In The Spirit of Happiness [Paperback]

Monks of New Skete (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 3, 2001

Now in paperback, the bestselling authors of "How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend" distill their collective spiritual wisdom in a book that explains how the elements of a monk's life--self-discipline, solitude, prayer, acts of love and forgiveness--are pathways that anyone can follow to achieve true happiness and spiritual fulfillment.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The wise and cheerful monks of New Skete (How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend) believe that our spirits are meant to be happy. So within these pages, the popular monks of Cambridge, NY, offer useful suggestions for mastering the elusive art of happiness. And while this might sound like a book written by jolly Friar Tucks, it is in fact an intelligent, informed discussion on the soothing power of prayer, mercy, compassion, and devotion. It also opens the doors to the private life of monastic living--helping readers to see that even nuns and monks experience rapture as well as doubt and despair.

In most of their chapters, the monks speak to the principles of spiritual happiness, such as "The Discipline of Change," "Practice Sacred Reading," and "River of Mercy." Interspersed with these lively and useful chapters, the monks have inserted seven "Interludes" in which they speak about monastic living. The result is a thoroughly satisfying package, filled with advice, reflection, warm personal anecdotes, and a delicious taste of what it means to live the contemplative life. --Gail Hudson --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Publishers Weekly

Known for their popular dog-training books (How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend, etc.), the monks of New Skete are a contemporary religious community in the Eastern Orthodox tradition. The Cambridge, N.Y., group supports itself through farming and breeding German shepherds (hence the dog books), among other enterprises. Writing in unison, the monks articulate the principles of their monasticism and spiritual practices. The monks believe that "the world itself is a cloister" and that all humans are entitled to happiness, which they define as a "deep and lasting interior peace... [that] comes only with the struggle to search out and accept the will of God in our lives." Readers expecting the standard primer on simple living should be forewarned that this work, while luminous at times, is also profound and challenging. Wary of the current vogue for individualistic spirituality, the monks advocate learning by following a teacher, meditating, reading and reflecting on Scripture, praying silently and embracing discipline. The value of liturgical worship and community are beautifully and movingly portrayed. The monks depict their beliefs with remarkable depth and certainty, but the use of dialogue between a composite "Seeker" of wisdom and Father Laurence, their abbot, and other Brothers occasionally seems contrived and didactic. The book includes a brief history of monasticism from biblical times, the most fascinating story being the formation of the New Skete community. (Nov.)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Back Bay Books (January 3, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316606944
• ISBN-13: 978-0316606943
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 1 x 8.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #236,883 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #49 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Monasticism

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars In search of happiness, January 16, 2000

By 

"readerny" - See all my reviews

This review is from: In the Spirit of Happiness (Hardcover)

"In The Spirit of Happiness" by the Monks of New Skete, came to me by accident while browsing the religion section of a local bookstore. This book ignites a flame at the core of our souls.

Written in simple, straightforward language for the layperson, "In The Spirit of Happiness" provides readers as well as distressed and hopeless pilgrims with wholehearted advice. Particularly, it is appropriate for those hungry for spiritual direction, guidance, hope and happiness. The colorful, real examples and guidance provided by the Monks of New Skete stems from their contemporary way of life that has its roots in the Orthodox Catholic Church.

The Monks of New Skete support that spiritual change 'has to come from the heart, and not by simply following someone else's behavioral prescriptions'. They maintain that change requires spiritual discipline and, 'our task is to work continuously to clean up our hearts, our intentions, our fundamental stance towards life'.

"In The Spirit of Happiness" educates readers about monasticism, and monastic asceticism which integrates the wisdom of the mind with that of the heart' and, 'right practice should flow naturally from right thinking about reality' with God at the depths of our souls. The monks share with readers their belief that spiritual life is 'pushing ourselves beyond our own static self-conceptions in an ever-deepening communion with the source of life itself'.

Readers will gain much insight from the chapters in this book. For instance, in the chapter of 'Self-Knowledge', the monks emphasize the importance of knowing ourselves to the core. This,requires courage, that is, the need to dive deep within our souls and deal with whatever issues and pain we may have.

To accomplish self-knowledge, we need certain tools and, the Monks of New Skete share them with the readers. They emphasize the value of contemplative, silent prayer, liturgical and community worship.

Spiritual nourishment can be obtained from colorful writings on the chapter of 'Sacred Reading'. 'Lectio Divina', or 'spiritual reading', a discipline of meditating from Bible passages. The monks advocate that 'God is present everywhere' and that we must 'invite God's Spirit to lead us to deeper understanding and a willingness to show it in the way we act'. God speaks to us in silence, and where there is too much noise within the depths of our souls and in our environment we cannot hear His whisper. Hence, the monks provide suggestions on how to pray.

Food for reflection is available from chapters about 'What Does Love Look Like?' and 'Good Work'. The writers emphasize that 'Love is not abstract: it must be concrete'. It is in the small human deeds and acts that we are able to grasp true love. Furthermore, the monks support the need to work as it 'is essential in spiritual life'. In essence, work should be one of the many sources of spiritual nourishment as we pilgrims journey towards happiness.

In the chapter 'A River of Mercy', the writers discuss the importance of Divine and human forgiveness. They maintain that we do not earn Divine forgiveness.Instead, it is given to us as a gift. Being created in God's image, 'He exists in a mode of being that is eternally forgiving'. The monks discuss that it is only when we receive God's forgiveness with open hearts, that we are better able to forgive others. Consequently, forgiveness facilitates spiritual maturity and change.

Change, the monks advocate, 'is a fundamental reality of living'. True love, forgiveness, change and spirituality is reflected on how we act.

Of essence, "In The Spirit of Happiness" does not neglect the essential role of a spiritual mentor or, 'teacher'. A soul-friend, someone who reaches out in true love and compassion and is willing to guide us towards the realm of happiness. Thus,"In The Spirit of Happiness" is appropriate for spiritual study, meditation and soulful reflection.

We live in a world that has lost its heart where pilgrims are searching for true love and happiness. "In The Spirit of Happiness" comes to us as a blessing. Throughout the book, the Monks emphasize that we were created to be happy. Their writings reflect a torch that has been picked up in some of the darkest tunnels and in the process, they lighten our paths as we carry out our roles in this life.

Clearly, this book was written with love, as defined by the monks. I highly recommend it as it is filled with substance, wisdom, and, wholehearted thoughts that will give readers insight and bread as they journey home, into the Spirit of Happiness.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars BEST BOOK ON THE SPIRITUAL LIFE FOR EVERYDAY PEOPLE, February 22, 2000

By 

Jason A. Hunt (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: In the Spirit of Happiness (Hardcover)

This book is amazing. I have read many books on the spiritual life and the monastic life, and this is the very best. Although written by monks, this book presents profound insights into living a completely spiritual, peaceful, and happy life in the world. This exceptional book will transform your perspectives on work, love, prayer, and the whole of life, and direct you towards bringing every aspect of your busy life into complete harmony and happiness. Very realistic and deep wisdom expressed very simply to accomodate all audiences, from monk to businessman to world leader. If you desire a deeper spiritual life, a more meaningful life, or a happier life, you must read this book!

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You don't have to be a monk..., November 27, 2000

By 

Quaker Annie "reader" - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: In the Spirit of Happiness (Hardcover)

We came across this book quite by accident, when looking for something else (we've forgotten what!) in the self-help section of a local bookstore. It seemed to jump off the shelf at us!

You don't have to be a monk to read this, or follow it. The writing is down to earth, and follows a seeker's experience with the monks who broke away from their original Franciscan monastery in the mid 1960's, to form their own. This is no easy feat! They were led by the belief there is meaning in eastern christianity (fundamentalists or traditionalists will find this book too liberal for their liking). Indeed, their monastery had room for brothers and sisters, living a celibate spiritual life.

There is much beauty and substance in this book -- we only wish it were available in paperback, to make it more accessible to more people.

If you are wondering how to live a spiritual life every day, if you would like to be monklike, but have responsibilities that keep you in the worldy life, do not despair! This book is something that can help you, and uplift you, in a down-to-earth yet uplifting way!