Customer Reviews

Heart Whispers: Benedictine Wisdom for Today

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

 

 

Most people find spirituality a wonderful concept, but they suspect that it is difficult to practice spirituality in the midst of ordinary daily concerns. Elizabeth Canham offers a wisdom of spirituality that is grounded in the classic practices of Benedict, and she helps readers understand that the spiritual practices described by the 6th century Benedict were intended for ordinary working people. Canham structures the book so that we begin with Scripture and then we move to that essential Benedictine spiritual practice of hospitality. Prayer is a foundational discipline that Canham covers, but her conversation about other practices is a treat. She writes with an ease and charm as she yokes manual labor and rest, two spiritual practices that are misunderstood spiritually.

Canham seasons her work with her life's experiences. She grew up an evangelical Christian in England and is now an Episcopal priest in the US. She lived in Manhattan and in a monastic situation in rural South Carolina. These experiences make visible the very Benedictine understanding of life as pilgrimage. Her work is well informed. Her understanding of Benedict's insights allow me to take up these practices in a life in which I fend off chaos and disorder. And that seems to have been a part of Benedict's vision in the disorderly 6th century.

For my small study group of women who faithfully meet on an early morning once a week, this book calmed and directed turbulent souls. This was especially important and meaningful to us since our first session ended just minutes before the tragedies of September 11 occurred. The book's wisdom has continued to help carry us through. A previous acquaintance, however small, with the benedictine way has been helpful to individual members.

Used this as a book for small groups for women. It is a life changing book. It's an application of the Spiritual Disciplines for our lives today. God invites us to change and this book speaks to us about listening for the Whisper of God in our lives. A wonderful book.

A great book for a book discussion. The leader's guide provides discussion provoking questions. The book itself offers something for every stage of faith.

The Book cover blurb doesn't tell the buyer that the auther is an Episcopalian Priestess. If the reader is a liberal Episcopalian, the reader will probably love the book. However, Heart Wisperers isn't for everyone and might be a disapointment or even offensive for some readers.

The book is fairly well written, but not for the general audience of Benedictines. Roman Catholic Oblates would find there are many pages with theological and moral unsoundess.

Frankly, what is disapointing, is it wouldn't have taken that much effort to strip out the snipe at the Fundimentalists and tone down the social re-engineering comments. Perhaps in the future Canham will write books that have a broader appeal.