Kirjahaku

Narrative Therapy is an approach to counseling and community work that is having increasing influence in the helping field internationally. As well, the concept of narrative has become increasingly utilized in therapy, spirituality, organizational psychology and theology.This text is written for counseling practitioners, psychologists, pastors, social workers and chaplains who desire to integrate spirituality in their professional practice. The book presents a conversation between Christian spirituality and Narrative ideas demonstrating the effectiveness of Narrative Therapy in transformational work. The book is edited by two lecturer/practitioners who both lead counselor education faculties. Other contributors to the book are lecturers and therapists who are integrating these ideas in their practice in the counseling room and the classroom. Philosophical difficulties are discussed and practical applications are offered for using Narrative Therapy in a range of contexts.

If we are to know true freedom, we need to recognize the things that help us 'dance with God': learning grace, accepting brokenness, self forgiveness. We also need to be aware of what hinders our progress: judgment, self criticism, shame, seeking others' approval.Down-to-earth, engaging and psychologically astute, "Dancing with God" takes us 'inside' the gospel stories, so we might explore these ideas through imagining ourselves to be in the presence of Jesus. What was it like to be the woman at the well meeting this unique stranger? Or the woman, washing Jesus' feet with her tears, criticized and unvalued? Or Paul, having your entire, carefully-ordered world turned upside down? As we envision the freedom and grace in which these individuals were invited to live, we may learn to forget the childhood scripts, the rules, requirements and laws that bind us, and allow ourselves instead to step out and dance with our creator - to be transformed, gently and continuously, through the all-encompassing love of Christ.

Have you ever tried to explain the rules of football to someone from another culture? Or to a friend who doesn't understand sport? Now imagine trying to explain if both teams were wearing the same colours - or everyone wore different ones. Or if they all wore blindfolds - how could you explain that? Relationships can be as baffling as playing a game blindfolded. The stakes are high: losses can be disastrous but winning can lead to a lifetime of happiness. And you can't play the game - let alone win it - if you don't know the rules. In this book, Dr Irene Alexander explores what makes relationships work, covering everything from boundaries to sex. The essence is learning how to relate openly and effectively. When you achieve this, even conflict can be constructive and relationships will take on new depth and satisfying fullness.

This book explores some of the basic principles of a wide range of relationship topics from boundaries, to sex, to differentiation, assertive communication, and conflict. We often are not taught these rules of the game of life when we are growing up and so have to learn them the hard way: by trial and painful error. This book won't explain how to manipulate people to make lots of money. Nor how to charm everyone to your point of view. Rather it is about learning to relate more openly and effectively--to lead a good life that brings fulfilment and joy.

This book explores some of the basic principles of a wide range of relationship topics from boundaries, to sex, to differentiation, assertive communication, and conflict. We often are not taught these rules of the game of life when we are growing up and so have to learn them the hard way: by trial and painful error. This book won't explain how to manipulate people to make lots of money. Nor how to charm everyone to your point of view. Rather it is about learning to relate more openly and effectively--to lead a good life that brings fulfilment and joy.

The hope of this book is that it awakens desire to know more intimately the God who breaks through our compartmentalization and naming. While most in the West have heard God's name as almost exclusively masculine, a child growing up in Israel would have experienced the Spirit of God, and Lady Wisdom, as female. This ruach, the breath of God, brooded over the face of the deep in the creation story like a hovering mother bird. The God of the Bible and the early church has been described with both masculine and feminine imagery, referred to by the church fathers and mystics as both Mother and Father. In our time we have lost much of this rich feminine imagery. This book explores not only this historical knowing of God but also more contemporary writers, such as Carl Jung, Paul Young (The Shack), George MacDonald, and Thomas Merton. Each of these men engaged with the Divine Feminine, giving us examples of how we too may find God more deeply and more intimately. ""After years of trying, I know that any speaking on gender issues is like walking across a mine field. But you will enjoy here a walk that is so intelligent and spiritually grounded that it will feel like an exciting, faith-filled, and challenging walk through mountain passes and shady valleys. If you are seeking wisdom on these narrow and largely unwalked paths, this is the book to read "" --Richard Rohr, OFM, Center for Action and Contemplation, Albuquerque, New Mexico ""In Awakening Desire, Irene Alexander weaves a rich tapestry, made up of biblical imagery, mystical theology, Jungian psychology, Merton's spiritual theology, and images used by novelists. Irene's unique contribution is the use of male thinkers and novelists to speak directly to men (and also to women, of course). She is absolutely right: men have too often given intellectual assent to the feminine in God without personally embracing it. Her wonderful book offers an important corrective."" --Neil Pembroke, University of Queensland Irene Alexander is a spiritual direction formator and lecturer at Christian Heritage College and the Australian Catholic University in Brisbane, Australia, and Asian Theological Seminary, Manila, Philippines. She is the author of several books including Dancing with God: Stories of Hope and Transformation and A Glimpse of the Kingdom in Academia. She is a companion of Northumbria Community.

The hope of this book is that it awakens desire to know more intimately the God who breaks through our compartmentalization and naming. While most in the West have heard God's name as almost exclusively masculine, a child growing up in Israel would have experienced the Spirit of God, and Lady Wisdom, as female. This ruach, the breath of God, brooded over the face of the deep in the creation story like a hovering mother bird. The God of the Bible and the early church has been described with both masculine and feminine imagery, referred to by the church fathers and mystics as both Mother and Father. In our time we have lost much of this rich feminine imagery. This book explores not only this historical knowing of God but also more contemporary writers, such as Carl Jung, Paul Young (The Shack), George MacDonald, and Thomas Merton. Each of these men engaged with the Divine Feminine, giving us examples of how we too may find God more deeply and more intimately. ""After years of trying, I know that any speaking on gender issues is like walking across a mine field. But you will enjoy here a walk that is so intelligent and spiritually grounded that it will feel like an exciting, faith-filled, and challenging walk through mountain passes and shady valleys. If you are seeking wisdom on these narrow and largely unwalked paths, this is the book to read "" --Richard Rohr, OFM, Center for Action and Contemplation, Albuquerque, New Mexico ""In Awakening Desire, Irene Alexander weaves a rich tapestry, made up of biblical imagery, mystical theology, Jungian psychology, Merton's spiritual theology, and images used by novelists. Irene's unique contribution is the use of male thinkers and novelists to speak directly to men (and also to women, of course). She is absolutely right: men have too often given intellectual assent to the feminine in God without personally embracing it. Her wonderful book offers an important corrective."" --Neil Pembroke, University of Queensland Irene Alexander is a spiritual direction formator and lecturer at Christian Heritage College and the Australian Catholic University in Brisbane, Australia, and Asian Theological Seminary, Manila, Philippines. She is the author of several books including Dancing with God: Stories of Hope and Transformation and A Glimpse of the Kingdom in Academia. She is a companion of Northumbria Community.