The Benedictine monk John Main is acclaimed as one of the great spiritual teachers of the 20th century, restoring to the Church its historic contemplative dimension and opening up the monastic tradition to men and women living in the world.
His teachings still continue to lead people in the way of silence, stillness and simplicity which are so much needed in our modern world. Here he opens up deeper insights into the kind of prayer that enables us to bring the whole of our being to God, and to let the power released into the world by the life, death and resurrection of Jesus flow through our hearts and into the world.
vii: Introduction by Laurence Freeman Chapter 1: Making Progress Chapter 2: The Consciousness of Jesus Chapter 3: Who Is At The Center? Chapter 4: From Idea to Commitment Chapter 5: His Time, His Prayer Chapter 6: Vision and Discipline Chapter 7: Not Making It Happen Chapter 8:The Glory of Christ Chapter 9: The Unlearning of Prayer Chapter 10: The Silence of Love Chapter 11: An Ordinary Thing Chapter 12: Faith's Transcendence Chapter 13: The Gift of Uniqueness Chapter 14: I Am as I Am Chapter 15: Dropping the Anchor Chapter 16: Truth of the Spirit Chapter 17: Belief and Faith Chapter 18: All You Have To Do Is Begin Chapter 19: Integrity Chapter 20: Purity of Heart
January 08, 2010
Reviewer: Maxi from Australia, Australia
This little book is one of my favorites to prepare for meditation.
Books like this I think can be useful in small doses, not as a substitute for meditation, but for clearness and clarity, and encouragement.
It is simple and foundational so good for those who might wonder why they would be blessed to continue meditating through the difficulties. When I went through that phase I think this book might have been helpful, though I-like others I know-find listening to the spoken word better. My favourite essay in it is "dropping the anchor" where he talks about stability. Another one I find many in our meditation group really resonate with is "commitment to reality, from the CD "In times of anxiety"