In the Stillness You Will Know: Exploring the Paths of Our Ancient Belonging

Rating:
Summary: Encountering the Depths of Human Longing
Review: In this penetrating exploration of deep human longings, as she experienced them in the dying of her dearest friend, Fiand writes of the pain that is homesickness for our beginning in God. Deftly integrating principles of quantum physics and sensitively chosen excerpts from literature, she shows how whatever happens to one person affects the whole, because we are all essentially interconnected. Reflecting on profound moments of "homecoming" and grace, she suggests that sacraments not only make God present in a particular way, but also celebrate the presence of God already there: "When we gather in love, the love itself is divinity present." She points out the danger of literalizing symbols and religious language. We can describe God only by using metaphors, and the most important part of any metaphor or symbol is not what is "like," but what is "unlike," not what "is," but what "is not." It is only in wrestling with this tension that we are drawn deeper into mystery.

Rating:
Summary: how disappointing
Review: Who edited this book and decided to repeat dozens of pages of the text at the end of the chapters for reflection? How can a Catholic nun say that nothing happens within the sacraments that isn't already there? Why doesn't she attempt integration of her grief in therapy instead of through some public theological attempts at analysis? The most useful part of this book is the quoted material by others that could be used for reflection. Don't waste your money.