Leisure

Leisure: A Spiritual Need presents an impressive and articulate case for the integration of authentic leisure into every aspect of our lives, showing that leisure is of the essence of Christianity, and a vital component of our spiritual growth. In dealing with an important subject that is rarely addressed, Leonard Doohan points out that leisure is a multi billion dollar a year industry that often leaves its consumers tense and stunted in spirit. Authentic leisure, he maintains, is more than a relaxation response to the stresses and pressures of modern life. It's an attitude that must be integrated into every aspect of our lives--work, recreation, prayer, family life, community building, and national ethos in order to make us more fully human and more fully Christian. Particularly effective is the author's development of the concept of sabbatical living. Drawing on Scripture and church teachings, he presents it as a way of coping with the stress of contemporary society and of fostering a fuller spiritual life. Without a spiritual approach to life that is nourished through authentic leisure, maintains the author, we will continue to face burnout and spiritual apathy rather than achieving a healthier approach to life and discipleship. Dr. Leonard Doohan is Professor Emeritus at Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA. He has written twenty-four books and many articles and has given hundreds of workshops throughout the USA, Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and the Far East. Dr. Doohan has written six books on various aspects of the New Testament, and eight books on the spirituality and roles of laity in the contemporary Church. Doohan's recent books include Spiritual Leadership: The Quest for Integrity (2007), Enjoying Retirement: Living Life to the Fullest (2010), Courageous Hope: The Call of Leadership (2011), The One Thing Necessary: The Transforming Power of Christian Love (2012), Spiritual Leadership: How to Become a Great Spiritual Leader--Ten Steps and a Hundred Suggestions (2014), Ten Strategies to Nurture Our Spiritual Lives (2014), and Rediscovering Jesus' Priorities (2014). For information on Dr. Doohan's books visit his web-page at leonarddoohan.com and his author page at wipfandstock.com.