What do you think?
Rate this book
Essential Monastic Wisdom: Writings on the Contemplative Life
"'Listen!' is the first word in the Rule of St. Benedict. Monastic life is a training in the art of listening, which begins in silence, develops in attentiveness, and is perfected in communication. . . . Silence is a dwindling resource in the contemporary world . . . and it is usually the first impression of visitors to a monastery. . . . The principal enemy of interior and exterior silence for most of us is our own tongue. Perhaps we fear the emptiness within us."
-- from Essential Monastic Wisdom A retreat to this kind of disciplined silence, attentive reverence for life, and whole peaceful living is why Americans are signing on in droves to yearlong waiting lists for the chance to spend a weekend at a monastery. Discard the silly images of humorless Mother Superior and emaciated monks in hair shirts; what people are seeking in the monastic experience is the chance to peel away life's accessories and gaze consciously into the woods of their present life and the horizons of their future. There is something powerfully authentic about a spiritual tradition grounded in centuries of experience and not manufactured twelve weeks ago and marketed in a series of seminars. In Essential Monastic Wisdom, Fr. Hugh Feiss introduces you in one great omnibus to the rich history, traditions, and essential values of Christian monasticism. By exploring the daily activities in the monastery, the character traits that the monastic orders inculcate in their members, and the passions of desire and love that animate their lives, Fr. Feiss presents to us practical insights for balanced and satisfying living. Lessons drawn from fifteen centuries of monastic scholarship and reflection are arranged by topics such as prayer, hospitality, discernment, peace, leadership, and love. Brief essays at the beginning of each section provide a historical and theological context for the readings that follow and suggest how the lessons of the monastic way can provide guidance in everyday life. These texts reflect both the diversity and continuity of the cloister through the ages, from the pre-Benedictine reflections of Antony and Pachomius, St. Bede, the renowned Anglo-Saxon monk and scholar, and the medieval writings of St. Hildegard of Bingen and St. Gertrude to twentieth-century scholars such as Thomas Merton and Esther de Waal. Emphasizing those aspects of the monastic tradition with the most direct relevance to daily secular life, Fr. Feiss facilitates a conversation between these great monastics and contemporary men and women who might like to meet them. While Essential Monastic Wisdom is rooted in Christianity, the book is intended for all readers with an interest in the lessons and values of monastic life, regardless of their religious convictions.
-- from Essential Monastic Wisdom A retreat to this kind of disciplined silence, attentive reverence for life, and whole peaceful living is why Americans are signing on in droves to yearlong waiting lists for the chance to spend a weekend at a monastery. Discard the silly images of humorless Mother Superior and emaciated monks in hair shirts; what people are seeking in the monastic experience is the chance to peel away life's accessories and gaze consciously into the woods of their present life and the horizons of their future. There is something powerfully authentic about a spiritual tradition grounded in centuries of experience and not manufactured twelve weeks ago and marketed in a series of seminars. In Essential Monastic Wisdom, Fr. Hugh Feiss introduces you in one great omnibus to the rich history, traditions, and essential values of Christian monasticism. By exploring the daily activities in the monastery, the character traits that the monastic orders inculcate in their members, and the passions of desire and love that animate their lives, Fr. Feiss presents to us practical insights for balanced and satisfying living. Lessons drawn from fifteen centuries of monastic scholarship and reflection are arranged by topics such as prayer, hospitality, discernment, peace, leadership, and love. Brief essays at the beginning of each section provide a historical and theological context for the readings that follow and suggest how the lessons of the monastic way can provide guidance in everyday life. These texts reflect both the diversity and continuity of the cloister through the ages, from the pre-Benedictine reflections of Antony and Pachomius, St. Bede, the renowned Anglo-Saxon monk and scholar, and the medieval writings of St. Hildegard of Bingen and St. Gertrude to twentieth-century scholars such as Thomas Merton and Esther de Waal. Emphasizing those aspects of the monastic tradition with the most direct relevance to daily secular life, Fr. Feiss facilitates a conversation between these great monastics and contemporary men and women who might like to meet them. While Essential Monastic Wisdom is rooted in Christianity, the book is intended for all readers with an interest in the lessons and values of monastic life, regardless of their religious convictions.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1999
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
May 26, 2009
A beautiful and intelligent look at the words of those who have led monastic lives over the course of the past two millenia, mostly taken from the Benedictine tradition, though some are drawn from the early Christian desert father and mothers and some from lay people who strive to bring some of the practices of monasticism to their daily lives. The quotations are classified under the major monastic virtues, from silence to humility, culminating in love. Every section is introduced by a very concise and clear essay by Brother Hugh Feiss about the subject. The book also includes brief biographies of the persons quoted and a very detailed bibliography for those interested in further study of monastic wisdom.
October 3, 2018
This one is a compendium of various tidbits from the giants of monasticism, including copious quotes from the Rule of St Benedict and the Life of Saint Anthony. Elements are divided by topic, with the quote section of each chapter introduced and expanded on by the author. Both the quotes from the classic works and the author's own additions are great material, illuminating, however brief, but again the book tries to cover a diverse-range of topics.
February 8, 2026
Great overview of the rule of Benedict, with commentary by curry spiritual thinkers like Joan Chittenden and Esther de waal.
A humane and inspiring book.
Library book.
A humane and inspiring book.
Library book.
August 29, 2012
Best quote of the book for me was: "humility is the truth about ourselves, the whole truth - about our weaknesses, our failures, our history, our virtues, our gifts," as I'm studying the virtue of humility this year I found this a practical definition. For each of 11 character trait, he provides quotes from sources throughout the centuries including Benedict's Rule and a wide range of authors from Chittister to Merton, Bernard of Clairvaux to Hildegard of Bingen.
May 27, 2013
This book has been a wonderful object for contemplative reading (lectio divina), and an important source for the history, theory and practices of intentional community, spiritual exercise and contemplative pedagogy.
March 9, 2011
This book contains collected writings from ancient and contemporary writers regarding The Rule of Saint Benedict.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews