by Adams, Ian Running Over Rocks: Spiritual Practices to Transform Tough Times (2012) Paperback

by Ian Adams

Arising out of many years of giving workshops and retreats on the theme, Ian Adams explores simple spiritual practices that will enable us to live with imagination, adventure and generosity and to keep our balance in life, even when things threaten to overwhelm us. Running Over Rocks offers a series of 25 down-to-earth spiritual strategies for everyday living that can help us not just to cope, but to see the difficulties that might otherwise derail us as fresh opportunities to let the God of the unexpected come in and transform us. Ian Adams draws on the life-changing possibilities of the Parables of Jesus and the Beatitudes which upend our usual theories of success and well being. The wisdom and work of monastics and contemplatives, activists and artists, and all who are trying to reshape the world for good today are generously shared here.

Genres: Prayer, Spirituality

Unknown Binding

First published December 19, 2012

About the author

Ian Adams is an Anglican priest and founder of mayBe, a new monastic community in Oxford. A popular speaker, he is the creator of Morning Bell, a daily call to prayer sent by e-mail, text, and Twitter. He lives in South Devon, England.

Reviews

[Steve Broadway · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really excellent book. On one level, it’s a manual that explores and provides 52 spiritual practices for living/bringing goodness to the world in difficult times - but it’s much, much more than that. A manual perhaps suggests a set of strict instructions to be followed, but this book can be used in any number of ways – exploring themes, seasons of the year… asking questions, making suggestions, highlighting refreshing insights… daily disciplines, practical wisdom. I read it through, cover-to-cover but, over the coming months, I can also see myself focussing on particular themes and practices… and it would also make an excellent source for group study.
It’s a beautiful book… beautifully written and I found its structure and layout both clear and appealing. I loved the small photographic images and adored Ian Adams’ stunning poetry. In particular, I was able to identify with the writer himself… the book is highly accessible and shows great perceptiveness based on experience and knowledge.

[Christopher Sanderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good. No, better than that. On my wavelength even though I. am non-religious. References the everyday and the unique through equal sight. A book to take your time with, a page a day at most.