Sleeping with Bread: Holding What Gives You Life
$13.86
If you were to join us in either of our homes at the end of almost any evening, or if you were to attend one of our retreats, we would invite you to do with us the process described in these pages. This book is about asking ourselves two questions: For what am I most grateful? For what am I least grateful? These questions help us identify moments of consolation and desolation. We call this process the examen. “We have given retreats in over forty countries,and we find that regardless of culture or age group, this simple process is the most helpful way for people to hear the voice of God guiding them from within. For example, should people bring us many questions ranging from, ‘Should I change my job?’ to What can help me with my depression?’ We usually suggest they spend the next month focusing each day on the examen questions. Such people often return a month later having discovered from their own experience of consolation and desolation exactly what they should do more of and less of in order to resolve their problem. “For centuries, prayerful people have found direction for their days and for their lives by identifying these moments. Since even small children can do this, we have tried here to present the examen in a format that families, friends and communities can share and that will be easily accessible to anyone. We hope the examen will enrich your lives and your relationships as much as it has ours.” †
Publisher : Paulist Press
Publication date : January 1, 1995
Language : English
Print length : 80 pages
ISBN-10 : 0809135795
ISBN-13 : 978-0809135790
Item Weight : 6.4 ounces
Dimensions : 7.3 x 0.2 x 9 inches
13 reviews for Sleeping with Bread: Holding What Gives You Life
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Kathi Worthington –
Sleeping With Bread
I was introduced to this little book by the facilitator who led a practicum I attended at the seminary where I am a student. The process of the daily examen as it is explained and expressed in this gentle volume makes Ignatius’ practice clear and accessible to anyone who wants to establish this practice of reflection and prayer as part of daily living.It looks like a children’s book. It is not. The authors tell the story of children orphaned by the bombing raids of WWII. The ones who were fortunate enough to land in refugee camps had lost so much, and had experienced starvation. They were so fearful that they couldn’t sleep. Someone had the idea of sending each child to bed with a piece of bread to hold. Bread, real food to hold. And they could finally sleep because they knew that they would wake up and have something to eat in the morning.And this is what this book can become. Food for the soul held in our hands as we review the day before we sleep. Food that can sustain us. Food that we can literally hold in our hands before we sleep, and have by our bedsides when we wake, so that we can be always certain that we will be fed, body and soul, by the sustaining grace of this practice of prayer.This book will certainly be of value for adult seekers. It will also be a way to introduce teens to a powerful spiritual practice, and, approached sensitively, can even be a way to introduce younger children to the practice of looking for unkind acts and loving acts during the course of their days, learning gratitude and forgiveness.Truly bread for the journey, doled out in small bites that we can hold in our hands when we sleep so that we can awaken with the assurance that we always have food to sustain. Bit of bread held close in sleep that is the bread that brings nourishment to the beginning of the new day.
Brenda –
Simple, life-changing, profound
This was recommended to me by a spiritual director, and it is beginning to change my life, and change how I hope to lead small Christian groups. It is worth owning, to refer to again and again. What other spiritual practice could connect people with God and with each other in SO many different settings? The book describes how it has changed (matured) lives. Share each day/week/month two questions: What are you grateful for, and what has been a challenge? That is it – in a nutshell, but the book has so much more. I appreciate it.
Care for the Planet –
gives me peace
I get a lot of peace reading this book. It starts exactly where one is. It employs a super-simple method of ending each day: what were you most pleased with; and what were you least pleased with in your day? There is a minimum of technical terms thrown in: the plus-factors are called “consolation” and the negatives are “desolation”. The book goes on to develop deeper levels of looking at one’s own life, and choosing best paths that will lead to the greatest sense of fulfillment. Another thing I like is that it is a suitable method for any age, families, adult sharing groups and so on. Contains lots of examples from the authors.
Joy Duncan –
Comfort and Belonging
A simple strategy for encouraging Self awareness. The shared questions bring a sense of caring and belonging, an adhesive element for family units. Listening and questioning with love has a far reaching effect for the whole human family. The illustrations are delightful.
Vecnden –
An important resource and gift for families and the whole church!
Although it looks like a children’s book, Sleeping with Bread is in reality a book for all generations and since my primary work has been equipping parents and others who love children and care about their spiritual formation, this simply illustrated book, filled with stories, is one that I will be passing on to parents and other child caring adults.
Tamara J. –
Such a beautiful, soulful book.
So grateful for this little book with beautiful ways to do examen and process the day in a soulful way. I was introduced to it over a decade ago and recently bought copies for gifts and myself. Every page is an invitation to grace.
highheelshighhopes –
This book is worry’s best friend
I love this book and the practice of Examen. The spiritual exercise has changed my life. I am now giving it away. It is a spiritual practice, no doubt. However, as I am a professional in the ‘helping’ field. I find it helps one to get in touch with their ‘current’ or ‘present’ emotions. What does this mean:We are always telling ourselves a story. If we stay in yesterdays, we are in regret, self-doubt, and maybe grief. If we tell a story in the future we can get in to being anxious and fearful. But if we focus on today, the now, and where God is working for us, I find this practice keeps me centered. I am addicted to this new spiritual practice. I am learning and practicing how I tell myself internal stories.
k –
Thin slice of bread
I was quite shocked at how thin this book was when it arrived, after paying $17! The teaching is really 44 pages, followed by questions and answers and some information and advertising for their other work. Asking $17 to teach something that is not originally yours but can be found in any teaching about the Examen as introduced by Ignatius is really astonishing to me. That said, it is written with humor and practical tips, and interesting personal experiences. I still have mixed feelings though. The different authors have different styles of writing and emphasis, which can be enriching or uncomfortable. What Sheila wrote felt uncomfortable to me, such as simply casting aside those who do not believe in evolution as ânot her peopleâ. I think it takes the Examen a bit far to only go with what âfeels goodâ, as we are also asked to take up our cross and follow the One Who was willing to walk the humble, hard road of suffering for us. This book is a âFeel good Examen bookâ to me. If that is what youâre looking for, you may want to give it a try. I personally still hunger for a bit more depth.
BP22 –
I had to read this for a class and that it would be horrible. I thought it was a childrenâs book. As it turns out, I was deeply touched by the writing of the Linnâs and learned much more about Ignation practice than other books written by theologians and professors. Highly recommended
susan –
a lovely book.
Linda Frances Sheppard –
I belong to a creative group and we constantly look for books to serve as the focus of our self development. This book is perfect for us. Thank you. I found this book through Arthur Boers who commented on it’s value in his book, Living into Focus. My group intend to work through it slowly, enriching ourselves through exploration of the subject matter. Thank you, Arthur and the Linns.
Petals –
Lovely book.
Amazon Customer –
Easy and enjoyable read. Useful and informative book on The Examen.