Embodied Spirits: Stories of Spiritual Directors of Color

by Sherry Bryant-Johnson (Editor), Therese Taylor-Stinson (Editor), Rosalie Norman McNaney (Editor)

First book addressing the concerns and issues of people of color in spiritual direction

“These essays speak of how we have incorporated our contemplative practices into our family life; our urban, non-religious background; how we have been nurtured in struggles for health and life through our contemplative prayer practices and our courage to survive and even thrive in the midst of dire circumstances. We speak of the unfolding bridge between faith and culture; our conflicts with an Interspiritual journey with a Christian foundation; our sexuality; our journey to healing and authenticity; and how we are taking this practice that began in the first centuries of the church with the desert mothers and fathers to the present and into the future with spiritual direction through the Internet across the world.” ―from the Introduction

Genres: Spirituality

158 pages, Paperback

First published March 10, 2013

Reviews

[Albert Hong · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great for what it is. A first collection of POC voices around the practice of spiritual direction. Diverse in theology and experiences. There are a few gems here, but still feels very much emerging voices. I look forward to when we have richer Wells to draw from that are able to speak more explicitly and practically about how race and culture inform spiritual direction practice. But ultimately helpful in offering company along the way.

[Tamara Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Editors Sherry Bryant-Johnson, Roslie Norman-McNaney, and Therese Taylor-Stinson and provided a literal fleshing out of the exhortation that spiritual formation is for the sake of others. In the context of the themes of the Releasing Rhythm, highlighted the historical experience of the African American church as an entire community shaped by a wilderness experience of marginalization, poverty, and loss.

Within the context of relational dynamics and tensions within spiritual direction relationships, I continue to appreciate readings from Embodied Spirits: Stories of Spiritual Directors of Color. Sherry Bryant-Johnson, in chapter 3, gave me greater insight into the loneliness of shared experience that persons of color find in texts for spiritual direction training. I’m grateful to Selah for introducing us to a few teachers who can provide a first-person witness to an experience other than my own as a white woman. I noticed with admiration Bryant-Johnson’s generosity to receive the wisdom of those who do not share her story, and feel called to do the same in searching out and listening to the wisdom of spiritual teachers from backgrounds different than my own.

I was drawn deeply to the short video of Sherry's conversation with Francoise Mbazoa, a spiritual director Sister from Cameroon. Their conversation gave me a greater sense of the rhythms of an African contemplative, and am grateful for the increased awareness of the ways in which cultural context affects how direction is explained and offered and experienced. I will carry this learning with me especially as I head into a second summer providing spiritual direction within an explicitly multi-cultural context.

[Christine Hiester · Rating 4 out of 5]

A compilation of stories from spiritual directors of color across denomination and even faith traditions. I found it wonderful to experience both the similarities to my own story and practice, and the differences.

[David Woods · Rating 4 out of 5]

Each chapter was written by a different spiritual director of color sharing their stories and what spiritual direction is for them. I really enjoyed learning various flavors of direction, and gleaned lots of helpful insights from their stories!

[Jean Lupinacci · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting topic from many different perspectives. All of us in ministry are “spiritual directors” in some form

[Lanette Cezair · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring

I resonated with many of the accounts. Very inspirational and thought provoking. Thanks to all who shared their faith journeys.

[Rod White · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is hard to find a book on spiritual direction authored by people of color. The editor came up with a varied and striking collection.

[Marcia McLaughlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent look at spiritual direction as well as looking at what these men and women of color bring to spiritual direction. I was reminded often of my own experiences as a spiritual director. It is intended as reading for those studying to be spiritual directors but it is also rich in looking at anyone's faith journey.