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[Page 2] Celebration of Discipline The Path to Spiritual Growth 20th Anniversary Edition Richard J. Foster [Page 3] To Carolynn wife, counselor, companion, encourager [Page 4] Contents v Acknowledgments ix Foreword by D. Elton Trueblood xi Introduction 1 1. The Spiritual Disciplines: Door to Liberation 13 Part I. The Inward Disciplines 15 2. Meditation 33 3. Prayer 47 4. Fasting 62 5. Study 77 Part II. The Outward Disciplines 79 6. Simplicity 96 7. Solitude 110 8. Submission 126 9. Service 141 Part III. The Corporate Disciplines 143 10. Confession 158 11. Worship 175 12. Guidance 190 13. Celebration 202 In Celebration of Celebration of Discipline 211 Notes 222 Bibliography [Page 5] 227 Scripture Index 231 Subject Index 246 About the Author 247 Also by Richard J. Foster 248 Other Renovar é Resources for Spiritual Renewal 249 Copyright 250 About the Publisher 251 Richard J. Foster's Study Guide for Celebration of Discipline iv / RICHARD J. FOSTER [Page 6] ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 1978 Books are best written in community. I am deeply indebted to those whose lives have surrounded mine and have given substance to the ideas in this book. It was through the friendship and teaching of Dallas Willard that I first saw the meaning and necessity of the Spiritual Disciplines. His life is the embodiment of the principles of this book. I owe much to Bess Bulgin, who carefully and prayerfully read each line of this book many times over. Her feel for rhythm has greatly enhanced its readability. Ken and Doris Boyce helped me more than they will ever know by their constant encouragement and enthusiasm. The help of Connie Varce, in typing, grammar, and optimism, added a great deal. Mary Myton worked endlessly in typing both rough draft and the final manuscript. Stan Thornburg taught me about the Discipline of service with his words and his life. Rachel Hinshaw graciously offered her skills as a professional proofreader. My special thanks to Newberg Friends Church for re- leasing me to have time to write in the final weeks of this book, and especially to Ron Woodward, whose pastoral load of necessity in- creased as mine decreased. I thank my wife, Carolynn, and our children, Joel and Nathan, for their incredible patience throughout the writing of this book. 1988 It has been ten years since Celebration of Discipline was first published. I still find it true that books are best written in community; the only difference now is that the community to v [Page 7] which I am indebted is vastly larger. Over the years numerous per- sons have written to encourage, challenge, correct, and stimulate my thinking. In addition, many have talked with me in person about their own strivings, learnings, and growings. All of these people and more have taught me much about the spiritual life and have contributed to this revision. I especially want to thank my wife, Carolynn, who over the years has taught me more about walking with God than words can express. The dedication