About the Book and Author

Now Featured in the Patheos Book Club
The Soul of a Pilgrim: Eight Practices for the Journey Within
by Christine Valters Paintner

About the Book:
The renowned author of eight books and abbess of the online retreat center Abbey of the Arts, Christine Valters Paintner takes readers on a new kind of pilgrimage: an inner journey to discover the heart of God. Eight stages of the pilgrim's way—from hearing the call to coming home—are accompanied by scripture stories of great biblical journeys and the author's unique and creative practices of prayer, writing, and photography. 

As she did in The Artist's Rule and Eyes of the Heart, Paintner once again helps readers travel to the frontiers of their souls to discover the hidden presence of God. In The Soul of a Pilgrim, Paintner identifies eight stages of the pilgrim's way and shows how to follow these steps to make an intentional, transformative journey to the reader's inner "wild edges." Each phase of the exploration requires a distinct practice such as packing lightly, being uncomfortable, or embracing the unknown. Paintner shows how to cultivate attentiveness to the divine through deep listening, patience, and opening oneself to the gifts that arise in the midst of discomfort.

Each of the eight chapters offers reflections on the themes, a scripture story, an invitation to the practice of lectio divina, and a creative exploration through photography and writing.

About the Author:
Christine Valters Paintner is the online abbess for Abbey of the Arts, a virtual monastery offering classes and resources on contemplative practice and creative expression. She holds a doctorate in Christian spirituality from the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California, and earned her professional status as a registered expressive arts consultant and educator from the International Expressive Arts Therapy Association.

Paintner is the author of The Eyes of the Heart; Water, Wind, Earth, and Fire; and The Artist's Rule and is a columnist for the progressive Christian portal at Patheos. She leads pilgrimages in Ireland, Austria, and Germany, and online retreats at her website, living out her commitment as a Benedictine Oblate in Galway, Ireland, with her husband John.