Living in an Icon

ROBERT GOTTFRIED directs the Center for Religion and Environment at the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee, and coordinates its "Contemplation and Care for Creation" program, which combines theology, ecology and social science. For twenty years, he has introduced people to the Christian practice of nature contemplation. Visit robertrobingottfried.wordpress.com.FREDERICK W. KRUEGER is the executive director for the Orthodox Fellowship of the Transfiguration, and a committee member of the National Religious Campaign for Creation Care, guiding organizations and religious leaders toward a more just and sustainable world. He co-founded the "Opening the Book of Nature" program and directs trips through "Christ in the Wilderness."

"This is a beautiful book. Reading it is like climbing to the top of tree and looking out at the wondrous radiance of life. It is simple and yet profound, drawing the reader to reflect, gaze and wonder, for in each moment of life, God is shining through."––Ilia Delio, OSF, Connelly Chair in Christian Theology, Villanova University"Living in an Icon is a must read! It opened me up in new ways to the beauty of creation and the wonder of being in a loving relationship with God and others, through deeply experiencing God's creation personally."––Connie Hanson, Director of Christians Caring for Creation, Pasadena, California"Through a disciplined program of spiritual instruction, Gottfried and Krueger show us how to open God's books of nature and scripture together. Those who wish for a deeper connection with the source of life will find new hope and energy in this book."––Rev. Dr. Owen Owens, co-chair of the National Religious Coalition of Creation Care"Living in an Icon: A Program for Growing Closer to Creation and to God is an extremely well written and highly accessible book about spirituality for both beginners and those with more advanced experience in the area of spirituality. The authors lay out a clear and detailed program for developing spiritual practices in line with the ancient Christian tradition and established theological foundations. Living in an Icon presents clear, precise, and accurate instructions on the timeless Christian practices of meditation and contemplation, as well as step-by-step directions on how to engage the natural world as a means of discovering the divine presence in the God's created order."––Fr. John Markey, Professor of Theology and Director of the PhD in Spirituality Program at Oblate School of Theology

• IntroductionJourney One: Waking UpChapter 1 ReorientationChapter 2 NoticingNote: Being EmbodiedChapter 3 Delight, Surprise and WonderChapter 4 Appreciation and RespectChapter 5 Concentration: Getting in TouchNote: On Expectations: Letting GoChapter 6 ThanksgivingNote: Discernment and DiamondsJourney Two: The Road to KinshipChapter 7 Facing Our MortalityChapter 8 ReverenceChapter 9 HospitalityNote: Prying Open the Door of Our HeartChapter 10 Humility: Turning OutwardChapter 11 Sharing Creation’s PainChapter 12 Settling into SilenceJourney Three: Encountering the Burning BushThe Love ExercisesChapter 13 Giving in LoveChapter 14 Responding in LoveNote: Dancing with David: Prayer RevisitedChapter 15 Returning God’s LoveChapter 16 BeautyNote: Healing PrayerChapter 17 Radiating BeautyChapter 18 Revealing the Children of GodChapter 19 Faith, Vision, and HopeChapter 20 Who is My Neighbor?AppendixInitial ReflectionsThinking about Prayer and WaterPrayer and Water Management: Creating a Life FrameworkResources on Prayer