Sacred Darkness: Encountering Divine Love in Life's Darkest Places - Softcover

Coutinho SJ, Paul

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0829433538 ISBN 13: 9780829433531

Publisher: Loyola Press, 2012

Synopsis

Before there was light, God was. In fact, darkness is the medium God worked in to create the world, the universe, and all material things. Certainly, God lives in the warmth of sunlight and within our happiest days--but God also dwells in darkness.

In Sacred Darkness, Paul Coutinho, SJ, examines how many Christians are fearful of dark times and struggles, yet it is often darkness that sheds light on our world and helps us live more effectively and more fully in the painful situations of our lives. Throughout the book, Coutinho shares powerful stories of how darkness can empower us--from a self-destructive alcoholic, to St. Ignatius, to the author himself.

Ultimately, Sacred Darkness encourages us to overcome our "fear" or the dark by exploring the legitimate role of darkness on the spiritual journey. By learning to embrace darkness rather than run from it, we can experience God's love in ways and in places where we would least expect it.

About this title

About the Author:

Paul Coutinho is an internationally recognized Ignatian scholar, author, and speaker who brings an Eastern flavor to Western spirituality. A native of India, he frequently leads retreats, gives spiritual direction, and trains people to lead the Spiritual Exercises.

He holds master’s degrees in both clinical psychology and religious studies, and he has a doctorate in historical theology from Saint Louis University, where he specialized in Ignatian spirituality and is now a visiting theology professor.

Coutinho currently creates and runs programs in Ignatian identity and mission for Saint Louis University’s Mission and Ministry office, he is the editor of Ignis—the South Asian Ignatian spirituality journal—and also shares his gifts as the director of Ignatian Spirituality Programs for South Asia. He resides in St. Louis and divides his time between India and the United States.

Review:

"In this thought-provoking paperback, Coutinho focuses on the important and pervasive role of darkness in the lives of spiritual people. As it shapes many of our primal experiences, its power lies in its mysterious qualities that defy reason."
--Spirituality & Practice

About this edition

• Publisher: Loyola Press
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 0829433538
• ISBN 13: 9780829433531
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 184