The Second Journey: Visions and Voices on First- And Second-Half-Of-Life Spirituality

Spirituality is our connection to a greater whole. It is a journey from God to God and with God and thus a journey toward Self. Through this process we come to differentiate between our temporary self called ego and our permanent self the part of us made for ongoing relationship with God. In the end we discover that we know God by being known much like one loves by being loved. There are two halves or phases in spirituality sometimes flawed sometimes overlapping and other times distinct. While many people experience first-half-of-life spirituality most never get to second-half-of-life thinking and living. Designed as a study guide for group or individual use The Second Journey examines the development of Christian spirituality starting with its conception in the biblical and Greek philosophical tradition and continuing in orthodox and heterodox expressions. Reading this book is like looking through ones favorite album of photographs each illustrating some aspect or dimension vital to spirituality. The range of portraits examined is extensive including groups such as Platonists Stoics Gnostics Quakers Revivalists Neo-Orthodox and Eastern Orthodox and individuals such as Philo Valentinus Origen Dionysius Augustine Julian of Norwich John of the Cross Jonathan Edwards John Wesley Schleiermacher Kierkegaard Barth Tillich and Richard Rohr. Examining traditional and non-traditional thinkers readers will discover that knowing God involves both light and darkness usually in that order. Spirituality does not make us otherworldly; it renders us more fully alive. --Matthew Fox