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Rating: 
Summary: Excellent insights for spiritual formation
Review: I think that Mulholland did an excellent job stating and formulating his ideas on growth and spiritual formation. I found the section, that utilized the pyschologist Carl Jung and the Meyers-Brigg's type indicator extremely facinating and useful. I am currently enrolled in a graduate level Leadership class that utilizes these type indicators. Mulholland identified many things that I am dealing with spiritually, that relate to my personality, that I never have pin-pointed before (e.g. because I am an extrovert, I need to focus more on quite time and reflection in regards to spiritual growth rather than my natural tendency to study in larger groups). It is a very interesting book, although dry at points. I would definately recommend that you read it for your self. If you dont know what personality type you are, check out [the humanmetrics website] and click on the myers-brigg type indicator.
Rating: 
Summary: A Road Map to Spiritual Formation With a Little Bit of Jung
Review: Mullholland's book has a number of nice features. It discusses how spirituality is not a one-sided approach. It involves both God and man working in the sense that man needs to have the appropriate attitude if anything is to happen. That is to say, we don't just become "zapped" into a new state as being completely without sinful desires, attitutdes, etc. Sanctification is a process. Mulholland defines spiritual formation as "a process of being conformed to the image of Christ for the body of Christ as well as those outside of the body." This much seems so. He also includes a discussion of the different ways people have thought of as helpful ways to enter a state for change (e.g. lectio divina). Along the way, there is a discussion about what aspects of formation occur (i.e. purgation, illumination, etc.). On the other hand, I thought there were several features that were not so hot. For instance, Mulholland appears to be highly influenced by the pyschologist Jung. In the course I had where this book was the text, the professor required that we know if we are an ENTJ, or ISJP (or any combination of the two). This appears to be more of a modern approach to spiritual formation that is foreign to the text of scripture than something deduced from scripture, then systematized. So, i was not pleased with this. I was also not pleased to see some of the greek misused. For instance, on page 35, Mulholland discusses the word "chose" in Ephesians 1. You can do your own research on that. I'm only pointing out that in my studies of the greek, Mulholland made a mistake here. So, over all, this book has many nice points. It is a decent introduction to spiritual formation. On the other hand, I suspect that there are better books out there than this one. It wasn't that bad, but I don't highly recommend it either.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent guide for a practical, personal spirituality
Review: This easy-to-read book provides sound, practical guidance for the development of a personal practice of spirituality. Dr. Mulholland recognizes the individual ways each of us approaches God, and he encourages us to develop these methods to their fullest measure. He also challenges us to explore spiritual disciplines with which we are less comfortable as a way to add depth to our relationships with God. His discussion on the nature of prayer weaves its way throughout the book and provides the foundation upon which spiritual disciplines are built. This book will prove useful to spiritual leaders who wish to introduce spiritual disciplines to others, as well as to individuals who want to explore ways to practice spiritual disciplines in everyday life.
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