Spiritual formation has always been an essential part of the Quaker faith. Listening Spirituality fills a huge gap in contemporary Friends writings for those seriously seeking to undertake or expand their spiritual practices of prayer, devotion, meditation and listening to God.

This is an essential Quaker spiritual formation text, which grew out of workshops. The author explores many personal practices which can help to sharpen one's perception of God. She suggests setting aside time each day for spiritual refreshment, "'a time of retirement' from outward concerns and activities, to attend exclusively to the movement of the Spirit." She explores many possible practices and offers ingredients for Friends to make time for the holy in one's daily life. The second volume treats the spiritual basis of the structures and practices that sustain a Quaker worshiping community; the spiritual grounding and understanding of worship, ministry, eldering, oversight and other spiritual gifts in mutual service within the meeting as spiritual formation; personal transformation and transformed relationships within spiritual community; communal discernment in personal matters and in the conduct of meeting business; wider Quaker service; adult religious education as part of spiritual formation.

This book was chosen for our Meeting's first spiritual formation program to mixed reviews from the participants. I remember my own mixed feelings about it when I first read it in Seminary.

However, I have now come to treasure this book as a true 20th c. Quaker resource. The bibliographies Loring includes for each topic are in themselves priceless!

This is NOT the book to choose to read cover to cover in the shortest possible time. It is the perfect companion however, to accompany one on a self exploratory journey of seeking the divine. It is a precious companion lighting one's way through a wide range of spiritual practices, always filtered and interpreted through a Quaker lens. ( )

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