Soulful Spirituality

Soulful Spirituality

Author: David G. PhD Benner

Publisher: Brazos Press

Published: 2011-03-01

Total Pages: 208

ISBN-13: 1441214364

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Spirituality has an indispensable role to play in the expression of our humanity. However, spiritual practices can sometimes make us less, not more, authentically human. We may be good Christians, but we aren't good human beings. How can we ensure that our spiritual journey is conducted in a way that allows us to become fully alive and deeply human? David Benner has spent thirty-five years integrating psychology and spirituality. Here he presents an expansive, psychologically informed understanding of spirituality, probing the contrasts between soulful and soulless spirituality, deep and shallow religion, and healthy and unhealthy relationships with God to affirm the vital role of human development in the spiritual journey. Benner then suggests soulful practices for cultivating the Christian spiritual life. This book will appeal to readers seeking depth and substance in their quest for authentic spirituality. It will also be a helpful resource for mental health professionals and spiritual directors. Reflection questions and exercises for individual or group use are included at the end of each chapter.d


Soulful Spirituality

Soulful Spirituality

Author: David G. Benner

Publisher: Brazos Press

Published: 2011-03

Total Pages: 208

ISBN-13: 1587432978

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An internationally respected psychologist and spiritual guide shows how an authentic spiritual journey must be grounded in human development.


Spirituality and the Awakening Self

Spirituality and the Awakening Self

Author: David G. PhD Benner

Publisher: Baker Books

Published: 2012-02-01

Total Pages: 257

ISBN-13: 1441236236

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Being human is a lifelong journey of becoming. This journey defines our humanity, for it is a journey toward our source and our fulfillment, described in Christian theology as union with God. If we remain open to God as our sense of self awakens, we experience a deeper consciousness of being in him. The self that emerges during this process is larger, more enlightened, and whole. David Benner, who has spent thirty-five years integrating psychology and spirituality, presents psychological insights in a readable fashion to offer readers a deeper understanding of the self and its spiritual development. Drawing on a broad range of Christian traditions, Benner shows that the transformation of self is foundational to Christian spirituality. This book will appeal to readers interested in a psychologically grounded, fresh exploration of Christian spirituality; professionals engaged in pastoral care, counseling, and spiritual direction; and students in ministry development and spiritual formation courses. Questions and answers for individual or group use are included at the end of each chapter.


Opening to God

Opening to God

Author: David G. Benner

Publisher: InterVarsity Press

Published: 2010-09

Total Pages: 182

ISBN-13: 0830835423

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Spiritual director Benner invites believers to discover openness to God as the essence of prayer, spirituality, and the Christian life. Using the four movements of "lectio divina," he explores prayer as attending, pondering, responding, and being.


Healing Emotional Wounds

Healing Emotional Wounds

Author: David G. Benner

Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers

Published: 2016-07-20

Total Pages: 139

ISBN-13: 1532602561

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Though emotional pain constitutes an inevitable part of life, not only can it be healed, it can be the soil out of which we grow into greater wholeness and wellbeing. This book arose not simply out of the author's work with others but out of lessons learned as he worked his way to healing and forgiveness associated with his own emotional wounds as well. In helpful, practical language that is filled with real-life examples, Healing Emotional Wounds examines the inner course of events that predictably follows experiences of emotional wounding. This includes a discussion of the ways in which we attempt to cope with hurt, focusing on common but counterproductive coping strategies that actually impede healing. It then examines in detail the emotional, intellectual, and volitional tasks that are involved in healing emotional wounds, each presenting concrete steps that we can take to help ourselves and others experience healing and gain freedom from bondage to our wounds. Such freedom does not involve escape from unpleasant experiences or difficult circumstances, but release from their tyrannizing inner consequences. This also provides the possibility of living a more fulfilling and significant life because of these experiences.


Fully Awake and Truly Alive

Fully Awake and Truly Alive

Author: Jane Elizabeth Vennard

Publisher: SkyLight Paths Publishing

Published: 2013

Total Pages: 210

ISBN-13: 1594734739

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Fulfill the reality that the glory of God is the human fully alive. "Reverend Vennard is fearlessly awake to the wild dance of life. Rather than sleeping through life, she awakens to it. Rather than escaping from reality, she embraces it. Rather than distracting herself with a life to come, she dares to live the life that is. And she wants you to do all this as well. Read this book. Live this book. Wake up." --from the Foreword In a culture enthralled with technology, striving and speed, people of many faith traditions and no faith tradition long to slow down, pay attention and wake up to the present moment. They want help in realizing their hope that they can become more truly alive. This engaging and highly readable book offers you guidance for the journey. Sharing stories from her personal life as a spiritual seeker and from her professional career as a retreat leader, spiritual director and teacher, Reverend Jane Vennard illustrates the joys and frustrations of spiritual practice, offers insights from various religious traditions, and provides step-by-step exercises and meditations to practice: Caring for the body - Rest - Silence Solitude - Letting go - Community - Hospitality - Service - Living gratefully


Surrender to Love

Surrender to Love

Author: David G. Benner

Publisher: InterVarsity Press

Published: 2015-09-24

Total Pages: 130

ISBN-13: 0830899448

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In this expanded edition of a spiritual formation classic, David G. Benner explores the twin themes of love and surrender as the heart of Christian spirituality. God doesn't want his people to respond to him out of fear or obligation, but invites us to enter into an authentic relationship of intimacy and devotion—by surrendering to love.


The Gift of Being Yourself

The Gift of Being Yourself

Author: David G. Benner

Publisher: InterVarsity Press

Published: 2015-09-24

Total Pages: 132

ISBN-13: 0830899456

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In the expanded edition of this profound exploration of Christian identity, David G. Benner illuminates the spirituality of self-discovery. He exposes the false selves that you may hide behind and calls you to discover the true self that emerges from your uniqueness in Christ. Deepen your experience of God through discovering the gift of being yourself.


Living Wisdom, Revised and Expanded

Living Wisdom, Revised and Expanded

Author: David G. Benner

Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers

Published: 2019-07-24

Total Pages: 241

ISBN-13: 1532692145

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Much more than knowledge or even understanding, wisdom is seeing life through the eyes of an awakened heart and transformed consciousness. Rather than being the result of the accumulation of information, wisdom comes from acquiring a new mind. Buddhists speak of this new mind as enlightenment. The Christian name for it is the mind and heart of Christ. This is the basis of wisdom. Wisdom is grounded in a deep awareness of the sacredness and interconnectedness of everything in existence. It is living in alignment with the creative Spirit of Wisdom who inhabits all of creation and is our truest and deepest self. It is learning to participate in God’s transformational agenda of cosmic whole-making, this being the way in which everything that exists becomes whole in Christ. This book does not offer gems of wisdom. Instead, it seeks to facilitate the awakening of your heart and transformation of your consciousness that will allow wisdom to flow your from depths.


Human Being and Becoming

Human Being and Becoming

Author: David G. PhD Benner

Publisher: Brazos Press

Published: 2016-01-12

Total Pages: 177

ISBN-13: 1493403451

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Becoming fully human is a lifelong journey. It can also be an incredible adventure. Here internationally respected depth psychologist, spiritual guide, and personal transformation coach David Benner explores the mysteries of human being and becoming. Drawing on insights from science, philosophy, and forty years of experience integrating psychology and spirituality, he presents concrete steps for living in ways that move us toward wholeness. He also draws on mysticism, the perennial wisdom tradition, interfaith dialogue, and the contemplative Christian tradition, developing a robust spirituality that reveals how we can align ourselves with God's presence in the world.