In this inspiring volume, spiritual directors share the wisdom gained from their personal experience in helping those who face challenges and crises.

Everyone struggles from time to time, and spiritual direction is the careful and compassionate listening one person offers to another as both experience the presence of God's spirit. Practiced by clergy and laypeople throughout the history of the Christian tradition, spiritual direction can open a pathway to guidance and support as well as a greater awareness of grace.

In this collection of eloquent and honest essays, a wide variety of spiritual directors from different faith traditions reveal how they employ this practice, as they accompany those dealing with challenges such as drug addiction, abuse, poverty, church drop-outs, gay and lesbian issues, death and dying, and social justice. These pieces also address spiritual direction in settings from congregational to corporate, consider the needs of different generations, and examine using art as a healing tool. Gathered together by a leading practitioner, these candid and loving accounts offer solutions, suggestions, and hope for everyone who feels called to service in this way.

Contributors include: Joseph D. Driskill (Pacific School of Religion, Berkeley, CA); Juan Reed (Chicago, IL); Rich Rossiter (Oak Park, IL); Sandra Lommason (Davis, CA); Howard Rice (Santa Rosa, CA); Tom Cashman (Federal Way, WA); Steven Charleston (Episcopal Divinity School); Barry Woodbridge (Rancho Cucamonga, CA); Margaret Guenther (Washington, D.C.); Betsy Caprio Hedburg (Culver City, CA) and Kenneth Leech, (London), Janet Ruffing, and Norvene Vest.