The Spiritual Life: Recognizing the Holy

Based on his many years of leading retreats and directing the Jesuit Institute for Family Life Network, Father Fabing has written a fascinating guide that reveals the nature of the spiritual life and the role that emotional suffering plays in it.

Unfolds the meaning of the spiritual life
"The purpose of this work," Father Fabing explains, "is to unfold the meaning of the spiritual life and the meaning of emotional suffering in order to speak to those who see no meaning in their pain, and by this to provide the reality of a healing effect." To this end, the author examines the spiritual life, "movement toward God," and its meaning, positing emotionality as its essential ingredient.

An emotional journey toward self-knowledge in the company of God
To know God is to know ourselves, completely, inside and out, journeying to the dark recesses of our unconscious, the seat of emotional and psychological strife. With the help of reflective prayer and insight, the soul ascends to the light of consciousness, which leads to healing, union with God, and "holiness." The spiritual life, then, is an emotional journey toward self-knowledge in the company of God.

Profound spiritual and psychological insights
Replete with profound spiritual and psychological insights, explication of the challenges and stages of spiritual growth, helpful end chapter questions and an impressive bibliography, The Spiritual Life is a comforting and well-considered guide for those working through, and seeking meaning from, the pain of the spiritual quest.

ISBN: 0-8091-4209-0 [137 pp, 6 x 9, softcover]