Four Steps to Spiritual Freedom

Four Steps to Spiritual Freedom is an authentic and beautifully written book. Fr. Ryan's style brings the journey to spiritual freedom within the reader's grasp. One of the concepts that stayed with me is the idea of letting go of what others and the "world" think you should be to find what makes you unique. When you are who you were meant to be and live the life you were meant to live, from integrity and in harmony with the universe, you will feel the presence of God. As daunting as this may seem, Fr. Ryan makes it real by disclosing experiences from his own life and the lives of others who have inspired him on his own spiritual journey. This book resonates with honesty and sincerity as I could relate it to various experiences in my own life. It is a book that I didn't want to end.

Fr. Ryan's book Four Steps to Spiritual Freedom is a beautifully insightful reflection on the challenge to find freedom for our souls as we journey with God. The many stories about himself and others that he incorporates throughout the chapters breathe life into his ideas, resonating deeply and memorably because they are so real. I was particularly struck by the spiritual director's wise counsel: "Learn to be at home in the mud!" I felt that Ryan offered a thoughtful balance between practices such as prayer that strenghten our faith and the sheer grace that is the root and source of our spiritual freedom. Most meaningful and captivating to me was the second step to freedom, "Live Your Calling to the Full." Never before has anyone given me such a strong impression that desire should be a central aspect of the way we seek and answer God's call. Indeed, there is not only freedom but great joy in contemplating that God uses our desires to direct and guide us. I read Ryan's book twice; I am aware that I could easily go back to read it again and still learn from it. My friends are buying the book and discovering the same thing. This is a rich resource for people who want their spiritual lives to grow and be renewed.

Some of my most concentrated reading time happens on Metro (subway) as I travel from home to work and back again. I read Four Steps to Spiritual Freedom that way. It was like having a 20-minute retreat every day. I looked forward to each day and the new insights as well as tough questions that could force growth.This spring I went through an illness that was a new and disturbing experience for me. Reading this book helped me to consider recovery ... and how much of my old schedule and patterns I want to recover and which it is time to let go of. The questions about passion and living as centered in what God wants rather than the more noisesome demands of everyday have been enticing me to take stock. This book is a perfect companion for those seeking renewal, regeneration, or recovery of meaning.

I savored this book-forcing myself to read only a little bit each day when in effect I didn't want to put it down. Father Ryan writes/instructs with gentleness humility, and great compassion, honestly sharing his own life's experiences and faith processes. His book is theologically respectful of the teachings of the Church while inviting us to understand how good aspects of other faiths can help us to create a deep, personal and meaningful relationship with God. The anecdotal stories of others' personal "dark nights of the soul" often spoke so directly to me that I was able to work through many of my own hang ups that were interfering with my personal relationship with God and with others. I have not often had success in centering prayer/meditation but Father Ryan's "Four Steps to Spiritual Freedom" enabled me to meditate and reflect on my life and my connection to God in a way that I have not been able to do before. This prayerful book, allowed me to achieve a real breakthrough in my life, in my faith and my ability to pray in a more meaningful, deeper and mature level. It brought me through a difficult time in my life. I continue to refer to various passages and to reflect on them.

Excellent book for anyone who takes their spiritual development seriously, or for those who desire to develop ongoing spiritual practices. Fr. Tom Ryan's examples from his own life, and those of people he knows, help illustrate the impact serious spiritual reflection and practices can bring to discovering meaning in life. Can also be used for self reflection, or a book club, with the questions Fr. Ryan uses at the end of each section.As a lay person with a regular spiritual practice for some time, Fr. Ryan's book helped me step back and look at what is essential in my practice. It also gets to the heart of what is important in simple language.The last chapter provides guidance on specific practices, in the Christian traditions.