Introduction: Making a Start 1
PART I Willingness
1 Opening with a "Yes" 15
2 Facing Our Fears 31
PART II Attentiveness
3 Surveying the Situation 49
4 Listening to the Inner Self 65
5 Noticing God's Nudges 81
6 The Habit of Attentiveness 95
PART III Responsiveness
7 Testing Our Decisions 115
8 Step by Step 131
9 When We Have to Wait 147
10 The Harvest of Discernment 161
Epilogue: A Letter for Decision Makers 175
Guide for Groups: A Six-Session Course of Study and Practice
178
Suggestions for Further Reading 192
Acknowledgments 195
Index of Exercises 196
Nancy L. Bieber is a spiritual director, psychologist and teacher
with thirty years of experience in working with individuals and
groups in transition and change. She is author of Decision Making
and Spiritual Discernment: The Sacred Art of Finding Your Way
(SkyLight Paths). A core leader with Oasis Ministries for Spiritual
Development, she leads spiritual formation retreats and workshops
around the country. She also teaches at Lancaster Theological
Seminary.
Nancy L. Bieber is available to speak on the following topics:
The Sacred Art of Finding Your Way: Decisions and Discernment
Contemplative Practices for Daily Life
The Ancient Gift of Spiritual Direction. What Difference Does It
Make?
Strengthening Spiritual Life in Community
Remembering Who You Are: The Prayer Pause
"Prayerfully and skillfully facilitates the readers' recognition of
'truths (they) already know ... hidden anywhere in life,' thus
opening us to the heart of discernment as the process of living the
values of our lives."
—Rose Mary Dougherty, SSND, author, Discernment: A Path to
Spiritual Awakening; codirector, Companioning the Dying: Opening
Fully to Living
"Weaves practical insights for cultivating discernment with
page-turning stories and repeatable practices. [It] will create ...
healthy decisions that are the ripe fruit of ongoing practices for
discernment."
—Kent Ira Groff, founding mentor, Oasis Ministries; author, What
Would I Believe If I Didn’t Believe Anything? and Facing East,
Praying West
“A brilliant lead and many lessons.”
—Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, founder, Center for Action and
Contemplation; author, The Naked Now: Learning to See as the
Mystics See
“Compelling and beneficial … filled with insight and wisdom, as
well as practical practices in discernment. This is a volume you’ll
return to often.”
—J. Brent Bill, Quaker minister, retreat leader and photographer;
author, Sacred Compass: The Way of Spiritual Discernment
“Offers readers clarity and practical tools—just what we yearn for
when facing uncertainty and change…. It will reassure those seeking
to understand their own experience of being led by the Spirit.”
—Eileen Flanagan, author, The Wisdom to Know the Difference: When
to Make a Change—and When to Let Go
“Balancing self and other, honoring self and other, embracing self
and other is a great challenge for many of us. [This book] helps us
take up that challenge in a manner that moves us further along the
path of godliness. Read this book. And, more importantly, practice
its method.”
—Rabbi Rami Shapiro, translator and annotator, Ecclesiastes:
Annotated & Explained; author, The Sacred Art of Lovingkindness:
Preparing to Practice
“I loved this! A priceless book for living a spiritually centered
life. User-friendly and reassuring … the practices offer gentle
guidance for making any decision, large or small. A must have for
everyone on a spiritual path as well as anyone supporting that
journey.”
—Kay Lindahl, author, The Sacred Art of Listening: Forty
Reflections for Cultivating a Spiritual Practice; founder, The
Listening Center
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