Crossing the Desert: Learning to Let Go, See Clearly, and Live Simply

by Robert J. Wicks

Robert J. Wicks, noted psychologist and best-selling author of Riding the Dragon and Everyday Simplicity , offers with an insightful guide on how the wisdom of the ancient desert monks can help contemporary readers grow in personal freedom and authenticity. Exploring the early Christian monastic movement of the Desert Fathers and Mothers through a psychological lens, Dr. Wicks uses their wisdom to guide readers towards humility and freedom. In the same way the desert sages never gave answers, but always asked questions, Crossing the Desert presents readers with the Four Desert Questions that will lead them to Take Three Steps to Inner Freedom.

Genres: Spirituality

186 pages, Hardcover

First published February 28, 2007

About the author

There is more than one author with this name. See also: Robert Wicks & Robert Wicks.

Robert J. Wicks (born August 2, 1946 in Queens, New York) is a clinical psychologist and writer about the intersection of spirituality and psychology. Wicks is a well known speaker, therapist, and spiritual guide who has taught at universities and professional schools of psychology, medicine, nursing, theology, and social work for more than thirty years. He a Professor Emeritus at Loyola University Maryland

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have not finished this book - I never will. This is one of those books that says so much, so simply, and yet requires time to pass before the book is done. With the assignment given in the last few pages, I will be working for a lifetime - whether I am aware of it or not.

This book is to be savored and explored and incorporated into one's life. Wicks is an excellent writer with clear direction to his writing. Please consider this and his other books as a path and a journey rather than an accomplishment to be checked off a list.

In case you have read this book, my first word is "questing." I find this to be a very accurate assessment and at this time do not know what to do with the information. Right now, I am simply living it to see where it goes.

[Brenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book came into my life at the exact moment I needed it. It’s about the wisdom of the desert mothers and fathers, emptying, and how to live more authentically. Highly recommend if you enjoy spiritual reading.

[Mary Erickson · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a committed follower of Jesus, I find syncretistic treatises problematic, but that's not to say there aren't interesting and worthwhile things to ponder about how to live simplistically and meaningfully from a variety of religious and secular sources. For me, the main problem is that the book's focus seems to be self-centered self-improvement (even though a goal is to therefore be a loving, other-centered person), rather than glorifying GOD and enjoying Him forever. I did find a lot of value in Chapters 6 and 7. "Ask the Four Desert Questions" [What am I filled with now? What prevents me from letting go? How do I empty myself? What will satisfy me yet leave me open to more?] And Chapter 7: "Feed Your Soul" [gratitude, simplicity, a listening spirit, appreciation of one's vulnerability, recognition of the fragility of life, scripture, unceasing prayer]. My goal is not to be "a better me", but rather "more Christ, less me." This books seems a little tangential to that pursuit, but where the tangent intersects, it was helpful.

[Haremare · Rating 1 out of 5]

new age; beware

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pleasant, humble, quick read on realizing and using some of the wisdom gained by the 4th and 5th century Christian Monks who went out into the Egyptian Desert to find purity of heart and clarity of spirit. The author asks us to 'cross our own desert' by asking the four desert questions and, eventually taking the three steps to inner freedom. The author draws on Buddhism, Jungian psychology, modern psychotherapy, poets, and thinkers from around the world, as well as his Christian foundation to help guide the reader in letting go, seeing clearly, and living simply to reach a new spirituality.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Together with Thomas Merton's the Wisdom of the Desert and Henri Nouwen's The Way of the Heart Robert Wick's Crossing the Desert is a wonderful introduction to desert spirituality.Very interesting and inspiring for the novice spiritual seeker.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book that I refer back to often. So beautiful.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

A relatively universalist perspective, but some thoughtful insights on inner simplicity nonetheless.

[Yvonna Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

A mental health professional looks at the advice of the desert fathers and mothers, and offers practical ways to apply these to modern lives.

[Zaina · Rating 3 out of 5]

He meant well.