Customer Reviews

Thoughts Matter: The Practice of Spiritual Life

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

Based on the classic ascetic practises of the patristic era, and on their application in the Rule of Benedict, this book sets forth clear, solid, far-reaching insights which would enrich the life of anyone seeking to grow in the spiritual life.

Sister Mary Margaret expresses the principles simply yet with great depth, and, in a style enormously refreshing for the "self-esteem" era (her comments on that concept are very telling), does so with great honesty. She does not qualify the wisdom of two millennia in an attempt to be unwisely "relevant" to the reader. She has no qualms about showing that the Christian ascetic vocation is an endless period of growth, though her expressing how practising discipline of thoughts leads to results unaware will undoubtedly be strengthening during times of struggle.

The only aspect which those new to the topic must keep in mind is that this volume, short though it is, is not meant to be skimmed nor read hurriedly. It is the stuff of the lectio divina to which the early chapters refer - intended for quiet, reflective, prayerful reading. Much of the best material (for example, the sections regarding sex and vainglory) can be missed if one is reading only "key words," without attention to the overall picture which places it into focus.

I have had a deep interest in ascetic theology for thirty years, and am well acquainted with many great writings in that area. I can honestly say that this book is one of the best of contemporary treatments of the subject.

This plainly written book can help you overcome the daily struggles that prevent you from developing a strong relationship with God.

First the author identifies the eight objects of self-centered thought we must learn to control: food, sex, things, anger, dejection, acedia (spiritual dryness), vainglory, and pride. She then describes how these thoughts, when uncontrolled, progressively undermine our spiritual awareness to the point of becoming soul-deadening obsessions. Finally, she explains how we can overcome these distracting thoughts and instead center on thoughts in harmony with God's will. By doing so, we are able to experience the joys of hope and freedom, no longer enslaved by our appetites.

Funk does an excellent job of translating some complex spiritual concepts into plain English. And, to illustrate good and bad thought patterns, she cites examples that will sound (uncomfortably) familiar to people of all ages and vocations. It's hard to imagine people reading this book and not wanting to seriously reevaluate their attitudes toward toward their own thoughts.

Thoughts Matter challenges the serious reader to examine the nature of the thoughts that are constantly playing through the mind - like a non-stop tape recording! While we can't always control the thoughts that pop up in our heads, we can certainly decide which ones we want to spend time with and which ones can only do harm to ourselves and others. I would love to read what Sr. Mary has to say about renouncing our thoughts about God.

This is to let you know that I read your book, "Thoughts Matter" very carefully and meditatively, one chapter at a time, and that I enjoyed it very much. You found a nice was of presenting in a simple way a deep teaching that is not so easily accessible in the original, because it is over couched in a disconcerting language. You also present a traditional monastic doctrine in a manner that is accessible to any serious spiritual seeker,wheteher monastic or not. I also appreciated upir leem semse paradox: writing a whole book to show that "thoughts matter" and ending it by saying that "If we let God be God in our innermost life, then thoughts don't matter after all". Thanks for alowing me to drink from that wisdom: John Cassian's and yours. Armand Veilleux, Abbot of Scourmont BELGIUM

This book brings to the modern vocabulary ideas and experiences originally posited by the Desert Fathers out of their experience. It has benefitted me greatly. The author asks in her own comments if people would like a book on the third renunciation - renouncing our thoughts of God. My response is YES!! YES!! I am personally at the edge of this country and would much appreciate some guidance, though I'm not sure I can wait till a book gets written and published!

This is an excelent book for those well along the path of Christian spirituality. It is not intended for the beginner but for those who are seeking a deeper relationship with God and a more intense practice of Christian spirituality. It has many eye-opening passages. I found it very helpful during a time of spiritual renewal.

This is a book that focuses on the inner journey that we all take with God. The book premise is that thoughts do matter and how we deal with them is important as we proceed in our life's journey. The author offers several ways and techniques to get through negative thoughts, ideas and moods. These have a way of focusing us on self, where the real journey is outward toward the other.

This is an item which I read before I purchased it, and found it to be something that I wanted to add to our monastic library, Sr. Mary Margaret, OSB allows us to understand how thoughts in the practice of the spiritual life are extremely important for growth and development. +Will, OSB

Somewhere C. S Lewis says that we too often blame the body for our inordinate passions, when in fact it is the thoughts that we entertain and cultivate that lead "brother ass" down the wrong road. While I am not an expert on the spiritual/psychological life, I am someone who has been attempting to be human for some time and this book is always a great resource to cut to the heart of the matter, which almost always comes back to thoughts.
The book is blunt and to the point, all the time. Although every chapter will not be something that you struggle with, and perhaps only one will apply to you, that one will help you clarify your situation and strengthen your resolve to acquire the mind of Christ. Yet I still find that life is a juggling act, with things always in motion, in and out of balance, and totally interrelated. So in this sense all of the passions are connected. They don't reside in nice little compartments with locks on the doors and peep holes that we can look into as we please. They have a way of overwhelming, overflowing and generally seeking to be dominant. And where one goes so do the others. So this book helps me not keep things in check (that white-knuckling it never works long term) but rather to cultivate the joy of a balanced life in Christ where His grace and will come to be my will. It's the actual meaning of the prayer, "Lord, give to me the desires of my heart", meaning, put your own desires within me. Well, a work in progress anyway and this book helps a great deal.

While not exactly the same style, these books have been useful to me in this regard: The Mountain of Silence: A Search for Orthodox Spirituality, The Screwtape Letters: With Screwtape Proposes a Toast, Father Arseny, 1893-1973: Priest, Prisoner, Spiritual Father : Being the Narratives Compiled by the Servant of God Alexander Concerning His Spiritual Father and Encountering the Depths: Prayer, Solitude, and Contemplation.

This is an excellent book and extremely helpful. In an age where our thought lives are constantly being assailed with images and information from across the globe and where much of it is not helpful, especially when one is attempting to clear the mind of internal chatter and listen to God, it proved to be the kind of book that I will keep referring to.This book addresses the kind of internal battle we all face with our thought lives and how our thoughts affect our behaviour. It shows that no-one is unique in this problem: it is common to all.
I would recommend it to everyone who is intent on developing their prayer life and deepening their relationship with God.