Customer Reviews

Tools Matter for Practicing the Spiritual Life

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God's call to contemplation is universal, Bede Griffiths, a greatly revered English monk who died in India in 1993 insisted, but the reason the "call" is not effective is because of a lack of receptivity. Meg Funk in this present volume offers us all a handbook for spiritual receptivity - more than 25 Christian prayer methods (tools) for our cooperation in becoming receptive to the gift of God's Sprit given without limit.
Sr.Meg truly takes her readers "back to the sources" of the desert and early Christian monasticism as she places in our hands another insightful and helpful 155 pages for the spiritual journey. Those who haven't yet read or may have forgotten the contents of her first volume: Thoughts Matter, will be happy to find that the author gives us not just a brief replay of the "eight thoughts" or "afflictions" that obscure our awareness of God but adds many new insights, nuances and examples. Of the more than 25 practices Meg shares here from our Christian tradition that can be reappropriated today as tools on the contemplative path, she gives pride of place and repeated focus to Lectio Divina "the classic individual prayer form". Her presentation is very well done. Sr.Meg's years of compassionate intermonastic exchanges echo through her volume as she uses phrases like "right effort; right thinking, right relationships" and "the transmision of God". Her breakdown of the tools into negative, positive, social, and prayer tools is helpful. Under the social tools the author gives an exposition of humility with a unique glimpse at St. Benedict's 12 degrees (Chap. 7 of the Rule)and as she herself says "The tools involved in using these twelve steps form a refrain rhroughtout this entire book". Motivation is critical! Attention and intention are frequent "wake up calls" thoughout the seven chapters of the work.
In the final chapter on discernment the author indicates what we can learn from each of the eight afflictive thoughts, using the suggested tools and knowing the goal of each effort. The "downside" or limitations of each of the tools is offered to help all walk in the Turth! Spiritual direction is also included in the final chapter with a view to the listener and the seeker.
The books is highly recommended for all seekers, monastics and lay alike!

I have been a monk for over 45 years. During that time I have read a lot of books on spiritual practice. Mary Margaret Funk's "Tools Matter ..." is one of those books that ought to be on the shelf of anyone who practices and/or teaches meditation. It is an excellent introduction to the spiritual way, a reminder for the proficient.
In the Benedictine tradition during Lent we have a special time for spiritual reading. I read "Tools Matter..." for Lent this year. It has reminded me of many of the essenbtial tools that are basic, but which can easily set aside over the years. This book has encouraged me to review and return to some of these basic practices.

This is a lovely new book by Mary Margaret Funk. It reads as both a source
of inspiration and a practical guide for the development of spiritual
practice. The importance of having tools and knowing how to use them as we
tend "the garden of our souls" is articulated in a fresh and accessible way.
While it draws on practices from the early Christian tradition, the depth
and universality of its message is applicable to anyone on a contemplative
path. Tools do matter; they provide us with the means to bring our spiritual
practice to life in an ongoing way. Many thanks to the author for this
important manual of the heart.

A companion book to her previous work on spirituality ("Thoughts Matter"), this current effort of Mary Margaret Funk takes us further on the road to a more complete spiritual life. Grounded in the Benedictine tradition, she offers us tools (spade and hoe, etc.) to enable us to "weed our garden." Such tools are known to practitioners of prayer already -- manual labor, fasting, ceaseless prayer, vigils, The Little Way, the Jesus Prayer -- but Sr. Funk puts a face on them by describing the written works that most thoroughly manifest these tools as well as the individuals who perhaps first employed them, e.g., St. Therese's Little Way. Balance is always a goal. Fasting, for example, should be practiced by eating "not too much and not too little." This is a truly admirable book for all contemplatives.

Tools Matter gives concrete "tools" for developing our practice on the spiritual journey. As pilgrims we have a need for this. Funk recognizes tools are not an end but "the boat we use to reach the shore." Readable and of monastic classic material-highly recommended.

This is one of those precious books that the contemplative seeker will read over and over again. Funk details the practice of the spiritual life from the cell to the common table as the "work of attention, of keeping awake." Her writing comes out of her own contemplative living experience and will renew anyone's commitment to the spiritual journey.

Apart from one chapter (which was not written by Funk), this is an excellent book. It surveys a number of practical methods through which a Christian can draw on ancient practices to remain attentive to the presence of God.

I am still working my way through this book, even though it is not a large volume and very easy to read. The fact is, there is so much of value to put to use to truly help myself take charge of my inner, spiritual life (and therefore, my life as a whole), that I am gleaning every little detail.