Recommended Resources
The spiritual journey is enriched by the wisdom and experiences of others. As a free resource for friends of Sacred Formation, we’ve gathered a growing collection of books, articles, and websites that have inspired us and deepened our understanding of the inner life, spiritual formation, and contemplative practices rooted in the Christian tradition.
Whether you’re beginning to explore these ideas or have been on the journey for many years, we hope you’ll discover something here that encourages reflection, nurtures self-awareness, and opens new possibilities for your life with God.
We invite you to explore these resources at your own pace and share them with others who might benefit.
- Through Wind and Waves – On Being a Spiritual Guide by Fr. Francis Fernández-Carvajal
- Guidance in Spiritual Direction by Fr. Charles Hugo Doyle
- The Three Ages of the Interior Life by Fr. Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange
- The Spiritual Life by Fr. Adolphe Tanquerey
- Spiritual Theology by Fr. Jordan Aumann
- Discernment of Spirits by Fr. Timothy Gallagher
- The Fire Within by Fr. Thomas Dubay
- The Fulfillment of All Desire by Ralph Martin
- Seeking Spiritual Direction by Fr. Thomas Dubay
- The Interior Castle, St. Teresa of Avila
Bakke, Jeannette A. Holy Invitations: Exploring Spiritual Direction
Barry, William Francis, and William J. Connolly. The Practice of Spiritual Direction
Benner David G. Sacred Companions: The Gift of Spiritual Friendship and Direction
Bowen, Sarah Spiritual Rebel
Brother Lawrence. The Practice of the Presence of God
Demacopoulos, George E., Five Models of Spiritual Direction in the Early Church
Foster, Richard J. Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth
Geunther, Margaret, Holy Listening: The Art of Spiritual Direction
Hart Thomas N., The Art of Christian Listening
Keating, Thomas. Foundations for Centering Prayer and the Christian Contemplative Life: Open Mind, Open Heart
Kurtz, Ernest and Katherine Ketcham, The Spirituality of Imperfection: Storytelling and the Search for Meaning
Leech, Kenneth. Soul Friend: Spiritual Direction in the Modern World
Linn Dennis, Sheila Fabricant Linn, Matthew Linn. Sleeping with Bread: Holding What Gives You Life
May, Gerald G. The Dark Night of the Soul: A Psychiatrist Explores the Connection between Darkness and Spiritual Growth
McHugh, Adam. The Listening Life
McLaren, Brian D. Naked Spirituality: A Life with God in 12 Simple Words
Merton, Thomas. The Seven Storey Mountain
Nouwen, Henri J. M., Michael J. Christensen, and Rebecca Laird. Spiritual Direction: Wisdom for the Long Walk of Faith
Palmer, Parker, A Hidden Wholeness
Peterson, Eugene H. The Contemplative Pastor: Returning to the Art of Spiritual Direction
Phillips Susan S, Candlelight: Illuminating the Art of Spiritual Direction
Rohr, Richard. Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life
Smith, Gordon. Spiritual Direction: A Guide to Giving and Receiving Spiritual Direction
Thompson, Marjorie J. Soul Feast: An Invitation to the Christian Spiritual Life
Trina Paulus, Hope for the Flowers
Valters Paintner, Christine. Awakening the Creative Spirit: Bringing the Arts to Spiritual Direction
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- Spiritual Direction & Meditation by Thomas Merton
- Writings on Spiritual Direction by Great Christian Masters edited by Jerome Neufelder and Mary Coelho
- Soul Friend: An Invitation to Spiritual Direction by Kenneth Leech
- Care of Mind / Care of Spirit: A Psychiatrist Explores Spiritual Direction by Gerald May
- Soul Keeping: Ancient Paths of Spiritual Direction by Howard Baker
- When the Soul Listens: Finding Rest and Direction in Contemplative Prayer by Jan Johnson
- The Friend of the Bridegroom: Spiritual Direction and the Encounter With Christ by Thomas H. Green
- Spiritual Direction by Henri Nouwen
- Seeking God Together: An Introduction to Group Spiritual Direction by Alice Fryling
- The Enneagram Made Easy By Baron & Wagele