Cloister Talks

Learning from My Friends the Monks

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Inspiration & Meditation, Spirituality, Christianity, Christian Life
Cover of the book Cloister Talks by Jon M Sweeney, Baker Publishing Group
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Jon M Sweeney ISBN: 9781441204264
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group Publication: May 1, 2009
Imprint: Brazos Press Language: English
Author: Jon M Sweeney
ISBN: 9781441204264
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Publication: May 1, 2009
Imprint: Brazos Press
Language: English

Come along as author Jon M. Sweeney sits in the warm October sun talking with Father Luke or enjoys a December afternoon in the monastery with Father Ambrose.

In Cloister Talks, Sweeney offers a rare glimpse into his decades-long friendships with monks and shares the wisdom and insight for everyday living he has gained along the way. The contemplative monasticism Sweeney practiced with these monks has been the greatest source of guidance in his journey of faith, and here he shares it with poignant honesty.

Sweeney's conversations with monks engage various universal areas of life, including life, death, love, work, play, and spirituality. Readers will emerge with a deeper understanding of this ancient way of Christianity, a much needed antidote to the hurry of contemporary life.

EXCERPT
Ambrose has such an interesting mind. When he talks it's as if he's painting the circles on a target, beginning at the outer ones. "If I had to give you one piece of advice it would be this: Don't look for sudden enlightenment. People call them ah-ha moments; don't worry about those. I know that you may feel your time is wasted here if you haven't had enough ah-has, but I assure you it won't be."

"So what should I be doing?" I asked him, feeling confused.

"When you finally quiet down enough you'll begin to hear the divine voice.

"Don't walk around looking for moments of enlightened insight," Ambrose continued. "For one thing, we're not that smart!" He laughed. "Instead, you should walk around praying. Sit in the church before dawn, praying. Or just shut your mouth for a few days. Listen to the talks given by the retreat master, if you like. Just sit. Try your best to stop thinking."

It sounded too easy to me. I told him that.

"What I'm suggesting is much harder than you might think. You'll see."

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Come along as author Jon M. Sweeney sits in the warm October sun talking with Father Luke or enjoys a December afternoon in the monastery with Father Ambrose.

In Cloister Talks, Sweeney offers a rare glimpse into his decades-long friendships with monks and shares the wisdom and insight for everyday living he has gained along the way. The contemplative monasticism Sweeney practiced with these monks has been the greatest source of guidance in his journey of faith, and here he shares it with poignant honesty.

Sweeney's conversations with monks engage various universal areas of life, including life, death, love, work, play, and spirituality. Readers will emerge with a deeper understanding of this ancient way of Christianity, a much needed antidote to the hurry of contemporary life.

EXCERPT
Ambrose has such an interesting mind. When he talks it's as if he's painting the circles on a target, beginning at the outer ones. "If I had to give you one piece of advice it would be this: Don't look for sudden enlightenment. People call them ah-ha moments; don't worry about those. I know that you may feel your time is wasted here if you haven't had enough ah-has, but I assure you it won't be."

"So what should I be doing?" I asked him, feeling confused.

"When you finally quiet down enough you'll begin to hear the divine voice.

"Don't walk around looking for moments of enlightened insight," Ambrose continued. "For one thing, we're not that smart!" He laughed. "Instead, you should walk around praying. Sit in the church before dawn, praying. Or just shut your mouth for a few days. Listen to the talks given by the retreat master, if you like. Just sit. Try your best to stop thinking."

It sounded too easy to me. I told him that.

"What I'm suggesting is much harder than you might think. You'll see."

More books from Baker Publishing Group

Cover of the book Oasis by Jon M Sweeney
Cover of the book Why I Jumped by Jon M Sweeney
Cover of the book Jewish Backgrounds of the New Testament by Jon M Sweeney
Cover of the book Baker Illustrated Guide to Everyday Life in Bible Times, The by Jon M Sweeney
Cover of the book Same-Sex Marriage (Thoughtful Response) by Jon M Sweeney
Cover of the book Raising Giant-Killers by Jon M Sweeney
Cover of the book Postmissionary Messianic Judaism by Jon M Sweeney
Cover of the book Christian Women in the Patristic World by Jon M Sweeney
Cover of the book Untamed (Shapevine) by Jon M Sweeney
Cover of the book False Pretenses (Secrets of Roux River Bayou Book #1) by Jon M Sweeney
Cover of the book Simple Ways to Reach Out to Muslims (Ebook Shorts) by Jon M Sweeney
Cover of the book Secrets of the Koran by Jon M Sweeney
Cover of the book Exodus by Jon M Sweeney
Cover of the book With This Ring? by Jon M Sweeney
Cover of the book All Things New by Jon M Sweeney
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy