by James Martin, SJ (HarperCollins, 2010)
Review by C. Pak
"Here are the kinds of questions that are proper to Ignatian spirituality, which we'll discuss in the coming chapters:
How do I know what I'm supposed to do in life?
How do I know who I'm supposed to be?
How do I make good decisions?
How can I life a simple life?
How can I be a good friend?
How can I face suffering?
How can I be happy?
How can I find God?
How do I pray?
How do I love?" ~ taken from Chapter 1 (pg. 7)
I took this book with me on retreat recently and was pleasantly surprised by its readability, accessibility and applicability to my day-to-day life. It was a great refresher on many things Jesuit/Ignatian. Although I am formed in Ignatian spirituality (having had a Jesuit spiritual director nearly seven years) and therefore familiar with such terms as discernment of spirits, the exercises, detachment and contemplative in action, Fr. Martin's style is so engaging and comfortably conversational that even someone completely new to Jesuit spirituality will easily learn the terms and method of prayer, relationship, and discernment used by the Society of Jesus.
There are many different spiritualities in 21st century Catholic living: Ignatian, Augustinian, Benedictine, Franciscan, Lanterian, Carmelite, Dominican, and so on. Most people will find resonance with a few of these spiritualities - one discovers this about oneself by learning about them and adopting what works; perhaps the Jesuit way will be helpful to you. Maybe not. The book is definitely worth reading if you want to find out.
Highly recommended for any reader, of any denomination, though this was written by a Catholic priest with some references to distinctly Catholic traditions.
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