Customer Reviews

The Inner Room: A Journey Into Lay Monasticism

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1 star:		(2)

 

 

This is a book that is an easy read, but not frivolous by any means. The author uses an interesting approach of switching between autobiography (as a springboard) and teaching about lay monasticism. This is a book you can read the day you get it, but it is also a book that will invite you to underline, make notes, and return to meditate further on what God is relating through the author.

The book is refreshing in that while it is not supportive of modern, truth denying, morality denying ecumenicalism, it still recognizes true faith in more than one denomination, and, in fact, it sees Biblical teaching in previous denominations as good and necessary, the author not having abandoned it all simply because he became Catholic later on. Is he a faithful Catholic? Yes. Does he wear blinders? No.

The author speaks of many important issues to a life of prayer, and what prayer actually is-clinging to God. He speaks of work, lectio divina, meditation, and contemplation, and other things. He speaks of honestly searching for God. He is not afraid to expose churches, including the Catholic church, of overstepping their bounds, in a sense. He states that Paul did not say, "Now abides faith, hope, and the magesterium. And the greatest of these is the magesterium." I truly appreciated this statement, which he said represents much of Catholic thinking today, because it reflects a blind, nonthinking faith. In my opinion, blind Christian thinking has gone from being an oxymoron to a redundan term.

This book is truly Catholic, faithful to solid Catholic thinking, but not culticly so. Thus, it is a Biblical challenge to both Catholic and Protestant. The Protestant can gain as much from this book as the Catholic can, without becoming Catholic, for the author, in his own words, states that it's not about a way (a denomination, a magesterium, a method, a creed), but about The Way (from which creeds, etc. spring). He directs the reader to God, to Jesus Christ, not to formulas and legalism and other heartless methods. He recognizes the need for litany, liturgy, creeds, etc., but not as ends in themselves, nor as things which by their use earn anything with God. They are lenses to help us focus on the true God, but the true God is all we seek, to cling to him all day and all night long, no matter what we may be doing.

Anyone seeking a daily and continuous walk with God will find this book inspiring, challenging yet simple, encouraging, and accurate, and easy to read while yet stimulating. It's dynamic yet simple style of writing has affected me as much as what the author expressed through this style.

Take it for what it is. THE INNER ROOM is the story of one man's faith journey into Christianity, through Protestantism, moving to Catholicism, and finally finding a home as a lay person who practices Benedictine spirituality. The story is easy to read, honest, interesting. Those on a similar journey will resonate deeply with this book. Those curious about what it is to be a lay person in a monastery, may enjoy the book, but should remember it is only one's man's perspective. Those who are already negatively prejudiced about the direction Plaiss' journey has taken him should try to read the book with an open mind.

Mark Plaiss is still on his journey. If he reads this review I would like to encourage him to write another book in about 10 or 15 years to describe what further changes have occurred in his world due to his plunge into the contemplative world.

The beginning of the book is one man's story from religious beginnings as a child, to present-day Lay Monastic. This portion of the book is an easy, enjoyable read, quick and to the point, giving just enough detail to let you feel connected to the process.

After the autobiographical portion, the reading becomes deeper on the teachings of the Monastic Life, the schedule and routine, but above all the deeper meaning - the prayer. After reading the autobiographical portion, it would not appear to be a book you would read again. However, the later chapters on Faith, Prayer, Work, and The Cell are most definitely worth pulling the book back off the shelf.

I highly recommend the book to those curious about lay monastic life, and those who may be already discerning their path.

This book really helped give me an insight into monastic life and the discipline required to participate on a lay basis. I particularly enjoyed the chapters about Faith and Prayer. I highly recommend this book for all those attracted to the idea of carrying out a "retreat" and for those seeking a deeper involvement in their own spiritual development. I read the book in a few days.

Why the editor allowed this book to be published in this format is beyond me! The author switches back and forth from the personal viewpoint to the third person, and the chapters written in 3rd person have no substance to them at all. Basic subjects such as prayer and faith are so brief and introductory as to be most unhelpful. His first person chapters aren't very well-written, either.

All-in-all, don't waste your money on this book. If you feel you must read it, not something I recommend, then borrow it from a library. It's just not worth any money at all, nor really your time reading it either. Which may take all of 1 or two hours.

Overly simplistic; no depth; too schizophrenic in its format. Feel free to skip this one. You won't be missing out on a thing. There is absolutely no practical application to this one at all.... the title is very misleading!

I purchased "Wisdom From The Monastery". WFTM covers a lot compared to this book. Reading WFTM, one could start a program for himself. This books is like use and throw product. WFTM is like reading a book, keeping it in the shelf. Reading again and again.

Only the cover of this book looks good. On seeing the cover, i thought this book will be equal to the quality of WFTM

If i had a rating below 1, i would rate it 0.75