Growing into God: A Beginner's Guide to Christian Mysticism - Softcover

"In this outline of practical mysticism, pastor and spiritual-guidance educator Mabry soft-pedals the palsywalsy-ness that often makes writers in his professions oleaginous for a more useful approach. He presents the mystical journey in the progression of stages and interregnums developed by Christian mystics from Origen to Evelyn Underhill: Awakening, Purgation, the Dark Night of the Senses, Illumination, the Dark Night of the Spirit, and Union. He discusses what great mystics have said, out of experience, about what the stages are like, humanizing each with pastoral humor, and including in the chapter on each a brief sketch of a figure whose mystical journey is famously associated with it, such as St. John of the Cross with the Dark Night of the Spirit (for Illumination, there are two, George Fox and Meister Eckhardt). Generous portfolios of questions and answers on each stage and night and of great mystics' words on each, guidance on specific spiritual practices, and two appendixes on other conceptualizations of the mystic's path fill out a superb common-language primer" --Ray Olson, Booklist
--Reviews

"In this dramatic and engaging book, which grew out of a course he taught at John F. Kennedy University in Pleasant Hill, California, Mabry begins with the idea that we all can be friends with God and that "mysticism is the pursuit of -- or enjoyment of -- union with God." The Catholic theologian Karl Rahner said: "In the coming age, we must all become mystics -- or be nothing at all." In this beginner's guide to Christian mysticism, Mabry maps what this spiritual path looks like and profiles some of its movers and shakers. He provides added value to the book with sections on Questions & Answers, The Mystics in Their Own Words, Spiritual Practices, plus two appendixes on "The Mystic's Journey in Liturgy and Tradition" and "The Mystic's Journey and Spiritual Development Theory. --Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality & Practice
--Reviews

"Mabry (Grace North Church, Berkeley) addresses the broad questions that surround mysticism in the Christian tradition, too often thought of as something esoteric or secret. Mabry usefully reminds us that authentic mysticism is a core part of Christian practice that returns us to community rather than pulling us away. His book includes common questions about mysticism, quotations from renowned mystics, and thumbnail biographies of mystics cited." --Graham Christian, Library Journal--Reviews

"Growing into God is far and away the most down-to-earth, unpretentious, user-friendly book on Christian mysticism that I have ever seen, and that is both an extreme statement and a well-considered one."
--Phyllis Tickle, author and Lecturer in American Religion--Reviews

"In Growing into God we glimpse a way of life unshared, little understood, and out of sight. We indeed are growing into a relationship with the Higher Consciousness. Mabry's work leads us into and through this awakening. It blesses one to read and ponder this mystery hidden in the midst of us."
--Dr. Carol E. Parrish Harra, Dean Emeritus, Santa Sophia Seminary, Tahlequah, Ok.--Reviews

Offers a straightforward look at the Christian mystical tradition, using examples of the classical mystical journey from the lives of Christian mystics.