The Mystic Hours: A Daybook of Inspirational Wisdom and Devotion [Hardcover]

Wayne Teasdale (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 16, 2004

One reads not for information, writes Brother Wayne Teasdale, but for inspiration. In his new book, Teasdale presents a powerful daily guide to interspiritual wisdom with 365 quotes from the great religious and spiritual traditions, from sources as varied as St. John of the Cross, Confucius, the Dhammapada, and Allen Ginsberg. Designed as an aid for daily reflection and meditation, Teasdale's illuminating commentary follows each passage.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Teasdale, a lay monk and spiritual teacher, offers 365 insights on mysticism in this useful quote book that draws from all of the world’s major religions. The format is traditional; first, Teasdale offers up a quote from a sacred text or major religious thinker, such as St. Augustine, Thomas Merton, Baha’u’llah, Rumi, Pema Chodron and, of course, the mystic guru Meister Eckhart. (Other choices, such as Mel Gibson, are less predictable.) Teasdale then reflects on the quote in particular and its theme more generally, drawing connections between religions and pointing to the goal of every mystic: to achieve union with the divine. Some of this succinct spiritual commentary is wonderfully cogent and a fine tool on the path to personal transformation.
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Product Details

• Hardcover: 400 pages
• Publisher: New World Library (November 16, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1577314727
• ISBN-13: 978-1577314721
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #741,837 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Interspiritual Devotional, November 14, 2004

By 

Janet Boyer "Author, Blogger, Radio Host" (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Mystic Hours: A Daybook of Inspirational Wisdom and Devotion (Hardcover)

"One reads not for information, but inspiration." --Wayne Teasdale

Brother Wayne Teasdale was a lay monk and interspiritual teacher who believed that we are all baptized in a cosmic sense by our birth, called into being for the purpose of connecting with the Divine. A leading activist and teacher in building common ground between religions, Brother Teasdale passed to the other side in October 2004--before he had a chance to see the publishing of his new book The Mystic Hours.

Teasdale believes that we are all mystics, and that books and reading can often serve as a direct path to mystical realization. Drawing upon wisdom from all the great religions, as well as insights from contemporary authors and mystics, The Mystic Hours - A Daybook of Interspiritual Wisdom & Devotion is an interspiritual devotional for every day of the year. Organized into 365 pages, Teasdale takes a brief wisdom quote and then provides illuminating commentary on its meaning and relevance. The devotionals are at once gentle and incisive, designed for meditation and reflection.

Here's an example of one of the interspiritual devotionals from the book:

I don't think that any great issues ever get resolved. Rather, I think we outgrow them. --Jean Houston

"The great matters that divide us, most ironically the world's terrible conflicts over religion, are usually irreconcilable as long as the combatants are so heavily invested in their position. One example of this kind of polarization is the terrible conflict in Northern Ireland between Catholics and Protestants. Neither side of this conflict will likely ever understand the other side's position as long as they cling to the very real injustices they have suffered. Eventually, the two sides will tire of death and hatred and will abandon the old rivalry. That we may outgrow our need for dualism and conflict--that is my prayer."

And another example:

A vital faith is more like an organism or a work of art than it is like a cafeteria tray. --Huston Smith

"Although he is a great proponent of synthesis in the study of religion, Huston Smith, the venerable sage of the religious and spiritual life as well as comparative religion, corroborates D.H. Lawrence's insight but adds that authentic spirituality cannot simply be a grab bag of beliefs and practices. A faith that really means something in a person's life, a faith that nourishes and inspires, that is a source of insight, strength, encouragement, and guidance, needs to be cultivated, protected, never taken for granted. Such a faith doesn't happen without sufficient effort and commitment. In this sense, it is similar to a living being. Insofar as we cultivate our faith and permit it to be the center of our lives and the animating core of our being and value, it becomes, as Smith says, "a work of art"."

The Mystic Hours is a powerful book that shows the true meaning of interspirituality: that at the core of all our religions and philosophies lies burning mystical wisdom that can bring us together sooner than tear us apart. I find the devotionals therein to be a source of comfort, clarity, and insight--reminding me of what is important in life, as well as the necessary ingredients in achieving personal and spiritual meaning.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiration Reflecting On Inspiration, May 18, 2005

By 

A. Lysy (Schaumburg, Illinois) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Mystic Hours: A Daybook of Inspirational Wisdom and Devotion (Hardcover)

Brother Wayne Teasdale was dying of cancer when he wrote 365 commentaries to 365 pearls of wisdom culled from a wide range of authors from different fields. Wayne had developed a unique feeling based sense of interspirituality in his earlier works. But in this selection, Wayne's inspired commentary for each day is radiant with light and warmth, a special legacy for those of us here on a planet in painful transition. This is the one book I would give to everyone I know, the one book I would place in every hotel or motel room. Get it for yourself and you will want to get it for everyone you love.

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Ecumenical sound bites, November 29, 2007

By 

Gary Sprandel (Frankfort, Kentucky) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Mystic Hours: A Daybook of Inspirational Wisdom and Devotion (Hardcover)

Brother Wayne spans the spiritual traditions, going from St. Augustine, to Martin Luther King, Jr, to the Katha Upanishad. The Indian sage Chaintana may say "Chant the name while sitting, sanding, walking, eating and in bed and everywhere." while Jesus says to "pray without ceasing". His juxtapositions of daily readings emphasized the similarity of different traditions: seeking solitude, a passion for the Infinite, choosing the divine, humility, and compassion.

With just a page for each day, these quotes and reflections are good meditation to start or end a day. They however are not long enough to reveal the depth of any author. What would Kierkegaard think of reducing one of his books to "Purity of the heart is to will one thing" and he would chide us for not taking a leap in one direction! Let's not mistake "interspirituality" for lack of commitment. A deeper understanding and reading may reveal contradictions in the some aspect of the individual sources. For example in the reflection on Hillel the Elder ...'Without self-respect, will never gain the respect of others" ... while the beatitudes "Blessed are the poor in spirit" does not necessarily mean "free of selfishness."