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Moving in the Spirit: Becoming a Contemplative in Action
A practical manual that is a guide to taking the Christian life into the world while keeping the contemplative spirit. †
112 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1983
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 4, 2018
This is not a large book. The print edition comes in at under 115 pages. But it is a book that can have significant impact. A few years ago, Hauser’s book Moving in the Spirit was recommended to me. I did pick it up, but it has sat in my to be read pile. I just do not get around to reading physical books. But after how much I loved this I am going to put in the extra effort and read that one. Richard J. Hauser, SJ was a professor of theology. He was also a directory of graduate programs n theology, spirituality, and ministry. He only published 3 books and if the other two are as good as this one as readers we will be blessed.
This book was originally published in 1983 by Paulist Press, this new edition is from Beacon Publishing and was released in 2017. And it is available in paperback, eBook, and Kindle editions that are currently in print. Thankfully Beacon Publishing is making this book available through Dynamic Catholic. It is one of the best Catholic books I have read in the last few years. The five chapters in this book are:
Awakening to the Holy Spirit
Recognizing the Holy Spirit
Obstacles to the Spirit
Seeking God’s Will
Keeping a Spiritual Journal
And there is a section of notes and a selected bibliography in this book. This book is written from Hauser’s personal experience. Spanning his years from Jesuit novice to a more mature Jesuit who ‘s experience of God and specifically the Holy spirit shifted over the years. He states:
“I now know that all growth in union with God flows from the Holy Spirit; my efforts, therefore, ought to be focused on responding to the Spirit. I also know that my human nature is fundamentally trustworthy because redeemed by Christ and that the grace of Christ in me is stronger than sin in me. Finally, I know that the cutting edge of my growth in union with Christ flows from the generosity of my service to others day by day and not from the length of time I spend in explicitly spiritual activities.”
And he attributes his growth and change to three main sources. First The thought of Thomas Merton. Secondly a growing appreciation of the Holy Spirit’s life in the Christian life. And finally, his growing understanding of the life and spirituality of St. Ignatius. In the first chapter Hauser states:
“Each of us is led by God toward an understanding of Christian spirituality that best meets the needs of our temperament and life situation.”
He then looks at three main trends for Christians living in the spirit, historically and today. But he draws readers to understand that each approach is good, but they are better when lived in reference to each other.
At the end of each chapter is several questions for reflection. These questions are great for person use, either just thinking on them or journaling out full answers. These questions would also be excellent for using this book for use in a book club or group study.
One of the things that impacted me most in this book was Hauser’s honesty about his own struggles. His faith in action. How he was open and honest about some of his own weaknesses. I really appreciated his openness about his first response to be to turn down new opportunities. And the process he has created to reflect and see the spirit’s guidance in those situations.
Of note 14 of the 16 references in the bibliography are from fellow Jesuits. And I have already added 8 if them to my wish list to read in the future. This book is an excellent read. It is one I know I will come back to again, and one I look forward to sharing with my children when they are older. This is the type of book I wish I had read in my late teens or early 20’s. It would have helped my journey not have been so rough. This is a book I believe will benefit any Christian who reads it and prays to be receptive to the Holy Spirit while doing so.
Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More.
Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2018 Catholic Reading Plan!
This book was originally published in 1983 by Paulist Press, this new edition is from Beacon Publishing and was released in 2017. And it is available in paperback, eBook, and Kindle editions that are currently in print. Thankfully Beacon Publishing is making this book available through Dynamic Catholic. It is one of the best Catholic books I have read in the last few years. The five chapters in this book are:
Awakening to the Holy Spirit
Recognizing the Holy Spirit
Obstacles to the Spirit
Seeking God’s Will
Keeping a Spiritual Journal
And there is a section of notes and a selected bibliography in this book. This book is written from Hauser’s personal experience. Spanning his years from Jesuit novice to a more mature Jesuit who ‘s experience of God and specifically the Holy spirit shifted over the years. He states:
“I now know that all growth in union with God flows from the Holy Spirit; my efforts, therefore, ought to be focused on responding to the Spirit. I also know that my human nature is fundamentally trustworthy because redeemed by Christ and that the grace of Christ in me is stronger than sin in me. Finally, I know that the cutting edge of my growth in union with Christ flows from the generosity of my service to others day by day and not from the length of time I spend in explicitly spiritual activities.”
And he attributes his growth and change to three main sources. First The thought of Thomas Merton. Secondly a growing appreciation of the Holy Spirit’s life in the Christian life. And finally, his growing understanding of the life and spirituality of St. Ignatius. In the first chapter Hauser states:
“Each of us is led by God toward an understanding of Christian spirituality that best meets the needs of our temperament and life situation.”
He then looks at three main trends for Christians living in the spirit, historically and today. But he draws readers to understand that each approach is good, but they are better when lived in reference to each other.
At the end of each chapter is several questions for reflection. These questions are great for person use, either just thinking on them or journaling out full answers. These questions would also be excellent for using this book for use in a book club or group study.
One of the things that impacted me most in this book was Hauser’s honesty about his own struggles. His faith in action. How he was open and honest about some of his own weaknesses. I really appreciated his openness about his first response to be to turn down new opportunities. And the process he has created to reflect and see the spirit’s guidance in those situations.
Of note 14 of the 16 references in the bibliography are from fellow Jesuits. And I have already added 8 if them to my wish list to read in the future. This book is an excellent read. It is one I know I will come back to again, and one I look forward to sharing with my children when they are older. This is the type of book I wish I had read in my late teens or early 20’s. It would have helped my journey not have been so rough. This is a book I believe will benefit any Christian who reads it and prays to be receptive to the Holy Spirit while doing so.
Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More.
Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2018 Catholic Reading Plan!
February 27, 2018
Excellent book of prayer, that does an excellent job of synthesizing the Catholic spiritual tradition in a way that is both orthodox and fresh. Highly recommended for those looking to bring their prayer life to an intermediate level.
September 30, 2021
Richard Hauser, a Jesuit, takes the reader on a journey to discover the workings of the Holy Spirit in the world. It is a helpful book, especially for those who are in a discernment process.
May 19, 2021
There's a bunch of self-help books that follow a basic strategy. The author has discovered some system that works very well for him- or herself to deal with a specific problem. That system has been in use for several years (if not decades) and has become easy to "put on paper." Maybe the author has been quantifying or "lecture-fying" parts of the system because of a career in academics or in guiding others. This book is an example of one such system.
The author, Richard Hauser, developed a system for making important decisions over his lifetime, starting out of high school with the decision to pursue a college and family life or a vocation to the Jesuits. In January of his senior year, he favored the college/family choice but did not feel peace with that decision. The more he reflected on a vocation, the more certain he became of that was the right choice. He started a spiritual journal which at first was sporadic and mainly used during stress-causing parts of his life. The journal helped him search for peace, the peace that comes from following the promptings of the Holy Spirit. He developed a system to track his moods and analyze his important life decisions. The journal became a tool to record his experiences and to plan for future decisions and actions.
The book establishes the basic pattern of a Christian spiritual life, starting from the law-obeying level that is more external and superficial. Christianity is seen as a set of obligations to be met on this level. A deeper relationship is gained when Christians look for the movement of the Holy Spirit within themselves, imitating Christ not just in obedience to commandments but in patterns of action, quality of heart, and zeal for serving God and others. Prayer life also deepens on this path, working through stages of meditation and contemplation. Hauser then applies his personally successful technique to following this path. He gives detailed examples from his own life and specific tools to follow the technique.
I found his technique interesting but not inspiring for me. Certainly the goals of growing in awareness of divine inspiration and acting on that inspiration are important for everyone. The book provides one way to get there, just not the way for me.
Slightly recommended--there's also one or two ads at the end of chapters encouraging readers to buy the book in bulk for their parish. I found that off-putting.
The author, Richard Hauser, developed a system for making important decisions over his lifetime, starting out of high school with the decision to pursue a college and family life or a vocation to the Jesuits. In January of his senior year, he favored the college/family choice but did not feel peace with that decision. The more he reflected on a vocation, the more certain he became of that was the right choice. He started a spiritual journal which at first was sporadic and mainly used during stress-causing parts of his life. The journal helped him search for peace, the peace that comes from following the promptings of the Holy Spirit. He developed a system to track his moods and analyze his important life decisions. The journal became a tool to record his experiences and to plan for future decisions and actions.
The book establishes the basic pattern of a Christian spiritual life, starting from the law-obeying level that is more external and superficial. Christianity is seen as a set of obligations to be met on this level. A deeper relationship is gained when Christians look for the movement of the Holy Spirit within themselves, imitating Christ not just in obedience to commandments but in patterns of action, quality of heart, and zeal for serving God and others. Prayer life also deepens on this path, working through stages of meditation and contemplation. Hauser then applies his personally successful technique to following this path. He gives detailed examples from his own life and specific tools to follow the technique.
I found his technique interesting but not inspiring for me. Certainly the goals of growing in awareness of divine inspiration and acting on that inspiration are important for everyone. The book provides one way to get there, just not the way for me.
Slightly recommended--there's also one or two ads at the end of chapters encouraging readers to buy the book in bulk for their parish. I found that off-putting.
April 8, 2018
An excellent guide to becoming more aware of the Holy Spirit!
This book is very easy to read and it provides great ideas and examples of how to be more aware of the Holy Spirit’s presence in one’s life.
This book is very easy to read and it provides great ideas and examples of how to be more aware of the Holy Spirit’s presence in one’s life.
August 23, 2018
It read more like a textbook, good study guide format. I found chapter 4, the best for me personally. Glad I read it there were a couple concepts that stuck out to me, especially the line about “good deeds should make us feel humble as that’s God in us”.
June 27, 2019
Very formative
found this book very formative. It helped me understand the important points I need to look out for to be able to know where I'm moving to the Spirit if God and where not. I found the chapters on journaling very helpful too.
found this book very formative. It helped me understand the important points I need to look out for to be able to know where I'm moving to the Spirit if God and where not. I found the chapters on journaling very helpful too.
May 1, 2019
Important content -
I skimmed much of the book - the chapters on discernment and keeping a journal were helpful and I am sure I will refer back to them.
I skimmed much of the book - the chapters on discernment and keeping a journal were helpful and I am sure I will refer back to them.
July 26, 2012
Really enjoyed this read and attended a weekend retreat with Fr. Hauser about the same. Excellent insights about how to live our lives content in taking the next right step without having to know with certainty about the future.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews