The meaning and mystery of life is ultimately found in personal relationship, sometimes with another and, for those who search, sometimes with God. In Taking Heart the experiences of four people who are spiritually searching and looking for a direct experience of God are explored, and their different journeys through self-doubt to self-acceptance and to the heart of faith are discussed. These four people are neither especially religious nor spiritual, and nor are they famous. They are ordinary people on an extraordinary search for meaning. As with all journeys there is discovery but also an uncovering and a recovering. All heart journeys are an exodus that takes us out of captivity and are also the passion story which is at the heart of the mystery of faith, a journey through the very worst and towards the very best. And, throughout the spiritual journey, God is shaping and forming our inner life in the unknown depths of our heart.

Fiona Gardner is a spiritual director and writer. She previously worked as a psychoanalytic psychotherapist and a senior lecturer at Bath Spa University. She is the author of six books and numerous articles and has given talks and led workshops both nationally and internationally. She writes a weekly blog for her website: www.fionagardner.co.uk and is a regular contributor to The Merton Journal, published by The Thomas Merton Society. She lives in Bath, UK.