Description
A luminous spiritual memoir inviting the reader to the practice of silent prayer. Rooted in her Judeo-Christian tradition, author Susan Tiberghien welcomes the wisdom of other traditions and calls us to embrace our shared humanity.
In this 20th Anniversary Edition, Tiberghien writes an Afterword to update her journey, opening the confines of her own darkness and finding atonement in the natural world and in the presence of Sophia, the “hidden wholeness” of creation.
“This exquisitely written book invites the reader to participate in an extraordinary journey around a mysterious dark center.” –John Hill, Jungian Analyst, Author of At Home in the World, Sounds and Symmetries of Belonging.
“In Circling to the Center, Susan Tiberghien provides a persuasive model of how in times of personal and cultural confusion, one may recover a psychospiritual locus, a center which holds amid change, ambiguity, distraction. –James Hollis, Jungian Analyst, Author of Living an Examined Life, Wisdom for the Second Half of the Journey
“Susan Tiberghien presents a refreshing and profound approach with an irresistible resonance of authenticity. This book offers what every soul is yearning for: her own path to silence and all that lies there. A must for every seeker of the deeper Self.” –Patricia Elwood, Jungian Analyst, Author of A Jungian Approach to Spontaneous Drawing, A Window on the Soul
Table of Contents
Illustrations / x
Acknowledgments / xi
Foreword / xiii
Introduction / 1
CHAPTER ONE: CINQUEFOIL / 5
Cinquefoil (Prose Poem) / 7
Story of the Lost Pearl / 24
CHAPTER TWO: CHERRY TREE / 25
Cherry Tree (Prose Poem) / 27
Legend of the Musk Deer / 44
CHAPTER THREE: PEAR TREE / 45
Pear Tree (Prose Poem) / 47
The Sacred Hoop / 64
CHAPTER FOUR: ACORN / 65
Acorn (Prose Poem) / 67
Tale of the Young Lover / 84
CHAPTER FIVE: GOLDEN FLOWER / 85
Golden Flower (Prose Poem) / 87
Prayer Mandala / 104
Afterword / 107
Notes / 117
Suggested Readings / 121
Bibliography / 141
Index / 145
Illustrations / x
Acknowledgments / xi
Foreword / xiii
Introduction / 1
CHAPTER ONE: CINQUEFOIL / 5
Cinquefoil (Prose Poem) / 7
Story of the Lost Pearl / 24
CHAPTER TWO: CHERRY TREE / 25
Cherry Tree (Prose Poem) / 27
Legend of the Musk Deer / 44
CHAPTER THREE: PEAR TREE / 45
Pear Tree (Prose Poem) / 47
The Sacred Hoop / 64
CHAPTER FOUR: ACORN / 65
Acorn (Prose Poem) / 67
Tale of the Young Lover / 84
CHAPTER FIVE: GOLDEN FLOWER / 85
Golden Flower (Prose Poem) / 87
Prayer Mandala / 104
Afterword / 107
Notes / 117
Suggested Readings / 121
Bibliography / 141
Index / 145
