Robert J. WICKS. Quiet Dangers: Navigating the Psychological Challenges of Spiritual Intimacy. New York: Paulist Press, 2023. pp. 130 + xxiii. $19.95 pb. ISBN 9780809156504. Reviewed by Neil FULTON, University of South Dakota Knudson School of Law, Vermillion, SD 57069.

Robert Wicks has produced an interesting volume that intersects spirituality and
psychology. In it he provides a guide to work through numerous psychological blocks to full spiritual engagement that many of us face. It provides a tool kit to live a fulfilled and joyful life. His own description of the book’s purpose is, “to explore the psychological perils of spiritual intimacy." Achieving this intimacy will bring great joy but requires a complete letting go of other quote “idols" and “gods" in whatever form they may manifest. The promise of this premise is profound. While relatively short, the book is deeply challenging. It seeks to get to the heart of the reader’s interior, spiritual life. That is no small effort.

Much of the guidance the book offers turns on three critical terms. First, “spiritual
intimacy." Wicks defines this as, “openness to a deeper relationship with the truth about yourself, others, and God." Second, “psychological resistance." He defines this as, “the phenomenon in which persons either directly or indirectly, unconsciously or with only partial awareness, oppose facing the truth about themselves, others, or a situation." Third, is metanoia. Wicks defines this as, “a change of heart, conversion, letting go, Repentance; a sadness for the missed transformative moments in life." These terms are central to the books purpose of providing a guide to achieve spiritual intimacy in the face of psychological resistance.

Wicks advances this purpose by providing the reader tools to identify and transcend various forms of psychological resistance. Doing so requires ongoing metanoia, as the reader confidently and bravely embraces personal change. Wicks acknowledges that this is a difficult path for any reader to walk. It requires a complicated of living one’s faith, not simply possessing abstract faith. It requires recognition that faith must coexist with doubt, and that deeper faith often produces deeper doubt as Thomas Martin noted. Finally, it requires the difficult work of
ongoing self-evaluation and change. While this way is difficult, like the “narrow path” Jesus called believers to in the Gospel of Matthew, Wicks persuasively argues that it is a true path to true spiritual intimacy.

The technical aspects Wicks discusses as means to address individual manifestations of psychological resistance are more in-depth than can usefully be discussed in a brief review. In fact, they may require multiple and meditative readings for most readers. For many of us, they may even require discussion with a spiritual director or professional counselor to fully recognize and address in ourselves. The difficulty of Wicks' prescription does not reduce its importance, however. The book is an insightful if challenging work that offers benefit to anyone willing to do
the deep interior work of improving their spiritual life. This is the profound and important work that Wicks seeks to advance throughout the pages of Quiet Dangers.