Bücher von Avis Clendenen

Hildegard lives in these pages, not only through the superb analysis of a woman living in a turbulent and changing time, but also in an affirmation of Hildegard's deep trust of the soul's potential to change individuals and their culture. Through this exploration of Hildegard of Bingen, she emerges as a woman deeply immersed in a rich inner life creatively expressed in many forms. In particular, she is seen as a woman of the past, caught between a patriarchal institution and her recognition of the divinity of all creation and of the feminine. She thus anticipates by many centuries the anguish of our time. The domains of eco-feminism, spirituality (both ecclesial and secular), and the natural religiosity of the psyche are all enriched by the synthetic consciousness evident in this work.The psychology-theology interface is a contemporary necessity, and this volume in particular will be warmly welcomed by clinicians, spiritual directors, artists and musicians, the Hildegard readership, and the general searching public.In this revised and expanded edition, Clendenen brings the scholarship up to date and addresses the changes wrought by Hildegard being named a Doctor of the Church.With a foreword by Sister Joan Chittister, OSB, Experiencing Hildegard is a synthesis of Hildegard of Bingen's spirituality with insights from Jungian depth psychology, particularly regarding the unconscious and the reality of the soul. In this revised and expanded edition, Clendenen brings the scholarship up to date and addresses the changes wrought by Hildegard being named a Doctor of the Church."Clendenen's updated edition offers a courageous and much-needed inquiry into the Vatican's decision to declare Hildegard of Bingen a Doctor of the Church. Her analysis is thoughtful, moving, honest, and creative. This is dialogue between religious studies scholarship and contemplative practices at its best."-Ulrike Wiethaus, author of Maps of Flesh and Light: The Religious Experience of Medieval Women"When Pope Benedict announced he would proclaim Hildegard of Bingen a Doctor of the Church, Clendenen contacted diverse scholars, analysts, clinicians, and artists, inviting new and essential dialogue for inclusion in this revised edition. She posed tough questions about gender and timing, meaning and status. The interweaving of the responses into a cohesive and sustained fabric is simply top-notch, a powerful choir which turns head and heart."-Therese Schroeder-Sheker, The Chalice of Repose ProjectAvis Clendenen, Ph.D. and D.Min., Chicago Theological Seminary, is the Sister Irene Dugan Scholar in Spirituality and professor of religious studies at Saint Xavier University in Chicago, where she teaches courses in pastoral theology and at the intersections of spirituality and depth psychology.

The notions of love surrounding us in disguise and of life as an adventure of endless discovery are threads in Sister Irene Dugan's unique philosophy of taking the risk to live life to the fullest, of not missing the boat. The First Epistle of John (4:16) records that God is love. This God who is love desires to find a home-to abide-in us. Such love is all around in disguise awaiting our discovery. This book-part polemic, part instruction manual-is the summation of Irene's life work, told in her own words and supported by the rich understanding of her trustee.Irene Dugan entered the international Roman Catholic community of women known as the Religious of the Cenacle in 1930, taking her vows in 1938 at the age of twenty-nine. She was a teacher, director of retreats, spiritual guide, and pioneer in depth spirituality-the blending of the traditions of Christian spirituality with modern holistic depth psychology and the arts. The innovative spiritual growth groups for laywomen she began in 1946 continued until her death.In the early 1970s, her interest in psychospiritual integration led her to Dr. Ira Progoff, and she became a Progoff Intensive Journal consultant, conducting innovative workshops in the U.S., England, Ireland, Scotland, and France. Irene dedicated many years to exploring the integration of the spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius, founder of the Society of Jesus, with holistic depth psychology.Avis Clendenen met Sister Dugan in 1971 when she was twenty-one and in search of a spiritual mentor. Irene served as her spiritual guide for the next twenty-six years. Their last conversation took place in June 1997, a few weeks before Irene's death. She directed Avis to pick up a box she had left for her at the Fullerton Cenacle. The box contained two copies of her unfinished manuscript, an audio recording of her introduction to the book, and assorted notes and papers. Thus Avis became a trustee of Love Is All Around in Disguise, the title Irene had given to her book.Avis writes, "In putting together this book, it has been my challenge and graced opportunity to respect her voice and unique expressions in bringing to fruition this singular aspect of her spiritual legacy. This book [is] for those seeking a fuller share in the greatness-the potential for fulfilling ourselves-that Irene believed is our destiny."