Chanting the Psalms: A Practical Guide with Instructional CD (Paperback)

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Key Phrases: centering prayer, psychological tools, contemplative chanting, Divine Office, Old Testament, Daily Office (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. The pointed and shaking finger of our adamant inner schoolteachers often accompanies calls to engage and stick with ancient (read: tried and proven) spiritual practices. Not so with Bourgeault's impassioned invitation to chant the Psalms. With a blend of Christian and Eastern mysticism running throughout, as well as recognition that learning to chant may be difficult, she gently guides readers through the "whys" and then through the "hows." Bourgeault, an Episcopal priest with a doctorate in medieval studies/musicology, clearly knows her material, but presents it simply; see the chapter on "Suzuki Psalmnody." The companion CD, illustrating the various techniques, encourages even the most vocally challenged reader to try the chants. Bourgeault's focus is not only on chanting, but on chanting the Psalms specifically, asserting that chanting them helps to integrate the shadow and heal the personal unconscious, as well as awaken the intuitive imagination. The book's final section explores other contemporary and popular forms of chant and song, including Taizé and Iona. Bourgeault will be a helpful guide to those who seek to find a viable daily Christian practice, while those who already have a daily discipline may find that her suggestions for chanting deepens and enlarges their experience. (Dec. 12)
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Review

"Bourgeault will be a helpful guide to those who seek to find a viable daily Christian practice, while those who already have a daily discipline may find that her suggestions for chanting deepens and enlarges their experience."—Publishers Weekly, starred review



"The best book I've seen on the theory and practice of Christian contemplative psalmody."—Thomas Keating, author of Open Mind, Open Heart and Finding Grace at the Center

"Few books ever manage to both inform and enthrall in equal measure the way this one does. The whole world of Christian spirituality owes Cynthia Bourgeault an enormous debt of gratitude for having given us a classic."—Phyllis Tickle, compiler of the Divine Hours series

"Cynthia Bourgeault, a skillful teacher, offers you all of the do-it-yourself instructions you need to thoroughly enjoy the sacred tradition of change and so step from time into the eternal Now."—Br. David Steindl-Rast, OSB, cofounder of gratefulness.org

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Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: New Seeds (November 14, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1590302575
• ISBN-13: 978-1590302576
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 6.8 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #112,984 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bring the Psalms into your daily life, February 10, 2007

By	D. Kovacs (San Antonio, TX) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is a great follow-on to the author's CD set called Singing the Psalms. This book and CD, combined with Phyllis Tickle's trilogy of The Divine Hours, will give you everything you need in order to pray the Divine Office every day. Recommended for all lay contemplatives who long to practice the monastic path of prayer while still living in the world.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A compendium on chant, February 27, 2008

By	K. Eshelman "book-oholic" (down South) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I used this book for a class at church last year, and it actually had so much information that I had to select readings and provide overviews for some sections. The most valuable aspect for my class was that Bourgeault is not a trained singer: her 'normal person's voice' on the CD was what encouraged several of the non-singers in the class to take a chance and sing - something they had previously been afraid to try. The historical information is far-reaching. In my opinion, the last chapters of the book that try to bring in all types of modern chants are less effective than the first half of the book.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ways to God, June 27, 2007

By	C. De Fontenay - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The book and CD are crystal clear and helpful and persuasive. Of all the ways to God, psalmody is surely one of the most ancient and powerful and is therefore of especial value to those of us who realize that the ancient knowledge of God is to be understood and incorporated right along with our other understandings. That Jesus also did this makes it far more important for those of us who would "follow" Him as He commanded and not just "worship" him. C. de Fontenay