3 comments about The Secret Diary of Elisabeth Leseur: The Woman Whose Goodness Changed Her Husband from Atheist to Priest.

1. There are many excellent books written about Catholic Christian spirituality by saints who were priests, monks or religious sisters. "The Secret Diary of Elisabeth Leseur" is unique because it is the spiritual diary writings of a married woman. There are many married women today seeking holiness in their lives as wives and mothers. This is a book for them! They will find profound and useful spiritual direction in the words of Elisabeth Leseur, whose love for God gave her a steadfast, faithful and fruitful love for her husband. I can't recommend this book highly enough to women who are seeking holiness in their vocation of marriage.



2. The joy and hope that many evidently find in atheism is a puzzle to believers. For such, the In Memoriam written by Elisabeth Leseur's husband is worth the price of this book. He was a militant atheist for most of their 25-year marriage, while she grew in her faith and from love for him kept her prayers for him secret. Both were highly educated; Felix had lost his faith in studying medicine, was later a journalist and an insurance executive. They were childless, due probably to Elisabeth's many health problems. However, she was able to travel and to entertain until stricken with cancer and dying at the age of 53. The Elisabeth Leseurs of the world are usually unsung. But this diary, rescued by her sister from the burnpile, converted her husband Felix not only to Christianity but to the priesthood. It is a true love story.



3. 'My Spirit Rejoices'& 'Light in the Darkness'
   or 'The Secret Diary of Elisabeth Leseur' - Sophia Institute Press

   It is not often that one finds a book of such vital import that it changes one's life. But the journal kept by Elisabeth Leseur is surely one of the most compelling books I have read in many years. It ranks with the great works of the Carmelite Saints: St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, and St. Therese of Lisieux.

   For many years now I have kept Elisabeth as my companion during Lent; a great Spiritual Director in an age of darkness. She holds the light of Eternal Truth and points out the way with calm assurance.

   Elisabeth experienced an extreme degree of spiritual isolation owing to the timbre of her times in Paris high society. Her husband was aggressively atheist, as were many of his friends and associates. She kept the love of God deep in her heart, and it was to the Heart of Jesus to whom she turned for daily solace.

   At Elisabeth's death her husband, Felix, found her secret journal; and as he read the pages of the journal, his heart turning to remorse, the last vestige of his hatred for the Catholic Church was swept away in the tide of his beloved wife's counsel. Reconciling to the Church, Felix Leseur entered a seminary and became a Catholic priest. Elisabeth's cause for Canonization is now open at the Vatican.

5 comments about Out of the Flames: The Remarkable Story of a Fearless Scholar, a Fatal Heresy, and One of the Rarest Books in the World.

1. Before reading this work I had, at best, a very cursory knowledge about Michael Servetus, John Calvin, the role Switzerland played in the Reformation, the evolution of printing and it's impact on European religious thinking / the Enlightenment, and the more subtle interplay and tensions between the Catholic church and the reform protestant religions of the 16th century. This book fixed all that!!
   
   The tracing of the history of the rare heretical volume, it's presumed "extinction" and surprising resurrection, and it's impact on liberal Christian thought just adds to the intrigue and value of this well told and well documented story.
   
   I'll leave it to others to give a detailed synopsis of the main historical characters and the specific events, as so many reviewers have already done so effectively. I'll just add that the writing is concise and expressive; the events engaging and exciting; the depth and breath of the subjects and historical characters perfectly developed and delivered. I couldn't put it down.
   
   If you have an interest in history and religion buy this book. You won't be disappointed.



2. This book appealed to me due to its coverage of a fascinating period in the evolution of religious ideas and its portrayal of a freethinker I'd never heard of before. The authors do a great job of providing the context in which Michael Servetus came to his own ideas about God, the Bible, the Catholic church and protestants. Thankfully they don't try to portray him as some sort of freethinker's saint. My only complaint is that the book does not provide much detail on Servetus views other than on the Trinity. I'd have preferred more pages on his religious views and less on the backgrounds of some of the other people in the book.
   
   I was a little concerned with the fact that the authors are not historians, but this concern was tempered by the fact that their bibliography indicates they did extensive research in writing this book.



3. Scholarly work. Yet humorous passages that had me laughing out loud. Excellent writing that brings the period (1400s-1500s plus) into vivid, current relevance. Shows John Calvin for what he really was: hypocritical, cruel. Shows the almost forgotten Michael Servetus as the hero he was and is. If we hadn't forgotten so much history, we wouldn't be repeating so much of it today--some trying to turn back the clock on religious liberty--and we would be much better off today!



4. I was only slightly familiar with the account of Michael Servetus' fatal disagreement with John Calvin during the early Reformation until recently. This short, but thoroughly entertaining and informative, book is written so very well, that I feel compelled to praise it. One discovers much more than a very intelligent "heretic"; we come to understand the man's motivations, his inquisitive and earnest efforts to educate men about what he saw as erroneous theology, and the personal enmity of John Calvin towards him.
   
   Where the book excels is in the area of tracing out the paths of these two arch rivals as they increase in knowledge, but not always in good graces or wisdom. What really drives these men and how their lives are interwined with the advances made in book publishing, is contrasted with the previous disemmination of knowledge and the iron grip the Roman church had on it until this time. The barbarity of intolerance and the political incest between the Roman church and governments of this age are amazingly foreign to our way of thinking, but really did happen. A very good argument for "separation of State and Church"!
   
   A great story that may change the way you see the Reformation movement and Calvinism as well as the Roman Catholic church. Highly recommended for it's historical value and thoroughly interesting story.



5. I found this to be an interesting "historical" novel and learned much from it. The significant historical importance of the printing press at the time in regard to religions. Michael Servatas' contribution to science as well as to liberal, progressive religion is significant and how his writings have survived through the years is fascinating.
   The style of writing was unimpressive as far as I'm concerned but the facts I learned more than made up for it.

3 comments about Let Justice Roll Down.

1. Let Justice Roll Down is a powerful testimony to what can happen if one person has the courage to combine evangelism with social activism. John Perkins is one of our living heroes of the civil rights era who walked into the wilderness of racism and ignorance to minister to the poor and speak on the issues of racial reconciliation.
   
   Growing up in a family of sharecroppers and bootleggers in Mississippi, John learned hard lessons about economic disparity and exploitation at an early age. Although these experiences were leading him toward black separatism, a total anti-white position, God stepped in and showed him the beauty of Christianity through his wife and children and his pastor at Bethlehem Church of Christ Holiness in California. It was here that a transformation of John's heart and soul occurred and he said YES to Jesus Christ.
   
   John was led back to Mississippi to share the gospel and help black people find equality through voter registration, leadership training, church activities, Bible classes and housing co-ops. He became a lightening rod of discontent to a white community who resented his efforts to close the divide between the races. In 1970 John participated in a peaceful demonstration calling for desegregation of all public facilities, including schools, which ended with an arrest on trumped up charges. John was beaten severely for hours before bail was raised to release him. Yet it was though this experience that he saw for the first time how racism was a sickness that some people (black and white) used to feel important--as if to confirm they mattered.
   
   The legal road of Perkins v. State of Mississippi was long and laborious. Through it all John prayed more than ever for God's strength not only for the ability to get through the legal ordeal but to do so as a man who could stand for righteousness without bitterness or vindictiveness.
   
   Mr. Perkins writes this treasure as if he were speaking to you in your living room. I truly enjoyed reading this book as I became acquainted with one of America's profound evangelists who realized that man's solution to racism was spiritual. The mysterious truth that black or white, we all need to be born again.
   
   Armchair Interviews says: Powerful message--a great read.



2. I read this as a sophomore in high school. Definitely a must for any teen christian looking to learn more about life as a christian



3. This is the true and moving story of John Perkins, a black from Mississippi who experienced oppression by whites, including the murder of his brother. He overcame bitterness through the good news of Jesus Christ. Beaten almost to death for his efforts to empower the black community in the 60's, Perkins fought back with love and power from God, building a successful ministry of community spiritual and economic development that brought blacks and whites together. Perkins must be a man who truly believes that God became a man and dwelt among us. For that model of sacrificial love and service has been the benchmark and inspiration for his life and ministry. A refreshing break from the usual religious hype, this book will show skeptics an authentic, practical, and compelling Christianity they may have never seen before. And it will challenge Christian readers to apply, in utterly down-to-earth ways, the implications of their faith. No literary masterpiece, it simply tells what happened. Perkins is clearly not interested in self-promotion; he doesn't shirk from sharing his own blemishes and failures. This simplicity and humility of narrative serve to underscore the reality of God's presence in the events recounted, with the result that the reader is emboldened to take a bigger view of what God can do in his or her own life to bring about healing and reconciliation in his or her community. Of interest to anyone with such aspirations, this book should never be allowed to go out of print

5 comments about If I Perish.

1. Interesting story, too much focus on death. Too much dwelling on her thoughts and it becomes boring
   
   pc



2. I read this book many years ago as a teen and it has remained in my memory every since. It touched my heart to the core. Amazing story indeed!



3. Ahn Ei Sook was a living testimony of what a disciplined, prepared and faithful follower of Christ looks like. Her ongoing determination to gain control over her flesh, and also her courage in a time of extreme persecution made this book riveting to read and a true inspiration. The historical account of this time period (Japan and Korea 1939-1945) was also fascinating to read from an eyewitness account. This book was required reading for me, but how grateful I was to have the opportunity to glimpse this remarkable life. Since this book reads very much like a fiction, I had to keep reminding myself that it was in fact a very true and inspiring story.



4. I would just like to caution those who are interested in purchasing this book that it contains events such as people believing they have received messages from God.



5. a wonderful warrior for the lord who stood up for the gospel.

5 comments about Blazing Splendor: The Memoirs of Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche.

1. This is a biography of the late, great Ati Yoga master Tulku Urgyen (TU)--via descriptions of interactions & legacies from his masters. As per much religious literature (Buddhist & otherwise) it mixes mythology, allegory, & historical fact--as much hagiography as biography. It stems from anecdotes/stories recorded by Erik & Marcia Schmidt et al under TU's tutelage. There are advanced teachings hidden amongst the exoteric & mythological--some being controversial: observations on Tibet's lack of preparation prior to Chinese occupation despite graphic omens p. 294: "It is amazing how a country like Tibet could have the merit to host so many great masters & at the same time lose everything;" pp. 179-80: the story of the river parting (like the Red Sea); & his uncle & root guru Samten Gyatso's statement p. 233: "One thing is for sure: there will not be any direct reincarnation. For that I have no wish. On the other hand, someone will probably come along capable of benefiting the Dharma & sentient beings, who will be given the title `Samten Gyatso's tulku.'" This certainly puts a different perspective on tulkus and reincarnation!
   
   There are also pithy observations--p. 114: "Chö is to benefit others by cutting through ego-clinging," p. 11: "When training in Mahamudra, do not busy yourself with virtuous deeds of body & speech," Milarepa explained, "because you risk losing thought-free wakefulness," p. 307: a master who acted childlike, ignoring social conventions upon reaching "collapse of delusion," p. 312: a master noting that "The Way of the Bodhisattva" is a rudimentary text, & Samten Gyatso's p. 101: "emptiness isn't anything you can possibly cultivate."
   
   There are also some interesting takes on preconceptions: p. 327: "Today's meat & cream is tomorrow's shit, p. 342: By abandoning activities you approach the nature of nonaction. That's the entire reason for staying in mountain retreats, & p. 387 note 172: Erik Schmidt--The hell realms are not real, physical locations but resemble horror movies played out in the minds of the beings there.
   
   It's a long book (especially if you aren't into hagiography & hyperbole), but if you persevere, there are gems herein. You have to dig to find the gold or wish-fulfilling gem. If you want some of his actual teachings, try his very fine Rainbow Painting: A Collection of Miscellaneous Aspects of Development and Completion or the collection of his pith instructions, Vajra Speech: A Commentary on The Quintessence of Spiritual Practice, The Direct Instructions of the Great Compassionate One or his lengthier As It Is Vol. 1 (As It Is) & As It Is, Vol. 2.



2. I'm thoroughly enjoying this book! It is full of beautiful stories about the lifestyle and people of the intense Buddhist spiritual culture in Tibet in the last century. So many anecdotes bring the whole scene to life. The flavor of that whole world comes through so clearly. I'm not a Nyingma practitioner - so I'm not talking as a devoted student per se - but it's such a rich read and I'd recommend to anyone interested in Tibetan Buddhism.
   I've hardly read anything that gives the same depth of detail and cultural ambiance as this.



3. I found this book fascinating. It gave me a window to view the way of life of an elite sector of traditional Tibetan society - the high-born lamas of Eastern Tibet - and their complete dedication to the pursuit of spiritual attainment within the context of the buddho-shamistic culture of their people. Written from deeply within the context of the Tibetan spiritual worldview, this narrative brings to life the character of many great masters from pre-communist Tibet, and puts the teachings that survive them within the context of their traditional way of life. If you are interested in awakening to Truth, the Dzogchen teachings, and traditional cultures, you are sure to find this an interesting read, providing that you are able to navigate the many dozens of Tibetan names and words that occur throughout the text (glossary included.) :) The greatest thing that struck me from reading this memoir was how profoundly the society of Tibet supported its spiritual practitioners - and in contrast how lacking our modern society is in this regard. Truly, despite all of its failings from a modern humanistic perspective, traditional Tibet was a sacred society.



4. Many reviewers have rated this book among the best because it tells the story of a great Tibetan teacher. Some of Rinpoche's students are well known teachers in the United States and other countries. This is a well told story that could, at one level, be a history of the lineage holders that compise the evaporating pool of knowledge of Tibetan Buddhist tradition and culture. On a deeper level, it is a teaching in the oral and Tantric tradition, and because the authors are careful to keep the narrative as told by Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, it has the feel of a story heard while sitting in his presence. My only complaint is that the endnotes are so fact-filled and important to understanding the traditonal background of the story, that they probably should be formatted as footnotes, just so that one does not have to continually flip to the back of the book. This is an important book for those who care about Tibet and all that it was and still is because of the living oral history that remains accessible in spite of, and maybe even because of, events that ocurred in the last century.



5. This volume is wonderfully fresh and accessible. It is like sitting, listening to stories told by a dear friend or relative. There are charming details, remarkable personal observations of many of the greatest lamas of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, down through Dzonsar Khyenste, Dilgo Kyentse and the 16th Karmapa. A deep theme throughout is that of the "terton", the gifted soul who uncovers "treasures" or "terma" hidden by Padmasambhava to be discovered when the time and times are correct. The author's great grandfather, Chokgyur Lingpa, was one of the last and greatest tertons, and the teachings thus uncovered - how and where they occurred, who was involved, the lineage of those who received these teachings, and so forth - is central to the story. I have found nothing like this in any of the many I've read on Tibet and the Tibetans.
   
   Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche tells stories of these events that go back a considerable ways before he was born, into the 19th century, when Tibet was a world unto itself. He ends the book with a relatively brief description of the work he undertook at the direction of the 16th Karmapa to build a monastery near the great stupa of Boudanath, near Kathmandu, many years after his departure from Tibet in 1955. One sees glimpses throughout the narrative of the coming debacle; remarkable prophecies, side by side with engaging tales of his encounters with masters of the Dharma. It is a unique account, not to be missed, especially by those who seek a deeper understanding of how the great lamas of Tibet in that time lived their lives, related to each other, maintained their lineages and looked forward to preservation of the Dharma in a changed world. Altogether enchanting!

5 comments about Standing in the Light: My Life as a Pantheist.

1. I loved this book. Like a fresh stream, Ms Russell's words soothed my mind and excited my spirit. This author, like no other, dares to put her sincere exploration of a most difficult subject -religion;spirituality;belief;FAITH - right out in plain sight for us to ponder. She is not telling us what to believe, offers many options in fact, but rather she is asking us to witness her journey, and if our hearts, minds and souls are challenged and touched along the way, well lucky us. "Flow and merge" she writes. I took those words with me on my walk today, and found so much was illuminated for me that I might have missed before. I recommend you read this book, share it with a loved one, a child, a friend, tuck it under your pillow at night. "Everything is interwoven, and the web is holy," Ms Russell quotes Marcus Aurelius. That's a mantra I can live with.



2. I never heard of Pantheism before this book. I don't know much about Quakerism, nor am I a literay scholar. But I do recognize something well-researched and well-written. I savored every page, sometimes re-reading parts to feel the richness of Sharman Russells words. I so appreciate the time she put in to sift through history and give the reader clearly-written excerpts on of past philosophers and their ideas. I especially enjoyed reading about more personal details about Marcus Aurelius's life and his love of family. I had no idea...
   Sharman Russell has an amazing ability to weave the past and present together, like Marcus's web interconnected. This book is rich, deep and delightful. I plan to give copies as gifts this year to family and friends who are "seeking" the light in these dark times. Sharman doesn't gives answers, because she knows there are no answers. Spirituality is not a destination. It is a journey, and she bravely shares hers with us.



3. I really wanted to like this book, for at least three reasons. First, it seemed to be a welcome alternative to the popular Christian spirituality industry on the one hand and the angry atheist industry on the other. Second, I'm personally sympathetic to a pantheistic perspective. Finally, I found myself liking author Sharman Apt Russell. We were born in the same year, and she asks exactly the same questions about aging and mortality that I've been asking lately. We also share a deep love of nature (although I'm a northern winter person and she's a sun desert one).
   
   But I find Standing in the Light ultimately disappointing. Part personal chronicle, part reflections on thinkers--for instance, the pre-Socratics, the Stoics, Giordano Bruno, William Blake, Virginia Woolf, Spinoza, and so on--Russell finds appealing, part nature-writing in the mode of Annie Dillard or Aldo Leopold, the book has its strengths. Russell, I think, is particularly insightful when exploring Marcus Aurelius and Whitman. But too often her reflections read like student notes from Philosophy 101 (especially in the chapters on Spinoza and the pre-Socratics), and she has a tendency, which I found increasingly disconcerting, to sidestep difficult questions. In responding to Richard Dawkins' typically churlish but not uninsightful claim that pantheism is just "sexed up atheism," Russell rests content with mischievously countering that there's nothing wrong with sexy. In dealing with the problem of evil--surely one of the great stumbling blocks for pantheism--she astoundingly admits that she would drop her Stoicism if faced with real wickedness, and leaves the reader to dangle in irresolved perplexity. Elsewhere, she rather incredibly claims that pantheism, a metaphysical monism if there ever was one, can be dualistic. She tells us that we should be reverent toward nature, but she doesn't explain why. She uses the word "spiritual" without defining it. She talks about awe and mystery as if they were sufficient conditions for religion, but doesn't justify the claim.
   
   Although claiming to be a scientific pantheist, Russell typically retreats into the fog of mystery, allowing her heart-appreciation of nature to backpedal from head-analysis. There's nothing intrinsically wrong in this. The heart sometimes has reasons that the reason doesn't know--as the writings of both Dillard and Leopold illustrate. But Russell is no Dillard or Leopold, and too often her heart-appreciation comes across as befogged and, occasionally, just a bit mawkish.
   
   I realize that Russell isn't intending to write philosophy or theology. Fair enough. But I do wish there was more rigor to her book. Perhaps it's because, as Russell acknowledges in Standing in the Light, that people our age are nearing the end of the road that I've come to the point where I'm impatient with books that, however carefully crafted, wind up saying little about matters that are so important.
   
   Two and a half stars.



4. This is an inspiring and beautifully written account of one woman's spiritual journey. Highly recommended for those who find meaning in Nature and in everyday life. Many of us will discover that we, too, are pantheists.
   
   The author reflects on her life and her search for meaning. She shares with us her love for the land (especially the mountains of New Mexico) and her joy in the complexity of nature. Her personal experiences - which are interesting in themselves - are integrated with an idiosyncratic history of pantheism. She has the clearest summaries I've ever seen of Eastern religions and the works of poets, novelists, and philosophers. (There are detailed end notes for those who want to read the original material that inspired her). She faces unflinchingly the evil that we humans do, and yet sees the humor in both everyday and unusual events. She pulls this all together with a style that is both clear and lyrical. Strongly grounded in history and reality, skeptical and unwilling to settle for easy answers, she still finds her way to hope and joy in life. Well worth reading again and again.



5. I highly recommend this book (that fifth star is saved for the next Moby-Dick). It is one of those books I read slowly. Don't let the smooth, plain-faced prose fool you. This book moves in deep water. I would read a few pages, or a few lines, or perhaps only one of Russell's finely crafted sentences then sip my coffee and contemplate my own world.
   The book braids an often riveting history of pantheism with memoir and nature writing. Though the latter was enjoyable, I was most intrigued by the stories of history's pantheists and author's own intimate struggle with her spiritual place in this world.
   The title might suggest a little fluff. The reality is quite the opposite. Russell is a scholar. A few moments with your nose in the bibliography offers a window into the extent of her journey. And just as the historical facts are well rooted in hard research, Russell's own personal journey rings with authenticity.
   The highest praise I can give this book is that unlike many of its ilk, it offers no easy answers (if any answers at all) to our human struggle. It instead illuminates the landscape, offers the wisdom of one life's journey, and leaves us to face the day as we have faced all our others--though perhaps heartened, and with a more informed respect for the slants of light moving us all forward.

5 comments about A Testament to Freedom: Essential Writings of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The.

1. A TESTAMENT TO FREEDOM is quite the volume. It is an invaluable resource to people wanting to get a lifelong perspective on Bonhoeffer without purchasing the entire Dietrich Bonhoeffer Werke. There are sections of biography, on his early writings, on his work as a pastor, some sermons, some major sections of Ethics and Discipleship, his best-known works, poetry and some of his letters and papers from prison. I use this resource often, most frequently when looking for quotes or quick reference. I'd highly recommend it to those who wish to know more about this 20th century theologian, pastor and martyr.



2. The great gift of this reader is not just that it provides a diverse sampling of Bonhoeffer's works and sermons, but that the editor's provide an historical context in which to read and therefore, understand the progression of his thoughts.
   
   It is an accesable grouping of his writings. I bought a lot of books to prepare to a conference and found this to be the most helpful review of his work.
   
   It contains, sermons, poetry and correpondence along with all his major and quite a few important minor works with introductions that fit it into the context of history and his personal and theological development.



3. Of all the theology books I have read, A Testament to Freedom is the most powerful, most compelling book I have ever read. It is a wonderful collection of sermons and writings throughout his life. Each chapter is brief, but powerful. His sermon titled "On Forgiveness" is especially well-written. If you want a collection of well-written, powerful prose that speaks to spirituality at its best, get this book. Highly recommended.



4. There have been thousands of latter day martyrs, but we have few chances to read their actual writings. This book would be a prize just on that merit, but he was also a preeminent scholar.



5. Mr. Dietrich Bonhoeffer makes my list of most interesting people of the 20th century and he is certainly one of the most influencial of Christian writers. His faith, dedication to freedom, and vision for humanity is as profound as it is earnest. Raised as a Lutheran, I had always heard of Bonhoeffer, but never explored his literature.
   I have a German background, my mum was a German teacher, and when someone sent me Bonhoeffer's poem "Wer bin Ich?" (in english "Who Am I?") I was overcome with emotion and conviction.
   This poem is only one powerful part of Bonhoeffer's extensive writings. This poem, reaffirming Bohoeffer's faith and trust in God, was written by Bonhoeffer when he was prisoner in a Nazi camp for conspiring against Hitler.
   Bonhoeffer knew that the Nazi control of Germany and the holocaust of the Jews/Minorities was wrong. While many stood aside and did nothing, Bonhoeffer was hung by the Nazis for his dedication to freedom and righteousness. He once wrote:
   "We have been silent witnesses of evil deeds. We have been drenched by many storms. Experience has made us suspicious of others and kept us from being truthful and open. Are we still of any use?"
   The threat of death did not phase Bonhoeffer, he saw his actions as a responsibility: "Action springs not from thought, but from a readiness for responsibility."
   He also wrote, sounding very much like the Apostle Paul: "To endure the cross is not tragedy; it is the suffering which is the fruit of an exclusive allegiance to Jesus Christ."
   This is a wonderful collection of Bonhoeffer's writings in an easy to read translation.

2 comments about Ignatius of Loyola: Spiritual Exercises and Selected Works (Classics of Western Spirituality).

1. An enlightening book about St. Ignatius of Loyola... It has an informative introduction and autobiography about his life. The second half of the book is a listing and description of his spiritual exercises.
   
   I have heard so much about St. Ignatius from my spiritual director so I was curious about him, his life and spiritual exercises. This book gives a good summary.
   
   It is written in an academic and fairly difficult fashion. It is not easy reading, although it is inspirational.



2. "The Classics of Western Spirituality" from Paulist Press has been dedicated, over the last twenty years, to producing excellent translations, and this is no exception. The compliation includes a detailed Introduction, the Autobiography, the Spiritual Excerices, and fragments of the Constitutions and the Spiritual Diary. Though it would have benefited from the inclusion of the Formula - an essential document in its own right - this volume provides intelligent translations and crtical explorations into the sometimes-confusing meaning of Ignatius' prose. The selections from the Diary are especially recommended, as they comprise - to my knowledge - the only fragments translated into English, and are thoughtfully printed so as to give the reader a feel for the outlay of the work, scribbled in Ignatius' journal. Highly recommended.

5 comments about The Asian Journal of Thomas Merton (New Directions Book).

1. Having read many of Thomas Merton's writings, one can see a sense of progess in his writing. More so than many other Christian, Merton sought a link between Christianity and Eastern religion, specifically Buddhism. The great misfortune was that Merton died during his trip to the East. The world may never know if Merton was on the cusp of something great. The Asian Jounral of Thomas Merton gives us some insight into his thoughts on the trip. Yet one must know his thoughts went further then what he put on paper and is included in this book.
   
   The Asian Journal of Thomas Merton is essentially a travelogue. As Merton travels through cities and countries, he collecs his observations and thoughts. I was somewhat disappointed to discover so much of the text to be a sight-seeing log. Knowing that this was the trip that he spent years planning, I was hoping for more insight between the religions. The journal is obviously not a finished product and may never have been published had Merton not died.
   
   While there is some disappointment in the context, there is a lot of quality writing in this book. Although they were brief, I particularly enjoyed the notes of Merton's meetings with the Dalai Lama. The photography included in the book is also beautiful.
   
   It is with some reservations that I recommend this book. To a degree, I feel that it may not deliver the content that readers/buyers will expect. Fans of Merton's writing will assuredly enjoy it.



2. As a Buddhist woman with several Catholic relatives, I was so curious how a Catholic priest was able to reconcile the non-dualism of Buddhism with the duality of Christianity. I was hoping that reading this book would provide that insight. Well, really, it didn't, except that maybe most Christians are misunderstanding the idea of non-duality. I don't know; I don't pretend to know. But after reading this book, I became almost obsessed with Merton; it takes such an unusual and open-minded person to just go with what he senses - sees, hears, feels - rather than by what he has been told. Such honesty is rare. His description of satori, as he experienced it, was incredibly vivid and open. And, of course, the end left me feeling that it shouldn't have been over; there should have been more. But I know that's just my attachment talking; it was as it should have been. Namaste.



3. THE ASIAN JOURNAL OF THOMAS MERTON reads in many ways like a travelogue but the one subject which Merton manages to return to constantly is contemplation. He has an abiding curiosity about the contemplative experiences of Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims and virtually all mystics from any religion. Merton is especially interested in Tibetan Buddhism. At the same time he appears to remain firmly rooted in his committment to Catholicism and very appreciative of the opportunity to pursue God as a Trappist monk.
   
   The editors have added much helpful material - including copious notes at the end of each chapter and an extensive glossary of terms.
   
   I recommend THE ASIAN JOURNAL OF THOMAS MERTON as an intriguing book which provides a clear snapshot of Merton's thinking during the final weeks of his life.



4. This book is a must-read for fans of Merton, and for anyone interested in encounters between Western Christianity and Eastern religions (particularly Hinduism and Buddhism).

   Merton achieved incredible realizations and great insight into Buddhism despite the fact that he lived most of his life as a monk and hermit isolated at Gethsemani Abbey in Kentucky, USA. At the end of his life, invited to present a paper in Bangkok on the renewal of monasticism, Merton made what he called his 'Asian pilgrimage' and finally set out to see firsthand what he had studied in books. This journal took him all across Asia, to various holy sites, and to encounters with numerous religious communities. He met, along the way, such people as H.H. the Dalai Lama and Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche. He records all of this, his encounters, and even more interestingly, his own reflection on Buddhism and Christianity, in this wonderful gem of a journal.

   What would have happened had Merton lived a few more years? I often ask myself this. He was exploring not just the surface of Buddhism (even now, many decades later, the presentation of Buddhism in the West can be very superficial), but delving into its very heart -- mandalas, tantras, and so on, and probing into what their nature was and what this might mean for Christianity to encounter a spirituality that seemed at once totally foreign and alien, and yet at the same time the very essence of what Christianity means.

   Merton was a brilliant individual. He does not succumb to easy platitudes such as "It's all the same thing" or anything like that. He respects difference. But he does also certainly see a deep and dazzling dynamic unity -- a truth -- that penetrates all of this -- and not just this, but every moment of our lives. That living power -- that is what is important, and he witnessed to this in his life and writings.




5. I never tire of reading Thomas Merton. The Asian Journal is a poignant and tireless encampment with one of the remarkable men of letters of the 20th century. Colored throughout with Merton's search for a place of greater solitude (his dissatisfaction on many levels with the cheese factory his beloved Gethsemani abbey became being well known for some time before his death) -the redwoods of California, possibly Alaska- as the journal progresses one begins to feel in his words a kind of prescient kinship with his own accidental death, occurring in Bangkok before he had completed his Asian pilgrimage. Worthy appendices - the characteristic sweetness of his informal talk on monasticism given at Calcutta, and his lecture on Marxism and Monastic Perspectives with its prophetic last sentence "So I will disappear". Free of polemics, giving in its human searching, this is once again essential Merton.

5 comments about The Secret Life of a Satanist: The Authorized Biography of Anton LaVey.

1. i think this was a very good bio into the life of Mr.LaVey. After reading most of his books, this gives a better understanding of who he was and how he came to be the founder of the Church of Satan.



2. Interesting read to say the least. The man portrayed in the book had one of the most interesting lives ever. However, his entire childhood and most of his early adult life until the creation of the Satanic Church was complete fiction. It is ironic though that the man who was the representative of the Father of lies just happened to be an enormous liar.



3. I notice lots of individuals enjoy pointing the Finger On this Devil of a Gentleman on the truthfulness of his life.Lets not forget that one can also say the same about the Life Of Aleister Crowley.For one who talked so much of secret cheifs,HGA,The crimson drips of saints blood on Babalons chalice and union with Ain etc He love to beat on his Scarlet women,lived from his followers purse once his inheritence ran dry,and died in poverty a Herione addict.The late Mr.Lavey has done lots in Both mundane and magical views of approach for one who doesnt like the RHP blah blah of Other Occultnik Viewpoints. HAIL SATAN!



4. I recommend this book to anyone who really would like to know what a true satanist is. It explains the life of Anton LaVey from how be began his life to how he found the Church of Satan. And his erotic involvements with Marilyn Monroe and Jayne Mansfield. There are alot of interesing things to find out.



5. I never knew Lavey. Sometimes, reading about him, one wonders whether anyone ever really did. If you can read between the lines though (too few can), there are some deeply funny and even profound brushes which can be had with the man.
   
   In choosing to either deify or villify him, both his sycophants and his detractors seem to get it all wrong. Lavey is best evaluated warts and all, but also with an eye to the card hand that his critics desperately hide. A quick survey of the characters (or lack thereof) of his three biggest antagonists (the sources of basically every negative accusation making the rounds) speaks for itself. But to whitewash him of any fault would equally leave an impression unworthy of what his legacy suggests.
   
   Much has been made about the fact that Lavey seems to have invented a large part of his 'past' and I feel, from reading this book that this is evidently true. This is supposed to prove that Lavey was a fake and that any of his ideas are suspect. If this is so, then the works of Andy Warhol, Vladimir Nabokov, Jim Morrison, B. Traven and Orson Welles should all be dismissed as counterfeit.
   
   According to Freud, we all make up our 'personas' and attendant 'pasts' as we go along. However, if this book is any record, we don't all do it with equal skill or taste.
   
   Perhaps Lavey's greatest feat of Black Magic was his ability re-enchant the world by awakening an interest in all that is lost, forgotten or damned by consensus reality. Perhaps... but even if he was nothing more than an endearing curmudgeon with a renaissance grasp of junk culture, all his 'artifacts' would still be worth a million kewpie dolls to those with eyes to see.
   
   Yankee Rose indeed.