Path of the Purified Heart: The Spiritual Journey as Transformation

Path of the Purified Heart traces the classic Christian spiritual journey toward transformation into the likeness of Christ in a unique fascinating way. Drawing on the voices of wise elders from the past and present Dunham illumines the common path all Christians and spiritual seekers may take toward union with God. Through the motifs of the liturgical year and the labyrinth the author weaves in her own journey on this path during her year of purification. Laura Dunham invites the reader to share in the rich convergence in her own life. That convergence includes deep rootage in Reformed faith alert participation in the great tradition of spirituality engagement with contemporary masters of spiritual disciplines and her own critical angle on her own experience. She lines out this convergence according to the liturgical year of the church giving access that may lead the reader along with the author closer to the heart of God. --Walter Brueggemann Columbia Theological Seminary Author of The Practice of Prophetic Imagination (2012) In Path of the Purified Heart Dunham employs all the candor and intimacy of good memoir and all the objectivity of a trained pastor to give us an honest and informative look into Christian mysticism from the perspective of the Reformed tradition. --Phyllis Tickle Author of The Divine Hours(TM) series Rare keen intelligence simplicity of style and compelling as literature! This book can teach all of us how transformation is possible if we take seriously one liturgical year and stay attentive. Rev. Laura Dunham has written a book not only different in degree but different in kind. This is a new contribution to serious seekers in the Christian tradition . . . not only smart and personal but real and ready for any contemporary seeker who wants to go deeper right now. Mary Margaret Funk OSB Our Lady of Grace Monastery Author of Into the Depths: A Journey of Loss and Vocation (2010) Spiritually rich and beautifully written Laura Dunham not only retrieves important traditions of Christian wisdom she juxtaposes them in unique insightful and fully convincing ways. How does the embodied and transformative process of walking the labyrinth guide us also in the souls journey through purification illumination and union? How is the churchs liturgical calendar humanized through provocative yet honest personal antidote? In raising these questions Dunham honors Christian traditions as well as her readers. --Steven Chase PhD Studium Scholar St. Benedicts Monastery Author of Nature as Spiritual Practice (2011) Laura Dunham is a Presbyterian minister and Benedictine oblate. Her professional life spans more than four decades as a college professor and administrator a pastor and church leader. She now teaches leads workshops and writes about spiritual formation and transformation. Her previous books include Graceful Living: Your Faith Values and Money in Changing Times. She invites inquiries about her work through her website and blog at www.healingandwisdom.com.