From its beginnings in the deserts of Egypt and surrounding countries in the third century, monastic life has drawn men and women away from society to seek God in simplicity and purity of heart. With the rather frenetic lives many of us lead today, that sort of peace and solitude is deeply, mysteriously appealing. As this collection of daily readings shows, however, monastic life is hardly an escape from the world. Indeed, the monastic way addresses the cares and concerns of human life from a unique perspective shaped by centuries of deepening spiritual wisdom. Culled from the writings of monks and nuns from a wide variety of Christian spiritual traditions, both Eastern and Western, these wise, down-to-earth, and unexpectedly humorous extracts---one for every day of the year---show that monastic spirituality is intensely practical and speaks to every area of our lives. Here we can learn - how to live with our own and others' idiosyncrasies
- how to cultivate a healthy attitude toward money and possessions
- how to find the right life/work balance
- how to make choices for the future
- how to love generously
At once practical and sublime, The Monastic Way will inspire all who are looking to live wisely and well in today's world. Hannah Ward and Jennifer Wild are freelance writers and editors, both of whom have spent part of their lives as members of Anglican religious orders. They have together produced several best-selling anthologies, including The Lion Christian Meditation Collection and Conversations: Relating to our Forebears in Faith. |
