The Wisdom Way of Knowing: Reclaiming An Ancient Tradition to Awaken the Heart (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "What is truth? You can see where there is truth and where there isn't, but I seem to have lost my sight, I see nothing..." (more)
Key Phrases: moshel meshalim, divine hologram, sacred chanting, Eagle Island, Christian West, Christian Wisdom (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"a bold and visionary work." (Spirituality & Health, May/June, 2004)

Review

"Drawing on resources as diverse as Sufism, Benedictine Monasticism, the Gurdjieff Work, and the string theory of modern physics, Cynthia Bourgeault has crafted her own unique vision of the Wisdom way in this very accessible book, nicely balanced between concept and practice."
— Gerald May, senior fellow, Shalem Institute, and author, Addiction and Grace and Will and Spirit

"The spiritual wisdom and practical suggestions in this lively and beautiful book will be helpful to many who find themselves setting out on the interior journey."
— Bruno Barnhart, a Camaldolese monk and author, Second Simplicity: The Inner Shape of Christianity

"Cynthia Bourgeault's book is a valuable contribution to the much-needed reawakening of spiritual practice within a Christian context. Her sincerity, good sense, metaphysical depth, and broad experience make her a source to be trusted."
— Kabir Helminski, Sufi Shaikh, the Threshold Society

"This book is a precious gem, a short and brilliant synthesis of the world's great wisdom traditions. Clear, concise, inspiring and poetic."
— Joan Borysenko, author, Inner Peace for Busy People and Inner Peace for Busy Women

"With consummate skill and dazzling clarity, Cynthia Bourgeault rescues the ancient knowledge of wisdom practices found in all the great traditions and teaches us how to become true instruments of God's glory."
— Toinette Lippe, author, Nothing Left Over: A Plain and Simple Life

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass; 1st. Ed edition (October 13, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 078796896X
• ISBN-13: 978-0787968960
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 5.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #34,152 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Freedom and Surrender, March 12, 2004

By	Linda A. Elston (Augusta, GA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have read Cynthia Bourgeault's THE WISDOM WAY OF KNOWING five times now. From start to finish, I find what I always find in her writing - the rich, inner tradition of Christianity which is so universally appealing. I have probably read her chapter on Freedom and Surrender ten times, and I quote my favorite lines, "Spirituality at its no-frills simplest is learning not to do anything in a state of internal brace. It is never worth the cost."

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Clarity, Depth and, yes, Wisdom, March 30, 2006

By	Carleton B. Bakkum (Yorktown, VA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

An Episcopal priest myself, time and again while reading "The Wisdom Way of Knowing" I wanted to jump up, rejoice and exclaim, "Yes, this is what I've come to about Christianity after all these years!" It was like drinking draughts of crystal clear water. With a graceful touch, the author peels back layer after layer of accretions to the faith to leave one close to the pulsing heart of the tradition. She obviously lives this path and warrants the name "teacher." Do read this book. And practice the prayer and path to which it points. (Couldn't resist a little sermon.)

41 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars short but terrific, February 6, 2004

By	Ray Barnes (Surrey, British Columbia Canada) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

If you are a student of the Gnosis and want to learn more about it, and about mysticism within the Western Wisdom traditions, this is as good a place to start as anything. Unlike some other literature of this kind of subject, it is clear, lucid and very readable. The author is an ordained Episcopal priest, but esoteric Christianity is to her I believe a piece of a bigger puzzle, and a frame of reference in particular. She quotes a bit from other enlightened authors, past and present, such as Jakob Boehme. There is also an excellent recommended reading list for further study.

The book is short but covers a great deal of ground in little time, so kudos here for the editing.

Recommended with enthusiasm.