{"product_id":"growing-into-god-a-beginners-guide-to-christian-mysticism-9780835609012","title":"Growing Into God: A Beginner's Guide to Christian Mysticism","description":"\u003cp\u003eFor many people, the word mysticism conjures up occult, secretive rituals held after midnight in some dark cave. But true mysticism isn't at all sinister or secretive, says author John Mabry, an Anglican-rite Congregational minister. In fact, mysticism is at the heart of an authentic Christian life. It is nothing more and nothing less than the pursuit-and enjoyment-of union with God, which is the goal of all Christian spirituality. Christian mysticism is the discipline of growing the soul into God--shedding illusory identities, deepening prayer, seeing God in all things, and acting as Christ in the world.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMabry's great passion is to bring theology to everyday life by explaining complex ideas in everyday language that anyone can understand and find useful. In \u003ci\u003eGrowing into God\u003c\/i\u003e, he \"demystifies\" mysticism, providing a friendly and accessible entry point to some of the teachings, practices, and experiences of the Christian mystical tradition. Mabry explores the classic mystical journey, which begins with the Awakening of a unitive consciousness that experiences everything as Divine and interconnected. The journey continues with Purgation, in which we empty ourselves of illusion; Illumination, in which we begin to see God in all things and all things in God; and, finally, Union, in which we marry our lives with God's life. Our hands become God's hands, our lips become God's lips, our touch becomes God's touch, in order to bring help, comfort, and healing to the world.\u003c\/p\u003e, p\u0026gt;Along the way, and with an entertaining teacher's clarity, Mabry recounts the stories of many Christian mystics, including inspiring quotations. He also enriches each chapter with questions and answers to simplify points as well as experiential practices to help readers embark upon the mystical journey themselves\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Quest Books (IL)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 08\/28\/2012\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9780835609012\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 304\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.95lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 9.00h x 6.00w x 0.80d\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview Citations: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003ci\u003eBooklist\u003c\/i\u003e 09\/01\/2012 pg. 14\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"John R. Mabry","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51894760145077,"sku":"9780835609012","price":16.96,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0473\/0804\/6492\/files\/img_e2dc6d7c-0516-4f5c-adaf-9de279b9bc89.jpg?v=1760491126","url":"https:\/\/pastforward.org\/products\/growing-into-god-a-beginners-guide-to-christian-mysticism-9780835609012","provider":"Past Forward","version":"1.0","type":"link"}