De kunst van geestelijke begeleiding: Een praktijkboek in ignatiaans perspectief

This is a concrete, practical book about something as spiritual and elusive as spiritual accompaniment. While there may be no shortage of books on this topic, most of these books are abstract and spiritual, highlighting the beauty of this ministry and pointing out pitfalls. Instead, this book resembles a toolbox with a user’s manual. The author presents six tools: ‘take it easy’, ‘listening by following’, ‘focusing’, ‘deepening’, ‘discerning’, ‘accompanying towards maturity’. With examples and case studies, he demonstrates how these tools may be used to good effect. Two introductory chapters discuss other books on accompaniment and the underlying convictions of the model in this book. A final chapter specifically focuses on vocational discernment. Beginning spiritual directors learn in this book the tricks of the trade and experienced directors are helped to consider their practice anew. Written from a Roman Catholic, Jesuit background, this book can be used in a variety of Christian contexts.