Essential Monastic Wisdom: Writings on the Contemplative Life [Hardcover]

Hugh Feiss (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 15, 1999

For everyone seeking to experience contemplative life, this guide brings together concise selections from the great writings of the tradition, from Saint Benedict to Thomas Merton. It explores the essentials of monastic life in brief chapters on such themes as speech, humility, discernment, patience, longing, and love. By providing an account of how monastic life evolved and examples of monastic writing through the centuries, from the desert fathers to the medieval nuns Julian and Hildegard to John Chittister today, Father Hugh Feiss offers monastic wisdom on living a full life.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Essential Monastic Wisdom: Writings on the Contemplative Life, edited and translated by Hugh Feiss, is the Benedictine version of Bartlett's Familiar Quotations. Feiss assimilates a broad range of arcane material and makes it accessible to the general reader without rendering the tough parts of monasticism toothless. His book begins with a concise history of monasticism; then it provides hundreds of quotations describing three essential concerns of Benedictine life: "Ordering Time and Place," "Character," and "The Good Desired and Possessed." Concrete expressions of each concern are further organized into collections of quotations with headings such as "Hospitality," "Discernment," "Longing," and "Love," making Essential Monastic Wisdom an extremely useful resource for readers seeking inspiration and guidance in many essential aspects of spiritual life. In addition to the oft-heard voices in the monastic chorus--such as St. Anthony, Thomas Merton, and Hildegarde--this book introduces readers to a number of characters whose wisdom is more seldom heard. Among these are Amma Syncletica, a fifth-century nun who describes the suffering of women in childbirth, offering the still-valid observation that "towards women generally there is great hostility in the world"; and Peter of Celle, a 12th-century monk and biblical commentator who describes a room that contains nothing to read as "a hell without consolation ... a tomb without ventilation." --Michael Joseph Gross

Review

"...an excellent guide to the literature of monasticism." -- National Catholic Reporter

"A splendid compendium of monastic knowledge and insight. Hugh Feiss has done a marvelous job of selecting passages that guide the reader, gently and persuasively, into the heart of the Christian contemplative tradition. A book to relish again and again." -- Philip Zaleski, editor of The Best Spiritual Writing 1998

"All religious seekers will love this sourcebook on monastic spirituality. It reflects a voice from the cloister, but its message is for everyone. Highly recommended." -- Lawrence S. Cunningham, professor of theology, University of Notre Dame

"Benedictine Hugh Feiss has rendered a valuable service in introducing the Essential Monastic Wisdom to what I suspect will be a large and appreciative audience. Aimed primarily at non-monastics, though not exclusively, the author backs up his own writing on the various components of the monastic way with quotations from the best of ancient and modern Christian monastic authors." -- Patrick Hart, O.C.S.O., Abbey of Gethsemani, general editor of the Journals of Thomas Merton

"Contemplative wisdom shimmers through these pages. What a jewel of a book for those who see the beauty of the monastic way, but must find the cloister amidst the demands of family and freeway, the marketplace and the mundane." -- Michael Downey, author of Trappist

"For the many seeking a deeper spiritual life, this book beautifully presents insights, selected from centuries of monastic wisdom, that are a guide for daily living." -- Jeffrey Burton Russell, University of California at Santa Barbara, author of A History of Heaven

"Hugh Feiss's well-chosen selections will help open up the riches of the Christian monastic tradition to readers from all walks of life." -- James A. Wiseman, O.S.B., associate professor of theology, The Catholic University of America

"Hugh Feiss, O.S.B., reflects the insights of one who has lived the experience of the sages of the Christian monastic tradition. His introductions to virtuous communal livingunassuming yet honestinvite the reader to linger over and to savor old favorite sayings and recently translated excerpts, as well as new expressions of rediscovered monastic values from current writers. Monastics and those interested in Christian monasticism will find a treasury of wisdom from which to draw both old and new riches for their lives." -- Mary Forman, O.S.B., president, American Benedictine Academy

"There are periods of history in which religion contributes very little to larger society, and there are periods in which religion holds it all together. Hugh Feiss's collection of 'monastic wisdom' reveals healthy and happy religion at its best. Not just wisdom, but readable, practical, and hopeful spirituality." -- Fr. Richard Rohr, O.F.M., Center for Action and Contemplation, Albuquerque, NM

"What a wonderful book! Think of this as a sumptuous spiritual smorgasbord awaiting you. Pass through these pages and enjoy a feast." -- Paul Wilkes, author of The Seven Secrets of Successful Catholics

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: HarperOne; 1 edition (April 15, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060624833
• ISBN-13: 978-0060624835
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.8 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,880,733 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful, readable, and insightful, July 9, 1999

By 

Mia Crosthwaite ([e-mail]) (Boise, Idaho) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Essential Monastic Wisdom: Writings on the Contemplative Life (Hardcover)

This book is a wonderful and readable review of monastic life. As a "normal" person (not a monastic) my assumption is that monastic life is overwhelmingly complicated and difficult to life. This book does a wonderful job of explaining the ideas behind monastic life in an easy way that is not the least bit overwhelming. This book includes much spirituality that I enjoyed thinking about and comparing to my own spirituality. If you are interested in religious studies, you'll really enjoy this book.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Nice monastic quotebook, June 17, 2001

By 

Tom Hinkle (Tulsa, OK USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Essential Monastic Wisdom: Writings on the Contemplative Life (Hardcover)

The "wisdom" here is mostly Benedictine (except for Thomas Merton and a few others), which left me wishing that the editor of this volume would have included more from a wider range of monastic traditions. Nevertheless, there are a lot of good seeds for contemplation and action here, and, after all, Benedict is the one who codified the life of the monastic to begin with. This is definitely a good volume to have on hand.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Peaceful, August 27, 2003

By 

Gypsi Phillips Bates "bilbiophile" (Tennessee) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Essential Monastic Wisdom: Writings on the Contemplative Life (Paperback)

This is a beautiful book that will help the reader (Catholic or not) retreat into that world of peace that can be found in monastic life.

The reading selections are from a variety of authors, as far back as the desert dwelling monks and as recent as Thomas Merton.

It's not a book to sit down and read, it's a book to use as a guide for meditation. Reading it brings insight into the monastic tradition, breaks down a lot of presuppositions and prejudices, and brings the reader into a feeling of peace.