The Soul of a Pilgrim: Eight Practices for the Journey Within

by Christine Valters Paintner

Overview

The renowned author of eight books and abbess of the online retreat center Abbey of the Arts, Christine Valters Paintner takes readers on a new kind of pilgrimage: an inner journey to discover the heart of God. Eight stages of the pilgrim's way--from hearing the call to coming home--are accompanied by scripture stories of great biblical journeys and the author's unique and creative practices of prayer, writing, and photography.

As she did in The Artist's Rule and Eyes of the Heart, Christine Valters Paintner once again helps readers travel to the frontiers of their souls to discover the hidden presence of God. In The Soul of a Pilgrim, Paintner identifies eight stages of the pilgrim's way and shows how to follow these steps to make an intentional, transformative journey to the reader's inner "wild edges." Each phase of the exploration requires a distinct practice such as packing lightly, being uncomfortable, or embracing the unknown. Paintner shows how to cultivate attentiveness to the divine through deep listening, patience, and opening oneself to the gifts that arise in the midst of discomfort.

Each of the eight chapters offers reflections on the themes, a scripture story, an invitation to the practice of lectio divina, and a creative exploration through photography and writing.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781933495873
Publisher:	Ave Maria Press
Publication date:	05/05/2015
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	160
Sales rank:	717,043
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Christine Valters Paintner is the online abbess for Abbey of the Arts, a virtual monastery offering classes and resources on contemplative practice and creative expression. She earned a doctorate in Christian spirituality from the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California, and achieved professional status as a registered expressive arts consultant and educator from the International Expressive Arts Therapy Association. She is also trained as a spiritual director and supervisor.

Paintner is the author of numerous spirituality titles, including The Love of Thousands; Birthing the Holy; Sacred Time; Earth, Our Original Monastery; The Soul’s Slow Ripening; The Wisdom of the Body; Illuminating the Way; The Soul of a Pilgrim; The Artist’s Rule; Water, Wind, Earth, and Fire; and three collections of poetry.

She is a Benedictine oblate living in Galway, Ireland, with her husband, John. Together they lead online retreats at their website AbbeyoftheArts.com.

Table of Contents

Introduction 1

Chapter 1 The Practice of Hearing the Call and Responding 11

Chapter 2 The Practice of Packing Lightly 33

Chapter 3 The Practice of Crossing the Threshold 49

Chapter 4 The Practice of Making the Way by Walking 63

Chapter 5 The Practice of Being Uncomfortable 81

Chapter 6 The Practice of Beginning Again 97

Chapter 7 The Practice of Embracing the Unknown 109

Chapter 8 The Practice of Coming Home 125

Conclusion 139

Acknowledgments 141

Notes 143