Andrew D Mayes – författare

How can we describe to others what is happening to us on our spiritual journey? How can we depict the spiritual road that we are taking—experiences of prayer, transitions that we travel through, impediments that we face—and externalize into words the interior experiences?In this spiritual lexicon, Andrew Mayes explores creative and inspirational metaphors to equip anyone wanting to communicate effectively about their faith or life of prayer. Learning the Language of the Soul is a handbook that will prove indispensable to spiritual directors, evangelists, and all sharing in the witness of the church today. It will loosen our tongues as we discover images from both the classic Christian tradition and contemporary culture that help us express and develop a spiritual literacy by which we share with others the joys and struggles of the inner life.

2022 Catholic Media Association first place award in mysticismThis book invites the reader to a spiritual odyssey. It opens before the reader an itinerary for venturing forth with God, aided by the astonishing writings of seventh-century Isaac the Syrian. Long-lost manuscripts have recently been discovered, translated, and published in scholarly works; this book aims to make them accessible to readers who want to experience their wisdom personally and so progress in a spiritual adventure. Isaac’s writings are explored through the lens of his beloved metaphor of diving for pearls, which opens many avenues for reflection and spiritual practice.This is a book to inspire preachers and teachers on prayer. It will stimulate and offer a resource to spiritual directors and retreat givers, and it provides material ideally suited to quiet days and retreats. A practical resource, it includes questions for individual or group reflection at the end of every chapter and a range of prayer exercises. Above all, it is offered to those who want to leave the shallows and launch out into the deep in their spiritual journey.

This is a riveting book with bite, an exploration with edginess. Compelling and arresting images confront us with a fresh view of Jesus--and of ourselves, as we rediscover our vocation to be "Another Christ" for troubled times. Recent research into the first-century setting of the gospel and the author''s years in the Holy Land cast unexpected light on both the identity of Jesus and our present calling, while Francis of Assisi reveals how this can be creatively lived out.We have a choice. If we keep before our eyes images of Christ that are comforting, soothing, familiar, traditional--then our Christian life may turn out to be prosaic, pedestrian, and predictable, a preservative to maintain the status quo. But if we allow our discipleship today to be unsettled and inspired by images of Christ that are dynamic, risky, outrageous, brave, passionate, radical--then we open ourselves to new possibilities: we embark on a liberating adventure, an odyssey of the soul, a pilgrimage, a voyage into untested waters. What will we choose? Do we dare to take the unpredictable path? And which route will respond most courageously to the needs of today''s wounded world?