Customer Reviews

Carthusian Spirituality: The Writings of Hugh of Balma and Guigo de Ponte (Classics of Western Spirituality)

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I reviewed this book before, I think I might have upset a few people. Sorry, I have a tendency not to consider other people's points of view. Anyway,this is a great book on Catholic (Universal) spirituality. It's just one of the many avenues one can study to find where they can get some good tips on contemplation. These monks have been called the elite of the church. I think I can understand why. The simplicity of this work is great with no coloration. I'll admit, there are a few fifty dollar words I have to look up, probably due to lack of an education. These contemplatives, from what I've read about them, follow the ways of the early desert fathers. Community is stressed, but a lot of time is spent alone in reading and meditation. They have my respect. Anyone who is looking for a great work on their spirituality, should find this a great book. It has improved my walk with less talk.

In this book, Hugh of Balma presents an in-depth way of looking at the Lord's prayer from the Bride's viewpoint, while Guigo presents and compares the two methods for approaching contemplation: Speculative and Anagogical, in a way that is fairly easy to understand, yet provides food for a lifetime of practice.

For those who are dedicated to prayer and some form of self-denial, these writings contain some very useful explanations, and are easier to assimilate than St. John of the Cross' writings.