Books on Spiritual Discernment
Spiritual discernment is the process of sifting the many voices we may hear to determine which come from a Sacred Source. Much of the writing on discernment has been in the Christian tradition. The following books offer different insights into this process:
Listening Hearts: Discerning Call in Community by Suzanne Farnham, et al. This book was written by a group that studied the Bible and a wide variety of Christian writings on discernment to pull together common themes. Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation by Parker Palmer. A classic from a former dean of Pendle Hill. Decision Making & Spiritual Discernment The Sacred Art of Finding Your Way by Nancy Bieber. A new release that offers lots of tools and exercises from a Quaker spiritual director. Sacred Compass: The Way of Spiritual Discernment by Quaker minister J. Brent Bill. Hearing with the Heart: A Gentle Guide to Discerning God’s Will for Your Life by Debra K. Farrington. There is also a companion book of meditations. Callings: Finding and Following an Authentic Life by Gregg Levoy. Less Christian in language than most of the others. Full of anecdotes. Spiritual Discernment: the Context and Goal of Clearness Committees by Patricia Loring. This is one of Pendle Hill's best-selling pamphlets. The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Translated by George E. Ganss, S.J. A classic in the Roman Catholic tradition. Practicing our Faith's Discernment PageRelated Websites