Music of Silence: A Sacred Journey through the Hours of the Day [Paperback]

Ph.D. Brother David Steindl-Rast (Author), Sharon Lebell (Author), Kathleen Norris (Introduction)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 9, 2001

Music of Silence shows how to incorporate the sacred meaning of monastic living into everyday life by following the natural rhythm of the hours of the day. The book tells how mindfulness and prayer can reconnect us with the sources of joy. “An invitation to join in quiet ecstasy, to rediscover sacred rhythms.” — Jack Kornfield, author of A Path with Heart

Editorial Reviews

Review

An invitation to join in quiet ecstasy, to rediscover sacred rhythms. -- Jack Kornfield, author of A Path with Heart

From the Author

Friends tell me that Music of Silence is my most readable book; for this I am grateful to Sharon Lebell, as I am grateful to Kathleen Norris for her Introduction. Kathleen (the author of Cloister Walk) has done so much to make the rich heritage of monastic tradition available to people outside the monastic enclosure. In a small way, my book tries to do the same.- Br. David Steindl-Rast, March 2002

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Ulysses Press; 2nd edition (November 9, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1569752974
• ISBN-13: 978-1569752975
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #164,639 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

75 of 77 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Music of Silence A Sacred Journey Through the Hours of the, March 11, 2000

By 

M C Papadolias (Aurora, Illinois, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Music of Silence: A Sacred Journey Through the Hours of the Day (Paperback)

Steindl-Rast examines the moods implied in the canonical hours of the day. I have purchased both the book and the audio tapes of the book. The ideas expressed by Steindl-Rast are positive, valuable, and applicable to daily life. Prime, for example, occurring early in the day, according to Steindl-Rast, might be considered too early and simply an oh-no-here-we-go-again complaint. (my word, not his!) Or, it can be considered an opportunity, kind of a drumroll to our work of the day, preparing us to go ahead with energy and commitment.

Steindl-Rast uses a picture by Fra Angelico, which includes angels for each of the canonical hours, to explain many ideas. He also quotes the poets Robert Frost and Rainer Maria Rilke in his explanations of ideas. The excerpts of poetry are excellent and have led me to read more of each of these poets.

The music of which the author speaks is Gregorian Chant. And the words of the chants are the prayers and meditations that express the hours.

A high school music teacher, I have found the author's defining of the roots of words to describe their applications to be an excellent way to share vocabulary with my students. I have also found many ideas about music and a positive approach to life, all of which my students seem to appreciate.

This is an excellent book.

M C Papadolias

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The listened appreciation of time, January 5, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Music of Silence: A Sacred Journey Through the Hours of the Day (Paperback)

The author discusses how time can be a deeply sacred part of the hours of our lives, and why an appreciation of time has been developed by the experts of the monastic orders. Nothing is as ordinary, or as sacred, as time. Far from being an infinitesimally small unit of measurement or a means of separating one event from another, time provides the means by which the still, small, silent voice of God may be heard. This is a book to take on a sabbatical journey.

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Grounding-Thought Provoking, February 14, 2001

By 

Gail Burch (Vallejo, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Music of Silence: A Sacred Journey Through the Hours of the Day (Paperback)

While walking the reader through the daily life of a monk's spiritual journey, this author also inspires the lay person to listen to the "Music of Silence".

Every chapter deserves contemplation. The book gives everyone a direction to follow, as the hours of the day flow.

I found it even more inspirational to listen to Gregorian Chant while reading. I especially like "CHANT" by the Benedictine Monks of Santo Domingo De Silos.

If you truly need a break from the hectic pace of today's life then this book is a must read.

It has become a permanent part of my library and look forward to reading more from this author.