Naked Spirituality: A Life with God in 12 Simple Words

by Brian D. McLaren

Overview

“A rich, brilliant and important book: wonderfully readable and personal, filled with insight and wisdom, it invites us into practices that can transform our lives.” —Marcus J. Borg, author of Speaking Christian

“Brian McLaren is a bridge builder. In these simple yet profound spiritual practices he perfectly marries his evangelical heart and contemplative soul, and we are all richer for the union.” —Cynthia Bourgeault, author of Centering Prayer and The Wisdom Jesus

In the same way he revitalized our faith in A New Kind of Christianity, church leader Brian McLaren reinvigorates our approach to spiritual fulfillment in Naked Spirituality—by tearing down the old dogmatic practices that hamper our spiritual growth, and leading us toward the meaningful spiritual practices that can help transform our lives.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780061854026
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	09/25/2012
Pages:	280
Product dimensions:	5.38(w) x 7.80(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Brian D. McLaren, hailed as one of America's 25 most influential evangelicals by Time magazine, is a speaker, social justice activist, pastor, and the author of A New Kind of Christianity, A Generous Orthodoxy, A New Kind of Christian, and The Secret Message of Jesus. McLaren has appeared on Nightline and Larry King Live, and his work has been covered in The Washington Post, the New York Times, Christianity Today, and many other publications. McLaren and his wife, Grace, live in Florida and have four adult children.

Table of Contents

Preface v

Introduction 1

1 Spiritual Experiences and Spiritual Experience 5

2 "But I'm Spiritual" 13

3 Twelve Simple Words 21

Part I Simplicity: The Season of Spiritual Awakening 29

4 Here: Starting Right Now 31

5 Here: Naming the Mystery 39

6 Thanks: The Happiness of Appreciation 49

7 Thanks: Dayenu-Enough and More, and More 57

8 O: Practicing Jubilation 63

9 O: Not Just a Word-A Way of Life 73

Part II Complexity: The Season of Spiritual Strengthening 83

10 Sorry: Holier Than Myself? 87

11 Sorry: Unleashing Our Own Becoming 93

12 Help: Spiritual Jujitsu 103

13 Help: Tapping into the Current of Power 113

14 Please: At Least Two Hearts Care 123

15 Please: Bearing the Stretcher 131

Part III Perplexity: The Season of Spiritual Surviving 141

16 When: How Long Can I Last? 143

17 When: Survival Is Underrated 151

18 No: The Void Expands 157

19 No: Mad with God 163

20 Why: When You Have Come to Zero 169

21 Why: Holding the Question Open 179

Part IV Harmony: The Season of Spiritual Deepening 187

22 Behold: The Emergence of the Meditative Mind 191

23 Behold: Faith Beyond Belief 201

24 Yes: A Universal Spiritual Vocation 207

25 Yes: Do You Love Me? 213

26 […]: Naked, Clothed in Silence 221

27 […]: Full Circle 229

Afterword: The Sea Toward Which All Rivers Run 239

Appendix A Group Practice 241

Appendix B Body Prayers 245

Appendix C Twelve Simple Prayers 247

Notes 251

Acknowledgments 269

Reading and Discussion Guide 271

What People are Saying About This

Cynthia Bourgeault

“Brian McLaren is a bridge builder. In these simple yet profound spiritual practices he perfectly marries his evangelical heart and contemplative soul, and we are all richer for the union.”

Marcus J. Borg

“A rich, brilliant and important book: wonderfully readable and personal, filled with insight and wisdom, it invites us into practices that can transform our lives.”

Richard Rohr

“Wise, easy to read, and practical.”

Editorial Reviews

Wise, easy to read, and practical.” — Fr. Richard Rohr, author of The Naked Now

“A rich, brilliant and important book: wonderfully readable and personal, filled with insight and wisdom, it invites us into practices that can transform our lives.” — Marcus J. Borg, author of Speaking Christian

“Brian McLaren is a bridge builder. In these simple yet profound spiritual practices he perfectly marries his evangelical heart and contemplative soul, and we are all richer for the union.” — Cynthia Bourgeault, author of Centering Prayer and The Wisdom Jesus

“McLaren’s trademark persuasiveness is put to good effect as he continues to shatter paradigms for spiritual seekers.” — Library Journal (starred review)

“Anyone wanting to conserve the spiritual spark in themselves will find this book a gentle and generous tract.” — Publishers Weekly

“These stories are honest and kind and good... they illustrated the life of a real and raw experience of God and the human responses we offer.... This guidebook to simple words for a not so simple spirituality is an incredible gift, a true asset to us, bread for the journey.” — Hearts and Minds

“McLaren both charts an arc of the spiritual life and suggests practices to nurture [it]. . . . McLaren deserves endless thanks for reminding us that estrangement and no do not represent a breakdown of the spiritual life. . . . Naked Spirituality is very astute.” — Christian Century

From the Publisher

These stories are honest and kind and good... they illustrated the life of a real and raw experience of God and the human responses we offer.... This guidebook to simple words for a not so simple spirituality is an incredible gift, a true asset to us, bread for the journey.

Hearts and Minds

Wise, easy to read, and practical.

Fr. Richard Rohr

McLaren both charts an arc of the spiritual life and suggests practices to nurture [it]. . . . McLaren deserves endless thanks for reminding us that estrangement and no do not represent a breakdown of the spiritual life. . . . Naked Spirituality is very astute.

Christian Century

Brian McLaren is a bridge builder. In these simple yet profound spiritual practices he perfectly marries his evangelical heart and contemplative soul, and we are all richer for the union.

Cynthia Bourgeault

A rich, brilliant and important book: wonderfully readable and personal, filled with insight and wisdom, it invites us into practices that can transform our lives.

Marcus J. Borg