<< 1 >>
Rating: 
Summary: BEAUTIFUL BOOK
Review: I AM AN INCAPABLE OF WRITING A REVIEW THAT WOULD CAPTURE THE NATURE OF THIS WORK. THE BEST COMPLIMENT I CAN GIVE IS THAT I WILL RE READ IT OFTEN AND I HAVE GIVEN A COPY OF IT TO FRIEND. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN EXPANDING YOUR PRAYER LIFE THIS BOOK IS AN EXCELLENT AND READABLE RESOURCE FOR ANY CHRISTIAN, REGARDLESS OF DENOMINATIONAL BACKROUND.
Rating:
Summary: A perfect book for prayer
Review: I have used "Too Deep For Words" for over a decade. It is a concise and well-written introduction to one of the most ancient forms of Christian prayer - and one of the most simple. In Hall's book, she clearly lays out the theory and methodology of the prayer. In the second part, she lists by theme various scripture quotes and references for use in prayer. In an age of workshops, conferences, and the like, this book is a refreshing and accessible means for people to grow in their spiritual lives.
Rating:
Summary: Too deep for Words -- yet simply explained
Review: I highly recommend this book. I have recently become interested in contemplative prayer, and as usual I purchased several books on the topic. This is the only book I found that bridges the gap between the depth of the topic, and the distractions of contemporary life. I have trouble quieting my mind, so I needed help in that area.
Thelma Hall proposes a four step process, in which you
-READ a Bible passage
-MEDITATE, or think about what it means
-PRAY about it,
-and then finally enter into CONTEMPLATION. Somehow, this progression works. Try it. The book is very short. In fact, most of it is actually a collection of scriptures that have been arranged thematically for your convenience in finding a scripture to start reading.
Rating:
Summary: Too deep for Words -- yet simply explained
Review: I highly recommend this book. I have recently become interested in contemplative prayer, and as usual I purchased several books on the topic. This is the only book I found that bridges the gap between the depth of the topic, and the distractions of contemporary life. I have trouble quieting my mind, so I needed help in that area.
Thelma Hall proposes a four step process, in which you
-READ a Bible passage
-MEDITATE, or think about what it means
-PRAY about it,
-and then finally enter into CONTEMPLATION. Somehow, this progression works. Try it. The book is very short. In fact, most of it is actually a collection of scriptures that have been arranged thematically for your convenience in finding a scripture to start reading.
Rating: 
Summary: An adequate introductory volume
Review: Lectio divina has a long history as a methodless method of study and prayer in the Christian tradition. It has enjoyed a recent revival among laity as they seek Scripture study and prayer for laity (as opposed to within religious orders). Thelma Hall provides an introduction that fits within the revival with several references to Thomas Merton and Thomas Keating, themselves each important in the contemplative tradition. The strengths of this book include Hall's excellent selection of quotations to promote her views, her emphasis on a loving relationship as the model which prohibits a method, and her selection of potential texts for the initial practice of lectio divina. The primary weaknesses as an introductory text is that it presumes the contemplative step is a "mystical" experience. This leads to discussions of the false-self / true-self dichotomy and of "dark night of the soul." This places the volume with the same audience as Merton, Keating, Pennington etc.. This is an audience with less need for an introductory volume than the "typical Catholic." St. John of the Cross's paraphrase of Lk 11:9 is an accurate description of lectio divina "Seek in READING / and you will find in MEDITATION; / knock in PRAYER / and it will be opened to you / in CONTEMPLATION." However, the description of Dom Marmion reflects more accurately Hall's approach: "We read (Lectio)/ under the eye of God (Meditatio)/ until the heart is touched (Oratio)/ and leaps to flame (Contemplatio). In this context, Hall provides 500 Scripture texts that are suitable for the initial practice of lectio divina. The readings are divided into 50 topics such as "Accepting Love," "Anxiety," "Discernment of Spirits," "Following the Lord," etc. She provides a citation for the full passage and a key phrase "summary" to allow the selection of a particular passage. This allows the novice to select quickly topics and passages that will be fruitful. In short, this is one of several introductory volumes for lectio divina. If you flourish reading Merton and practicing Centering Prayer, this is an excellent choice.
Rating:
Summary: An adequate introductory volume
Review: Lectio divina has a long history as a methodless method of study and prayer in the Christian tradition. It has enjoyed a recent revival among laity as they seek Scripture study and prayer for laity (as opposed to within religious orders). Thelma Hall provides an introduction that fits within the revival with several references to Thomas Merton and Thomas Keating, themselves each important in the contemplative tradition. The strengths of this book include Hall's excellent selection of quotations to promote her views, her emphasis on a loving relationship as the model which prohibits a method, and her selection of potential texts for the initial practice of lectio divina. The primary weaknesses as an introductory text is that it presumes the contemplative step is a "mystical" experience. This leads to discussions of the false-self / true-self dichotomy and of "dark night of the soul." This places the volume with the same audience as Merton, Keating, Pennington etc.. This is an audience with less need for an introductory volume than the "typical Catholic." St. John of the Cross's paraphrase of Lk 11:9 is an accurate description of lectio divina "Seek in READING / and you will find in MEDITATION; / knock in PRAYER / and it will be opened to you / in CONTEMPLATION." However, the description of Dom Marmion reflects more accurately Hall's approach: "We read (Lectio)/ under the eye of God (Meditatio)/ until the heart is touched (Oratio)/ and leaps to flame (Contemplatio). In this context, Hall provides 500 Scripture texts that are suitable for the initial practice of lectio divina. The readings are divided into 50 topics such as "Accepting Love," "Anxiety," "Discernment of Spirits," "Following the Lord," etc. She provides a citation for the full passage and a key phrase "summary" to allow the selection of a particular passage. This allows the novice to select quickly topics and passages that will be fruitful. In short, this is one of several introductory volumes for lectio divina. If you flourish reading Merton and practicing Centering Prayer, this is an excellent choice.
<< 1 >>
| 
