Customer Reviews

All Will Be Well: Based on the Classic Spirituality of Julian of Norwich (30 Days with a Great Spiritual Teacher)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is the third book from the Ave Maria Press "30 days with a spiritual teacher" I've purchased. Each one has been extraordinary (Teresa of Avila and Catherine of Siena were the others). These books are well thought out with a brief introduction to the author sprinkled with significant aspects that help the reader feel a little closer to the "teacher". Also included is a "how to pray this book" section that gives some helpful points with the last one being the important "or do whatever feels right". The book is well named, for Julian's theology (that is focused on in this book) can be boiled down to "All Will Be Well". It is insightful and hopeful. Each day is broken down into a small bit to read and a thought to carry through the day. At the end of the day are questions to provoke thought and then a closing thought/prayer. These aren't meant to be inclusive works, what they are is a great introduction to an inspirational teacher.

I found this book to closely tie in with Dame Julian of Norwich's "Revelations of Divine Love". It has wonderful insights for each day, and helps one to understand "Revelations" from a different prespective. I started the 30 days during a family vacation at the beach and continued on until I had read the entire booklet. Afterwards, I had noticed that I had just about filled my journal with insights into God and how God relates to us. A wonderful meditaional guide for those of us on a journey.

Easy to read format. Julian is allowed to speak for herself without the editoralizing some other collections of her work contain. 4 stars instead of 5 only because, and this is nothing more than a personal preference, I prefer less of a translation from Julian's Middle English.

This is the second book by Julian I've purchased.
The Gift Of Julian Of Norwich by Karen Manton and Lynne Muir has stunning illustrations and is perhaps worth the price just for those but contains more comments by Karen Manton than verses by Julian. It also gives the Middle English with modern translation. I wish the illustrator, Lynne Muir, had collaborated with the editor of this volume. Sure the artwork would have doubled the price of this book but I would be glad to pay it.

Anyone who hasn't been introduced to Julian of Norwich should take a peak. This is the saint to read when all seems dark and hopeless for she reminds us that "All will be well" if we place our trust in God and work with him. This is a simple daily meditation of a minute or two which can lift your day. However, if you really want to be inspired by her words and visions, read a more complete book on these.

I loved this little book! It made me relax. Why? Because it really will "all be well" in the end. And in the meanwhile God is with me, helping me. Someday we will even look back and see the hidden good in inexplicable suffering.

Every day you read a short excerpt from the writings of Saint Julian of Norwich. She is the first woman to be published in the English language. She grew up during the time of the Black Plague in England (1300s). She prayed and asked God to make her sick so that she could better understand the suffering of Jesus and other spiritual matters. She did, in fact, become ill to the point of death and experienced several visions she calls "Showings". She spent the rest of her life praying and asking God to help her understand what these visions meant.

One radical insight God gave Julian is that He is not only like a wonderful Father but He is also like a wonderful Mother. Here is a summary of her insights of God as Mother; it is also representative of all of her understandings:

GOD IS OUR TRUE MOTHER

God made us; suffering through Jesus so that we would be born again.

God educates us through Jesus, feeding us the priceless food of eternal life.

God suffers when we do, accompanying us on our journey, allowing us to fall and learn the hard way for our benefit.

God works for our good in lovely deeds and tender service forever and ever.

God would never allow one of her children to perish and She makes us certain of eternal happiness.

SO, when you are afraid, run to your Mother as fast as you can and cry out for help. In this life there is no higher state than childhood with its weakness and helplessness and ignorance. Even if you don't feel immediate relief, God wants you to trust in Her wisdom, that it is beneficial that you mourn and weep for this short time.

BUT then, you yourself shall see that ALL WILL BE WELL, that every manner of thing will be well.

This is not a wordy analysis of theology, but I didn't want it to be. And I don't think Dame Julian would care for that either. But as a guide to a private pilgrimage, this is a wonderful tool for those of us still actively involved with living.