Living with Paradoxes: A Spiritual Approach by Geoff Colvin

Paradoxes, the sense of being trapped between a rock and a hard place, are frequently occurring events in everyone’s life. We often ourselves in unchartered territory, out of our comfort zone, needing to make awkward transitions, facing challenging decisions that involve competing alternatives, trying to understand information that does not fit our current frameworks, or wrestling with apparent contradictions. In effect, we find ourselves in a kind of “no-man’s land,” feeling lost or floating as if in a void, that is to say, in a new level of awareness and consciousness. These unsettling experiences can readily lead to tension, confusion, disruption, and troublesome anxiety. While some paradoxes can be dealt with through common sense problem-solving approaches, many are left unresolved. Living with Paradoxes describes a spiritual approach, using a paradox paradigm to understand the situations more deeply, and then turning the problems over to God, trusting in his action, and responding accordingly. The specifics of this approach are described in terms of spiritual supports derived Scripture and spiritual writings considered to be essential elements of a Christian pathway. We then integrate these spiritual supports with practical procedures, including checklists and action responses designed to help you develop a personal plan for living with paradoxes that will enhance your own pathway to a fuller union with God.Living with Paradoxes develops around four chapters:Chapter I: The Reality of Paradoxes describes and defines our use of the term paradox. Instances of conflicting situations giving rise to voids will delineate the critical features of a paradox. Chapter II: Taking A Spiritual Approach introduces the various teachings by spiritual writers on how paradoxes can be an immeasurable source of grace and become part of the fabric of one’s spiritual journey.Chapter III: Key Supports in a Spiritual Approach describes the critical components and practices of a Christian pathway that have particular relevance to living with paradoxes.Chapter IV: Developing a Spiritual Pathway is the “reality” chapter, where the rubber hits the road. We lay out practical steps with guidelines for incorporating paradoxes into the ebb and flow of your own spiritual path. Living with Paradoxes is designed primarily for “everyday seekers” desiring to deepen their spiritual practice by learning to live with paradoxes using a spiritual approach. The book is structured as a self-help book to facilitate personal use. Living with Paradoxes is a useful resource to professionals who support others in their spiritual journey, such as clergy, counselors, and spiritual directors. Finally, Living with Paradoxes is a helpful resource for pastoral leaders in adult education and parish renewal. Rector Bingham Powell, in the foreword to this book, speaks strongly to the need for this kind of book for parishioners as well as spiritual leaders.