Mary K DeLurgio Celebrates the Publication of Lifetime Work

On a recent Sunday afternoon 140 friends gathered at the La Cañada Flintridge home of Mary K and Joe DeLurgio for a very special event, a book-signing party celebrating the publication of Mary K's book, "Our Journey to the Sky -- A Guide to the Process of Spiritual Formation."

DeLurgio's book has been evolving over the past 25 years through her personal journal writing and that of the people who had participated in one or more of the hundreds of journal writing workshops she has led over the years.

During the first 20 years of her journal work, DeLurgio decided not to read other spiritual books. She wanted to observe her own process and that of her journal workshop participants without the input of other writers. De Lurgio says she "wanted to demonstrate that the universality of inner wisdom will emerge in any given life if that individual is open to search, grapple with and wait for it."

Later, she began to see how the concepts she was forming related to the works of the Christian mystics, Zen Buddhism and other spiritual traditions. The result is a book that provides a fresh look at the process of spiritual formation.

"'Our Journey to the Sky' does not reflect a particular doctrine or theology," said DeLurgio. "The reader is simply guided into the natural process of developing insight that informs, illuminates and deepens any religious tradition or spiritual path."

Thirty-eight years ago, the DeLurgios purchased what was originally a small redwood farmhouse in the midst of large vineyards. The property was part of a much larger tract of land once owned by E. Manchester Boddy, former owner of the estate now known as Descanso Gardens. There the DeLurgios raised their four sons: Joe Jr., an electrician specialzing in vintage lighting; David, a cardiologist in Atlanta; Daniel, a professional musician and singer; and Adam, who owns his own catering company, The Cast Supper, which serves the movie and television industry.

The DeLurgio home sits in a grove of eucalyptus trees on an acre of land in the foothills. As time went on they added on to the small home. With its mission furniture and dark woods, the skylight and window-filled great room has the flavor of the Arts and Crafts movement of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.