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Title: Tools Matter for Practicing the Spiritual Life by Mary Margaret Funk ISBN: 0-8264-1351-X Publisher: Continuum Pub Group Pub. Date: November, 2001 Format: Hardcover Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $19.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.5 (6 reviews)
Rating: 4
Summary: Guidelines for spiritual receptivity
Comment: 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!
Rating: 5
Summary: A Universal message
Comment: 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.
Rating: 5
Summary: Monastic Classic
Comment: 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.
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Title: Thoughts Matter: The Practice of the Spiritual Life by Mary Margaret Funk ISBN: 0826411649 Publisher: Continuum Pub Group Pub. Date: March, 1999 List Price(USD): $13.95 |
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Title: The Inner Experience : Notes on Contemplation by Thomas Merton, William H. Shannon ISBN: 0060539283 Publisher: Harper SanFrancisco Pub. Date: 03 June, 2003 List Price(USD): $22.95 |
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Title: Making Life a Prayer : Selected Writings of John Cassian (Upper Room Spiritual Classics. Series I) by John Cassian, Keith Beasley-Topliffe ISBN: 0835808319 Publisher: Upper Room Pub. Date: October, 1997 List Price(USD): $5.00 |
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Title: The Benedictine Handbook by Anthony Marett-Crosby ISBN: 0814627900 Publisher: Liturgical Press Pub. Date: August, 2003 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
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Title: John Cassian: The Institutes (Ancient Christian Writers, No. 58) by Boniface Ramsey ISBN: 0809105225 Publisher: Newman Pr Pub. Date: September, 2000 List Price(USD): $34.95 |
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