My new book, Path of the Purified Heart: The Spiritual Journey as Transformation, will be published in Winter, 2012 by Cascade Books (http://www.cascadebooks.com/), a division of Wipf and Stock Publishers.
The book offers a clear path and a rooted spirituality for those seeking a deep relationship with God. Whether you are now or ever were Christian--Protestant, Catholic, Orthodox, or unaffiliated--this book will show you the path countless spiritual seekers have followed to the heart of God.
The path traces the classic spiritual journey toward transformation into the likeness of Christ in a unique and fascinating way. Throughout the book, I weave in my own journey on this path, revealing the struggles and surprises I have encountered along the way.
Drawing on the voices of wise elders from the past and present, I show how contemporary Christians and spiritual seekers may recover a rich, deep tradition to inform their relationship with God through Christ. Essential spiritual practices for each stage of the journey--purification, illumination, and union with God--are illustrated. The church's role in spiritual formation is emphasized.
Two motifs structure the book: the church's liturgical year, which I followed through my own "year of purification" during the writing of the book, and the labyrinth, symbol of the spiritual journey. I invite you to take this journey of discovery and transformation along with me!
Book Reviews:
Mary Margaret Funk, OSB, author of Lectio Matters: Before the Burning Bush and Humility Matters: For Practicing the Spiritual Life, says "Rare keen intelligence, simplicity of style and compelling as a 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 because this book is not only smart and personal but real and ready for any contemporary seeker who want to go deeper right now."
