The Ways of the Spirit

While searching through the Underhill archives, Dr. Grace Brame, an Underhill scholar and the editor of this volume, discovered four important handwritten retreats given by Underhill that were thought to be lost. In these writings Underhill takes up some of the timeless themes of the spiritual life: "the call of God, sanctity, inner grace, " and "the end for which we were all made." Underhill's humor and metaphorical writing is part of the charm of her retreats. Here the warmth and joy of this reserved but not shy woman is obvious. She is tender and compassionate, never superior, as she speaks to people where they are, awakens them, and draws out their hidden hunger and their potential for commitment.