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Journaling: A Spirit Journey
In this revised and expanded 2001 edition of her best-selling book, Broyles offers new stories, thought-provoking prompts and questions to help enrich your relationship with God through spiritual writing. Journaling includes practical advice on best practices (with an extensive bibliography for further reading) and sufficient space for trying each of the six creative starter approaches Broyles outlines for * from the events of daily life * in response to scripture * with guided meditations * from dreams * in response to reading * from conversations or dialogues ""In journaling, one looks inward to see how we are affected by [life] events,"" she writes. ""Each of us carries on inner conversations as we sort through our feelings about daily living, our relationships, world events. Journaling makes these conversations tangible, ink on paper, which is very clarifying and a spiritual discipline."" Appropriate for individuals or small groups, this book is an excellent tool leading to greater reflection on your relationship with God, gaining insight in your unique spiritual journey and connecting daily activities and relationships with your faith.
137 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1988
3 people are currently reading
33 people want to read
About the author
Anne Broyles
26 books10 followersAnne Broyles is the award-winning author of two children's picture books, PRISCILLA AND THE HOLLYHOCKS (Charlesbridge, 2008) and SHY MAMA'S HALLOWEEN (Tilbury House, 2000). She also writes for regional publications such as MERRIMACK VALLEY MAGAZINE and THE LOS ANGELES TIMES Travel section. Check out www.annebroyles.com for more details."
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
May 28, 2018
I've been journaling for well over 30 years and have read a wide variety of material on the practice, from the standpoint of creative writing exercise to self-help/psychological uses to spiritual deepening. Broyles book is a nice mix and addition to the boy of writing on the subject. I'd place it as a solid middle ground within the sub-category of writing to deepen faith and as spiritual practice.
It's strengths were in clear structure and recommendation of taking at least a week with each of six different styles of practice (writing from a meditation, from daily conversation, dreamwork, daily reading, etc.). There is a great list of recommended reading resources for each chapter and at the end of the book which, as an avid reader, always pleases me for new source material to explore. All of the techniques were well trod territory for me and many of the recommended books were known, but the reminders were good and there was enough that was new in resources or particular questions for writing prompts that I found it a useful volume. I did appreciate that there was some nod to diverse Christian traditions, but only slight mention of quotes from other religious traditions (a few Jewish tradition quotes made their way in, but nothing more).
I found the large amount of blank pages left for writing in between each section to be unnecessary and a waste; if one was actually writing in the book, workbook style, it would have been far too little for a week's worth of writing and by way of response. Without using the pages, it just felt like wasted space and filler. The clear point of view of a Methodist minister with exposure to Quaker tradition and university chaplaincy came through in the recommendations of materials and chosen phrasing/theological orientations, but was not strident or problematic in tone. It was just noticeable, as anyone's views might be.
Overall, a nice book for encouraging writing as spiritual practice.
It's strengths were in clear structure and recommendation of taking at least a week with each of six different styles of practice (writing from a meditation, from daily conversation, dreamwork, daily reading, etc.). There is a great list of recommended reading resources for each chapter and at the end of the book which, as an avid reader, always pleases me for new source material to explore. All of the techniques were well trod territory for me and many of the recommended books were known, but the reminders were good and there was enough that was new in resources or particular questions for writing prompts that I found it a useful volume. I did appreciate that there was some nod to diverse Christian traditions, but only slight mention of quotes from other religious traditions (a few Jewish tradition quotes made their way in, but nothing more).
I found the large amount of blank pages left for writing in between each section to be unnecessary and a waste; if one was actually writing in the book, workbook style, it would have been far too little for a week's worth of writing and by way of response. Without using the pages, it just felt like wasted space and filler. The clear point of view of a Methodist minister with exposure to Quaker tradition and university chaplaincy came through in the recommendations of materials and chosen phrasing/theological orientations, but was not strident or problematic in tone. It was just noticeable, as anyone's views might be.
Overall, a nice book for encouraging writing as spiritual practice.
January 2, 2025
I love how each chapter is focused on a different journaling technique to help the reader grow in their spiritual journey through journaling! The author also provides resources that are related to the topic of the chapter at the end of each chapter.
March 3, 2018
so neat!
December 9, 2019
Lots of good suggestions. Couldn't bring myself to write in the book, but you can always photocopy pages.
August 19, 2011
Journaling to receive insights and reflect on our personal relationship with God. Definitely soothes the soul and allows ones imagination and intuition into the mystical realm to soar.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews