“Wisdom isn’t knowing more, it’s knowing with more of you.”
– Cynthia Bourgeault

When I first heard this quote, I had one of those “ah-ha” moments. I have been working toward my master’s degree in theological studies for the past four years, and have experienced many mind-melt moments during that time. But, when the leader of a “Wisdom Practice Circle” that I attended last year uttered those words to the group, my mind melted right down into my heart. For a moment, all thought went away and I just basked in the following idea. What if there are no right or wrong answers? What if, the next time someone asks me about God or my theology, I just respond by saying, “All of me knows it to be true,” instead of trying to impress that person with an academically sound response? Whoa!

I have spent the last year completely immersed in Cynthia’s writings. For those who know me, it will be no surprise to you that her books, The Wisdom Way of Knowing and Centering Prayer and Inner Awakening, have rocked my world! These wisdom teachings have taken my childhood Christianity, the principles of the 12 Steps, and my own personal relationship with God and mixed them all together with the Wisdom of the ages. I am overjoyed, overwhelmed, sometimes massively confused, and always eternally grateful to Cynthia for sharing these insights with others. To play on the quote above, I don’t know that I really know too much more after a year, but I can attest to the fact that more of me knows a little more of everything. Makes sense, right?

All that said, allow me to caution anyone who may be thinking about a quick, one-click order from Amazon: these are not books for people who are not interested in hard work, surrender of self, and willingness to read a sentence more than once in order to understand it. Cynthia’s writing is highly intelligent. I have read both books previously listed all the way through two times in the last year, and have gone back to different sections over and over again. The ideas are deeply rooted in thousands of years of spiritual teaching, and sometimes the writing is so dense that it takes quite a long time to register. However, in the process of seeking, re-reading, praying, following suggested practices, and stepping WAY outside of my comfort zone, I have discovered that to know is not about getting “A’s” on papers and wowing professors and fellow students with my acumen; it is about seeking, re-reading, praying, following suggested practices, and stepping WAY outside of my comfort zone.

If any of that piqued your interest, I would recommend you start with The Wisdom Way of Knowing, and check out Cynthia’s website for yourself: http://cynthiabourgeault.org/. I cannot make any promises (there are some people who are not nearly as impressed with her work as I am), but I do not think you will be disappointed.