How to Get There From Here

About the Book

HOW TO GET THERE FROM HERE is a pithy, prophetic, intimate, and rather original spiritual guide based on the compendium of Jesus of Nazareth’s teachings on community as embodied in the Sermon on the Mount, re-interpreted into modern syntax and bolstered by the learnings of psychological observation. Designed for persons who are not afraid to examine their belief systems in the context of a pluralistic world, the material is interspersed with both group and individual experiential exercises. This work is appropriate for spiritual seekers who wish to engender a closer connection with the Holy, enhance their interpersonal relationships, and enable world peace by realizing the sort of ethical living spoken of by the great prophetic traditions. The book begins with a discussion of cultural creation stories and introduces the concepts of worldwide ethical community, respect for diversity, the difficulties inherent in Christian triumphalism, and God as relationship. The author goes on to explain the function of fear and insecurity in determining human behavior, and the role of obedience, free will, and personal responsibility in spiritual practice. Using the Beatitudes, the cryptic and challenging aphorisms of Jesus as a framework, How To Get There From Here develops an understanding of these teachings as a spiritual rule of life, and a guide to individual and community spiritual growth. While these elucidations are well grounded in scriptural research, the author, who is a teaching psychologist and family therapist, as well as a contemplative, seminary graduate and spiritual director, enriches the discussion with the use of personal stories and psychological observations. In order to enable her readers to experience what she is talking about, each chapter is followed by group and individual exercises for discussion and meditation. The work is appropriate for individual seekers and “spiritual warriors,” as well as seminary students and persons of faith who are courageous enough to be willing to examine their current belief systems. In so doing they will have the opportunity to re-build their own spiritual understandings on a firm foundation that will withstand life’s storms, and develop a new sense of the peace of God. Being thus equipped as the saints, the author challenges the reader to consider accepting the commission to practice the prophetic life in the context of ethical community.

About the Author

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