Lawyer of Chicago

Spiritual Divorce: Divorce as a Catalyst for an Extraordinary Life

Description

Could the end of your marriage be the first step toward reclaiming your personal power and joyfully living the life of your dreams? If the answer is yes, this book is for you.

Divorce rocks the very foundation of our beings, leaving us feeling lonely, flawed, enraged, undesirable, hopeless, and empty. In Spiritual Divorce, New York Times bestselling author Debbie Ford reveals how this devastation can be transformed into a profoundly enlightening experience. This empowering guide shows how the collapse of a marriage is, at root, a spiritual wake-up call, an opportunity to liberate ourselves and reclaim our lives. The end of a relationship—no matter who ends it—is a damaging moment. Ford offers a clear program for turning ruin into renewal.

Whether you are the one who leaves or the one who is left, divorce is a painful, wrenching experience, explains author Debbie Ford. Since Ford is comfortable dwelling in the shadow side of life, it's not surprising that she believes that the excruciating pain of divorce can lead to enormous spiritual growth. "Emotional turmoil can be a powerful catalyst to reconnect us with our divine nature," she writes. "It propels us into a journey of self discovery and urges us to learn how to love and accept our entire being." Herein lies the promise of a "spiritual divorce."

Because Ford is a highly effective workshop leader, she has a knack for breaking down spiritual matters into manageable bites. She is also willing to share the truth of her own painful divorce, allowing readers to see her initial pain and consuming resentments. Ford divides her book into seven laws, beginning with the "The Law of Acceptance," where readers are asked to imagine a benevolent divine order at play rather than taking a blaming stance. In the section titled "The Law of Responsibility," Ford encourages readers to gently begin the process of taking responsibility for their own darkest qualities. This is the thrust of Ford's highly respected shadow work--illuminating the dark side so we can stand in divine light. Each section ends with "Healing Action Steps," where Ford suggests specific exercises or meditations. For example, in the final chapter Ford asks readers to make a new "divorce vow" that is a lifelong commitment to one's highest self. --Gail Hudson

Reviews

Rating: 3 / 5
Date: 2010-08-22
Summary: "Liked some of her ideas/suggestions"

Debbie Ford proposes a new idea to me. Accept light and dark within yourself and make friends with your story. Own your story and don't let it own you otherwise I'd be in trouble. Profit from your story, not let it profit from you. I liked some of her ideas/suggestions, like focusing on the gifts your marriage brought you and doing the work of seeing how you contributed to the failure of the marriage (not just blaming your spouse.)

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Rating: 5 / 5
Date: 2010-04-09
Summary: "Highly Recommended"

Debbie Ford has accomplished a task that is seemingly impossible to do. She has used her own experiences, and written a book (Spiritual Divorce) that provides the reader a light during a very dark time, gently, logically and with great insight, guiding you from a place of despair to a world of wondrous and unlimited opportunity. I am not a religious person and, given the books title, I almost did not read this book that was presented to me as a gift during a very troubling time in my life. I am so thankful that I did read it. I have often referred to this book as the map that saved me by showing me the way out of a deep and dark place that I, and so many others, had found myself in. What I would say to anyone chancing to read this, is that as devastating as divorce can be to your life, and the many lives around you, it can also be used to set down the first block of a strong foundation to a wonderful and bright future. Let Spiritual Divorce: Divorce as a Catalyst for an Extraordinary Life show you how to do this, and use this book as a map to find your way.

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Rating: 5 / 5
Date: 2009-11-01
Summary: "Tremendous help"

This book gave very good information presented in an easy to understand manner. The exercises were not difficult to perform and were most helpful. Difficulty in relationships in demise or post demise can be better comprehended through Ford's technique of dissection and repositioning of thought processes. With a little willingness it could help change a person's thinking and lead to having less resentment and anger in life. Highly recommended to those who think love has passed them by, injuring them and that only the very lucky can be happy. Outlooks and attitudes are adjustable, Ford can offer some useful tools in this book.

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Rating: 5 / 5
Date: 2009-07-02
Summary: "Healing in time of Turmoil"

Debbie Ford's book is fabulous. I bought it for a friend but found myself reading it. I found it interesting even for people who are having trouble in their relationship not just those getting divorced.
It has wonderful exercises, and some practical tips to help people expand what they think is the end of the lives, when it could be just the beginning!

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Rating: 5 / 5
Date: 2009-06-16
Summary: "This book saved my life..."

When my 15 year marriage came to an end, I was a mess. I was bitter, resentful, hurt, angry, sad, confused, scared and lost. At the insistance of my good friend Tessie, I got this book. It is filled with so much insightful information and helps you see clearly at a moment when all you can see is pure darkness. Through this book I was able to heal, forgive and forget. My marriage taught me many things, my ex-husband was my teacher and this book helped me see that it was all in preparation for a better life that lies ahead.

Thank you Debbie for writing this book and sharing the secret to living a better life through our life experiences. I will never be the same again...