I have been reading the new book by Ed Cyzewski who is a writer/ contemplative. The book is not officially "out" although I was able to get a copy on Amazon for Kindle. The book is called Flee, Be Silent, Pray. It is a guide book based on the experiences of the writer who was a self-avowed "anxious Evangelical" who had a bad experience with the Catholic faith early in life and who thought he wanted nothing to do with Catholicism ever again. He then discovered in the midst of a crisis of faith, the writings of Merton, Rohr, Nouwen, Manning and others, who are 20th century Catholics but whose timeless writings and faith experiences are relevant to every pursuer of God. The book might be considered a brief course in "How to participate in contemplative prayer 101"
He talks about the disciplines of silence. of centering prayer. Of the Daily Office (Divine Hours), of meditation, of the Examen and I'm sure some other topics that I am forgetting. I promised Ed that I would write a review of his book, and I will (this is just a preview)...but I must say that I started reading it yesterday and will certainly finish it today. It is compelling....and it describes a life I have lived in the past and would like to resume. Mental illness threw a giant red herring in my path and my peace of mind was rocked with anxiety, depression and hallucination. I have not been satisfied with my prayer life ever since those blips on my radar and I think that this book offers a guide to the path back for me.
I am home alone most of the time. I have it "easy" because it is easy to be silent, when there is no one to speak to or when there is no purpose to speech. I recently read an injunction to read Scripture aloud as, by adding another sense to the experience, it allows it to make a deeper impact. I tried it. I confess, it did throw new light on the text and it did slow me down and force me to really HEAR what it was saying....but it was difficult. Just because of the annoyance of the sound of my own voice. I live in silence. however, the truth is, that in my writing, texting and chatting, I spill an abundance of words. And it is here that I need to exhibit some self control and speak one fitting word rather than 50 rambling ones.
I ordered the Divine Hours by Phyllis Tickle and plan to begin regular prayer times throughout my day. But first I have to finish this wonderful book. I highly recommend it to you.
He talks about the disciplines of silence. of centering prayer. Of the Daily Office (Divine Hours), of meditation, of the Examen and I'm sure some other topics that I am forgetting. I promised Ed that I would write a review of his book, and I will (this is just a preview)...but I must say that I started reading it yesterday and will certainly finish it today. It is compelling....and it describes a life I have lived in the past and would like to resume. Mental illness threw a giant red herring in my path and my peace of mind was rocked with anxiety, depression and hallucination. I have not been satisfied with my prayer life ever since those blips on my radar and I think that this book offers a guide to the path back for me.
I am home alone most of the time. I have it "easy" because it is easy to be silent, when there is no one to speak to or when there is no purpose to speech. I recently read an injunction to read Scripture aloud as, by adding another sense to the experience, it allows it to make a deeper impact. I tried it. I confess, it did throw new light on the text and it did slow me down and force me to really HEAR what it was saying....but it was difficult. Just because of the annoyance of the sound of my own voice. I live in silence. however, the truth is, that in my writing, texting and chatting, I spill an abundance of words. And it is here that I need to exhibit some self control and speak one fitting word rather than 50 rambling ones.
I ordered the Divine Hours by Phyllis Tickle and plan to begin regular prayer times throughout my day. But first I have to finish this wonderful book. I highly recommend it to you.
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