Dancing at the Still Point: Retreat Practices for a Busy Life - Softcover

Simmonds, Dr Gemma

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0281084718 ISBN 13: 9780281084715

Publisher: Form, 2021

Synopsis

Retreats give us a space for contemplation and developing our relationship with God, but they aren't always possible. So can we still appreciate and detect the everyday God, even without special 'holy' places and spiritual practices?

Dancing at the Still Point is a book for those who can't or aren't ready to go away for a residential Christian retreat, but who want to be in daily relationship and connect with God in a satisfying way.

In sessions that you can work through at your own pace, Gemma Simmonds guides us through the practices and disciplines of retreats, such as being still physically and spiritually, developing a habit of prayer and learning some basic discernment skills. With insights from the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises, she explores how we can fold these practices into every day and shows that a rich life of prayer, in which we have time and space to let God be present, is achievable even in a busy working or family life.

Practical and flexible, Dancing at the Still Point will help you find a richer and more balanced life, where the spiritual takes its rightful place amid all the other calls on time and attention.

About this title

About the Author

Dr Gemma Simmonds CJ is a sister of the Congregation of Jesus, Director of the Religious Life Institute and Senior Lecturer in Pastoral Theology, Margaret Beaufort Institute of Theology, Cambridge. She teaches Christian Spirituality at the Cambridge Theological Federation. She has been a spiritual director, retreat giver and lecturer for over 25 years, working globally. She is the author of The Way of Ignatius (SPCK, 2019) and Dancing at the Still Point (Form, 2021).

From the Back Cover

Perhaps you've always thought that going away on a residential Christian retreat is not for you. But can you still connect with God, even without special 'holy' places? This practical and flexible book says you can.

Gemma Simmonds begins by exploring how to let go of busyness. She covers traditional ways to meet God, such as lectio divina, imaginative contemplation and the Ignatian Examen. But she also delves deeply into how to use nature, art, music and the body as ways towards the divine. Each chapter concludes with suggestions that the reader can tailor to the time available.

Like a good spiritual guide, Dancing at the Still Point will help you to lead a rich, well-balanced life, and discover the God alive in the depths of your heart.


'A beautiful book, overflowing with inspirational insight and practical teaching.'
Brian Heasley, International Prayer Director, 24-7 Prayer

'Following the advice in this book will bring about human flourishing: being ourselves, yet more fully alive!'
David Wells, author, internationally renowned speaker, lecturer and teacher,

'A joyful, freeing guide.'
Amy Boucher-Pye, retreat leader and author of 7 Ways to Pray


[Category: Christian Living]

Edition details

• Publisher: Form
• Publication date: 2021
• ISBN 10: 0281084718
• ISBN 13: 9780281084715
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 128