During the past decade with its emphasis on personal growth and fulfillment, a good amount of interest has been generated concerning the relationship between one's temperament or personality and one's style of prayer and spirituality. During many workshops, seminars, retreat experiences, and in the spiritual direction of numerous persons, the authors have been experimenting with the theory that there is a relationship between one's temperament and the kind of prayer or spirituality that is practiced by different persons. Furthermore, in 1982, 457 persons from all over the country were recruited to engage in a year-long project to discern the value of various prayer forms for the different psychological types of human personality. Of those taking part in the project, 98% testified to the value of choosing a method of prayer which was compatible to their temperament. A brief summary of the book's contents is as follows: Chapter One of the book gives an overview of the history and development of the theory of temperament followed by a brief description of how temperament has affected the development of prayer and spirituality throughout the Christian Era. A chapter is then devoted to each of the five types of personal prayer which the Christian tradition has developed over the centuries. How each temperament might use its Shadow and Inferior Function in prayer is then explored. Finally, the theory of temperament is applied to public prayer or liturgy, especially the Eucharist.

Prayer and Temperament: Different Prayer Forms for Different Personality Types

Religion & Spirituality

Michael, Chester P.

Norrisey, Marie C.

Christian Books & Bibles

The Open Door

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator is a tool that is used to help corporate teams work more efficiently and dating services match more effectively and much in-between. But can it be applied to personal spirituality? Monsignor Chester Michael believed MBTI opened new possibilities through needed self-awareness. With a foundation in the work of Carl Jung and Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, among others, Father Michael began exploring the connection between personality and styles of prayer. 
In 1982, with his assistant Marie Norrisey, they launched an ambitious project, which involved some 400 individuals, to see if different temperaments resonated with distinct approaches to prayer. Their discoveries, and the enthusiastic response of the project's participants, motivated them to publish their findings. 
For 30 years, their guidance on coming to prayer in an approach that aligns with individual temperaments has been the basis for numerous workshops and retreats and in spiritual direction of individuals. It has helped thousands, including those who may describe praying as difficult, dry, or rote. As a result, the board of the Open Door, which Father Michael founded before his death, offers a revised edition of the original work. The audience remains the same as it was when the book was published in 1991: anyone who seeks to deepen their spirituality, self-awareness, and relationship with God.

Prayer & Temperament: Different Prayer Forms for Different Personality Types

Open Door.

An Introduction to Spiritual Direction: Tools for the Journey

Self-Help

Personal Transformation

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