Drawing on the breadth of experiences that shape a woman’s life, the author has created a progressive series of reflections on the spiritual life intended to help women “become friends with God.” A workshop leader and writer of both fiction (Dwelling Places
) and nonfiction (The Soul Tells a Story
), Wright uses autobiographical anecdotes, Scripture readings, written exercises and meditations as catalysts to help women consciously encounter God. Inviting women to access the inner room where God awaits them, she calls them to move through such stages as resistance, attention, engagement and, finally, love. Designed in part for those who may find conventional religious practice overly constricting, the book draws heavily upon the meditative tradition of St. Ignatius of Loyola, but with a contemporary gloss that may make it appealing to women across a spectrum of belief and practice. The volume can be used by individuals, in collaboration with a spiritual director, or in a group setting. It is a challenging but hopeful volume, and a useful addition to the material already available in the area of women’s spirituality. (Jan.)
