners, writers and sojourners. The reflections focus on a broad breadth of topics such as spiritual listening, holding on / letting go / forgiveness / life from the perspective of the elderly, parenting a parent, finding God in nature to name but a few. Some reflections expand the ordinary to bring the spiritual to life. Wind Chimes, quilting, moving, darkness and the dessert are a few topics presented leading the reader to discover the extraordinary Divine in the ordinary. Embedded throughout the book is the theme of peace and forgiveness. After every reflection, there is a "Looking Inward" section that invites the reader to his or her own personal reflections and soul searching. And while these reflections are primarily intended to help the reader with his or her personal prayer life, they can easily be used as guided meditations for groups at retreats or even in Spiritual Direction sessions. Finally, the authors draw on a wide variety of spiritual / religious orientations; Christian, Native American, Islamic, Judaism, Hindu and Buddhism. In this approach, wisdom and spiritual awareness garnered from writers, theologians, leaders and elders of many traditions seeking a relationship with God in however that is expressed is presented to enrich whatever orientation the reader enjoys and practices. This book is to help with the spiritual journey rather than limiting the reader to a theology of any one religion. The wisdom of the biblical writers is as important as the wisdom of the Lakota Leader, Black Elk, as it is to the teachings and examples of Gandhi, as it is to modern day mystics. The authors, having been world religion teachers and advocates, draw from the richness of a wide array of spiritual teachings. This allows the reader to reflect on his or her personal path, whether within the structure of a particular religion or not, with broader horizons and the awareness that "God is everywhere."