Spiritual direction reading plan – Part I

When I entered into spiritual direction one of my first assignments was to read “Spiritual Progress” by Father Thomas Williams, LC. This was a great starting point for me to begin this important trek. My challenge was that, as a convert to Catholicism, my head was filled with a handful of ideas about the spiritual life that were not well integrated yet. I had a number of questions like, What were the distinctions between meditation and contemplation? Where should I start as I seek to deepen my prayer life (vocal prayer, mental prayer, etc.) Is contemplation just thinking about Christ, or is it far more than that? How can I deepen my relationship with Christ?

My spiritual director helped me through these and many other questions, but I am aware that many of you don’t have access to a director at this time, and may not in the near future. If I had to do it all over again and I did not have a spiritual director, I would read the following books in the order I have listed them below.

This list in this order would have helped me avoid a good measure of confusion. Each of these books will benefit beginners, experienced begin-againers, and the experienced seeking to build or rebuild greater depth. These works (with the exception of the Gospel meditations section of “The Better Part”) are instructional works, not devotional. They are recommended here because they illumine the spiritual path clearly, concisely, and with sufficient depth and breadth for most readers.

• Spiritual Progress by Father Thomas D. Williams, LC: This book will provide a broad and foundational overview regarding how to progress in the spiritual life.
• Prayer Primer by Father Thomas Dubay, SM: This book will establish a solid foundation of understanding of all key forms of prayer along with the challenges and benefits of each.
• The Better Part by Father John Bartunek, LC: This book will take you deeper into your knowledge of Christ through a clear guide to meditation method and daily readings on the Gospels. This is excellent preparation for contemplative prayer.
• Deep Conversion/Deep Prayer by Father Thomas Dubay, SM: This book will help to keep you motivated and encouraged in your spiritual development.

Seek Him – Find Him – Follow Him

Pax Christi – Dan

Spiritual Progress – Book Recommendation

Spiritual Progress: Becoming the Christian You Want to Be

by Father Thomas Williams, LC

This book is for beginners… but in the broadest sense. It is for rank beginners, for whom the idea of spiritual progress presents a fresh exciting quest into the unknown. It is for “experienced” beginners for whom starting over has become something of a profession. It is for humbled beginners who realize that after much travel they need to retrace their steps and set out anew from square one. It is for curious beginners who for the first time are considering the spiritual life as something worthy of pursuit. It is even for embarrassed beginners, who realize they should probably be far ahead of where they find themselves. In short it is for anyone willing to take seriously Jesus’ words: “Unless you change and become as little children, you shall never enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Adapted from the Introduction – no better way to say it…).

Table of Contents:

Ch 1: Redefining Success – Holiness and the Meaning of Life

Ch 2: True Love – The Heart of Christian Spirituality

Ch 3: WWJD? – What it Really Means to Follow Christ

Ch 4: The Road to Happiness – Reevaluating God’s Will

Ch 5: Talking with God – Prayer and Why it Matters

Ch 6: How to Pray – The Inner Dynamics of Christian Prayer

Ch 7: Where to Draw Water – The Sources of Christian Grace

Ch 8: You’ve Got a Friend – How Holy Spirit Can Make You a Saint

Ch 9: Honor Thy Mother – What Mary Has to Do with Christian Life

Ch 10: Becoming a Believer – Faith as a Gift of Choice

Ch 11: Discovering Your Best Self – True Humility in World of Vanity

Ch 12: Letting Go – Generosity as a Christian Virtue

Ch 13: Enemy at the Gates – A Dose of Christian Realism

Ch 14: Your Own Personal Trainer – Spiritual Direction & its Benefits

Ch 15: Drafting a Plan of Action – Usefulness of a Spiritual Program

Ch 16: Practicing and Preaching – Letting Others in on the Secret

Click Here to Purchase or to find out more more about “Spiritual Progress”