"The purpose of this work is to unfold the meaning of the spiritual life and the meaning of emotional suffering in order to speak to those who see no meaning in their pain and by this to provide the reality of a healing effect," writes Robert Fabing. To this end, the author examines the spiritual life, "movement toward God," and its meaning, positing emotionality as its essential ingredient. To know God, is to know ourselves, completely, inside and out, journeying to the dark recesses of our unconscious, the seat of emotional and psychological strife, and ascending to the light of consciousness with the help of reflective prayer and insight that leads to healing, union with God, and "holiness." In short, the spiritual life is an emotional journey toward self-knowledge in the company of God.
Complete with spiritual and psychological resources, explications of the problems and stages of the spiritual journey, and end chapter questions and bibliographies, as well as an overall bibliography at the end of the book, the author provides a comforting, inspirational, and well-considered guide for individual or group sojourners working through, and seeking meaning from, the pain of the spiritual quest.