Teaching―The Sacred Art: The Joy of Opening Minds and Hearts (The Art of Spiritual Living) - Hardcover

Rev. Jane E. Vennard, a popular teacher on prayer and spiritual practice, offers lectures and leads retreats in ecumenical settings in the United States, Canada and abroad. She is the author of several books, including Fully Awake and Truly Alive: Spiritual Practices to Nurture Your Soul and Teaching―The Sacred Art: The Joy of Opening Minds & Hearts (both SkyLight Paths), and a long-time active member of Spiritual Directors International. She is ordained in the United Church of Christ to a ministry of teaching and spiritual direction.

Rev. Jane E. Vennard is available to speak on the following topics:

• Fully Awake and Truly Alive: Spiritual Practices to Nurture Your Soul
• Spiritual Practice: A Way of Life
• Spiritual Practices for the Second Half of Life
• The Art of Teaching Spiritual Practice
• Spiritual Practices in the Ministry of Spiritual Direction

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"Required reading for any teacher. Jane's insights ... are profound, challenging and inspiring. The spiritual dimension that she brings to this inquiry is the antidote for teacher burn-out."
―Gary Friedman, Center for Understanding in Conflict/Center for Mediation in Law; author, Inside Out: How Conflict Professionals Can Use Self-Reflection to Help Their Clients

“Truly a book for all who teach, at any level and in any subject.... Pivotal and persuasive ... the reader comes away with a clear sense that those traits and practices by which we become most authentically human allow us to become uniquely effective teachers.”
―Marjorie J. Thompson, author; Soul Feast: An Invitation to Christian Spiritual Life

“A masterful meditation on teaching as a sacred art. With the gentle guidance of an experienced teacher, [this book] will enrich your life and may wholly transform your perspective on education.”
―E. Glenn Hinson, Emeritus Professor of Spirituality and John Loftis Professor of Church History, Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond

“One of the finest books I’ve read on the vocation of teaching as a journey to deeper self-knowing. Eloquent and informative.”
―Diane M. Millis, PhD, author, Deepening Engagement: Essential Wisdom for Listening and Leading with Purpose, Meaning and Joy

“Teaching is a tough job; Jane Vennard shows us how to make it a blessed calling as well.”
―Rami Shapiro, author, The Sacred Art of Lovingkindness: Preparing to Practice

“An intimate exploration of the deepest contours of one’s soul. For both self-identified teachers and would-be teachers ... offers a challenge to view teaching as a life-long journey of discovery.”
―Arthur C. Jones, clinical professor of culture and psychology, University of Denver; author, Wade in the Water: The Wisdom of the Spirituals

“Extraordinary! The exquisite weaving of insights and stories illuminates a sacred teaching in Islam: the teacher kindles the light; the oil is already in the lamp.”
―Imam Jamal Rahman, author, Sacred Laughter of the Sufis: Awakening the Soul with the Mulla’s Comic Teaching Stories and Other Islamic Wisdom