Running-The Sacred Art: Preparing to Practice

by Warren A. Kay, Kristin Armstrong (Foreword by)

Overview

Lace up your running shoes and discover
how your daily run can enrich your spiritual life.

We run for exercise, relaxation and sometimes to indulge our competitive spirit. Now Warren A. Kay takes you on an exploration of an often-overlooked facet of the sport: running as an intentional spiritual practice.

Kay’s approach is more than just “blissing out” on a run. He combines penetrating reflections on God, creation and the role of Spirit in our lives with practical, concise tips for starting your own spiritual running journal. He helps turn your ordinary runs into extraordinary opportunities for spiritual growth. Whether you’ve logged thousands of miles or are new to the sport, you’ll find the guidance and inspiration you need in this unique book.

Experience your daily runs as:

• Sanctuary—running time is sacred time
• Prayer—open yourself to conversation with God
• Meditation—reach inside yourself to find spiritual comfort
• Sacrament—experience the Divine in the physicality of running
• Pilgrimage—a run is the journey and the destination

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781594733529
Publisher:	Turner Publishing Company
Publication date:	05/03/2011
Series:	The Art of Spiritual Living
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	160
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Warren A. Kay, DR.THEOL., an avid runner, is chair of the department of religious and theological studies at Merrimack College in North Andover, Massachusetts, and assistant coach of the cross-country and track teams. He teaches a popular course called "The Spirituality of Running."

Kristin Armstrong is a contributing editor for Runner's World magazine. She is an accomplished runner and has completed several marathons, including the Boston Marathon. She is the author of Happily Ever After: Walking with Peace and Courage through a Year of Divorce.

Table of Contents

Foreword
Introduction

1. Let's Get a Few Things Straight
2. What Is Spirituality?
3. Seeing God while Running
4. Running as Sanctuary
5. Prayerful Running
6. Meditative Running
7. Sacramental Running
8. Running as Pilgrimage
9. Spiritual Running: Preparing to Practice

Acknowledgments
Notes
Suggestions for Further Reading

Editorial Reviews

"Helpful and encouraging.... An excellent choice for any church or synagogue library."
—Congregational Libraries Today

“Helpful and encouraging, with a knowledgeable and personal tone.”
—Publishers Weekly

“Shows runners of all levels how to honor both the physical and the holy in this natural human activity.... Creative and meaningful.”
—Spirit of Change

“A daily retreat. Read a short segment, go for your usual run, then sit a bit with one of the helpful journal questions. You'll like it—body and spirit.”
—Joan Sauro, CSJ, author, Inner Marathon: The Diary of a Jogging Nun and Does God Ever Sleep?

“[Approaches] running as prayerful land even meditative. I recommend this book to all runners. It presents the good news of running.”
—Dr. Edward T. Hastings, director, The Center for Sport, Spirituality and Character Development, Neumann College

“Experience the transcendent through the physical—in this case, through running. A well-written and well-considered book…. Offers many compelling reasons to get out there and run with God.”
—John Lionberger, author, Renewal in the Wilderness: A Spiritual Guide to Connecting with God in the Natural World

“Practical wisdom and a down-to-earth approach that the spiritually hungry runner will find satisfying. The emphasis placed on journal keeping adds an important dimension to the art of spiritual running. Illuminating.”
—Rev. Roger Joslin, author, Running the Spiritual Path

From the Publisher