Word into Silence

Rating:
Summary: A beautiful book on Christian meditation and prayer.
Review: Fr. Main (1926-1982), an Irish monk raised in England, has written an intelligent and brilliantly instructive book on Christian prayer and meditation. Based on the tradition of ancient Church father & mystic John Cassian, prayer centers on the mantra (primarily the Aramaic word "Maranatha," which means "Come, Lord"), thus stilling the heart and mind and opening ourselves to God & Christ's presence within. Fr. Bede Griffiths praised and assessed Fr. Main as one of the leading spiritual guides of our day.

Rating:
Summary: Pivotal And Classic Work On Christian Mantra Prayer
Review: John Main(1926-1982), a Benedictine monk and founder of the World Community For Christian Meditation, advocates Christian mantra prayer. In this very short book he outlines the theological foundations and implications for such prayer, as well as giving twelve "steps" for Christian meditation, which are more in the way of supplementary comments. While influenced by Hindu sources, Main bases his teaching and method on the fourth century John Cassian accounts of the desert ascetics, and on the fourteenth century Cloud of Unknowing. The method is similar to Centering Prayer popularized by the Trappists at about the same time Main first published this work. He argues persuasively about the Christian roots of this prayer and its theological solidity. He points out its usefulness for letting go in poverty of spirit of all things including the ego in order to find a truer and less superficial self that is united with God and the whole of creation. The book is easily read and might profitably and prayerfully be re-read.

Rating:
Summary: Pivotal And Classic Work On Christian Mantra Prayer
Review: John Main(1926-1982), a Benedictine monk and founder of the World Community For Christian Meditation, advocates Christian mantra prayer. In this very short book he outlines the theological foundations and implications for such prayer, as well as giving twelve "steps" for Christian meditation, which are more in the way of supplementary comments. While influenced by Hindu sources, Main bases his teaching and method on the fourth century John Cassian accounts of the desert ascetics, and on the fourteenth century Cloud of Unknowing. The method is similar to Centering Prayer popularized by the Trappists at about the same time Main first published this work. He argues persuasively about the Christian roots of this prayer and its theological solidity. He points out its usefulness for letting go in poverty of spirit of all things including the ego in order to find a truer and less superficial self that is united with God and the whole of creation. The book is easily read and might profitably and prayerfully be re-read.