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Ways of the Desert: Becoming Holy Through Difficult Times
Contributor(s): Koenig, Harold G. (Author), Kraft, William F. (Author)
ISBN: 0789008602     ISBN-13: 9780789008602
Publisher: Routledge
OUR PRICE:   $40.80  
Product Type: Paperback - Other Formats
Published: January 2000
Qty:
Temporarily out of stock - Will ship within 2 to 5 weeks
Annotation: Interesting and informative, Ways of the Desert shows readers how suffering can foster growth. This book explores how the so-called "negative" experiences like depression, anxiety, loneliness, guilt, and anger can be great opportunities for spiritual growth. With the idea that opposites are necessary and related parts of healthy spiritual development and that positive and negatives are related, Ways of the Desert guides readers through an exciting journey through the deserts and promised lands of adolescence, young adulthood, established adulthood, mid-life adulthood, middle-aged adulthood, and the elderly years that will help readers find joy despite difficult times.
Additional Information
BISAC Categories:
- Psychology | Mental Health
- Religion | Comparative Religion
- Religion | Inspirational
Dewey: 291
LCCN: 99036498
Physical Information: 0.49" H x 5.99" W x 8.39" (0.60 lbs) 178 pages
Themes:
- Theometrics - Academic
- Religious Orientation - Christian
 
Descriptions, Reviews, Etc.
Publisher Description:
Discover how negative experiences such as loneliness, depression, and anxiety can be opportunities for personal growth

Ways of the Desert: Becoming Holy Through Difficult Times analyzes the similarities and differences between spiritual and psychological experiences. This book shows religious professionals and others interested in spiritual development how suffering can foster growth. You will explore the so-called "negative" desert experiences--depression, anxiety, loneliness, guilt, and anger--and learn how they can be opportunities for spiritual growth. This book explains why opposites are necessary and related parts of healthy and holy development, and that, especially in a spiritual life, the positive and negative are related. Ways of the Desert will take you on a journey through the "deserts" and "promised lands" of adolescence, adulthood, and the elderly years.

In most Western cultures the acceptance of opposites as a necessary and related part of healthy and holy growth is not common, and its rejection can engender spiritual stagnation. Ways of the Desert offers suggestions on creating lifelong spirituality including:
  • understanding the need for both "clock" time for functional order and "sacred" time to redeem us from the boredom of our daily challenges
  • understanding the languages of the desert, or the messages that are primarily nonverbal, ambiguous, or ambivalent
  • using effective communication when expressing feelings such as shame, frustration, anger, or anguish
  • examining the similarities and differences between psychological and spiritual activity
  • comparing psychological twelve-step help programs to spiritual growth journeys

    This extraordinary book works to help you make sense of your life when you feel lost, trapped, depressed, or lonely. You will attain spiritual guidance to assist you on your journey through life and help you understand that the deserts of negative experiences that we sometimes wander into can be illuminating opportunities for spiritual progress. Ways of the Desert will guide you through difficult and challenging times and help you achieve spiritual satisfaction and happiness in life.