Christian Meditation : Experiencing the Presence of God

Rating:
Summary: Experiencing God in Silence
Review: The silent path is difficult to describe with words. Finley does it well.

If you have been walking the silent path of the Buddha in part because there seems to be more assistance available you may want to read this book. It was written by one who has rediscovered "Lost Christianity", and is not only living it but can describe it well.

If you are of a Christian tradition and have considered meditation as a pracitce to deepen your faith you are not likely to find a better book to begin with than this one.

Rating:
Summary: It's A Start, Could Be Better
Review: Finley does his best in this book to guide the Christian reader into the life of contemplation. I must say there are better guides for those just starting on the path or even for those who have been on the path awhile. This is not to take away anything from Dr. Finley's book because there is much to like in it. However, I will say that he needs a better editor because there are a number of typos and grammatical errors, and there is not an easily understood structure to the practice he recommends. There is much that could be simplified. Therefore, for Christians who are eager to enter into a more personal relationship with God and eventual awareness of Divine Union, first you may wish to read Brother Lawrence, The Practice of the Presence of God: With Spiritual Maxims.

Then you may wish to step outside mainstream Christianity and read Sharon Salzberg's Lovingkindness. You will find her work to actually be very "Christian" even though she is Buddhist. It is simple, easy to understand, and written with great compassion. The important thing to remember is that meditation is a disciplined skill first, coming from a foundation of compassion, and it doesn't matter the religion of the teacher. You very well may grow stronger in your understanding of Christianity as you learn about the methods of meditation utilized outside orthodox Christianity. I am still a Christian after 35 years of following the contemplative life and reading books and following meditative practices from other religions. Another author who writes in an easily understood way is Joseph Goldstein, who is also Buddhist.

Whatever you read you can't go wrong setting aside times every day to quietly be with God, and to engage life throughout the day in a mindful, attentive way, ever in the presence of God. Peace!


Rating:
Summary: An Indispensable Guide
Review: James Finley has attempted and accomplished a truly difficult task. He has constructed a book that is helpful to beginning meditators while it is an inspiration to experienced meditators. The chapters of this book look somewhat traditional with familiar concepts like "A Ladder to Heaven","Entering the Mind of Christ." Yet in each aspect of Christian meditation that he discusses he discovers new depths.

One example. Simply but profoundly he describes the flow of thoughts and memories that inevitably discourage those who are seeking the empty mind. He encourages a "don't accept, don't reject" attitude that is grounded in compassion for ourselves that mirrors the compassion of God for us.

Finley's style itself is meditative with sentences that parallel each other and lend themselves to thoughtful pauses. This is an extremely valuable book for which anyone who reads with a sincere seeking will be grateful. (Rating should be 5 stars)

Rating:
Summary: "Be Still and Know..."
Review: James Finley's calm voice, clear and accessible teachings and his way of talking one through the various meditations are all very life-giving! I have energitically recommened this to others who are interest in exploring ways of praying that give them a sense of becoming quite and more focused in prayer. I am a spiritual director and involved in ecumenical retreat work and plan to use these tapes with others on retreat.

Rating:
Summary: "Be Still and Know..."
Review: James Finley's calm voice, clear and accessible teachings and his way of talking one through the various meditations are all very life-giving! I have energitically recommened this to others who are interest in exploring ways of praying that give them a sense of becoming quite and more focused in prayer. I am a spiritual director and involved in ecumenical retreat work and plan to use these tapes with others on retreat.

Rating:
Summary: Christian Meditation wrong picture?
Review: The photo of the CD's Christian Meditation does not match the author and title beside it?

Rating:
Summary: Poetic and inspiring
Review: This is a great resource for anyone on the spiritual path. I get to hear Dr. Finley speak regularly so I was familiar with his work before reading the book. In this book, as in person, his presentations are enriching, poetic, and inspiring! I also recommend his CD set "Christian Meditation."