Hearing With the Heart: A Gentle Guide for Discerning God's Will for Your Life

by Debra K. Farrington

Only through learning to hear with our hearts tuned closely to God can we discern how we should find our way through the crowded and confusing thickets of our lives. In Hearing with the Heart, popular writer and retreat leader Debra Farrington leads you through a gentle process for discovering how to invite God's presence into every aspect of your daily life. Her story-filled discussions of key practices such as prayer, meditation, reading and reflection, and attentiveness to your body, your studies, and your relationships with your friends and family, help you discover how to be open to discerning God's will. Filled with a wealth of exercises, guidelines, and tools, Hearing with the Heart gives you the practical help you need to bring you closer to God. As you put these suggestions into practice you will find yourself opening more and more to God's infinite possibilities for you.

Genres: Spirituality, Faith

247 pages, Hardcover

First published December 20, 2002

Reviews

[Allison Harmon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great intro to discernment. The author did an impressive job of integrating ancient spiritual discernment practices and templates with modern mind/body and social-emotional learning (SEL) wisdom. Her warnings about the discernment process and emphasis on looking for mental health red flags (i.e. depression) are important to anyone who is seeking to discern God's will in their life.

[Natalie Ullmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book. I've been a student of surrender for many many years. I particular appreciate reading the works coming out of the Christian community on this issue, I think in part because of the Christian understanding of "vocation" of a calling. That there is a loving God, who created us with a particular destiny in mind.

I appreciated the author's broad approach, she includes comments and insights from many traditions. I liked the simplicity of her language and her approach. I appreciated her sincerity and the way that the topic was handled without promising or demanding that we would live exalted existences. The book also didn't carry the message that oh, our vocation is just the life we are given. There was a clear communication and inspiration in the book that communicated to me that vocation and calling are valid aspirations - and while the result may not bee what one expects that the calling does promise a inner treasure of some kind.

I recommend the book for those seeking their path.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good mix of describing what discernment is and giving a variety of tools for discernment in your life

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book does not know what it wants to be. The chapters are meaty and read like an inspirational book, but the pages are designed with quotes and Bible verses in the margin, making it read like a coffee table book, or a book built for casual, light skimming.

I do not have anything necessarily terrible to say about this book ... But I finished it just 2-3 weeks ago, and I cannot remember anything important I learned from it. I would say it is fine for casual inspiration, but there are other books available which are better for helping guide readers through God's will and purpose for their lives.

[Patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finished this book some time ago, but some how never got a review written. I am very impressed with Farrington's ability to discuss discernment. She gives us the right guidance for when and how to discern God's will. I really like her style, her use of words.

I just wish I had encountered this book when I was trying to discernment my life goals. Right now, I am just trying to keep afloat in my present life.

I will try to find this book again when I am closer to retirement. I think I will need it then.

[Randine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good - exactly what I was looking for to deepen my prayer life and understand meaning of rosaries (yes, protestants use rosaries too!)

[Mandy Huot · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book! another book I will include in my next blog. really helpful and fitting during this time in my own journey of discernment.