Foundations in Spiritual Direction visually repeats the process and atmosphere that occurs when deep listening and respectful sharing take place. Through the interplay of text and sacred art images, the book is designed to re-awaken our metaphorical minds and liberate our intuitive knowing. Reading and viewing each chapter meditatively in the time-honored manner of sacred reading, allows words to engage more deeply in our mind and heart. To facilitate this process, Foundations in Spiritual Direction includes meditative practices drawn from the world's religions, suggestions for further study and research, and informative definitions of spiritual terminology. To achieve maximum benefit from the book, readers are encouraged to try each of the meditation and prayer practices, and investigate further the new concepts and insights presented. Following the subsection of each chapter is a page of journal questions. These are designed to facilitate the awakening of inner wisdom through the process of writing. Perhaps the most important benefit of journaling is to write freely and openly from the heart, drinking from the great well of silence within. "Theologian and spiritual teacher Lanzetta ( The Monk Within ) considers the concept of spiritual direction and guidance in this series of meditations and journaling exercises. Lanzetta focuses mostly on mystical religious traditions--such as Buddhist, Hindu, Jewish, and Sufi mysticism--and explains that "the primary focus of spiritual direction is on religious experience, not ideas, and how this experience touches the most profound level of the person." Various prayers and meditation practices are offered alongside Lanzetta's ruminations on how these exercises are conduits to the divine. Lanzetta's own artworks, reminiscent of ancient Byzantine art, are intermingled and used to highlight the mystical ideas she covers. The section on Christianity is notably slim--however, Sufism plays a prominent role throughout. Readers with general interest in world religions will appreciate the extensive explanations of the various spiritual leaders of religions and steps to spiritual enlightenment from a number of religious perspectives, while those seeking to further their own spiritual evolution will find Lanzetta's end-of-chapter journal questions and meditations most useful. Readers wanting to think broadly about mysticism will enjoy this eclectic mix of history and practices." - Publishers Weekly "There are many fine books on spiritual direction and soul guidance, and some very good ones as well on spiritual direction across traditions. In the midst of these riches, I add my reflections on the value of spiritual direction in contemporary life. A spiritual guide and founder of an interfaith spiritual direction program, it has been my privilege to experience first-hand the immense changes that take place when two people are receptive to honest communication. Gentleness of spirit is the way souls listen and share, heart to heart." Beverly Lanzetta is a theologian, spiritual teacher, and the author of many groundbreaking books on emerging universal spirituality and new monasticism, including  Radical Wisdom: A Feminist Mystical Theology ,  Emerging Heart: Global Spirituality And the Sacred ,   Nine Jewels of Night: One Soul's Journey into God  and  The Monk Within: Embracing a Sacred Way of Life.  Dedicated to a vision of theological openness and spiritual nonviolence, her work has won praise for its wisdom, eloquence, and mystical insight and is considered to be a major contribution to what theologian Ursula King called "a feminine mystical way for the 21st century." Dr. Lanzetta is also a vowed monk of peace living in the world and an interfaith chaplain. She has formed a community of new monks--single, married, partnered, celibate, etc.--dedicated to the universal mystical heart and to the spirituality of nonviolence. She has devoted much of her life to mentoring people who seek a deeper contemplative commitment and who wish to take personal monastic vows. She has taught theology at Villanova University, Prescott College, and Grinnell College.