Come and See – Spiritual Reading

COMMENTS:

I have started reading’Finding Sanctuary’ and already feel that it is making me re-evaluate my life and is helping me to make some important decisions. It is a very calming book and I would recommend it to anyone who is looking for respite in our hectic world. – Geraldine 19/02/2007

We’re currently reading Finding Sancturay as a team (youth workers). There have been a variaty of different responses from people on the team!
Personally I’m really enjoying the book and finding that both making the time to read it and trying to put into practice some of the personal reflections suggested are very helpful. Have been on retreat to both Ampleforth and Worth so the Benedictine style of prayer is not new to me but the book is helping me to remember the value I have found in silent prayer and Lectio Divina when on retreat.

Will try to get some of the other team members to post their views! – Maria Pleydell 11/01/2007

Sorry but I found the book self indulgent. Abbot Christopher’s style seems to lend itself to the TV image of monk rather than the Benedictine.

I was very disappointed – Frank Richardson 09/01/2007

I began reading ‘Finding Sanctuary’ over the Christmas break. It gives a fresh perspective on life, busyness and priorities – fabulous!
The chapter entitled ‘How did I get this busy?’ helped me to see how I can accept busyness as something that can’t be changed. Abbot Christopher’s insight that “we’re all customers now’ showed me how I swallow a consumerist agenda without question and how this leads to a lifestyle of always wanting more and working harder to have more.
I’m looking forward to reading more! – Josephine Stow 07/01/2007

I’ve just ordered the book Finding Sanctuary. i look forward to reading it.

May I suggest Scott Hahn’s book – Lord, Have Mercy: The Healing Power of Confession – to add to this blog for the future that I feel fits in well for the second year of Come & See. – Richard Joy 29/12/2006

Agreed – what a brilliant idea not only to recommend some spiritual reading but also to encourage the sharing of insights. I hope that this book will have the same impact that the television series had. – Fr Michael Hall 21/12/2006

This is a really good book, ideal for people at any stage of their spiritual journey. I especially like the invitation to take command of how busy I am. Not easy at all, but at least it’s helped me realise that ’sanctuary’ won’t seek me out and therefore I have to look at my priorities and seek it out. – Fr John Wilson 21/12/2006

What a good idea. It has great possibilities and I`ll follow its progress with interest.Could our PPs be persuaded to publicise it from the pulpit or in Parish newsletters.There are those in their congrgations who are computer literate! – Frank Bowe 21/12/2006

Finding Sanctuary
The first book we promoted as part of our Come & See Spiritual Reading Blog was FINDING SANCTUARY: MONASTIC STEPS FOR EVERYDAY LIFE by Abbot Christopher Jamison. The book aims to challenge the busyness of everyday life from the perspective of monastic tranquility. Abbot Christopher shares with us his insights into how the teaching of St. Benedict can be put into practice in our hectic and modern lives. It’s a book for everyone, not just religious professionals! It covers the themes of: Silence, Contemplation, Obedience, Humility, Community, Spirituality, Hope, and Lectio Divina.

Part of the inspiration for the book was the TV programme ‘The Monastery,’ which followed the experience of five volunteers who spent 40 days and nights at Worth Abbey. Check out the links to related sites.

“In Finding Sanctuary, Abbot Christopher outlines the wisdom of St. Benedict and suggests how it can be applied to people outside the monastery. He speaks especially to those who are not sure what they believe, but are looking for ways to find spiritual space and peace in the busy, and often confusing, modern world.”

The book is 182 pages long and has 9 chapters. It is published in hardback by Weidenfeld & Nicolson (Great Britain, 2006, ISBN 0-297-85132-2) and is priced £10.00. It can be purchased from all good bookshops and is being stocked by St. Paul’s Bookshop, Hinsley Hall, 62 Headingley Lane, Leeds, LS6 2BX. Fax 0113 275 3207 Tel 0113 275 4043. The book is also available in audio format read by Abbot Christopher (published by Orion, ISBN 0752885537, £14.99). For online purchases of the book and audio CD go to Amazon.co.uk.