Common Sense Spirituality: The Essential Wisdom of David Steindl-Rast

by David Steindl-Rast, Joan D. Chittister (Foreword by)

This collection of David Steindl-Rast's essays directs us back to the true authority--our inner core of knowing.  An invitation to reconnect with the wisdom that grounds us, draws no limits, motivates moral actions, and makes us exhilaratingly alive.

Genres: Spirituality

192 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2008

About the author

Brother David Steindl-Rast is a Benedictine monk, author, and lecturer widely recognized for his commitment to interfaith dialogue and his emphasis on gratitude as a transformative spiritual practice. Born in Vienna in 1926, he survived the challenges of World War II before emigrating to the United States in 1952. He entered monastic life at Mount Saviour Monastery and went on to engage deeply with both Christian and Buddhist traditions, studying with notable Zen masters. His work bridges spirituality and science and has led him to collaborate with religious and cultural figures across traditions. He co-founded the Center for Spiritual Studies and A Network for Grateful Living, advocating for gratefulness as essential to human flourishing. His writings include Gratefulness, the Heart of Prayer and Belonging to the Universe (with Fritjof Capra). Known for his mystical approach, he describes religion as a living flame that must be rediscovered beneath layers of doctrine, ritual, and dogma.

Reviews

[Bhg · Rating 1 out of 5]

Read the Apostle of Common Sense, GK Chesterton instead. Commonsensical is the word that best describes his silly syncretist psychobabble.
Read Joan of Arc, not notorious dissident, "Sr." Joan. Better yet, serious Christian mystics such as St. Francis of Assissi, St. John of the Cross, St. Teresa of Avila, St. Thérèse de Lisieux, and St. Teresa Benedicta (Edith Stein).
Steindl-Rast's "spirituality" didn't and will never produce a Mother Theresa. Striving for personal sanctity? You won't get there with this guy!

[Mitchell26 McLaughlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite a good and quick little read. He makes many of the same points that I make in my own writing but without the depth or explication. However, I think it achieves its purpose and the average reader would do well to read the great majority of this book, with the exception of chapters 9 and 10. I found them gratuitous and off topic.

[Kitty · Rating 3 out of 5]

We just started reading this in our Centering Prayer meditation group.

[John Forman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic collection of essays from one of my favorite people!