On this page are links to two of Alexander’s
articles, a bibliography of his writings, and a description of three
manuscripts-in-progress. Along the right side are his favorite links
including ones about cultural events in Santa Fe, the labyrinth,
lectio divina meditation, sandplay and depth Christian spirituality.
Relax, take a deep breath and enjoy!
"Sandplay in Spiritual Direction, Beyond
Insight or Centering"
© Alexander J. Shaia, Ph.D. 2001
This article explores Sandplay as a spiritual
practice that combines elements from the kataphatic and apophatic
prayer traditions. In Sandplay one is witnessed while creating a
picture, with or without using miniatures, in a shallow, rectangular
sandtray. This contemporary use has returned to western practice
through depth psychology. Various approaches to sand imagery exist
in both spiritual direction and psychotherapy. Sandplay is a specific
approach that synthesizes Western and Eastern spiritual practices
with the theories of C. G. Jung. This approach originated with the
work of Swiss Jungian analyst, Dora M. Kalff.
Alexander's Book Released May 2006
Beyond the Biography of Jesus: The Journey of Quadratos, Book I
Quadratos is the ancient truth of the four-fold nature of reality and all spiritual journeys. The traditional four gospels in their ancient reading order is the Christian telling of quadratos. This book walks the reader through the four gospels, revealing how they are a pragmatic truth to a more complete life. Many traditions today - religious, spiritual and psychological - truncate the journey to three parts. This limitation leads to the deep divisions and abuse of power we find in our lives, our families, our communities and nations. We need the practice of quadratos, and we need it now.
Journal Articles
by Alexander J. Shaia, Ph.D. 2001
Sandplay and Spirit.
Presence: The Journal of Spiritual Directors International, Vol.
IX, Number 2, June 2002.
Sandplay’s Unitive
View. Journal of Sandplay Therapy,
Vol. X, Number 2, 2001.
Jungian Theory for Sandplay
Therapists. Northern California Sandplay
Society Newsletter, Winter 1997.
A Change in Season:
The Renewed Masculine. Journal of
Sandplay Therapy, Vol. IV, Number 1, Winter 1994.
Beyond Words: Soul Making
in the Sand. Recovering Life, Vol.
V, No.7, Palm Desert, California, July 1994.
Soul Making, Power and
The Sand. Power and Love: Articles
from the Fourth Annual Professional Conference for New Directions
in Male Psychology, Spring 1994.
You Have Already Volunteered.
(Baptismal Spirituality) Credence Cassettes, Kansas City, MO, Fall
1992.
The Cry of Lent, Make
Us One. (Spirituality of the Great
100 Days), Credence Cassettes, Kansas City, MO, Fall 1992.
The Masculine Arising?
Northern California Sandplay Society Newsletter, Summer 1992.
When Men Are Missing.
Northern California Sandplay Society Newsletter, Spring 1992.
Images in the Sand:
The Initial Sandworlds of Men Molested as Children.
Dissertation. California Institute of Integral Studies, 1991.
Triduum Retreat.
Today’s Parish. January, 1988.
Breaking Open The Word
of God, Cycle B. Paulist Press, 1987.
Contributing Author.
Once Upon a Lent.
Christian Initiation Resources, Vol. 1. Sadlier Publishers, 1981.
Manuscripts In Progress
© Alexander J. Shaia, Ph.D. 2005
The Baptismal Triduum. Vol. I
Text includes a new setting for The Easter Triduum (The Three Days
of Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday) with spiritual
and depth psychological Insights on how the prayer and ritual of
these three days renews the mystery of Baptism and deepens the community’s
integrity and felt communion. In this setting of the Easter rites,
the death and rising of The Christ is a cyclic and present moment
action dependent on the prayer and work of those gathered. The rites
are intimately connected to the earth and the experience of night
and day, dark and light and the rising and setting of moon and sun.
Divisions Among You?
A Hundred Days for the Renewal of a Community’s Life. Vol.
II.
Text includes a new understanding of the Lenten and Easter Season,
with spiritual and depth psychological insights to help heal a community’s
divisions and renew her wisdom, compassion and integrity.
You may e-mail Alexander at alexander@bluedoorretreat.com
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