PYM Spiritual Formation Program

Reading List 2005-2006

September (preliminary reading before opening retreat)

Our basic text is Listening Spirituality, Vol 1 by Patricia Loring. This is a good introduction to spiritual disciplines and practices, from a Quaker point of view. It is best savored slowly. We suggest reading pp. 1 - 46 before the opening retreat, and the rest of the book as directed below. Remember that one of its functions is to "expand our horizons" beyond the already familiar. Note that we will not be directly discussing this booking our groups, but it does form the background and foundation for much of what we will be reading and discussing

Carol Conti-Entin, Improvisation & Spiritual Disciplines: Continuing the Human-Divine Duet

October: Introduction to Spiritual Life

Tilden Edwards, Living in the Presence: Spiritual Exercises to Open Our Lives to the Awareness of God

Patricia Loring, Listening Spirituality, Vol 1: Personal Spiritual Practices Among Friends (pp. 1 -46 if not already read)

November: The Wider Tradition: Our Christian Roots

Marcus Borg, The Heart of Christianity: Rediscovering a Life of Faith

December: Prayer I

Sheila Keene, Prayer: Beginning Again, Pendle Hill Pamphlet #339

Patricia Loring, Listening Spirituality, Vol 1: (pp. 47 to 123)

January: Prayer II

Thomas Kelly, A Testament of Devotion: Chapters 1 and 2.

Brother Lawrence, The Practice of the Presence of God

The Inward Journey of Isaac Pennington (Pendle Hill Pamphlet #29)

February: Worship

William Tabor, Four Doors to Meeting for Worship, PHP # 306

Barry Morley, Beyond Consensus, Salvaging the Sense of the Meeting. PHP # 307

For Mid-Winter Retreat (Date): Marcelle Martin, Invitation to a Deeper Communion, PHP # 366.

March: Living Our Testimonies: Simplicity, Peace, and Integrity

Thomas Kelly, A Testament of Devotion: Chapter 5, "The Simplification of Life"

Elaine Prevallet, Reflections on Simplicity, PHP #244

Sandra Cronk, Peace Be With You, A Study of the Spiritual Basis of the Friends Peace Testimony, The Tract Association of Friends.

Wilmer Cooper, The Testimony of Integrity in the Religious Society of Friends, PHP #296

April: Mysticism and Activism: Learning from John Woolman and Thomas Kelly

Michael Birkel, A Near Sympathy: The Timeless Wisdom of John Woolman

Thomas Kelly, "The Eternal Now and Social Concern" (Ch. 4 in Testament of Devotion)

May: Individual and Community

Thomas Gates, Members of One Another: The Dynamics of Membership in Quaker Meeting (PHP # 371)

Marty Grundy, Some Thoughts on the Relationship between an Individual and the Meeting (Photocopy).

Thomas Kelly, A Testament of Devotion: Chapter 3, "The Blessed Community"

Sandra Cronk, Gospel Order: A Quaker Understanding of Faithful Church Community

Patricia Loring, Listening Spirituality, Vol 1: (pp. 124 - 189)

June: Discernment of Ministry

Patricia Loring, Listening Spirituality, Vol. 2

SUPPLEMENTAL READING

DISCIPLINES

The Spirit of the Disciplines-Understanding How God Changes Lives by Dallas Willard. This book places solitude and silence, prayer, simple and sacrificial living, meditation upon God's word and ways, and service to others at the heart of the gospel. Harper and Row, 1988, 276 pp. Available at PYM Library.

A Guide to Walking Meditation by Thich Nhat Hanh. Softcover, $8.95.

Celebration of Discipline, The Path to Spiritual Growth by Richard J. Foster. Hailed by many as the best modern book on Christian Spirituality, this book explores the "classic Disciplines," or central spiritual practices, of the Christian faith. Foster, a Quaker, speaks with thoroughness and simplicity. 228 pages. $20

The Quotidian Mysteries, Laundry, Liturgy, and "Women's Work" by Kathleen Norris, Paulist Press, 89 pages, $5.95. Also wonderful books by Kathleen Norris on contemporary spirituality: Dakota, Cloister Walk and Amazing Grace.

Pathways of Spiritual Living by Susan Muto. Takes us through the steps of spiritual living: silence, solitude, prayer, meditation, journal-keeping, and service. Softcover, 185 pages, $6.95.

Simplicity; a Rich Quaker's View by George Peck. He first turns to God in worship, seeking His will for his choices in spending time and money, and in keeping his speech honest and clear. Pendle Hill Pamphlet 189, 32 pages, $4.00.

Soul Feast; an invitation to the Christian Spiritual Life by Marjorie Thompson. Explores the meaning of such spiritual disciplines as prayer, worship, fasting, awareness, etc. Written from the author's experience. Softbound, 103 pages, $13.00.

The Testimony of Integrity in the Religious Society of Friends by Wilmer Cooper. He sees this commitment to personal and corporate expressions of truth as undergirding all the Quaker testimonies, and becoming the guiding principle for daily living. Pendle Hill Pamphlet 296, 30 pages, $4.00.

Wisdom Distilled from the Daily; Living the Rule of Saint Benedict Today by Joan Chittister. A highly readable and inspiring look at Benedictine spirituality from activist, feminist leader. offers wise guidelines for everyday living to those desiring to follow the Way today. Softcover, 216 pages, $12.00.

CHRISTIAN ROOTS AND OTHER TEXTS

Bible: Luke, Acts. Recommended further: John, Psalms, Job.

Tao Te Ching, trans. By Stephen Mitchell, pocket edition, 128 pages, $8.00

Pagels, Elaine, Beyond Belief, the Secret Gospel of Thomas, New York, Random House: 2003

SPIRITUALITY

The Spritiual Life by Evelyn Underhill. This small book was meant "to present some of the great truths concerning man's spiritual life in simple language." Softvcover, Moorehouse Publishing 124 pp.

Women of Power and Presence, the Spiritual Formation of Four Quaker Ministers by Maureen Graham, Pendle Hill Pamphlet 294, 39 pages, $4.00.

Dark Niqht Journey; Inward Re-patterning toward a Life Centered in God by Sandra Cronk. This book helps those who are suddenly bereft of God's presence to understand this pathway and its rootedness in Christ's crucifixion. Softcover, 179 pages, $12.50.

Devotional Classics; Selected Readings for Individuals and Groups edited by Richard Foster and James Smith. Selections from great devotional writers, women and men, on preparing for the spirittual, prayer-filled, virtuous compassionate, Word-centered life. Softcover, 353 pages, $15.00.

The Inward Journey of Isaac Penington; an Abbreviation of Penington's Works edited by Robert Leach. A condensation of the 1400 page, 1761 edition of Isaac Penington's work, with a discussion of God, free will, and justification. Pendle Hill Pamphlet 29, $4.00.

Liberation Theology for Quakers by Alice and Staughton Lynd. God's transforming power can be sought in all situations of injustice and oppression to bring liberation to the poor and mistreated. Pendle Hill Pamphlet 326, 36 pages, $3.25.

The Light Within and Selected Writings of Isaac Penington. The testimony of his life in the Spirit, especially his description and explanation of the Light of God within, available to all people everywhere. Paperback, 69 pages, $2.50.

Previous Convictions and End-of-the-Millenium Quakerism by Christine Trevett. A Welch Quaker, a teacher of religion, surveys modern Quakers and what they have lost of past faith and practice, with special attention to the needs of Young Friends (1997 Swarthmore Lecture; Great Britain): Softcover, 198 pages, $14.

Quaker Spirituality-Selected writings. Edited by Douglas Steere. Excerpts from the writings on spirituality of a number of well-known Friends from various periods of Quaker history. Includes an outstanding introduction on what Quaker spirituality is. Softcover, 250 pages, $22.95.

A Stone for a Pillow; Journeys with Jacob by Madeleine L'Engle. Uses the Biblical story of Jacob who wrestled with an angel and demanded a blessing. God gave him, as He gives us, not protection but vulnerability, not freedom from death but life after death. Hardback, 240 pages, $14.99.

There is A Spirit; the Naylor Somets by Kemeth Boulding. Based on the famous last words of an early Quaker, these poems were..."written to express the hope that lies beyond despair...." Pendle Hill Pamphlet 337, 34 pages, $3.25.

Universalism and Spirituality by Ralph Hetherington. "It is in spirituality rather than religion that universalist thinking is 'rooted and grounded'....It is in Quakerism as an expression of the mystical approach that universalism can develop and flourish." Pendle Hill Pamphlet 309, 32 pages, $3.25.

Virtuous Lives; Four Quaker Sisters Remember Family Life, Abolitionism, and Wcmen's Sufferage by the Buffum sisters, 1806-1899. A compelling story of strong and courageous women in their quest for racial, political, and gender equality. Softbound, 180 pages, $15.95.

PRAYER

The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence. A 17th-century mystic meditates on the habitual sense of God's presence. One's faith may be enhanced by being with God in daily activities. Softcover, 158 pages, $8.95.

Prayer and Our Bodies by Flora Slosson Wuellner. The author invites us to pray both for and with our bodies. Softcover 138 pages, $10.

All Will Be Well; Based on the Classic Spirituality of Julian of Norwich by Richard Chilson. An invitation to use the thoughts of this 12th-century mystic and feminist for meditation and prayer for 30 days. Includes a brief sketch of Julian's life. Softcover, 216 pages, $6.95.

Communion for a Quaker by Nancy Bieber. "This is the story of a journey in search of the sacrament of communion. I invite you to journey with me as I ask MY questions, and find, not only answers, but also ... the challenge of daily sacramental living." Pendle Hill P'let 331, 31 pages $4.00.

Encounter with Silence by John Punshon. Powerful thoughts on silence, prayer, discernment, and worship. Presents the uniqueness of Quaker faith within the tradition of Christian spirituality. Softcover, 131 pages, $10.50.

God's Spirit in Nature by Judith Brown. Poems and prayers celebrating the Earth as, in a metaphysical sense, the Body of God, containing both creative and destructive forces. Pendle Hill Pamphlet 336, 32 pages, $4.00.

A Guide to True Peace, or the Excellency of Inward and Spiritual Prayer compiled chiefly from the writings of Fenelon, Mme. Guyon, and Molinos. A Quaker classic. "The sort of prayer to which we allude is that of inward silence; wherein the soul, abstracted from all outward things, in holy stillness, humble reverence, and lively faith waits patiently to feel the Divine Presence, and to receive the precious influences of the Holy Spirit." Softcover, 118 pages, $7.00.

Too Deep for Words; Rediscovering Lectio Divina by Thelma Hall. Traditional use of Scriptures as a basis for contemplative prayer is given and explained 50 themes, 500 texts. Soft. 110 pages, $6.95.

COMMUNITY

A Place Called Community by Parker J. Palmer. Explores the meanings of community, an idea at the heart of every great religious tradition. Whereas there are false communities that are idolatrous, true community embraces human diversity. Pendle Hill Pamphlet 212, 30 pages, $4.00.

The Active Life; Wisdom for Work, Creativity, and Caring by Parker J. Palmer. This account of the life of the self embedded in city "articulates a vital, down-to-earth spirituality for persons who live busy, active lives at home or work." Paperback, 160 pages, $13.00.

The Cloister Walk by Kathleen Norris. A religious skeptic is led to sojourn at a Benedictine monastery where the Scripture-based rituals of the community enable her to find her own faith. Softcover, 385pages, $12.50.

Community and Growth by Jean Vanier. From his experience with the mentally handicapped and their assistants the author describes the conditions necessary for a community of forgiveness and love. Softcover, 331 pages, $19.95.

DISCERNMENT OF MINISTRY

Listening Hearts: Discerning Calls in Community by Farnham, Gill, McClean and Ward. A book full of practical advice on how to discern God's call. The authors draw on many experience from spiritual traditions in writing this book. 147 pages, $9.95.

Spiritual Discernment; the Context and Goal of Clearness Committees by Patricia Loring. Spiritual discernment is the ability to see into situations and possibilities to identify what is of God in them and what is from numerous other sources within ourselves. Pendle Hill Pamphlet 305, 32 pages, $4.00

Essays on the Quaker Vision of Gospel Order by Lloyd Lee Wilson. "...We should go about answering the question, 'What is gospel order in this situation?' by listening to the Inward Guide." This will result in discernment of ministry and stewardship of our spiritual gifts. Softcover, 197 pages, $10.50.

How Can I Help? Stories and Reflections on Service by Ram Dass and Paul Gorman. Speaks deeply to the challenge of suffering and 'burnout' that many in the helping professions share, as do those who are committed to caring. Softcover, 243 pages, $10.95.

One Small Plot of Heaven; Reflections on Family Life by a Quaker Sociologist by Elise Boulding. She found her ministry, as scholar, author, and parent, in "attempts to integrate peacemaking in the home with peacemaking in the world...." Softcover, 225 pages, $12.50.