Into the Silent Land: A Guide to the Christian Practice of Contemplation

by Martin Laird

Hardcover, 2006

Status

Available

Call number

248.34

Collection

Publication

Oxford University Press (2006), 176 pages

Description

Sitting in stillness, the practice of meditation, and the cultivation of awareness are commonly thought to be the preserves of Hindus and Buddhists. Martin Laird shows that the Christian tradition of contemplation has its own refined teachings on using a prayer word to focus the mind, working with the breath to cultivate stillness, and the practice of inner vigilance or awareness. But this book is not a mere historical survey of these teachings. In Into the Silent Land, we see the ancient wisdom of both the Christian East and West brought sharply to bear on the modern-day longing for radical o

User reviews

LibraryThing member disneypope
Enjoyable read. A Catholic Theologian puts the practice of 'zen' into Christian realms and thought. Although I am sure that was not his intention, it's a connection that is easily made. Does a nice job of describing the moves into 'contemplation' but gets a little convaluded at times. I'd recommend
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this book to anyone who is seriously looking at Christian contemplation.
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LibraryThing member MapleMystic
Though I am 50% through this book, I know I will immediately begin to re-read it once done. This book was a recommendation from the leader of a contemplative group I fellowship with out of Columbus, Ohio with an unoffical link to the Abby of Gethsemani in Kentucky. This book is an excellent
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resource for those who have just begun a journey into contemplative life and prayer (and I am told for those who are well on their way within the journey). It really amazes me how much discussion on contemplative life exist but not as much regarding taking the actual steps along the path. This book really bridges that gap.
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LibraryThing member wrmjr66
Laird's brief introduction to Christian contemplation is a clear and readable book on a subject that can sometimes be opaque. His readings of some of the desert fathers is particularly illuminating, and while it means he gives less focus to the Carmelite tradition, this focus helps keep the book
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clear and usable. He closes with a parable which is much better than the average attempt that are common in Christian writing today.
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LibraryThing member deusvitae
A deep and powerful dive into the value of contemplative prayer.

The author explores what the contemplative prayer tradition is about: what motivates it, certain types of practices (prayer words, etc.), and its progress. The author explores the "progress" of contemplative prayer in three phases as
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one gets deeper into contemplation, and even how "progress" is a difficult metric since one easily moves forward and backward in the process.

The author is very sanguine about the challenges and difficulties attending the discipline. He's the first I've seen to basically come out and say there's no specific model, and the whole premise works against a specific model, even though most of those drawn to it really want a model. His descriptions and explanations make sense even to those (like me) who have not moved deeply into the contemplative traditions even though they may seem compelling and attractive.

Throughout the author is conversant with the major characters and themes of the contemplative tradition from the past 1700 years. A highly engaging and recommended work for those who are considering contemplation.
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LibraryThing member Aidan767
Amazing view of the God who is, Being, and the Ground of Being. Demonstrating the incredible power of silence and attention before the Light of Light. I’d recommend it to anyone.

Physical description

176 p.; 7.19 x 5.34 inches

ISBN

0195307607 / 9780195307603
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