Recommended Learning - Center for Contemplative Leadership

This book is a comprehensive single-volume introduction to the academic discipline of Christian spirituality. Written by respected scholars in the field, it introduces not only the biblical, historical, and theological approaches to Christian spirituality but also interdisciplinary conversation partners and contemporary issues. This book is helpful for scholars and practitioners who want to explore the contours of the discipline and how it relates to their work.

Margaret Benefiel and Bo Karen Lee, eds. The Soul of Higher Education: Contemplative Pedagogy, Research, and Institutional Life for the Twenty-First Century. Charlotte: Information Age Publishing, 2019.

This collection of essays is part of the series “Advances in Workplace Spirituality: Theory, Research, and Education.” The authors are scholars and practitioners who explore the implication of contemplative grounding for higher education. The essays are divided into three main parts: (1) epistemological foundations, (2) contemplative teaching, learning, and research, and (3) contemplative organizational structures. This book is a helpful resource for educators who seek to integrate contemplative frameworks into their pedagogy.

Cindy S. Lee. Unforming Spirituality: De-Westernizing Spiritual Formation. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2022.

In this book, Lee addresses how the conversation surrounding spiritual formation is often dominated by white authors. She interrogates how Western values have become the norm in Christian theology and spirituality. Thus, she calls for the need to decenter whiteness (unforming) and open the space for others to enter our spiritual imagination (re-forming). Lee draws a pathway for this task by providing three cultural orientations and nine postures. This book can be a helpful guide for spiritual directors providing care to BIPOC communities.

Barbara A. Holmes. Joy Unspeakable: Contemplative Practices of the Black Church. Second Edition. Minneapolis: Fortress, 2017.

In this groundbreaking work, Holmes aims to reclaim the contemplative tradition of the African American people. By exploring the African spiritual tradition as well as the slave narratives, she traces the development of contemplative practices of Black people from West Africa to the United States. For Holmes, the distinctive features of contemplation for Black churches are marked by its activism against dehumanization and its commitment to justice.

Martin Laird, Into the Silent Land: A Guide to the Practice of Contemplation. New York: Oxford University Press, 2006.

This book is the first of Laird’s trilogy on Christian contemplation. Each chapter introduces a particular topic surrounding contemplative prayer, where Laird draws from the wisdom of spiritual masters within the tradition. This book is written in a reflective yet practical manner, inviting the readers to dive into the “silent land” and encounter God in the depths of our soul.

Books

Adam Bucko. Let Your Heartbreak Be Your Guide: Lessons in Engaged Contemplation. Maryknoll: Orbis, 2022.

Andrew Prevot. The Mysticism of Ordinary Life: Theology, Philosophy, and Feminism. New York: Oxford University Press, 2023.

Andrew Prevot. Thinking Prayer: Theology and Spirituality amid the Crises of Modernity. Notre Dame: University of Notre Dame Press, 2015.

Andrew Skotnicki, Conversion and the Rehabilitation of the Penal System: A Theological Rereading of Criminal Justice. New York: Oxford University Press, 2019.

Arthur Holder, ed. Christian Spirituality: The Classics. New York: Routledge, 2010.

Barbara A. Holmes. Crisis Contemplation: Healing the Wounded Village. Albuquerque: CAC Publishing, 2021.

Barbara A. Holmes. Walking with Our Ancestors: Contemplation and Activism. Minneapolis: Fortress, 2023.

Barbara L. Peacock. Soul Care in African American Practice. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 2020.

Bernadette Flanagan & Kerri Clough, eds. The Routledge Handbook of Research Methods in Spirituality and Contemplative Studies. London: Routledge, 2025.

Bernadette Flanagan & Lazlo Zsolnai, eds. The Routledge International Handbook of Spirituality in Society and the Professions. London: Routledge, 2020.

Bo Karen Lee. Sacrifice and Delight in the Mystical Theologies of Anna Maria van Schurman and Madame Jeanne Guyon (Studies in Spirituality and Theology). Notre Dame University Press, 2014.

Cassidy Hall, Queering Contemplation: Finding Queerness in the Roots and Future of Contemplative Spirituality. Minneapolis: Broadleaf Books, 2024.

David G. Benner. Opening to God: Lectio Divina and Life as Prayer. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 2010.

Elizabeth A. Dreyer and Mark S. Burrows, eds. Minding the Spirit: The Study of Christian Spirituality. Baltimore: The John Hopkins University Press, 2005.

Elizabeth Liebert. The Soul of Discernment: A Spiritual Practice for Communities and Institutions. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2015.

Eugene Peterson. The Contemplative Pastor: Returning to the Art of Spiritual Direction. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1993.

Gregory C. Ellison. Anchored in the Current: Discovering Howard Thurman as Educator, Activist, Guide, and Prophet. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2020.

Helen Cepero. Journaling as a Spiritual Practice: Encountering God Through Attentive Writing. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 2008.

Howard Rice. The Pastor as Spiritual Guide. Nashville: Upper Room Books, 1998.

IVP Formation Series

James Martin, S.J. Learning to Pray: A Guide for Everyone. New York: HarperCollins, 2021.

Jeffrey Bloechl and Andre Brouillette, eds. Pilgrimage as Spiritual Practice: A Handbook for Teachers, Wayfarers, and Guides. Minneapolis: Fortress, 2022.

Jill Kimberly Hartwell Geoffrion, Christian Prayer and Labyrinths: Pathways to Faith, Hope, and Love. Cleveland: Pilgrim Press, 2004.

Jiying Song, Dung Tran, Shann Ray Ferch, and Larry C. Spears, eds. Servant-Leadership and Forgiveness: How Leaders Help Heal the Heart of the World. Albany, NY: SUNY Press, 2021.

Juliet Benner. Contemplative Vision: A Guide to Christian Art and Prayer. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 2010.

Karen Kuchan. Visio Divina: A New Practice of Prayer for Healing and Growth. New York: Crossroad, 2005.

Katherine May. Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times. New York: Riverhead Books, 2020.

Luke Powery. Becoming Human: The Holy Spirit and the Rhetoric of Race. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2022.

M. Basil Pennington. Lectio Divina: Renewing the Ancient Practice of Praying the Scriptures. New York: Crossroad, 1998.

Margaret Benefiel, The Soul of a Leader. New York: Crossroad Publishing, 2008.

Margaret Guenther. Holy Listening:The Art of Spiritual Direction. Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield, 1992.

Margaret Silf. Inner Compass: An Invitation to Ignatian Spirituality. Chicago: Loyola Press, 2007.

Mark A. Pearson. Christian Healing: A Practical & Comprehensive Guide. Lake Mary: Charisma House, 2004.

Michael Battle. Desmond Tutu: A Spiritual Biography of South Africa’s Confessor Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2021.

Patrick Saint-Jean. The Crucible of Racism: Ignatian Spirituality and the Power of Hope. Maryknoll: Orbis, 2022.

Shann Ray Ferch and Larry Spears, eds. The Spirit of Servant-Leadership. New York: Paulist Press, 2011.

Thomas Hart. The Art of Christian Listening. New York: Paulist Press, 1980.

Tilden Edwards, Spiritual Director, Spiritual Companion: Guide to Tending the Soul. New York: Paulist Press, 2001.

Tilden Edwards, Spiritual Friend: Reclaiming the Gift of Spiritual Direction. New York: Paulist Press, 1980.

Journals

Spiritus: A Journal of Christian Spirituality

Offerings: A Journal of Christian Spirituality and Practical Theology

Journal for the Study of Spirituality

Journal of Spiritual Formation and Soul Care

Journal of Contemplative Studies

Music, Poetry, and Arts

Notes of Rest by Julian Reid

The Way of Beauty by David Clayton

David Bennett Thomas – CD – Faithfulness

David Bennett Thomas – CD – Deep Deep Love

Podcasts

Robin Wall Kimmerer and Krista Tippett. “The Intelligence in All Kinds of Life” The On Being Project. 25 Feb. 2016.

Kimmerer, an environmental scientist and Potawatomi citizen, elaborates on the often-underestimated forms of plant-life intelligence. Her indigenous and naturalist perspective offers a renewed sense of what it means to be human.

Bo Karen Lee. “Self-Care and Sabbath.” Being Church in the time of Covid. 22 Sept. 2020.

Bo Karen Lee, a scholar of Christian spirituality, discusses how resting in the presence of God can re-establish a ministry leader’s sense of self. The self-care of Sabbath practice reminds leaders of their identity in Christ, and it connects them with the empowering energy of Christ’s Spirit.

Bo Karen Lee. “Trauma and Spirituality: From Bystander to Beloved.” For the Life of the World. New Haven, CT: Yale Center for Faith and Culture, 29 June 2022.

Bo Karen Lee reflects on her own journey of healing in the midst of trauma. She provides audiences a brief overview of Ignatian spirituality and how it can support someone through individual, genetic, familial, and collective forms of trauma.

Everything Belongs (Center for Action and Contemplation)

Turning to the Mystics with James Finley

Videos

“The Lore Co. & Shinrin Yoku LA: Forest Therapy with Ben Page.” Produced by Aman Uma, Sally Choi, Jonathan Zavaleta. Los Angeles, CA: 4 April 2018.

This 13-minute video provides an overview of the practice of Forest Bathing—the basic vocabulary of the art, what a typical session looks like, and the scientific data supporting its efficacy.

Apps

“Centering Prayer” by Contemplative Outreach

“Pray As You Go”

Forthcoming Projects

Bo Karen Lee and Leonard McMahon, eds., Prayer as Resistance: Contemplative Practices for Racial Justice

Fr. Rob McChesney, The Trauma-Informed Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius of Loyola (Paulist Press)

Shann Ray, Servant-Leadership, Feminism, and Gender Well-Being: How Leaders Transcend Global Inequities through Hope, Unity, and Love (SUNY Press)