Words for Silence: A Year of Contemplative Meditations [Hardcover]

Gregory Fruehwirth (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 2008

Fr. Gregory Fruehwirth, OJN
Preface by Archbishop Desmond Tutu

The contemplative life is for all, not just for a few

In these busy and stressful times, you may long for more silence and peace in your life. But rather than waiting for circumstances to change, you can take to heart the words of Father Gregory Fruehwirth: "The contemplative life and unceasing prayer is about being exactly where you are, aware of the presence of God and quickly and joyfully responsive to God's urgings." In the reflections that follow, this monk and poet will show you how to make substantive changes in your life.

Drawing from the most ancient Christian wisdom, Words for Silence guides you to create more stillness and solitude in your own life, right where you are.

"We are always in God's presence. Father Gregory is urging us to be more conscious of this and to be those who are still because we know that God is God."
-Desmond Tutu, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize

"When we let go of the obsessive search outside ourselves for something to make us happy, when we relax and move fully into the present moment, then we know, however inchoately, that we already possess all that we desire within ourselves. His risen Life is within us."

-from Words for Silence

Underlying these reflections--which are organized according to the Christian liturgical year--is the basic assumption that God has drawn near to each one of us, and that our fulfillment is found in surrendering our lives to that presence and love.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Before author Fruehwirth became Guardian (head) of the Order of Julian of Norwich, an order of Anglican contemplatives, he was the groundskeeper. Rather like Vietnamese Zen Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh, whom he cites approvingly, Fruehwirth brings a humble sense of the ordinariness of life to this series of "chapter talks"-addresses to his community providing spiritual formation. Organized around the liturgical year, these short reflections examine and promote contemplation. Fruehwirth is thoughtful, practical and poetic. Living in intimacy with God, the goal of the contemplative, requires building good inner habits of awareness and surrender to God's service. Small things can help: "no leaning, no slouching" is a posture of awareness, like the erect posture of one seated in meditation. Fruehwirth is also insightful: Lenten reflections on the deadly sins unite psychology and theology in thought-provoking ways. His work also calls attention to the relatively underappreciated legacy of his order's founder, the 14th-century English mystic Julian. This little, lovely book should be read slowly and savored as a guide to the inner landscape of contemplation.
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Product Details

• Hardcover: 206 pages
• Publisher: Paraclete Press (MA) (December 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1557256012
• ISBN-13: 978-1557256010
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,419,586 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simple Approach - Deeply Spiritual, September 4, 2009

By 

Edith Barton-Martin "Eadie Barton-Martin" (Rockwall, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Words for Silence: A Year of Contemplative Meditations (Hardcover)

What intrigued me to buy this book was the author's being a monk in the Order of Julian of Norwich. At first read, I appreciated the format of short reflexions for Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter and Ordinary Time. But, oh my. It's far more than that. Freuhwirth's deep spirituality draws one into the contemplative walk.

As an avid reader of Thomas Merton and Thomas Keating, I'm glad to find another author encouraging silent prayer. Freuhwirth seems to have a light hearted approach to this ministry. I love his explanation of "mindful breathing." He invites the reader to smile more, being present to each moment. The author writes "contemplative life is energized by the possibility of surrendering our ego-defined reality to be taken up into a participatory union with God."

Fruehwirth's thoughts on self-denial is healthy antidote to the harsh, pain-based concept of a more martyr-based spirituality. Instead, he suggests "that authentic self-denial is the entirely peaceful and liberating experience of letting go of our anxious self-concern and inviting God's life into us."

5.0 out of 5 stars Mountain Priest, July 15, 2011

By 

Mtn Rev - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Words for Silence: A Year of Contemplative Meditations (Hardcover)

"Words for Silence" is a gift for those who seek to live with generosity of spirit and Fruehwirth writes with simplicity, grace and unadorned honesty about the path to this way of generosity. This book is for folks who are on a deeper journey into silence and partnership with God; it is for those who know that a significant part of this journey necessitates release of the ego, even unto death. It is one of the best I've ever read.