author | pilgrim | alchemist | companion

Walking with the Spiritual but Not Religious takes a fresh look at being a spiritual companion for those who self-identify as something other than religious—SBNR, Nones, not religious, agnostics, atheists, people who have experienced something unexplainable, and those who have encountered the paranormal (religious or otherwise). This book is for anyone who has left a religious tradition but still long for a spiritual path. It is also for anyone—religious or not—called to be a spiritual companion for the not-religious.

New Release

Dinah Stafford is among the oldest living persons with Prader Willi syndrome. She is an artist and a mystic. She’s also a survivor—strong, spiritual, and oh yes, beware, she is stubborn. She has few words but her symbolic art holds profound meaning. Gil tells their family story, tragic, heart-warming, inspiring and funny. Each chapter features one of Dinah’s paintings. Her spirituality is her own, but one shared with all of us. Through Dinah’s art, we’ll experience her relationship with the divine, one not overly influenced or politicized by religion. Dinah sits at the center of her blue sacred circle teaching us her Blue Wisdom. Hers is the re-imagining of a spiritual story, a rebirth into a new normal. This is a story of Dinah and “the Disabled God.”

Let's go for a walk. A very long walk. A journey down the pilgrim's path. Traipsing through the forest of life. Climbing over the mountains of adversity. Enduring the climate of challenge. Over the course of countless mile and numerous days, we will mine the golden wisdom hidden within our pilgrimage experience. 

Modern church leaders need to cultivate innovative and creative leadership skills as they navigate today's post-Christian world and as their congregations look to them for insight and guidance. Gil takes a fresh look at this vital need, drawing on his experience and interweaving them with ancient spiritual practices found within the discipline of spiritual direction.

Gil and his son, Dr. Neil Stafford host the podcast The Therapist and the Alchemist. You can find it anywhere you listen in. The conversation covers a wide range of topics from being a Garage Philosopher to spiritualism, grief, innocent suffering, pilgrimage. As well, they interview some interesting people.