Candlelight: Illuminating the Art of Spiritual Direction

by Susan S. Phillips

O ffers an intimate view of spiritual direction through written re-enactments of actual spiritual direction sessions.
The experiential practice is accompanied by theoretical and theological foundations guiding it. The book includes the stories of nine men and women whose stories illustrate how the journey of Christian discipleship is helped by spiritual direction.

The Spiritual Directors International Series – This book is part of a special series produced by Morehouse Publishing in cooperation with Spiritual Directors International (SDI), a global network of some 6,000 spiritual directors and members.

Genres: Spirituality, Christian, Nonfiction

276 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 2008

Reviews

[Laney Dugan]

This was the first book I’ve read for a 2-year spiritual direction cohort I’m a part of, and it seemed like a rare but sweet gift… the gift of a glimpse into conversations between two people as they notice the movements of God in the life of one through the process of spiritual direction. I look forward to reflecting more deeply on several things that were said here.

[Caleb]

Filled with incredible stories, this book gives great insight into spiritual direction. Or at least, what it should ideally be. A little long (9 examples a bit much...), it still covers a great breadth in a relatively short (250 pages) amount of time.

[Jeremy]

There is some beautiful prose in this book, but I was very disappointed to find a complete lack of Gospel-centered spiritual direction. While I admire Susan's heart and see that she is obviously doing some good, she seems more concerned with whether or not people feel good than whether or not people are viewing God and themselves rightly. I think that as a Christ-follower that must be the greatest call of spiritual direction. Once we view God and ourselves rightly, our joy will be found much more readily.

I gave up on the book after she described a directee who spoke to God and her "power animal". After consulting a priest, Susan decided that if it worked for her directee, great.

[Steve Bedford]

I struggled with this one. The God espoused in this book was rather generic, boarding on sentimental, often not very deep, and largely lacking in a solid basis in the triune God revealed in the Christian Scriptures. The concluding chapter talked about the struggle to characterize God as "Father", which on some level I can sympathize with, especially if our earthy father's are lacking, but the shift to generalized language God leads to generalized experiences of God. The Christian faith reveals a specific God specifically as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. To shift away from such an understanding of God is to lose so much of what makes the faith Christian.

[Jodie Pine]

As my first assigned reading for the spiritual direction program I'm embarking on next month, this book really helped me to better grasp the "fleshing out" of spiritual direction. The author describes her sessions with 9 very different people in 3 parts: beginning, middle, and fruition. In an engaging, easy-to-read way, she shares about her own challenges as well as how the other's faith journeys have impacted hers. Would definitely recommend this one to anyone interested in becoming a spiritual director.

[Megan]

I love the raw and honest conversations that happened between Susan and her directees. It was very beautiful. She also taught me that lighting a candle can represent God's presence in a beautiful way. It is strange that I am giving this book such a high star review. Because after reading this book I still do not understand the role of the Spiritual Director. Except that they seem like a good listener. I guess I am looking for something more.

[Ashley Cooper]

Phillips knows how to write a superb book! As the candle illuminated the holy space for my continued reading-the time flew! I loved this book and would read another of Phillips’ books. The stories are relational, dynamic, and Phillips conveys each of their spiritual journeys, providing dignity and respect for the directees. I definitely recommend this book to seminaries and lay members of the faith communities.

[Rachel Hafler]

Candlelight provided a great picture of what a spiritual direction relationship can look like with people of different backgrounds, personalities, and theologies. I love the diversity of experiences here and the growth that was seen in each person throughout the book.
We don't often get a glimpse into the depths of people's stories in this way and it was refreshing to read about God meeting Leah, John, Ruth, and others in unique ways.

[Princesslindi]

A great insight to Spiritual Direction and Directors

The author does a great job of painting the pictures of lives and relationships though Spiritual Direction. She take the reader through several journeys with her directees, as well as her own (to some extent), and you come away with a better understanding on God through Spiritual direction.

[James]

Creative approach

This is a very fine book on spiritual direction as it takes an almost case study approach. The reader follows theprogress of multiple individuals through their Spiritual Direction. Phillips has great insight and one learns from her verbatim accounts of conversations.

[Donna Vaux]

both comforting and confrontational in a positive manner

I read the book by following each person through beginning, middle, and fruition. I liked she suggested that. The images she uses evoked the mystery and power of images we often dismiss as minimally important to us, yet are often the places we encounter God when we examine them.

[K.J. Adan]

Really good, but...

This is a very good dive into spiritual direction. There is something I cannot put my finger on that I do not enjoy in the narrative, but I love the stories of her directees & her gentle attention to them.

[Summer Green]

This book was a wonderful companion to my walk as a spiritual director and as a directee. I am grateful for the beautiful narrative that Susan has put together that gives the "long view" of what happens in these sacred rooms.

[Joe]

Beautiful and organic

A beautiful and living glimpse into spiritual direction. The heart of the author is woven throughout the book as she guides the reader through the essence of spiritual direction.

[Jana]

Excellent. Love the way Susan Phillips splits this into 3 sections and follows the journeys of her directees through each phase. Very good book on spiritual direction and the ways we walk with others on their journey.

[Laura]

I read this book during a season of discernment regarding becoming a spiritual director. I find this author’s sharing stories and insights from her own experiences as a spiritual director over the years somewhat intimidating, yet so generous and welcoming.

[J. Anderson]

I devoured this book. It stirred my spirit for God’s Presence.

[Gracewellworn]

Yes. This. Susan, thank you!! It was beautiful to journey with Susan doing her work.

[Lindsay]

If you’re interested in spiritual direction-read this book!! (And talk to my mom 😉)

[Rod White]

I appreciated Phillips' practical book about how she does it.

[Margaret]

Read for my class in spiritual direction. Loved her insights as she peels back the curtain with some of her directees, the process of growth and transformation for both herself and others.

[Lynne Degroot mclaughlin]

A beautifully written book on the practice of spiritual direction. I read it for a class, but would recommend to anyone doing direction or interested in it.

[Heidi Rotert]

Excellent Book!

I loved her detail as she wove in and out of the stories of her directees. What a helpful picture she paints.

[Janis H.]

4.5

[Chris Klausen]

Practical examples on the different stages in the spiritual direction relationship.

[Paul Dubuc]

I really liked this book because Phillips doesn't just write about spiritual direction. She illustrates, or illuminates, it with stories of those with whom she has shared the relationship of spiritual director. The reader not only gets a better idea of what good spiritual direction is (and isn't) but also gets a glimpse of how it nurtures spiritual growth in both the directed and the director. This is a very valuable book both for directors and for those considering receiving spiritual direction.

[Keith]

This book is a great inductive approach to Spiritual Direction, taking you within the session itself. Phillips uses the real cases of about 8 directees. The book is laid out in such a way that you travel, in session, through the beginning phase of direction through the journeying phase and into 'fruition'. Phillips explains her choices, temptations and basic philosophy as she goes through the sessions and phases. This method helps one get a true sense of 'Direction'.

[Floyd]

I was impacted by Phillips' personal touch in the care of souls God leads her way. I had a bit of an epiphany as I finished reading the book to my wife Joyce. It struck me that God has given me the joy of caring for souls through spiritual direction and it is a high honour and privilege and a ministry that brings me deep joy; a ministry I want to learn to do in a deeper and more sensitive way.

[Kate]

This book is a helpful introduction to the actual process of spiritual directions--describing several case studies involving people who participate in the process--how they begin, what they work on in the middle of their spiritual direction process, and how they end their work with the author. After reading it, I had a good sense of how this spiritual work differs from psychotherapeutic work.

[Sherri]

Susan Phillips opens the door and lights the candle in her office and life. You immediately drop any pretense or fear you may have about Spiritual Direction. She tells her story and others in a way that seem more like a parable than a lecture. I felt like I came away personally encouraged in my relationship with Jesus and yet highly educated and enlightened about spiritual direction.