|
| Tools Matter for Practicing the Spiritual Life | 
 enlarge | Author: Mary Margaret Funk
Publisher: Continuum International Publishing Group
Category: Book
List Price: $19.95
Buy Used: $1.94
You Save: $18.01 (90%)
New (4) Used (12) Collectible (1) from $1.94
Avg. Customer Rating:  7 reviews
Sales Rank: 965865
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 176
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.9
Dimensions (in): 9.2 x 6.3 x 0.7
ISBN: 082641351X
Dewey Decimal Number: 248.46
EAN: 9780826413512
ASIN: 082641351X
Publication Date: November 2001
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: * Item in good condition- Typical Used Book and at a great price! * We carefully inspected this * Great customer service * Satisfaction Guaranteed!
|
| Also Available In:
|
| Similar Items:
|
| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
In her previous book, Thoughts Matter: The Practice of the Spiritual Life, Sister Mary Margaret Funk, elaborating on the teaching of John Cassian, dealt with the eight classic 'thoughts' that distract us from the presence of God. In her new book, casting her net more widely, she treats more than two dozen 'tools' or practices of the spiritual life. Many of these (such as fasting, vigils, ceaseless prayer and manual labour) derive from the desert mothers and fathers of the fourth and fifth centuries, but just as many come from later times: the practices of emptiness based on The Cloud of Unknowing, of recollection (Teresa of Avila), of self-abandonment (J.P. de Caussade), of the presence of God (Brother Lawrence), of colloquy (Gabrielle Bossis), and of the Little Way of Theerese of Lisieux. The book concludes with a chapter on discernment, spiritual direction, and the limitations of each tool. Tools, says Funk, are means, not ends. The book includes a comprehensive bibliography.
|
| Customer Reviews: Read 2 more reviews...
 Practical and substantial September 2, 2005
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Apart from one chapter (which was not written by Funk), this is an excellent book. It surveys a number of practical methods through which a Christian can draw on ancient practices to remain attentive to the presence of God.
Guidelines for spiritual receptivity April 23, 2002
29 out of 29 found this review helpful
God's call to contemplation is universal, Bede Griffiths, a greatly revered English monk who died in India in 1993 insisted, but the reason the "call" is not effective is because of a lack of receptivity. Meg Funk in this present volume offers us all a handbook for spiritual receptivity - more than 25 Christian prayer methods (tools) for our cooperation in becoming receptive to the gift of God's Sprit given without limit.
Sr.Meg truly takes her readers "back to the sources" of the desert and early Christian monasticism as she places in our hands another insightful and helpful 155 pages for the spiritual journey. Those who haven't yet read or may have forgotten the contents of her first volume: Thoughts Matter, will be happy to find that the author gives us not just a brief replay of the "eight thoughts" or "afflictions" that obscure our awareness of God but adds many new insights, nuances and examples. Of the more than 25 practices Meg shares here from our Christian tradition that can be reappropriated today as tools on the contemplative path, she gives pride of place and repeated focus to Lectio Divina "the classic individual prayer form". Her presentation is very well done. Sr.Meg's years of compassionate intermonastic exchanges echo through her volume as she uses phrases like "right effort; right thinking, right relationships" and "the transmision of God". Her breakdown of the tools into negative, positive, social, and prayer tools is helpful. Under the social tools the author gives an exposition of humility with a unique glimpse at St. Benedict's 12 degrees (Chap. 7 of the Rule)and as she herself says "The tools involved in using these twelve steps form a refrain rhroughtout this entire book". Motivation is critical! Attention and intention are frequent "wake up calls" thoughout the seven chapters of the work.
In the final chapter on discernment the author indicates what we can learn from each of the eight afflictive thoughts, using the suggested tools and knowing the goal of each effort. The "downside" or limitations of each of the tools is offered to help all walk in the Turth! Spiritual direction is also included in the final chapter with a view to the listener and the seeker.
The books is highly recommended for all seekers, monastics and lay alike!
 A Universal message April 20, 2002
9 out of 9 found this review helpful
This is a lovely new book by Mary Margaret Funk. It reads as both a source
of inspiration and a practical guide for the development of spiritual
practice. The importance of having tools and knowing how to use them as we
tend "the garden of our souls" is articulated in a fresh and accessible way.
While it draws on practices from the early Christian tradition, the depth
and universality of its message is applicable to anyone on a contemplative
path. Tools do matter; they provide us with the means to bring our spiritual
practice to life in an ongoing way. Many thanks to the author for this
important manual of the heart.
Contemplative Seeker March 22, 2002
7 out of 8 found this review helpful
This is one of those precious books that the contemplative seeker will read over and over again. Funk details the practice of the spiritual life from the cell to the common table as the "work of attention, of keeping awake." Her writing comes out of her own contemplative living experience and will renew anyone's commitment to the spiritual journey.
Monastic Classic March 22, 2002
8 out of 9 found this review helpful
Tools Matter gives concrete "tools" for developing our practice on the spiritual journey. As pilgrims we have a need for this. Funk recognizes tools are not an end but "the boat we use to reach the shore." Readable and of monastic classic material-highly recommended.
|
|
|
 | |
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.