Keeping Silence [Paperback]

C. W. McPherson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2002

When C. W. McPherson asked the members of his congregation to practice just ten minutes of silence each day during Advent, it seemed like a simple task. "It sounded easy," said one of his parishioners, "but then I actually tried to do it." This concise, conversational, and engaging book is for those who find it difficult or even impossible to slow down and be quiet. But if we can't learn how to be still in the midst of a noisy world, we will have a hard time listening for God's voice and guidance in our lives. McPherson explores the positive effects that practicing silence has on body, soul, and mind. He provides historical background and easy-to-follow instructions for a variety of Christian practices. Among the practices included are Benedictine rumination, psalm repetition, the Jesus Prayer, Ignatian meditation, meditation on icons or candles, walking the labyrinth or the Stations of the Cross, and more. This valuable book is written to be used by individuals or groups.

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Morehouse Publishing (October 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 081921910X
• ISBN-13: 978-0819219107
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,130,514 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for anyone hoping to quiet their internal chaos, May 4, 2005

By 

Mutien Marie - See all my reviews

This review is from: Keeping Silence (Paperback)

When I was learning how to deepen my prayer life, a priest told me to give considerable focus to meditative and silent prayer to connect with God. Just sitting still for 5 minutes and being quiet is really difficult in this hectic world! How does one quiet down all the "noise" on the inside? When this book was recommended, I thought it might be about weird yoga postures or crazy techniques. However, this is a great book that explores various (ancient, tried and tested) contemplative techniques from the east and west to acheive interior silence. There are so many different ways one can learn to quiet down, and I found a few that have changed my prayer life completely! McPherson goes through various techniques and their respective backgrounds and postures (sitting, standing, walking), and then offers a sample exercise to try it out on your own. It's a relatively quick,yet essential read for the busy person!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, July 29, 2008

By 

Tracey (United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Keeping Silence (Paperback)

Excellent book for those looking for the ways and why of entering into silence. Why Jesus did it and why we should. The book has a lot of Catholic references and a few references to Eastern Religions but is no means a new age book. It was written by and for Christians. Would love to give it to all the girls in my group!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Adequate, good overview, September 6, 2005

By 

F. W. Young (Alabama) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Keeping Silence (Paperback)

This was a book I wish I'd had about 25 years ago. Most of the practices it describes are ones I have had to learn piecemeal over the years. It is nice to see someone synthesize them into a short and readable format.