Pilgrimage of a Soul: Contemplative Spirituality for the Active Life

by Phileena Heuertz, Phyllis Tickle (Foreword)

You can only go so far for so long before you find the limits of yourself. For Phileena Heuertz that moment arrived, mercifully, around the same time as a sabbatical to mark her twelfth year of service with Word Made Flesh, a ministry to some of the poorest people in the world. With six months' respite from the daily task of serving those who have nothing, Phileena rediscovered the genius of contemplative spirituality.Activists often see contemplation as a luxury, the sort of thing that must necessarily be laid aside in the quest to see the world set aright. But in Pilgrimage of a Soul we see that contemplation is essential--not only to a life of sustained commitment to the justice and righteousness of God, but to the growth in faith and discipleship that the Holy Spirit beckons each of us to. Tracing seven movements from a kind of sleepfulness to a kind of wakefulness, Heuertz shows us that life is a journey that repeats itself as we are led by Christ deeper and deeper into our true selves and a truer knowledge of God.

Genres: Spirituality, Christian, Nonfiction, Faith, Self Help, Memoir, Theology

204 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 25, 2010

About the author

Phileena Heuertz is the author of Pilgrimage of a Soul and a founding partner of Gravity, a Center for Contemplative Activism. For nearly twenty years she and her husband, Chris, codirected an international nonprofit. Spiritual director, yoga instructor, public speaker, retreat guide, and author, Phileena is passionate about spirituality and making the world a better place.

Reviews

[Jess Denney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I rated this 4 stars because of Heuertz' emphasis on personal transformation. I felt that Heuertz drew many of her perspectives from Merton, Monk-Kidd, and writers similar. She incorporates this wisdom into the steps of her own journey along the Camino de Santiago. Could this be a kind of model for her readers?

Heuertz reflections seem abrasive in the first few chapters. Honesty, after all, is a large part of the transformative process, in which case it proves necessary for Heuertz own maturation and potentially for those reading.

A good muse for those seeking discernment during periods of waiting, or otherwise stuck in a rut while examining the crags of Western spirituality.

Key topics: Complacency, Compliance, Self Abnegation, Feminine Spirituality.

[Terra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started this book way back in November of last year as I was beginning my final year of seminary. Heuertz approaches the dark night of the soul and the contemplative life in general through a uniquely personal lens. She offers a great introduction to the thinking of Saint John of the Cross, Merton, and other wise spiritual teachers in the Christian tradition.

This book turned out to be very personal and powerful for me. I found myself wrestling (and at times disagreeing initially) with some of her insights, rereading them, and finding various ideas coming up weeks and months after I'd read them. It was one of those books I needed to digest slowly.

Her experience of being a woman in a conservative religious environment paralleled my own journey in some profound ways. While her narrative sometimes seemed to wander a bit, it rang deeply true. I'm grateful for her story and her wisdom.

[Paige · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great book. Really helps understand difficult parts of the Christian journey and process of change/growth. Phileena does a great job emphasizing the struggles of women in contemporary society and reveals some of her own struggles. She also helps the reader understand the importance of contemplative prayer and the great tool it can be for Christians. This book came at the perfect time in my life and helped me make sense of what I was feeling. I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone, especially women of faith.

[Brandon Charlton II · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my top ten best reads of the past five years. Heuretz is poetic, profound, yet so simple in her writing. I highly suggest this book for any person but especially for anyone who resonates as an enneagram type 2. I love her take on "self-abnegation."

[Brent Roe-Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phileena Heuertz's brave piece goes beyond "how-to" and dives into the murky and dark waters of the spiritual transformation that inevitably accompanies contemplation. She allows her readers to listen in on her inner dialogue during a time of pilgrimage and sabbatical, drawing a bold and beautiful line between the two. By so doing, she also intimately connects action and contemplation--a connection that is by no means new but is too often forgotten by actives like myself. This is a wonderfully smooth compilation of diary and discourse that simultaneously exposes the detriments of patriarchy, paternalism, perfection, and the false-self. The most difficult part for the reader is to move from distant observation to intimate engagement, from biography to autobiography; I hope I, too, can one day pen of such a pilgrimage.

[Rachel Hafler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I savored this book slowly over the past month. Reading, journaling, and taking time to process each chapter as I went along. And it was deeply impactful.
Phileena's descriptions of her pilgrimage journey on the Camino were beautiful. The insights into stages of the spiritual journey were so different than anything I've read before and I feel like I gained new understanding and perspective about my own spiritual life. I especially appreciated her thoughts on womanhood and how that has related to her spirituality. The reflection questions and practices at the end of each chapter helped guide my journaling and encouraged deeper engagement with the ideas. Phileena's writing is a bit choppy and scattered at first, but I personally connected with this style and felt that the spiritual insights contained here will deserve a re-read again when I'm further along in my pilgrimage. :)

[Christi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the intentionality and thoughtfulness that went into this book!

I will say it got a little repetitive at times, with her repeating the main lessons that she learned about questioning gender roles and such.

But overall, I appreciate the call to reflect, to take a step back, and to thoughtfully consider the places, people, and relationships that we are placed in instead of just floating through life with no pause for serious reflection... To take the time to understand what is our true self and see what is our false self to let go of... To understand what we long for most and to not be driven by empty efforts at happiness.

I found all of this especially poignant as I myself am now preparing to walk the Camino very soon!

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars
This book came to me at just the right time. Phileena is down the road ahead of me leading the way, lighting a path for me. I was so inspired by her story and so encouraged to know that she has emerged on the other side, a truer version of herself, and that it is worth going through the fire. I went to Israel two years ago which felt like a pilgrimage of sorts, but I did not navigate my time there with that mentality. I'd like to do something at some point along the lines of what she did. That's a spiritual discipline I've not explored. Thank you Phileena for your vulnerability and passion and voice.

[AshleyJean6 · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were some really good nuggets in this book; but it wasn't my favorite overall. I think I might come back to it sometime... Not sure. I think I felt it was largely unrelatable; for a person who A. doesn't work in a ministry setting and B. has young kids, the idea of huge chunks of time to devote to sabatical and contemplation seems unattainable and unrealistic. I did like how she briefly alluded to her awakening as a woman, embracing the divine feminine and her realization that patriarchy had mucked up things in western church theology. Anyway. Ok in parts, meh and repetitive in others.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is a beautiful offering of a very personal journey. Philena gives her readers a window into her soul. I did not read the questions at the end of each chapter. I didn't use the book as it is intended to be used. I simply read it. I found it to be overly wordy and too complex to be helpful, but perhaps this is because of the particular place I found myself when I read it. I will probably read it again in the future, and I suspect I will get much more out of it.

[Jacci · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phileena takes us on her pilgrimage as she walks along "The Camino," as well as the lessons learned from silence, and spending time with Mother Teresa and Thomas Keating. She includes us in her darkness and breaking. She brings us into her resurrection as a different person. This book is not fast food, it's a five-course meal to be savored with a fine wine.
It correlates with the stages of spiritual development. A great way to go deeper in your relationship with God.

[Lisa Magnuson]

I identified with Phileena's journey in this book in such a personal and encouraging way. Wherever you are on your own journey, the kindness and gentleness she shows herself as she wrestles with her own struggles provide a roadmap for a more compassionate process. The questions and reflections embedded within each chapter made this book an exercise not just a pleasant read. I got so much out of this book and know I will return to its wisdom time and again!

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

While much of Heuertz's individual revelations did not speak to me personally, I greatly respect and admire the pilgrimage journey and completely agree with the need for sabbatical in our lives. Heuertz has reminded me to take stock of my overly scheduled life and create spaces for silence and spiritual renewal. For that, I am grateful.

[Becca Feldhacker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thoughtful, and clearly writing about a pivotal and beautiful transformation so for that I appreciated the book. Critically separating the patriarchy from her faith, confessing the sin of self-abnegation, and learning the uncomfortable but necessary rhythm of rest and contemplation: all great.
Her style wasn’t my favorite though and it seemed to me that she wrote in circles in each chapter.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

An excellent read for anyone who is longing for a journey of self-realization in Christ and finding out their place of divine feminism. Since I was not able to relate to many aspects of the book, it did not speak to me in a way to garner 5 stars, but am sure others would greatly benefit from it.

[Tanya Bellehumeur-Allatt · Rating 3 out of 5]

My favourite parts of this book were the bits about the author's pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. This was fascinating, and I would have loved more details. I also enjoyed reading about her decision to move from Evangelicalism to Catholicism.

[Vanessa Rivera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Looking forward to Phileena’s next book.
This one is a Beautiful memoir of her spiritual journey.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book to clarify for me aspects of contemplative spirituality I am learning and practicing. As well, I love the parallel of the Camino walk...

[Ladi Lyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. Definitely gave new insight into levels of spiritual formation.
Highly Recommended!!

[Crystal · Rating 1 out of 5]

Beware! This is actually about centering prayer which is in no way Contemplative Prayer. This book will mislead you.

[Jenni Ho-Huan]

a personal story that is instructive, remember it's not prescriptive!

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book came into my life at the perfect time. Phileena is someone I can look up to in this journey of faith.

[Rachel Shook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Phileena invites us into her journey of spiritual growth throughout pilgrimage and sabbatical, and her encouragement, insight, and wisdom on the Camino of the Spirit are a treasure.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. Great example of the contemplative, and how it can be married to the charismatic.

[Amos Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phileena Heuertz gives new meaning to the phrase "soul searching". In her commendable book, Pilgrimage of a Soul: Contemplative Spirituality for the active life, she doesn't just search, she sifts through her beliefs and passions over and over again. I admire Phileena's courage and candor! She takes subjects like patriarchy, gender roles, and despair head on! I also esteem Phileena for having the courage to stand up against the status quo. Here commitment to the poor, her decision to commit her life to service as opposed to child-rearing, and her conversion from Evangelical Protestant to Catholic are a testament to her independent thinking and pluck. Phileena is a Contemplative I thoroughly appreciate, who has searched her soul and thoroughly examined her life! Highly recommended!
-Amos Smith (author of Healing The Divide: Recovering Christianity's Mystic Roots)

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although insightful, this read struck me as more cerebral than experiential.

As a father who has suffered the loss of two infant children, and has the immeasurable joy of two healthy kids--now teenagers, I could not relate to the author's choice to not have children. I respect her decision, but I feel that my heart has been broadened by my experience as a father.

When I was a young man I felt much the same as the author regarding having a family. But life took me in a different direction than I planned, resulting in a view of God that has changed dramatically from that of my youth.

I do feel a commonality with the author's spiritual journey, and admire her longing for communion with God. I am inspired to carve out more down time for contemplation and prayer.

[Jonathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I couldn't connect with the writing style at first, and thought that I wasn't going to like it. But as it got going I began to pick up a lot from the book. Contemplative spirituality is a strong focus of the book, and since most of the books I had read on the subject were written by Orthodox or Catholic monks, I appreciated the new perspective. But Phileena's insights into female/male dynamics in the church and her own lifetime of growth in authenticity before Christ were good for me as well.

[Malinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Phileena Heuertz has a heart for God and his people, and that heart shines out clearly through this excellent book. Heuertz explores the cycles of the Christian life through the frame of a pilgrimage on the Camino. Her journey to becoming a fully realized Christian woman is heartbreaking, affirming, and inspirational. For anyone who has ever struggled with God (in other words - literally anyone) this is a book to give direction and hope.

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading Phileena Heuertz' active and shared contemplation of a year of sabbatical is a true gift. She takes readers through the journey walked and the struggles and transformations that she entered along the way through God's grace. Don't think you have time or need to take time for contemplation? Heuretz story shows how this seemingly quiet practice is essential, especially for those of us in the midst of an active life.

[Jo]

A contemplative spirituality for those who have burnt out from an active life of parochial service. Phileena serves actively in a non-profit incarnational ministry in economically poor regions. While having found her calling in the active stream of religious work, she has found needed renewal in the practices and paradigms of contemplative spirituality.