Halfway to heaven: The hidden life of the Sublime Carthusian

by Robin Bruce Lockhart

Founded 900 years ago by St. Bruno, the Carthusians are the most completely enclosed religious order in the Catholic Church. Living alone and in silence in almost perpetual prayer, the monks are the spiritual heirs to the early Christians, the Desert Fathers. As the only order 'never to have been reformed because never deformed', the Carthusians have been described as 'the most precious jewel in the Church's crown'.There is a Carthusian 'To make saints, not to publicise them'. Indeed because they shut themselves away from the world and shun all publicity, little is known about these monks, even among other religious orders. In this updated edition of a classic book, which includes new material, Robin Bruce Lockhart remedies the gap in our knowledge--without destroying the mystery of the order.Halfway to Heaven is still the most comprehensive book ever written about the Carthusians. It is also an awesome source of inspiration in the art of contemplation and prayer.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Religion, Catholic

153 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1985

Reviews

[Karyl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not a particularly religious person, though I went to church every Sunday as a child, and even did a lot of volunteer work at and through my church. But I am fascinated by religion, especially the sects that seem closest to the most ancient form of a religion.

Th Carthusians are an order of monks that have existed for 900 years in silence and contemplative prayer. This book describes their founding by St Bruno, but also details the impact of the Desert Fathers on the ways in which the Carthusians choose to live their lives. Even as a non-religious person, it somehow gives me great comfort to know there are monks and nuns in this world that do nothing but pray for everyone's souls throughout the day and the long night. I can only imagine the perfect peace that these monks and nuns have found, and it's a refreshing thought in this world of commercialism and greed.

I was also surprised to learn that there is a house of Carthusian monks here in New England, just north of me in Vermont. Were the Carthusians to welcome visitors, I would definitely love to visit and see the monks at their daily prayers. But the whole point of this particular sect is to be removed from the world entirely, so they do all their praying in private.

Lockhart encourages us all to take some time out of our busy day to meditate and engage in some contemplative prayer. He even includes quite a few quotations on which to meditate. Many of them aren't particularly Christian, and so would appeal to people of many different faiths, or even of no particular faith at all.

This is a fascinating book, and one I would definitely recommend.

[Raquel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Este livro não serve apenas a religiosos, ou a certos credos. Serve a espiritualidade que se não sentimos, a ela aspiramos. É incrível este tipo de vocação para o silêncio neste terceiro milénio. É a história de homens que só se têm a si próprios. Depois do canto gregoriano a certas horas, breves e indispensáveis diálogos, resta o silêncio. Um relato desta vida suspensa, que acredita que a pobreza só existe no espírito, nunca nas coisas que (não) se têm. Como dizia Henry David Thoreau (outro aspirante à solidão): "Um homem é rico na proporção das coisas que pode dispensar."

Podemos repensar o valor do silêncio numa sociedade onde ele escasseia e é temido.

~
Aliado a este belo livro, há um interessante documentário (o grande silêncio) sobre os cartuxos e ainda o belíssimo relato de José Luís Peixoto, aquando a visita ao Convento da Cartuxa em Évora:

Transcrevendo um breve trecho:

"O monge e eu ficámos a respirar. Foi então que o silêncio começou.

Calcular a passagem do tempo dentro do silêncio é comparável a contar segundos pela chama de uma vela ou por um abraço. Semelhante a estes dois exemplos, também o silêncio transporta um sentido imperturbável que é maior do que o tempo que pode ser medido. Como se acontecesse noutro lugar, como se ignorasse os minutos e, assim, lhes subtraísse toda a força da sua importância. O silêncio não se deixa transformar por horas, dias ou séculos. Aquilo que o silêncio era em 1084, quando São Bruno fundou a Ordem da Cartuxa, continua a ser, hoje, o silêncio."

❤

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful look into the Carthusian order and of men and women who give themselves totally to God AND are praying for the world. Thank the Lord for these people.

The Carthusians are the only order that has never had to be reformed as it is the only order than was never deformed. A beautiful look into their history and their mission. It made me a little jealous.

[James Klagge · Rating 4 out of 5]

An informative book about the Carthusian order, but written almost as a hagiography--all sweetness and light. It gives the background and history of the order, which is the most solitary and contemplative of all the Catholic orders. It describes their routines, unchanging since their founding over 900 years ago, and some anecdotes. It argues for the value of this isolated and contemplative order to the church and the world. It ends with a variety of quotations about the contemplative life from Carthusians and others. An interesting read.

[Dianne Pinney · Rating 5 out of 5]

If the Order of Carthusian monks fascinates you (An Infinity of Little Hours is one of my all time favorite books), you will love this easy to read history. A Carthusian Father, Brother or nun has been praying for the world 24/7 for nearly a thousand years. Read that again. A thousand years 24/7. Mind boggling.

[Joann · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is filled with historical information about the Carthusian order from the time of its founding to the present. Unchanged in any way since its founding, it has survived many horrific ordeals under such leaders as Henry VIII and Napoleon to name only two.

[Navel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good overview of the history and practices of the Carthusian order. The author goes slightly off the rails with some attempts at perennialism in later chapters.

[Isca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting book that helps with understanding what Carthusians are about. It helps lay a foundation of how the Carthusians became what they are, and how they live their lives generally. If you are looking for a book of writings from the monks themselves then this isn't the book to get as there is very little in it from actual everyday Carthusians apart from the more obvious well known monks, such as St Bruno the founder.
I did enjoy the bibliography and book list in the appendix, it gave a decent resource for further reading.

[Herb · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good look at an enclosed order of monks and nuns that tells, in an easy way, what their lives are like and what the history of the order is. Very interesting.

[Robert Puff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book about the Carthusians. Highly recommend.